The Isis team is comprised of industry veterans who have a strong track record in the specific areas of technology and licensing that will be key to the success of the ISIS Patch strategy. They have successfully developed and licensed proprietary technology to more than 11 Fortune 100 companies (see patent list). Within the medical field in making medical plastic molding, medical metal parts, medical plastic, etc, the Isis team is the same group of researchers that successfully developed the first mass-produced flexible pulse oximeter for Nellcor (Division of Tyco Medical) in the mid-nineties.
Emma DurandEmma A. Durand – Chief Executive Officer & Chief Technology Officer
As Chief Executive Officer & Chief Technology Officer, Ms. Durand is responsible for managing technology development for rapid prototyping parts introduction, vendor qualification, design engineering and protection of intellectual property. She has over forty US and international patents, covering diverse areas of mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering, virtually all of which been employed in the development of successful commercial products.
Prior to founding the Company, Ms. Durand was Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of American Biophysics Corp.; a co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of EvaluTech, LLC; the sole distributor of technology transfer for the Naval Underwater Systems Lab in Newport, RI. She also founded Sublimation Systems, Inc. the pioneer of four-color printing of dyes; Key-Tech Inc., the pioneer of engineered plastic decoration and assembly; and Poly-Flex Circuit Inc., the pioneer in flexible circuit boards. Ms. Durand attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
Shawna GvazdauskasShawna Gvazdauskas – Chief Commercial Officer
As Chief Commercial Officer, Ms. Gvazdauskas is responsible for all commercial activities leading to the development of strategy and execution of business development and commercialization efforts for Isis technology.
Prior to joining Isis, Ms. Gvazdauskas was Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Insulet Corporation where she was responsible for leading the commercial effort for the OmniPod® Insulin Management System. In addition to having built the Insulet sales force, she oversaw marketing, public relations, customer support, and reimbursement.
Ms. Gvazdauskas also held positions in Sales at TheraSense® Inc. (acquired by Abbott Diabetes Care) and Johnson & Johnson/Ortho Neutrogena® . Ms. Gvazdauskas began her career at Syntex Laboratories where she sold prescription drugs for the specialty markets of orthopedics, rheumatology, cardiology and primary care. Ms. Gvazdauskas earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Worcester State College.
Michael Jordan Michael Jordan – Director of Product Development
Mr. Jordan is responsible for managing the product development process, vendor outsourcing, and customer requirements. He has over 18 years of product development, medical injection molding manufacturing, and sales experience relating to polymer thick film technology.
Prior to joining Isis Biopolymer, Mr. Jordan was the Product Development Manager for Parlex USA, a polymer thick film circuit and assembly supplier to the medical, appliance and telecom markets. He also held positions as an Application Engineer and Business Development Manager at Parlex (formally Poly-Flex Circuit Inc.). He attended Rhode Island College for Industrial Technology and is also a Six Sigma black belt from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Miaoyong CaoMiaoyong Cao, PhD – Director of Polymer Research
Dr. Cao is responsible for research and development of component materials for Isis Biopolymer’s proprietary transdermal drug delivery systems. He has over 30 years of experience in research and product development in polymer and material science as well as engineering. His contributions have been numerous to industries related to film electronic circuits as well as advanced environmental protection and medical devices.
Prior to join Isis Biopolymer Dr. Cao was Director of Research and Development at American Biophysics Corp. His work experience also includes Research and Product Development at Poly-flex Circuits. He also held positions at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Chemistry, and Material Science & Engineering Departments, Troy. NY. He is listed as co-inventor in 14 US and international patents and has authored 40 scientific papers and two books on polymer physics. He graduated from the University of Science and Technology of China and received his Ph. D at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Chemistry Department.
Bruce BeckerBruce Becker, MD, MPH – Director of Clinical Research
Dr. Becker is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, management and implementation of the clinical studies conducted by Isis Biopolymer, as well as the development of new and effective research collaborations with scientists and clinicians, hospitals, academic institutions, and pharmaceutical companies.
Dr. Becker is Professor of Emergency Medicine and Community Health at the Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University. He has been on Brown’s faculty for more than 23 years. He continues to practice clinically as an attending physician in the Emergency Departments at Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Dr. Becker received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Brown University School of Medicine. He conducted his graduate studies at Harvard University and received his Masters in Public Health in Health Policy and Management in Developing Nations. Dr. Becker has published more than 60 articles in peer-reviewed journals and participated in more than 25 externally funded research projects focusing on medical device development, plastic plastic injection molding, metal medical parts, and public health issues.
Bruce BeckerJames R. Messier, CPA – Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Messier directs all corporate finance activities. With over 15 years of experience in financial and accounting services, he is responsible for overseeing and managing P&L for corporate fiscal responsibility and accountability.
Prior to joining Isis Biopolymer, Mr. Messier held the position of Principal at Restivo Monacelli LLP. His responsibilities included oversight of audit, review and compilation engagements for entities in a variety of industries including: life sciences, construction, manufacturing, real estate, not-for-profit and employee benefit plans. A Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Messier has also held previous positions with Sansiveri, Kimball & McNamee, LLP and Sullivan & Company LLP. Mr. Messier earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Rhode Island.