Intelligent Orthopaedics - company and people
Intelligent Orthopaedics Ltd (IO) specialises in the design, development, manufacture and distribution of orthopaedic trauma devices specifically for the treatment of long bone fractures. Its core patented product "STORM" (Staffordshire Orthopaedic Reduction Machine) is a reusable device that is used to reduce (realign) fractures of the tibia prior to surgical fixation. STORM is currently in use in hospitals in the UK, Europe and the USA.
Based in Staffordshire, UK, the company has ISO13485 certification; all products are CE marked and have FDA clearance to market.
The company was spun out of Staffordshire and Keele Universities and the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in 2005 and is supported by venture capital funding, where the major investors is Mercia Fund Management
Management team
Professor Peter B M Thomas MB,BS, FRCS(Eng), FRCS(Ed)
Co-Founder and Clinical Director
Professor Thomas practices at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire where he has been a consultant orthopaedic surgeon for over twenty years. He is also Visiting Professor of Orthopaedic Engineering at Staffordshire University. Professor Thomas is recognised within the orthopaedic community for his expertise in fracture treatment and limb reconstruction and he is regularly invited to speak at conferences and courses both in the UK and overseas.
Professor Peter J OgrodnikBSc(Hons), PhD, CEng, MIED
Head Co-Founder and Direct. Head of Product Development & Technical Services
Professor Ogrodnik is Professor of Engineering Design at Staffordshire University and has over 24 years engineering experience. He is a Chartered Engineer and is a full member of the Institution of Engineering Designers. Professor Ogrodnik has a track record in medical device engineering from concept to market.
Mrs Susan Hartman
CEO
Mrs Hartman has over 25 years experience in medical devices from wound-care to infusion devices and orthopaedics. She has worked at a senior management level for several well-known medical companies including ConvaTec, SIMS Graseby and Summit Medical and has managed national and international sales forces.
Mr Alistair Taylor
Non-Exec Chairman, Company Secretary
Mr Taylor is an experienced Company Chairman and Non-Executive Director in Life Science Companies, with past and present exposure to both the pharmaceutical and med-tech market sectors. Particular emphasis has been on start-up and early stage companies, with considerable experience in both US and European private and public fund raisings, IPO’s, and strategic partnerships with major healthcare companies. Total funds raised to date in excess of £300 million.
Mr Taylor also has specific experience in the orthopaedic sector and ran Pfizer/HowMedica's orthopaedic business as President of HowMedica's Southern Europe Orthopaedics Division, based out of Geneva for a number of years. Mr Taylor led the acquisition of the leading external fixation company, the Hoffman Fixation Company, JacquetFreres SA, also based in Geneva. Stryker later acquired HowMedica from Pfizer and the Hoffman business is the core of the Stryker external fixation business today.
Investors
Mercia Fund Management
Mercia Fund Management is a venture capital fund manager with two funds (Mercia 1 and 2) totalling £12.8 million under management. Mercia Fund Management focuses on UK technology companies and benefits from a mixture of public- and private-sector fund investors. We have a strong portfolio of profitable and pre-profitable businesses across our funds under management.
Mercia Fund Management also offers the Mercia Growth EIS Fund, which presents an opportunity for private investors to invest in a balanced portfolio of high growth technology companies which take advantage of a range of tax reliefs.
Mercia Fund Management provides venture capital to technology businesses that are located in the UK. Potential investees must demonstrate their potential for rapid growth and will possess a strong proprietary position with respect to their technology, intellectual property, and products.
Catapult Venture Managers
Catapult specialises in providing Equity Capital for businesses requiring between £200k and £2m.
Catapult provides a full range funding requirement from early stage, development capital to MBO/MBIs. Since 1999 we have invested in over 65 companies, providing initial and further follow on requirements. Our experienced team of seven Executives and two Non Executive Directors have over 100 years of VC experience between them