Meet The Team
Orthocell has attracted world-leading experts in medical research, clinical practice, and commercialization. Orthocell’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer both have unique experience in the regenerative medicine industry, having been responsible for securing one of the first cell therapy products approved for the repair of cartilage in Australia and having led the sale of one of Australia’s first regenerative medical companies. The Board also features several experienced directors, including a world expert in orthopedics, as well as directors with track records in developing and gaining FDA approval and CE marking for products in the lifescience and healthcare industries. The directors have also successfully sold Australian companies within the healthcare industry to US-based acquirers.
Board of Directors
Mr John Van Der Wielen
Chairman
John is an accomplished executive leader with more than 30 years’ experience in wealth management, private banking, investments, and insurance.
He has held executive positions within several global financial services groups and managed numerous acquisitions, integration, and restructuring programs. He currently holds senior executive board membership of listed ASX, FTSE, European and Asian entities.
John has extensive experience in capital markets, and in liaising with institutional Investors and analysts on company strategy and performance. A distinctive competence has been overseeing and chairing large funds management and investment committees on a global basis.
John was appointed the CEO of HBF Health Ltd in May 2017 and held this position for over five years before resigning to work with Blackstone as the Chairman of Crown Perth and to join the group Board of Crown. John also holds non-executive director roles with the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA and is the Chair of Western Australia’s Future Health Research and Innovation Fund (FHRI).
Dr Stewart James Washer
Executive Director
Stewart has 25 years of CEO and ASX Board experience in medical technology and biotech companies.
He is currently the Chairman of Emyria Ltd (ASX:EMD), Director of Botanix Ltd (ASX:BOT) and Director of Cynata Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:CYP).
Stewart was previously the CEO of Calzada Ltd (ASX:PNV), the founding CEO of Phylogica Ltd (ASX:PYC) and before this, he was CEO of Celentis and managed the commercialisation of research from AgResearch in New Zealand with 650 Scientists and $130m revenues. This included a number of nutraceutical products. He was also a founder of a NZ$120m New Zealand based life science fund and Venture Partner with the Swiss based Inventages Nestlé Fund. He was an Investment Director with Bioscience Managers.
Stewart has held a number of Board positions in the past including Founding Chairman of Hatchtech Pty Ltd that sold in 2015 for A$279m, Director of iCeutica Pty Ltd that sold to a US Pharma and a Director of AusBiotech Ltd, the Federal industry body. He was also a Senator with Murdoch University.
Mr Paul Anderson
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Paul has over 20 years’ experience in the medical device and cellular therapeutic fields with expertise in bridging the gap between research and clinical practice in the development of emerging medical technologies. This encompasses applying the regulatory framework to the product, rebating pathways, marketing, sales, developing key option leader relationships, strategic and financial planning. Paul has a strong track record with his previous board position with Verigen Australia Pty Ltd, a human cell therapies company.
Ms Leslie Wise
Board Member
Leslie has extensive experience working for both medical device and pharmaceutical companies, including Bristol Myers-Squib, Sanofi, Biomet Orthopedics and AngioDynamics. More recently, Ms Wise has developed expertise in reimbursement, value evidence generation, clinical research strategy and frontline regulatory and payer experience.
Leslie regularly engages with leading experts in health technology assessment, health economics and is at the forefront of developing policies that support greater access for medical technologies. In recognition of her expertise, Leslie was re-appointed to the Medicare Evidence Development Coverage and Advisory Committee (MEDCAC) for 2018-2020. She also partnered with Advamed to facilitate the MedTech Value Summit inaugural event in Minneapolis in 2019.
Mr Matthew Callahan
Board Member
Matthew is an experienced life sciences executive based in Philadelphia. He is the founding CEO or Executive Director of a number of pharmaceutical and health tech companies including iCeutica Inc, Churchill Pharma Inc. Dimerix Biosciences, Emerald Clinics and Orthocell.
He has led the development of four products that have received FDA approval and he has more than 25 years legal, IP and investment management experience.
Mr Callahan has worked as an investment director for two venture capital firms investing in lifesciences, technology and other sectors, and was general manager of Australian listed technology and licensing company ipernica (now Nearmap ASX:NEA), where he was responsible for the licensing programs that generated more than $120M in revenue.
Mr Qi Xiao Zhou
Board Member
Mr Zhou has 15 years’ experience within China as a senior business manager and executive. He has been General Manager of Shenzhen Lightning Digital Technology Co Ltd since 2001, focused on the manufacture and distribution of Semiconductor/Integrated Circuit technology.
Mr Zhou has experience within the public markets in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan and brings to the Board a wealth of business management and business development experience within the Asian regions. In particular Mr Zhou has broad connections and experience in the licensing of technologies into China and licensing into the Asian region.
Dr Ravi I. Thadhani
Independent Non-Executive Director
Dr Thadhani is a globally recognised healthcare executive, physician and researcher with a passion for translating medical research into market leading products, and delivering the highest quality patient care. He is a dynamic and collaborative leader with more than 30 years as a general and specialised internal medicine physician, researcher, medical administrator and commercialisation adviser. Dr Thadhani has extensive experience in US regulatory pathways and commercialisation of devices and therapeutics.
Professor Lars Lidgren
Board Member
M.D., Ph.D. Professor in Orthopedics at the University Hospital of Lund. Professor Lidgren leads a productive regenerative medicine research group at the University Hospital of Lund. The hospital is a member of the ISOC group of worldwide leading hospitals and Professor Lidgren is an honorary member and past president of several major societies. He initiated the worldwide Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 and is a successful serial entrepreneur who founded the companies Scandimed (Biomet), Bone Support, AMeC and GWS in Sweden.
Executive Management
Mr Paul Anderson
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Paul has over 20 years’ experience in the medical device and cellular therapeutic fields with expertise in bridging the gap between research and clinical practice in the development of emerging medical technologies. This encompasses applying the regulatory framework to the product, rebating pathways, marketing, sales, developing key option leader relationships, strategic and financial planning. Paul has a strong track record with his previous board position with Verigen Australia Pty Ltd, a human cell therapies company.
Professor Ming Hao Zheng
Chief Scientific Officer
Professor Zheng has 15 years’ experience within China as a senior business manager and executive. This includes experience within the public markets in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan.
Professor Zheng is inventor of Orthocell’s technology and brings a strong track record of innovation to the company. He completed his PhD in 1993 and Doctor of Medicine (DM) in 1998 at the University of Western Australia and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists.
Currently, Professor Zheng is the Director of Research in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at The University of Western Australia. His research focus involves using cutting-edge cellular and molecular biology technique to discover new ways to treat osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and tendon injuries.
Ms Nicole Telford
Chief Financial Officer
Nicole is a chartered accountant with over 14 years’ commercial experience in financial controller/group accountant roles. Nicole achieved her professional qualifications while employed at Arthur Andersen in the audit division, providing her with a broad range of experience. She has commercial experience in financial and management reporting, office administration and staff management.
Mr Alex McHenry
Chief Operating Officer
Alex has over 17 years of experience in corporate advisory and management consulting, with a particular focus on the execution of corporate strategy, capital raising and business transformation initiatives in the biotechnology and resources industry. Alex started his career with Arthur Anderson, assisting clients with business transformation strategy and implementation of operational improvement programs. Prior to joining Orthocell, Alex worked as a corporate consultant, working with his clients in the execution and financing of asset acquisitions and in the management of development programs in the biotechnology and mining sectors in Australia and SE Asia.