Management Team / Advisory Board Bios
Peter O'HeeronCEO/Founder/Chairman of BoardPete O’Heeron is one of the most preeminent inventors of his generation, with over 300+ patents issued and pending in the areas of biologics, cell therapy and medical devices. Mr. O’Heeron is Chief Executive Officer of FibroBiologics and a seasoned leader in his field with over 25 years of experience in medical technology and biotech development. As CEO, he has positioned FibroBiologics to become a global leader in fibroblast-based cell therapies with the development and commercialization of therapies that can cure and treat patients suffering from chronic diseases. He brings together multi-disciplinary teams and resources necessary to commercialize unique technologies with over $300 million in funding raised.
Prior to founding FibroBiologics/FibroGenesis, LLC, he founded an operational investment group, Advanced Medical Technologies, LLC, that identified early-stage opportunities in the medical field with strong intellectual property potential. He also founded NeoSurg Technologies that developed the T2000 Minimally Invasive Access System. The sale of NeoSurg Technologies to Cooper Surgical occurred in 2006.
He brings decades of executive-level experience at Christus Health Care Corporation and strategic advisory to healthcare companies in the areas of biologics, advanced surgical instrumentation, and telemedicine to his company along with an academic foundation rooted in healthcare administration. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration at Texas State University, his Masters in Healthcare Administration from the University of Houston Clear Lake, and his Executive Management Certification in Mergers and Acquisition from University of Chicago., Mark AndersenCFOMark Andersen, CFA, CPA, joined FibroBiologics as Chief Financial Officer in June 2022. He is a key member of the FibroBiologics executive leadership team and plays a critical role in the company’s strategic financial decision-making.
He most recently served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Administration for the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI) in Indianapolis, overseeing finance, human resources, legal, and administrative functions. While at IBRI, he negotiated a master licensing agreement and in-licensed two patents to help establish a platform diagnostics technology. He also assisted with fundraising and provided oversight for the endowment investment portfolio that grew to nearly $150 million during his tenure. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Finance and Corporate Controller for a public biomedical company in Georgia where he was responsible for financial accounting and SEC reporting.
He served in various financial leadership positions at Eli Lilly and Company in Global Treasury, Mergers and Acquisitions, Lilly USA, Corporate Financial Reporting, and Global Product Development. At Lilly, he managed investment portfolios, led M&A transactions, provided financial leadership and negotiation support for licensing deals, and directed all financial aspects of a collaborative partnership during the late-stage development and commercial launch of a first-in-class diabetes drug. He started his career in public accounting as an auditor with firms KPMG and Deloitte.
He received his M.B.A. from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and his B.S. in Accounting and M.S. in Accountancy from Southern Utah University.
Hamid KhojaChief Scientific OfficerHamid Khoja, Ph.D. joined FibroBiologics as Chief Scientific Officer in August 2021. He leads all research, development, and advancement for the pipeline of cell therapy candidates. He has more than 25 years of experience as a leader of scientific teams, development of cell-based genomic, proteomic, epigenetics assays, and tools, protocols, and technologies for use in drug discovery and development and clinical diagnostics.
He has distinguished himself with six patents issued/pending and 27+ peer reviewed published papers.
He most recently served as the Principal Scientist at Covaris, a privately held scientific tools company with emphasis in genomics, epigenetics, and proteomics. He provided long-term strategic applications proposals to the CEO, managed external collaborations for product and applications development, assessed new technologies for acquisition and OEM opportunities, and presented posters and presentations at numerous scientific conferences. He led the effort in successfully incorporating Covaris technology into the Illumina Next Generation Sequencing technology protocols leading to over 15,000+ citations. He also developed the Covaris chromatin immunoprecipitation methodology with 3,000+ citations in peer reviewed publications and positioned Covaris technology to be used for simplifying epigenetics assay workflows for use in drug development and discovery and clinical use. He led collaborations with NCI for successful development of microbiome DNA extraction using acoustics and the completion of FDA EUA SARA-CoC-2 bridge study design for approval of new sample collection and viral RNA extraction using Covaris technology. He developed a patented workflow for the manufacturing of synthetic cell-free DNA for use as reference standard in sequencing-based liquid biopsy clinical oncology-based assays.
Prior to Covaris, he was a scientist at Genomic Solutions, a startup scientific tools company later acquired by Harvard Apparatus. There, he led the development of a high throughput protein crystallization platform used in the pharmaceutical industry for drug development, managed the scientific applications group, presented company resources at scientific meetings, and assessed new technologies for acquisition and OEM opportunities.
At the startup phase of Sequenom, he established the methodology for a highly multiplexed PCR used in the development of Sequenom’s massEXTEND technology for MALDI-TOF MS-based analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms and genetic disease. As a scientist for the company, he led the effort in developing diagnostic MS-based assays for hemochromatosis, cystic fibrosis, and 10 predominantly Jewish genetic diseases using Sequenom’s massEXTEND technology, which were then transferred to a large clinical diagnostic company.
During his career at Eli Lilly as a scientist, he established a high throughput PCR and sequencing strategy using a variety of sequencing strategies and bioinformatic tools available in 1999 for obtaining high-coverage genome sequencing, which led to the finalization of the first ever complete sequence of the S. pneumoniae genome.
At Chiron Corporation, subsequently acquired by Novartis, he served as a scientist and helped in the design, development, and optimization of HTP- binding assays for FGFR, VEGF, PDGF, and EPO receptors. He also helped in the identification of novel g-protein coupled seven transmembrane receptors, novel proteins involved in the TNF signaling pathway, and development of branched-DNA based HTP screening for ligand-induced oncogene quantification.
He graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology from the University of Southern California and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Boston University.
Richard Cilento Jr.DirectorRich Cilento has more than 25 years of domestic and international business experience across a broad set of highly technical industries. Rich has led companies in nearly every stage of the business life cycle. An Aeronautical & Astronomical Engineer; Rich’s life sciences experiences began as a Space Shuttle Flight Controller at the Johnson Space Center, where he built Space Shuttle flight plans for the Department of Defense Star Wars program and a diverse set of government-funded technology and life science experimentation. Rich was a lead engineer who designed and planned the Space Station assembly sequences for the construction of the International Space Station.
Rich has executive-level knowledge of capital markets, including venture capital, private equity, and public markets with IPO experience. Rich received the prestigious honor, winning the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. From a Board member perspective, he has always enjoyed mentoring Entrepreneurs, CEOs, and Ph.D.’s developing purpose-driven, high-growth business ventures across a diverse set of markets. As a Board member for Mercury Data Science, Rich is supporting this innovative life science focused company using artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve care and enhance therapeutic discoveries with artificial intelligence and machine learning by integrating computational biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and physics.
As Chairman & CEO of GlycosBio, Inc., Rich is leading a mission to nourish and enhance the lives of people at all stages of life with a focus on fragile populations struggling with microbiome dysbiosis. GlycosBio scientists also work to reduce the dependence of antibiotics and prescription medication on children using novel natural antimicrobial and antiviral technologies. An ag-tech enthusiast and farmer, Rich enjoys Non-GMO farming in Illinois. Ethical investments are focused on leveraging the natural resources of Ghana, Africa to improve the quality of life and the economic development of the local Ghana community. Rich help fund the construction and operations of a water purification and production factory in Kumasi that provides safe drinking water in the region. Rich has also contributed to clean technology, medical sciences, pharmaceutical, higher education, and space sectors as an angel investor.
Rich was the Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of FuelQuest, Inc. (acquired by Saracen). Rich led ZyTax Inc. a technology company that developed into the largest excise tax platforms (acquired by Avalara Software, NYSE). As a public company Officer, he supported the IPO of XL Connect Solutions (Nasdaq), where he led the technology-enabled SaaS business for XL Connect (acquired by Xerox). He held Senior Executive level positions for Xerox Corporation (NYSE).
Stacy CoenBoard MemberMrs. Coen brings over 20 years of business and corporate development experience from leading oncology and rare disease companies. She is currently the Chief Business Officer for ImmunoGen, a company that is developing the next generation of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to improve outcomes for cancer patients. Prior to ImmunoGen, Mrs. Coen worked at Editas Medicine, where she served as Vice President, Business Development and was responsible for business development, strategy, transactions, and alliance management. While at Editas, Mrs. Coen worked on various transactions to enable company progress in the cell therapy field. Prior to joining Editas, Mrs. Coen served in multiple roles of increasing responsibility at Genzyme Corporation (now known as Sanofi Genzyme), including Vice President, Head of Rare Disease Business Development and Licensing, and Vice President, Global Head of Strategy and Business Development, Multiple Sclerosis, among others. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Huntington’s Disease Society of America and is a member of MassBio and the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM). Mrs. Coen received a BS in Finance and Economics from the University of Massachusetts and an MBA from the Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia.
Robert HoffmanBoard MemberRobert E. Hoffman is an experienced financial executive and board member with nearly 30 years of experience and achievements in accounting, finance, fundraising, strategic planning, corporate governance, investor relations, and leadership.
Robert is the President, CEO and Chairman of Kintara Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTRA). Robert presently sits on two publicly-traded company boards (ASLAN Pharmaceuticals – Nasdaq: ASLN and Antibe Therapeutics – TSX: ATE) serving as Chairman of the Board of Antibe and as audit committee chair on ASLAN. In his previous operating role, Robert was CFO of San Diego-based Heron Pharmaceuticals, a Nasdaq-listed commercial stage drug developer with a pipeline of acute pain therapeutics. During his tenure at Heron, the company raised more than $650 million and launched its second commercial drug product. Robert’s career in the biotechnology sector began in 1997 at Arena Pharmaceuticals, where he was a member of the founding management team and rose to become CFO, holding that position for ten years. While at Arena, he was involved in its IPO and financings, raising more than $1.5 billion. Robert was the financial lead in two Arena acquisitions, including a Swiss manufacturing facility that he became managing director of the facility upon the closing of the transaction. Robert was an advisor to the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) for 10 years (2010 to 2020) advising the United States accounting rulemaking organization on emerging issues and new financial guidance. Charity work is important to Robert. As a founder of Day For Change, a not-for-profit that serves underprivileged and abused children in San Diego, Robert has served on its board of directors for 20 years. Robert received his BBA in accounting from St. Bonaventure University and is a licensed CPA (Inactive) in the State of California.
Matthew LinkBoard MemberMatt Link served as NuVasive’s President (NUVA $3.3B Market Cap), overseeing Global Logistics, NuVasive Clinical Services, Surgical Intelligence, Global Implant Systems, NuVasive Specialized Orthopedics, Strategy & Corporate Development, Global Marketing, Medical Affairs, and Clinical Professional Development. His prior roles at NuVasive include President of Strategy, Technology, and Corporate Development; President, U.S. Commercial; Executive Vice President of U.S. Sales; Senior Vice President of Sales for the Company’s U.S. Eastern region; and several regional sales positions with DePuy Orthopedics and DePuy Spine. Mr. Link received a BSEd in Physical Education and Sports Medicine from the University of Virginia.
Victoria NiklasBoard MemberDr. Victoria Niklas is a Global Biotechnology Executive with a distinguished career spanning more than two decades in translational research and clinical medicine in academic health centers.
She earned her Doctor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, a Master’s Degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Harvard University, and a Master’s Certificate in Academic Medicine & Leadership from the USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles. Victoria has held academic professorial appointments at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. As an experienced clinician investigator and neonatologist, she is highly skilled in aligning basic and translational science with unmet clinical needs in the path to drug discovery. Her expertise spans developmental and acquired disorders of the gut, the lung, the immune system focusing on innovative therapies for diseases with no cure.
Victoria brings a passion and broad understanding of science and medicine to biopharmaceutical drug exploration and clinical development in her role at Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Her efforts create and deliver meaningful medical solutions to improve patient outcomes and health. As an industry thought leader with a broad knowledge base, Dr. Niklas has co-authored numerous scientific and clinical publications in peer-reviewed journals and participated as a speaker and chair in international conferences. She has led the development of patented products and has served as a board member for hospital and medical organizations and committees. She is board certified in Perinatal and Neonatal Medicine and holds an active California medical license. Dr. Niklas is an exceptional medical professional, scientific leader, and superb communicator for corporate biotechnology and healthcare.