LUDOVIC LABAT

CEO

As a business leader, Ludovic has over 20 years’ experience in the medical device and technology industry in Europe, the USA and Asia Pacific with a range of global companies including Fortive, Danaher, Siemens, Tektronix and Invetech. He has a record of proven success in bringing innovations to market to generate profitable growth in global hi-tech and medical devices markets – in roles ranging from product ideation to go-to-market strategy.

Ludovic and his family share a passion for the ocean and sailing. He enjoys dinghy racing, on his own or with his wife – they competed together in the 2015 Tasar World Championships.

ULI GOMMEL

CTO

JASON LEMAIRE

PROJECT DIRECTOR

With over two decades of experience, Jason brings a wealth of expertise across the entire product lifecycle. His extensive skill set encompasses project management, product design, operations, and quality assurance. Additionally, Jason has a strong background in medical technologies, having worked with devices from class 1 to class 3 in the fields of Ophthalmics, IVDs, and surgical devices.

Outside of work, Jason loves spending time with his kids, including coaching his son’s basketball team.

PAULA HURLEY

FINANCE MANAGER

OWEN BURNS

SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Owen is a systems engineer responsible for coordinating the engineering team throughout each project. He is an expert in biomechanical design for medical devices. Owen was the lead design engineer for the vagus nerve stimulation device developed to treat Crohn’s disease, which is due to start first-in-human trials soon.

Owen also led the project to design Neo-Bionica’s purpose-built facility – while renovating his own house. In his down time, he enjoys trail running, cycling and anything involving a mountain.

GARETH CLAY

SENIOR ELECTRONICS ENGINEER

Gareth is a skilled electronics and software developer with a keen interest in documentation and pathways for regulatory compliance.

As a Product Development Engineer for Fisher and Paykel Heathcare in New Zealand, Gareth designed electronics and software for next generation AIRVO medical devices, specifically in the product development and manufacturing space.

Outside of work, you’ll find Gareth watching or playing sport (you name it, he’s played it), or at a gig enjoying some live music.

EDWARD SETTLE

QUALITY ASSURANCE LEAD

Previously holding various Regulatory and Quality roles at MAXONIQ and Lincoln Consulting, Edward is in charge of Neo-Bionica’s Quality Management System. He has a Master of Engineering (Biomedical with Business) from the University of Melbourne.

In his spare time, Ed enjoys cooking for his friends and exploring Melbourne’s restaurant scene.

RICHARD NASH

VP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Richard is an experienced medical technology executive with more than 10 years in management with Medtronic across Europe and APAC.

He is an experienced leader, possessing a well rounded insight into the complexities and expertise required to successfully scale and commercialise medical technology.
He maintains a number of advisory board positions in the medical device industry.

On a personal level, Rich and his family have a keen interest in the arts. Many years ago, Rich was also a former semi-professional badminton player and still enjoys racket sports/occasional running.

DAVID KNEEN

CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT

Originally a deeply technical engineer and scientist, David transitioned post-MBA to strategic and executive leadership of global biotech developments, from Fortune 500s to start-ups. He brings 20 years of product development experience in medtech for clients across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. David has a record of strategic, commercial and operational leadership to effectively implement innovative technologies in high-value commercial applications.

David is an enthusiastic sailor, with a penchant for ocean racing that bemuses his warm, dry and well-rested friends and colleagues. At the 2021 Sydney to Hobart, David’s crew placed 15th on Line Honours aboard the Reichel-Pugh 46 ‘Hartbreaker’.

ROSS THOMAS

SENIOR PRODUCT DESIGNER

Ross is a skilled designer who has contributed to electrode design and fabrication of prototypes to treat Crohn’s disease and to prevent urinary incontinence. He has developed new fabrication methods and implemented quality control in fabrication processes. Ross has been closely involved with Neo-Bionica since the beginning, helping to conceptualise the company, plan the purpose-built facility, and set up and fit out the new workshops.

Outside work, Ross is a runner – covering around 100 km a week and competing in races from 1500 m races to half-marathons.

JENNY ZHOU

ELECTRODE FABRICATION LEAD

As a technician responsible for prototype design and fabrication, Jenny has worked on the trickiest of projects, from the 4-channel electrode in the mouse cochlear implant to the 44-channel electrode in the bionic eye. She also built Epi-Minder’s prototype for monitoring epileptic seizures, which is now in first-in-human trials.

Away from the lab, Jenny enjoys baking and cooking – and even running classes for her friends on making dumplings, bread and cakes. She also nurtures a garden, where she grows plants and vegetables.

LUSIA GUTHRIE

CHAIR

Lusia is a medtech entrepreneur with over 35 years in the pharmaceutical and bioscience industries. She has extensive experience in forming companies, raising capital, developing products and bringing them to market. Lusia founded LBT Innovations to bring advanced technologies to the medical industry – and listed the company on the Australian stock exchange. She also led the company’s development of an automated plate assessment system for microbiologists, which was the first artificial intelligence diagnostic medical device to achieve US FDA class II approval.

When she’s not skimming journals, Lusia has a stack of books to read. She also has a keen interest in collecting and tasting whiskies, and is writing the history of her Polish family’s escape from Europe after World War 2.

ROBERT KLUPACS

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

With more than 30 years of international corporate experience in technology development, Robert has an extensive network in the global medtech sector. Currently the CEO of the Bionics Institute, Robert was a founder of Epi-Minder and a driving force behind the launch of Neo-Bionica. He also helped Bionic Vision Technologies raise US$18 million to fund clinical studies of the bionic eye. A registered patent attorney, Robert has deep knowledge of intellectual property and research commercialisation. He has also worked with international companies to set up special-purpose entities in Australia to take advantage of the local regulatory landscape.

In his spare time, Robert is chair of BioAutism, a charity supporting autism research. He started running to take part in fundraising events, and has now completed five half-marathons. He’s also a cyclist and a triathlete.

HAMISH GEORGE

COMPANY SECRETARY

Hamish is a Chartered Accountant and has extensive experience in providing financial advice, company secretarial and CFO services to life science businesses ranging from ASX listed entities to Not-for-Profit organisations.