A prominent California entrepreneur with a long track record of medical innovation told members and guests at BioMed SA’s Annual Meeting December 16 of his vision to be a catalyst for a new business eco-system in Texas.

Mir Imran, founder of InCube Labs in San Jose and developer of the first implantable defibrillator, said he hopes to utilize InCube’s tested business processes to work with Texas researchers, mentor local entrepreneurs, and evaluate scientific innovations.  In so doing, Imran hopes to become a catalyst for translating research findings into commercial advances for unmet medical needs and in so doing help grow the Texas life sciences industry.

While in the Alamo City, Imran and a team of colleagues from San Jose and Dallas visited San Antonio biomedical research institutions and met with local investors, entrepreneurs and community leaders.

“We are pleased to introduce a proven entrepreneur like Mir Imran to San Antonio’s thriving biomedical sector,” said BioMed SA Chair Henry Cisneros.  “We hope to find ways to apply his expertise and disciplined business processes to commercialize more of the cutting edge research being done in San Antonio and move it into the marketplace where patients and providers can benefit.”

Executive Committee Expanded, New Members Elected

During the business portion of the Annual Meeting, BioMed SA board members voted to expand the organization’s Executive Committee (EC) by adding a second seat for Bioscience Firms, to be held by Dr. Ze’ev Shaked, CEO of Evestra Inc., and a new seat for Venture Capital/Investors, to be held by Dr. Paul Castella, Managing General Partner of Incyte Ventures.

Other newly elected EC members in 2010 are Graham Reeve, President and CEO of the Baptist Health System, and Dr. Todd Fruchterman, KCI Senior VP of R&D, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Medical Officer.

The four new members join returning EC members Henry Cisneros, Dr. Steven Davis, Dr. Brian Herman, Dr. Robert Gracy, Dr. Louis Agnese, Dr. Bruce Leslie, Kevin Moriarty, Kenneth Trevett, Elaine Mendoza, Milton Lee, and Col. Mary Ann McAfee, along with ex officio members Mayor Julian Castro, Judge Nelson Wolff, Richard Perez, John Wisniewski, and Bill Rasco.

Cisneros also recognized outgoing EC members Don Beeler, President and CEO of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Healthcare, and Ron Tefteller, San Antonio Operations Manager of the Genzyme Corporation, for their service to the organization over the past two years.

In other business, BioMed SA President Ann Stevens reviewed the organization’s strategic initiatives during 2009. See the 2009 Strategic Accomplishments.