Prevent infections with bioinspired antibiofilm surfaces.
Company history: ACatechol is a startup MedTech company providing novel surface technologies. ACatechol, Inc. (Delaware C. Corp) was founded in 2016 by 4 partners, Kollbe Ando Ahn, Eric Ryan, Phillip Ho, and Jinsoo Ahn while Dr. Kollbe Ando Ahn served as a faculty member at UC Santa Barbara. The founding team brings together over 40 years of cumulative research experience in biomimetic coatings/adhesives, complemented by over 80 years of combined business experience in the medical device commercialization sector. Since its inception, ACatechol has developed a suite of surface treatment technologies, leading to the establishment of six international patent families — with three granted in the US, EU, CN, and JP, and three pending internationally. A significant milestone was achieved when a segment of these technologies, pertaining to dental surface coatings and restorative adhesives, was licensed to Danaher Corporation in 2019, which was then acquired by Envista Holdings. Until recently, ACatechol’s team has been deeply involved in production optimization and regulatory clearance. It's important to emphasize that this acquisition was specifically targeted (limited to) non-invasive 'dental' restoration and orthodontics, ensuring no impact on our current anti-biofilm catheter technology and the business described in this proposal.
In 2020, a sobering NHS report highlighted that over two-thirds of COVID-19 deaths and more than a third of non-COVID-19 deaths in ICUs were attributed to healthcare-acquired infections originating from biofilms on catheters and other indwelling tubes. This alarming data highlighted the importance of Dr. Ahn's research and fueled his dedication to eradicating these preventable deaths. In response to this healthcare crisis, Dr. Ahn shifted his focus from academia, leaving his tenure-track position, to commit full-time to entrepreneurial endeavors in the wake of securing NSF COVID-19 SBIR and NIH R21 grants. He continues to seek SBIR funding from NSF and NIH, driven by the goal of reducing infection-related fatalities. The financial backing from these awards, along with the revenue from the licensing and acquisition by Envista of ACatechol’s dental technology, has been instrumental in propelling our innovative anti-biofilm catheter initiative forward.
While ACatechol retains a small administrative office in Santa Barbara, our main laboratory was relocated to Pasadena in 2018. In 2021, we moved to a state-of-the-art research facility in Vista, California, to further expand our capabilities in prototype CVC development and microbiological testing. Furthermore, we have established collaborative access to material characterization facilities at UCSD, UCI, and UCLA.
Missions: ACatechol has spearheaded the development of advanced surface treatment technologies with a twofold mission: to inhibit microbial attachment and biofilm formation, and to enhance the wet-adhesion of medical devices to biological tissues.
Anti-infective Catheters: Turning to our innovation inhibiting the adhesion of microbes, cells, proteins, our present focal point is on the development of catheters that can prevent biofilm formation. This innovation promises substantial clinical benefits by addressing the critical issue of catheter-related bloodstream infections, a significant contributor to sepsis-related deaths. According to the WHO, intravascular devices, e.g., CVCs, contribute to approximately 90% of hospital-acquired sepsis cases. Extrapolating from our preclinical study's promising results, where infection rates were reduced by approx. 80%, this technology could save millions of lives globally each year.
Bonding in Wet Environments: Our innovations in wet-bonding technologies, particularly for dental and orthopedic applications, have distinguished our work in the field. Our dental adhesive technology, recognized for its ability to preserve healthy enamel, has been acquired by Envista Holdings. Parallelly, we are progressing an orthopedic bonding initiative aimed at improving rotator cuff repair outcomes, funded by NIH NIAMS and in partnership with top research institutions.
Commitment to Innovation: ACatechol remains committed to its innovative ethos, bolstered by collaborations with industry partners experienced in navigating the path from laboratory research to market success. Our united goal is to enhance patient outcomes by eliminating preventable infections.
Broader impacts: The prevention of these infections aligns seamlessly with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, offering multifaceted implications for all life on this planet and sustainability including the delicate ecosystems of nature. Infection prevention plays a pivotal role in addressing critical sustainability challenges, spanning across the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and contributes to building a more sustainable, equitable, and healthy world for all.
ACatechol is solving
the global infection problems with its gemini surface technology.
Contact us to learn more.
Our Team is Led by World’s Top Scientists
Kollbe Ando Ahn, PhD.
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Ahn is co-founder of ACatechol. Dr. Ahn possesses over 15 years of extensive research experience in adhesives and coatings, enhanced by substantial commercialization experience through strategic partnerships with market leaders in medical device sector. He notably completed a license/acquisition agreement with Danaher/Envista Holdings in 2019 for ACatechol's non-invasive dental treatment technology. He has held faculty appointments at the University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of Central Florida. Dr. Ahn made a full transition from academia to entrepreneurship during the pandemic in 2020.
Adam Saltman, MD, PhD.
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Saltman is a physician-scientist specializing in cardiovascular and general surgery. He has held faculty appointments at Harvard Medical School, Stony Brook University, the University of Massachusetts, Downstate Medical Center (NY), and the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. His tenure at the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health as a medical officer, especially in the domain of postmarket compliance for central venous catheters, coupled with his experience as CMO for medical device startups, equips him with a unique perspective on the rigor and potential of ACatechol's approach.
Phillip Ho, DMD.
EVP of Product Development
Dr. Ho is co-founder of ACatechol. Dr. Ho brings over 35 years of industry experience and a track record of successful 510(k) clearances. His background spans orthopedics, dental, and cardiovascular medical devices, reflecting his capacity for innovation and market introduction. As a co-founder of ACatechol and founder of Ho Dental Company, Dr. Ho's entrepreneurial acumen and dedication to healthcare innovation are invaluable assets to our company.
Eric Ryan, MBA.
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Eric Ryan is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of ACatechol Inc., Resonant Ltd., E.C. Ryan International, Inc., Minno LLC, and EDEC Digital Forensics. He has worked with several diagnostics, medical device, and healthcare companies. He has over 30 years of experience in providing strategic financial leadership, creating and managing finance teams, and implementing the infrastructure and processes necessary for rapid growth and expansion.
Mohamed Zayed, MD, PhD, MBA. Clinical Advisor
Dr. Zayed is a vascular surgeon-scientist and Professor of the Washington Universityat St. Louis, School of Medicine. He has academic appointments in the Department of Surgery. He has over 15 years of clinical experience, and has an established NIH-funded research laboratory, as well as technical expertise in large animal research models. Dr. Zayed has been contributing his expertise in preclinical/clinical studies and regulatory strategy to ACatechol, while also actively engaging with hospital business management teams through his affiliations.
Tarek Alhamed, MD, MBA. Clinical Advisor
Dr. Tarek is a physician-scientist at the Washington University at St. Louis, School of Medicine, specializing in Kidney Health and Nephrology. With extensive clinical experience of over 15 years, he holds the position of Medical Director for both Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Programs, and he is affiliated with Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Massac Memorial Hospital. Given that these hospital decision-makers play a crucial role in catheter purchases in the future, Dr. Alhamed's contributions ensure the delivery of compelling and impactful data and information to facilitate positive outcomes in the market.
David Ho, MD
Clinical Advisor
Dr. David Ho is the Founding Scientific Director of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, and serves on the boards of trustees for Caltech, MIT, and Harvard. He is Professor in both Microbiology & Immunology and Medicine at Columbia University. He is recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on infectious diseases. His landmark contributions, transforming AIDS into a manageable condition, garnered him Time magazine’s Man of the Year title in 1996 and the U.S. Presidential Medal in 2001.
Jinsoo Ahn, DDS, PhD
Clinical Advisor
Dr. Jinsoo Ahn is co-founder of ACatechol, and a Professor of Dentistry and Vice Dean of Dental Rearch Center at the Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea. He has more than 15 years of clinical and R&D experience in field of biomaterials and maxillofacial surgery. He is contributing his expertise in preclinical trials and clinical trials.
Herbert Waite, PhD
Scientific Advisor
Dr. Herbert Waite is Distinguished Professor at UC Santa Barbara. Dr. Waite is a world-leading scientist in biomimetics and the pioneer in the field of bioinspired adhesion, a thriving interdisciplinary endeavor that connects marine biology to materials science. He has been a research mentor to the founders of ACatechol, and provides ACatechol scientific advice for design fundamentals of biomimetics.
Stavros Thomopoulos, PhD
Scientific Advisor
Dr. Stavros Thomopoulos is a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and the director of the Carroll Laboratories at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Dr. Thomopoulos specializes in the development, structure-function, repair, and tissue engineering of the tendon-to-bone attachment. He is currently collaborating with ACatechol to develop a bioadhesive for tendon repair.
Guy Genin, PhD
Scientific Advisor
Dr. Guy Genin is a Professor of Neurological Surgery and Mechanical Engineering at the Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Genin is Chief Engineer for the Center for Innovation in Neuroscience and Technology and Co-Director of the Center for Engineering MechanoBiology, and the Primary Investigator of the WashU CEMB. He is currently collaborating with ACatechol to develop bioadhesives.
Bruce Lipsutz, PhD
Scientific Advisor
Dr. Bruce Lipsutz, Distinguished Professor at UC Santa Barbara, is a world-renowned expert in surfactants and green chemistry. In 2011 he was awarded Presidential Green Chemistry Award. He is also an entrepreneur responsible for several successful start-up companies including Zymes LLC. He advises on the design and synthesis of ACatechol's gemini-molecules.
Sam Nguyen, JD, PhD
Legal Advisor
Dr. Sam Nguyen is a partner with Hamilton DeSanctis & Cha LLP, with a practice in preparation and prosecution of U.S. and international pharmaceutical technology and biotechnology. He is a member of the American Bar Association, American Intellectual Property Law Association, American Chemical Society and the Colorado Bar Association. He aids ACatechol with patents and general legal counsel.
