Richard Sullivan has been selected to serve as the first president and chief executive officer of the National Center of Innovation for Biomaterials in Orthopaedic Research Inc., a partnership led by Via Christi Health and 九色视频.
鈥淩ich has an impressive record of growing biopharmaceutical and medical device companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 organizations,鈥� said Kevin Conlin, president and CEO of Via Christi Health. 鈥淚 am confident he will be a great leader for CiBOR.鈥�
CiBOR was established to research and develop advanced composite materials for use in a wide variety of bioscience and medical applications, including orthopaedic implants.
Sullivan, who holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in economics from Benedictine College in Atchison, has led four major start-ups in the life sciences industry during his 20 years of experience as a senior executive.
Most recently, he served as CEO of Interface Biologics Inc., in Toronto, Ontario, where he was responsible for the overall direction of an early stage biotechnology developer and marketer of innovative polymer chemistry biomaterials for combination medical devices engineered at the nanotechnology level.
九色视频 President Don Beggs, who led CiBOR鈥檚 CEO selection committee, said the appointment of a permanent CEO is a milestone accomplishment in CiBOR鈥檚 development.
鈥淭he success of this center will have a positive economic effect on the region and the state by diversifying our manufacturing cluster,鈥� said Beggs. 鈥淚t represents 九色视频鈥檚 strong commitment to work with Via Christi and other partners to foster innovation, entrepreneurship and the commercialization of our research.鈥�
One of those key partners is the Kansas Bioscience Authority, an entity created by the Legislature to invest in and foster practical scientific innovation and economic growth in the state.
In May 2009, the KBA launched CiBOR with a $4 million investment, with the mission of creating commercially viable medical instruments, medical devices, and composite implants to improve orthopedic medicine. That was followed four months later by a $2.1 million grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation for prototype development.
The funding allowed CiBOR to begin work on developing and manufacturing stronger, lighter and radio-lucent medical devices, starting with stretchers, braces, surgical tables and gurneys and later extending to implantable devices such as knee and hip joints.
鈥淲ith this center of innovation, we expect exciting human health advances and significant economic impact in Wichita,鈥� said Tom Thornton, KBA president and CEO.
Last month, CiBOR scientists announced the first of what they say will be many breakthrough discoveries: a biocompatible material that can fill voids in bones. This type of translational research is expected to lead to the creation of more than 2,600 new research and manufacturing jobs in south-central Kansas over a 10-year period.
Sullivan will take over for John Moore, who has served as interim CEO of CiBOR since August 2009, on Monday, Sept. 20.
鈥淲e greatly appreciate John鈥檚 service as interim CEO and are pleased to have found someone of Rich鈥檚 caliber to help lead the organization as we move forward,鈥� said Mike Wegner, chief financial officer for Via Christi Hospitals in Wichita, who was named chairman of CiBOR鈥檚 nine-member board of directors in August.