Our Team
Management of Bixi
Bixi will be managed by the Blumberg Institute. Bixi will be supported by the infrastructure and management teams of the Blumberg Institute and PA Biotech Center, as well as a community of advisors and consultants who are experienced and successful in converting academic innovations into companies of value.
President and CEO - Timothy M. Block, PhD
Dr. Block is President and Co-founder of the Hepatitis B Foundation, its research arm the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, and the PA Biotechnology Center. Dr. Block’s focus has been in the area of therapeutic drug and biomarker of disease screening and discovery including methods of DNA co-transfer to mammalian cells, and methods of discovery of antiviral drugs and biomarkers of liver cancer. His work, with Nobel Prize Winner Baruch S. Blumberg, Anand Mehta and Raymond Dwek, pioneered the use of glycoproteomics for detection of biomarkers of liver cancer, leading to Golph2/GP73 and core fucosylated serum proteins as risk stratifiers for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, in use today (Abbot Labs, HotGene, Glycotest). His work with Ying Su led to use of “microDNA” detected in the urine as a cancer marker (JBS Sciences). More recently, he and his colleagues (Ju-Tao Guo, Hai-Tao Guo, Andy Cuconati) have identified small molecule inhibitors of hepatitis B virus, which are in clinical phase human testing, today (Arbutus Biopharma). Dr. Block will provide overall management and coordination of Bixi.
Vice President for Intellectual Property - Nik Heble, J.D., PharmD
Dr. Heble is a successful patent attorney, scientist and entrepreneur; with experience in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, materials and consumer products. Formerly, a partner with Blank Rome LLP, Nik represents early stage companies and universities in a variety of technology related matters. He also co-founded Thubrikar Aortic Valve, Inc., a clinical stage medical device company; and is a partner in Altus Labs, LLC, a consumer product and drug development company. Dr. Heble will assist in technology assessments and evaluating intellectual property/commercial opportunities related to same.
Dr. Heble is a successful patent attorney, scientist and entrepreneur; with experience in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, materials and consumer products. Formerly, a partner with Blank Rome LLP, Nik represents early stage companies and universities in a variety of technology related matters. He also co-founded Thubrikar Aortic Valve, Inc., a clinical stage medical device company; and is a partner in Altus Labs, LLC, a consumer product and drug development company. Dr. Heble will assist in technology assessments and evaluating intellectual property/commercial opportunities related to same.
Vice President of Investment and Legal Affairs - Loren Danzis, JD
Mr. Danzis is a corporate law partner at Fox Rothschild LLP. He is co-chair of the firm’s Life Sciences Practice. He is also a founder of Delaware Crossing Investor Group, which has invested in more than 50 technology and life science companies located in the PA-NJ region, including Novira (see success stories, below). Mr. Danzis will assist in business and legal transactions, as well as investment potentials of technologies.
Mr. Danzis is a corporate law partner at Fox Rothschild LLP. He is co-chair of the firm’s Life Sciences Practice. He is also a founder of Delaware Crossing Investor Group, which has invested in more than 50 technology and life science companies located in the PA-NJ region, including Novira (see success stories, below). Mr. Danzis will assist in business and legal transactions, as well as investment potentials of technologies.
Advisory Vice President of Investment and Planning - Grant Castor
Mr. Castor has had several successful exits from startups and early stage biopharma companies backed by private equity. His biopharma and biotech experience spans the globe with expertise in commercialization and operations. He will assist (pro-bono) in business planning, capital deployment, and modeling of the new startups in the Bixi portfolio.
Mr. Castor has had several successful exits from startups and early stage biopharma companies backed by private equity. His biopharma and biotech experience spans the globe with expertise in commercialization and operations. He will assist (pro-bono) in business planning, capital deployment, and modeling of the new startups in the Bixi portfolio.
Vice President of Finance and Treasurer – Louis P. Kassa, III, MPA
Mr. Kassa is EVP and COO of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center and Baruch S Blumberg Institute. He oversees all operations, business development, as well as financial reporting, planning and compliance. He has been a major part of the success of those organizations, helping identify promising startup companies, locating them at the Biotechnology Center and nurturing their growth. Mr. Kassa will manage Bixi’s financials as well as participate in technology identification.
Mr. Kassa is EVP and COO of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center and Baruch S Blumberg Institute. He oversees all operations, business development, as well as financial reporting, planning and compliance. He has been a major part of the success of those organizations, helping identify promising startup companies, locating them at the Biotechnology Center and nurturing their growth. Mr. Kassa will manage Bixi’s financials as well as participate in technology identification.
About Us
We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Contact Us
Where to find us:
Bixi Life Sciences LLC
PA Biotech Center
3805 Old Easton Rd, Doylestown PA 18902-8400, United States
Call us:
+1 215 5896300
+1 215 5896300
E-mail:
tim.block@bblumberg.org
tim.block@bblumberg.org
