VBS Team
David M. Mann, Chief Executive Officer
As the inventor of the endoarterial biopsy catheter and founder of Vascular BioSciences, Mr. Mann has led Vascular BioSciences since its inception in 1995, and VBS Pharmaceuticals since 2004. Mr. Mann has been awarded 16 patents both U.S. and foreign, is a co-author of 7 scientific publications and has 8 years experience developing and testing the endoarterial biopsy catheter in an animal model. Prior to founding Vascular BioSciences, Mr. Mann was company scientist for Pearce Structures, where he developed and implemented leak detection systems to build Biosphere II, the world’s largest airtight structure. Mr. Mann holds an engineering physics degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Robert D. Foster, President
Mr. Foster has over 20 years experience in corporate management of medical device development and manufacturing companies. He is the founder of Avalon Laboratories, the world‘s largest OEM manufacturer of heart cannula used in cardiac surgery. He founded the company in 1990, sold it to Medtronic in 1996 and repurchased it from Medtronic in 2002. Mr. Foster is also the former president and principal shareholder of Polaris Plastics, a diversified plastic molding company, currently a division of Mark IV Industries.
Erkki Ruoslahti, M.D., Ph.D., VBS Pharmaceuticals Co-Founder
Distinguished Professor and Director of the Vascular Mapping Center at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research at the University of California Santa Barbara. Dr. Ruoslahti is an internationally recognized scientist in the areas of vascular targeting peptide technology, vascular biology, cell adhesion, and tumor biology. Dr. Ruoslahti served as President and CEO of the Burnham Institute from 1989 to 2001, has published more than 400 scientific papers, and is the inventor of more than 150 patents. His inventions form the basis of two clinically used drugs as well as several that are under development. He has co-founded several biotech companies and has served as a director or advisory board member of these and other companies. His honors include: elected membership to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the European Molecular Biology Organization. He is the recipient of the G.H.A. Clowes Award, Robert J. and Claire Pasarow Foundation Award, Jacobaeus International Prize, The Jubilee Award given by the British Biomedical Society. He was a Nobel Fellow at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm in 1995, and is an Honorary Doctor of Medicine from the University of Lund, as well as a Knight of the Order of the White Rose of Finland. Dr. Ruoslahti is the recipient of the 2005 Japan Prize in Cell Biology.
For more information on Dr. Ruoslahti:
http://www.burnham.org/FacultyAndResearch/faculty/erkki_ruoslahti_bio.asp
Jacob Reinbolt, Corporate Counsel
Mr. Reinbolt is a partner at Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP, one of San Diego’s oldest and largest law firms. Mr. Reinbolt is a member of Procopio’s intellectual property team. He was the firm's Intellectual Property Team Leader from 2001 - 2006. His practice emphasizes computer law, intellectual property (trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and patents), Internet law, securities law, franchising, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and licensing. Mr. Reinbolt received his undergraduate degree in finance and economics (double major), magna cum laude, in 1981 from Miami University, and his law degree in 1984 from the University of Michigan Law School. Mr. Reinbolt has published over 40 articles and manuscripts on intellectual property, corporate law, computer law and Internet Law. Mr. Reinbolt is Special Legal Counsel for the City of San Diego for Intellectual Property, Internet, and E-Government matters. Mr. Reinbolt was selected as one of the Top 10 intellectual property transactional attorneys in San Diego by The San Diego Daily Transcript in 2006.
Brian Sheehan, Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Sheehan has 20 years experience in medical manufacturing operations and quality control. Mr. Sheehan has extensive knowledge of the planning and implementation of ISO 9000 compliant medical manufacturing operations. Mr. Sheehan has been responsible for all areas of production and quality control for several precision medical manufacturers.
Andrew R. Foster, Executive Vice President
Mr. Foster has over 20 years experience in corporate management, business development and marketing. As the former General Manager and VP Marketing of Polaris Plastics, Mr. Foster has extensive business development and marketing experience. As one of the original investors in Vascular BioSciences, Mr. Foster has played an integral role in the company since its inception. Mr. Foster graduated with honors from the University of California, Berkeley.
Irvin Kluth, VP Regulatory Affairs & Quality Assurance
Mr. Kluth has 32 years experience in all aspects of regulatory affairs and quality assurance for the medical device and pharmaceutical industries. Mr. Kluth has extensive knowledge and experience in applying FDA and international regulations including GLP, GCP, GMP, ISO & QSR for the design, development, validation, clinical testing, manufacturing, product launch, post-market surveillance, auditing, compliance, and inspections of medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
Roderick T. Stabile, VP Manufacturing
Mr. Stabile has 16 years experience in the manufacture of mechanical, electrical and medical equipment. Mr. Stabile has extensive experience in the research, design and development of new products, manufacturing productivity, and quality programs such as ISO 9000, Six Sigma and lean manufacturing. Mr. Stabile holds a mechanical engineering degree from the Florida Institute of Technology.
Susana Peinado, Communications Director
Ms. Peinado has 10 years experience in writing, marketing and corporate communications, and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College. Ms. Peinado is currently a Masters Candidate in Communications at Johns Hopkins University’s Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences in Washington, D.C. Ms. Peinado manages our VBS East office.
Dale B. Shimato, Director of Design
Mr. Shimato has 15 years experience as an artist and illustrator. Mr. Shimato has extensive knowledge of all areas of graphic design and production. Mr. Shimato has continued to follow his fine art path while making significant contributions in commercial art. Mr. Shimato holds a B.S. degree in Applied Art and Design from Cal Poly State University at San Luis Obispo.
Family of Companies
