board of directors

Weaver Gaines

Weaver Gaines has over 40 years of entrepreneurial, management, and legal experience, including over 25 years as a founder, fund-raiser, and manager of start-up life science companies. Most recently, he was a co-founder and CEO of OBMedical Company, a medical device company that developed and received FDA clearance for an electronic maternal fetal monitor, which was acquired by Philips Healthcare in 2018.

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From 2008 to 2017, Gaines was Chairman of the Board of Nanotherapeutics, Inc. (now Ology Bioservices, Inc.), a specialty pharma company and manufacturer of a bone extender cleared by the FDA. Prior that that, Gaines founded Ixion  Biotechnology, a Florida-based, clinical-stage biotechnology company that developed stem cell and probiotic therapies focused on treatment of metabolic disorders. Ixion’s probiotic technology was acquired by QMed AB in 2007.

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Gaines received a BA from Dartmouth College and a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law and was an Infantry officer who served in Vietnam from 1969-70, with a final rank of Captain.

Rick Giancola

With over 35 years of experience in the life sciences industry, Mr. Giancola brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of business development and strategic growth success to this role. He is passionate about neuromodulation technology and its powerful ability to transform lives.

As Owner and Managing Director of Otomed Consulting, LLC, Mr. Giancola has advised global leaders, emerging companies, venture capital and investment firms in the life sciences space on business development and operational systems of neuromodulation devices, including novel tinnitus treatments, hearing implants and innovative approaches for other neurological disorders. 

At Cochlear Americas, his team built the Latin American business, growing revenue by 30% year-over-year and establishing Latin America as a key component of Cochlear’s global strategy. He then joined Neuromonics, Inc. as CEO (later acquired by SoundVida) and bone conduction hearing pioneer Sophono (acquired by Medtronic). As Executive Vice President of the Americas/EMEA at Nurotron Biotechnology, Inc., Mr. Giancola drove significant growth by heading all commercial, clinical, research, regulatory, education and training activities for the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. His strategic initiatives resulted in a fivefold increase in sales in Latin America and EMEA in these diverse global markets.

Mr. Giancola holds an MBA from Syracuse University and a BA from Hobart College. Outside of work, he enjoys cycling, skiing, golfing and lacrosse. His commitment to professional and community involvement is evident through his roles on various boards and committees.

Richard Ferrari

Co-founder of De Novo Ventures, one of the premier firms dedicated to medical devices and biotechnology with $650 million under management.  Mr. Ferrari has raised over a billion dollars for companies he has directly influenced and participated in approximately $1.5 billion in acquisition events.  Additionally, he has been a successful CEO of two publicly traded medical technology companies including Cardiovascular Imaging Systems, the first and leading developer of ultrasound imaging catheters which was eventually acquired for $125 million by Boston Scientific, and CardioThoracic Systems (CTS), the market leader in disposable instruments and systems for performing minimally invasive beating heart bypass surgery, which was acquired by Guidant for $350 million.  

Mr. Ferrari is the recipient of the Mallinckrodt Award for Excellence in Medicine and has been a finalist for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award.  He holds a BS degree from Ashland University and an MBA from the University of South Florida.

Suha Jhaveri

Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Business Development for Leyden Labs. Previously Vice President, Market Development for VIR Biotechnology in San Francisco and before that, she was Global Commercial Leader, New Product Planning for Ultragenyx Pharmaceuticals.  Earlier positions include Chief Operating Officer for OBMedical Company and several management positions with Genentech, Chiron Corporation/Novartis, and other life science therapeutic and medical device companies. Early in her career, she was a consultant with Boston Consulting Group.

Ms. Jhaveri received an MBA from Harvard University, a masters in economic development from the University of Sussex, and a BA with honors from Stanford.

Stephanie Warrington

Chief Commercial Officer for Aurita, a 3D Bioscience company designed to bridge the gap between research and clinical settings. Ms. Warrington has over 25 years of experience as a healthcare and medical device consultant. Previously, she was a co-Founder, Director, and President of TrueMotion Spine (a seed-stage medical device company), President of Synogen, Inc. (a private equity venture fund), and Co-founder and VP of Corporate Development for Xhale, Inc., a medical device company recently acquired by Philips Healthcare. She has also participated as a key management team member in the launch and growth of several high-tech start-up companies and served as Chairman for Bioflorida, the premier organization for Florida's life sciences industry. 

Ms. Warrington obtained her BS in Business Administration, MBA. and MHA all from the University of Florida.