Advisory Team
Dr. Barry is Professor of Cellular Therapy at the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI), National University of Ireland Galway, where he directs a large group of researchers who focus on the development of new repair strategies for musculoskeletal conditions, especially osteoarthritis.
Previously, he was Director of Arthritis Research at Osiris Therapeutics in Baltimore, MD Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida College of Medicine and a Research Fellow at Shriners Hospital for Children in Tampa, FL.
He has contributed to the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine by developing innovative and successful cellular therapies for tissue repair, joint injury and arthritic disease. In a career that has spanned both industry and academic research, he has been a driver in the development of cellular therapy as a biological repair strategy.
It is his belief that the application of new technologies in regenerative medicine, including cellular therapy, gene therapy, growth factor augmentation, implantable scaffolds and nanomaterials, will have a profound impact in medicine in years to come. Frank Barry has been the recipient of the Marshall Urist Award for excellence in tissue regeneration research from the Orthopaedic Research Society.
Dr. Steven Dow is a veterinary internist and immunologist in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University who directs a research program developing new immunotherapeutic approaches to the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases.
In the infectious disease program, his laboratory has pioneered the use of immune-activated mesenchymal stromal cells for treatment of chronic, drug-resistant infections in companion animals and horses. His laboratory also collaborates with investigators in the Translational Medicine Institute to develop new immune-based approaches to management of musculoskeletal injuries and wound healing.
Dr. Gibson is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, and University of Guelph, Canada.
Tom Gibson graduated from the Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph in 1986 with a BSc in Agriculture. He then graduated from the University of Windsor's teachers college and pursued a career in teaching for three years. He then returned to Guelph and graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1995.
After 6 years in small animal general practice, Tom returned to OVC to complete a small animal rotating internship and surgical residency completing a DVSc and becoming board certified with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2006. After almost two years in private referral practice, Tom returned to OVC in 2007 and is now an Associate Professor in Small Animal Surgery in orthopaedics.
Garrett Herman
B.A., D.Litt (Hon), LLD (Hon)
Garrett Herman’s career as a senior investment banker includes the position of Chairman and CEO at Loewen Ondaatje McCutcheon Limited since 1990, following a 20-year career as a senior executive and member of the Board at Merrill Lynch Canada.
He is currently the Chairman of the Charles Darwin Foundation Canada (Galapagos Conservancy Canada), was a Director of both the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and the MS Scientific Research Foundation as well as Grapes for Humanity.
His diverse interests are evident as a past Member of the Consular Corps of Ontario where he was the President of the Canadian Sri Lanka Business Council and Honorary Consul for the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
He has been honoured by The University of Edinburgh with an Honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) and with an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) from Concordia University.
Robert Jordan
Advisor, Veterinary and Healthcare Commercialization
Mr. Jordan has been active in the Veterinary and Healthcare fields for over 25 years. He has been an integral part of several teams developing and commercializing pioneering products and technologies.
Most recently, he was the Chief Operating Officer at One Health Solutions, leading the use of both human and veterinary telemedicine to aggregate health data across species with the intent of identifying and acting on early indicators of zoonotic disease outbreak and general health interactions between people, animals and agriculture. These technologies were deployed in North America, sub Saharan Africa with the Smithsonian Institute and in active discussions with the Gates Foundation.
Mr. Jordan has negotiated the joint venture or sale of various companies with every major global pharmaceutical company. His ability to organize and shape an early stage company into a formidable international competitor through proper utilization of technology, market penetration, global expansion and proper strategic financing are the hallmarks of success.
Dr. Alan Manning, MSc, DVM
Advisor, Equine Sports Medicine
A native of Prince Edward Island, Dr. Manning grew up immersed in the horse environment, competing on the “A” jumper circuit and involved in the standardbred industry. Prior to becoming a Veterinarian he pursued a Masters in equine reproduction at the Western College of Vet Medicine, Saskatoon.
Following graduation from OVC in 1990 he was in private practice for 8 years after which he left to set up his own clinic in the Erin area on a 100 acre farm, where today he also breeds & develops young warmbloods. Alan continues to be active in the reproduction aspect of veterinary medicine, in particular, frozen semen work at the clinic.
The emphasis of his time is spent on equine sports medicine, particularly lameness and performance horse issues and is always keen to incorporate new technologies & treatments into the practice such as biological therapies for joint and tendon/ligament injuries, stem cell implantation, ultrasound guided injections, shock wave and laser therapies.
A passion for equine lameness has led Alan to become one of only ten equine veterinarians in Canada belonging to ISELP (International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology) dedicated specifically to advanced education in the field of equine lameness, including the latest developments in diagnostic imaging of bones, joints, tendons and muscles, as well as treatments,
To complement the practice Alan has become one of the few veterinarians in Canada with FEI designation status, most recently attending the Pan Am Games in October 2011 as the team veterinarian for the Canadian Dressage Team.
Dr. Viswanathan is an Affiliate Scientist at the Krembil Research Institute (University Health Network) and an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering and at the Department of Medicine (University of Toronto). Her research interest is focused on using anti-inflammatory approaches to target osteoarthritis (OA), including using proprietarily-enhanced mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in modulating inflammatory responses and re-programming monocytes/macrophages. Dr. Viswanathan’s lab is focused on bioprocess optimization and translation of these cell-based therapies into clinical investigations.
Dr. Viswanathan is a co-Principal Investigator of a recently approved trial using autologous MSCs to treat OA patients, a North American first. Dr. Viswanathan is the recipient of a Young Investigator’s Operational grant from The Arthritis Society (2015). As a translational scientist, Dr. Viswanathan serves as a national regulatory and cell manufacturing consultant for projects across Canada.
Dr. Viswanathan chairs the Cell Therapy Stakeholder Group, a bilateral group that engages Health Canada on cell therapy related policy issues. Dr. Viswanathan is a member of the Stem Cell Oversight Committee that advises the Governing Council of CIHR. Dr. Viswanathan is a founding member, and team leader of the Manufacturing Committee of a network of Pan-Canadian cell manufacturing facilities called CellCAN. Dr. Viswanathan is leading international efforts to standardize MSC nomenclature and create reference material(s) for MSC research; she sits on the Standard Council of Canada’s Mirror Committee for International Organization for Standardization (ISO TC276) on Analytical Methods and Bioprocessing, and is on the steering and working committee of an international Standards Coordinating Body (SCB), and has recently been appointed as formal liaison between ISO TC276 and the International Society of Cellular Therapy.
Dr. Viswanathan is a co-editor of a translational book on MSCs “Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Translational Pathways towards Clinical Adoption.” At the Cell Therapy Program at the University Health Network, Dr.Viswanathan has overseen clinical translation of over 13 cell-based therapies ranging from immunotherapies, lysosomal storage disorders to acute kidney failure into Health Canada approved clinical investigations. She leads a multidisciplinary team specializing in clinical-grade cell processing and manufacturing, regulatory and ethics submissions, and implementation of clinical trials. She provided clinical translational and regulatory input to enable clinical trials for two companies, ExCellThera Inc. and Replicel LifesSciences Inc.
Ms. Carrie is a current member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA,CA), as well as the holder of Colorado CPA license. She has 11 years of experience with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in their audit and assurance practice, specializing with publicly listed companies on the TSX and NYSE. She has extensive experience managing and overseeing audit and assurance engagements, for start-up companies, mid-size companies, and fortune 500 companies.
Dr. Galuppo is Health Science Professor of Equine Surgery at the University of California, Davis.
His area of clinical expertise is in equine orthopedic surgery, including tendon, ligament and joint disorders. His specific focus is traumatology and fracture repair in which his research interests are focused on novel healing methods for musculoskeletal injuries utilizing regenerative medicine techniques.
Dr. Galuppo’s initial research emphasis in the biomechanics of fracture generation, implant design, and fracture repair, has progressed to focus on advanced imaging for accurate detection of sport horse injuries, in addition to regenerative medicine.
He is a graduate of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, completing an internship at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, and returning to UC Davis for his residency in equine surgery subsequent to which he obtained board certification from the American College of Veterinary Surgery. Other interests include podiatry and advanced imaging in addition to minimally invasive procedures such as arthroscopy, tenoscopy and laparoscopy.
Dr. Laurie R. Goodrich, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVS
Advisor, Equine Surgery and Lameness, Regenerative Medicine
Dr. Goodrich is a translational scientist whose research focuses on regenerative medicine, gene therapies, and biologics to improve joint and bone repair in both animals and humans. She is, concurrently, an equine surgeon specializing in ortho-pedic surgery and lameness with a focus on musculoskeletal injuries and trauma,
Dr. Goodrich is Director of the Orthopaedic Research Center at Colorado State University’s C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Medicine Institute, a Founding Fellow in Minimally Invasive Surgery at the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Chair of American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS), a member of the Board of Directors for North American Veterinary Regenerative Medicine Association (NARVMA), and was a co-founder of, and is the immediate past Chair for, the Preclinical Models Section of the Orthopedic Research Society.
Dr. Goodrich has received the Elastikon Award in Research Excellence from the Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation, the Cabaud Award in Research from American Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine, and CSU’s American Association of Equine Practitioners Clinician of the Year Award for teaching excellence. She earned her MSc in pharmacology at Marion DuPont Equine Medical Center and PhD in cellular and molecular biology of cartilage repair at Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine where she served as faculty surgeon.
Mr. Hunderup is a seasoned businessman with 45+ year’s experience in the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry as well as various aspects of the Equine Industry.
Mr. Hunderup co-founded eQcell Inc. together with Dr. Thomas Koch and served as eQcell’s first President and CEO. Mr. Hunderup continues to be available for consultation to the management of eQcell.
Dr. Koenig is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, and University of Guelph, Canada. She is the Head of the Large Animal Clinic at the Ontario veterinary College Health Science Center.
Dr. Koenig’s main area of research is in tissue regeneration and healing, with emphasis on wound and tendon healing in horses. Investigation of different modalities for tissue regeneration and wound healing, such as allogeneic cord blood stem cells, low level light lasers and shock wave treatment.
These modalities accelerate the healing process through interacting with different cellular pathways. Research has been done to investigate the effect of low level light lasers and shock waves on wound healing in horses. Also, the anti-inflammatory properties of allogeneic cord blood stem cells on induced synovitis in horses have been demonstrated. The effect of repeated administration of stem cells in the treatment of superficial digital flexor tendinitis is currently evaluated. Another current area of research is the effect of shockwave application on stem cells.
Dr. Koenig is a very active research team member as a clinician and surgeon. As clinician she usually design and participate in the in vivo trials, either using animal models or clinical cases.
Dr. Pezzanite is a veterinary surgeon and Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences within the College of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University. She attended veterinary school at Cornell University and completed her residency and PhD training at Colorado State University through the Center for Immune and Regenerative Medicine and Orthopaedic Research Center within the Translational Medicine Institute.
Dr. Pezzanite’s research focuses on musculoskeletal injuries and trauma, including novel regenerative immunotherapies to treat septic arthritis and osteoarthritis. Her specific research interests are traumatology and regenerative therapeutic approaches to improve tissue healing and athletic outcomes in equine orthopedic surgery with translational relevance to human patients.
She is a member of the NIH NCATS Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI), American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Veterinary Orthopedic Society, American Association of Equine Practitioners and AOVet Foundation. Her research has been funded by NIH/NCATS TL1 and T32 grants, AAEP Past President’s Award, Grayson Jockey Club Stormcat Career Development Award and Colorado State University Distinguished Professors Award.
Dr. Roges is an internationally-experienced MD and Senior Manager with more than 15 years of management expertise in drug development and clinical research for pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations.
He was a Country Manager and Director of Operations for YM BioSciences Inc., a public company on TSX, NYSE (acquired by Gilead Inc., Canadian subsidiary) for 14 years. He has also been a Regional Research Director with Syreon Corporation, Manager of Clinical Research Services with Regxia Inc. and Senior Clinical Project Manager with Forbius Inc. (acquired by Pfizer).
He is currently Managing Director – Science and Medicine – with Cresswell Advisors Inc. a consulting firm providing assistance and direction to development-stage companies in the life sciences.
His previous experience of 18 years as a scientist and lecturer in Life Sciences is also recognized.