Prominex was founded in 2018 by individuals passionate about transforming molecular point-of-care testing. Together, we are focused on developing near-patient testing with rapid, central lab accuracy for clinically actionable results and cost-effective testing kits for broad accessibility. Our Prominex System is a transformative molecular diagnostic testing solution for near patient care settings designed to deliver results in 5 minutes. The novel molecular amplification and detection technologies enables the development of fast, accurate, easy-to-use, multiplexed, and low-cost molecular diagnostic assays providing unprecedented value to practitioners. Initial assay development focus is on Sexually Transmitted Infections and other Respiratory Tract Infections. Broad IP portfolio protects our novel enzyme, molecular chemistry and detection technologies. The leadership team has proven experience developing best-in-class molecular diagnostic assays and medical devices. Seed capital financing provided by Casdin Capital LLC and the founding CEO.
Mission
Improve global access to rapid, accurate and affordable infectious disease molecular diagnostics.
Quality
Prominex is committed to developing innovative, high quality, rapid point of care molecular assays for use in diagnosing infectious diseases. Our commitment is guided by our focus on and understanding of patient and user needs. Our systems and processes enable Prominex to meet applicable local, state, federal and international requirements as well as work with partners to manufacture products that meet the needs of our customers.
Leadership
Our leadership team is comprised of industry experts in molecular diagnostics product development.
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
Paul Thomas
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer
Paul Gargan PhD
SVP Commercial Operations
Brad Tieman M.B.A.
VP R&D, Head Research and Technology
Anja Bubeck-Barrett PhD
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
Paul Thomas
Mr. Paul G. Thomas currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Prominex, Inc., a company focused on the development of molecular diagnostic assays for point-of-care infectious disease testing, a position he has held since 2018. Mr. Thomas previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of Roka Bioscience, a molecular diagnostic company focused on pathogen testing, a position he held from 2009 until 2017. Mr. Thomas previously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LifeCell Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFC), a regenerative medicine company from 1998 until it was acquired by KCI in 2008 in a transaction valued at $1.8 billion. Mr. Thomas previously held various senior positions, including President of the Pharmaceutical Products Division, during his tenure of 15 years with Ohmeda, a world leader in inhalation anesthetics and acute care pharmaceuticals. Mr. Thomas currently serves on the board of directors of Abiomed (NASDAQ: ABMD) and Surgalign Spine Technologies (NASDAQ: SRGA). Mr. Thomas received his MBA degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Business and completed his post graduate studies in Chemistry at the University of Georgia Graduate School of Arts and Science. He received his B.S. degree in Chemistry from St. Michael’s College in Vermont.
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer
Paul Gargan PhD
Prior to Prominex, Dr. Gargan operated his own advisory business, The Causeway Advisory Group, providing strategic direction, M&A services, transaction negotiation, fund raising, technology evaluation, due diligence and target identification for diagnostic, medical device and biotech companies. Dr. Gargan previously held a variety of executive leadership positions in business development and strategic planning for 15 years at Gen-Probe (now Hologic) where he spearheaded the formation, acquisition, integration and management of numerous new businesses, strategic alliances and corporate collaborations. During his tenure at Gen-Probe, he negotiated over 120 transactions that led to more than $2 billion in product sales. Dr. Gargan also led Gen-Probe’s M&A team for 3 years acquiring a number of strategic companies. He received his bachelor of science in Chemistry and PhD in Biochemistry from Queen’s University of Belfast and master of business administration from the University of Notre Dame.
SVP Commercial Operations
Brad Tieman M.B.A.
Mr. Brad Tieman currently serves as SVP Commercial Operations and has a long history of executive leadership roles in molecular diagnostics. Prior to joining Prominex, Brad founded DxInsight LLC with the goal of helping diagnostic and device companies maximize product user value and experience to advance patient care and propel companies forward. With over 20+ years of experience in the in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry and a track record of taking products from concept to global commercialization, Brad brings to Prominex a blend of both technical and marketing expertise. Brad has held senior commercial leadership roles in marketing, sales, business development, product development and support with SMEDIX Inc, GenMark Diagnostics, Hologic, Gen-Probe and Johnson and Johnson with a focus on bringing innovative customer-focused technologies to the global market over the past two decades. Brad is a multi-patent holder and earned a B.S.E. in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from Michigan State University and an M.B.A. from University of Redlands Business School.
VP R&D, Head Research and Technology
Anja Bubeck-Barrett PhD
Dr. Bubeck-Barrett is leading the technical team developing the novel CHASE technology on the Validex system. Dr. Bubeck-Barrett has over a decade of leadership experience in molecular diagnostic assay research and development. Prior to joining Prominex, Dr. Bubeck-Barrett held various leadership positions in Research and Assay Development at Roka Bioscience, a molecular diagnostic company focused on food safety from 2010 to 2017. Dr. Bubeck-Barrett joined Gen-Probe Inc. (now Hologic) in 2005 and during her 5 year tenure contributed to essential research of core technologies. Dr. Bubeck-Barrett received her PhD in Genetics and Virology from the University of Tübingen, Germany and was a Research Fellow at the University of Munich. She received a DFG fellowship for Postdoctoral Studies at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla from 2004 to 2005.
Board of Directors
Nick Valeriani
Eli Casdin
Shaun Rodriguez, PhD
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
Paul Thomas
Nick Valeriani
Mr. Valeriani recently retired as the chief executive officer of West Health, The Gary and Mary West Health Institute, an independent nonprofit medical research organization that works to create new and more effective ways of delivering healthcare at lower costs, a position he held since 2012. Previously, Mr. Valeriani served 34 years in key positions at Johnson & Johnson, including company group chairman of Johnson & Johnson Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics; vice president, office of strategy and growth; and as worldwide chairman, medical devices and diagnostics, and corporate vice president, human resources. Mr. Valeriani also served on the executive committee of Johnson & Johnson during his tenure. He currently serves on the board of directors of Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE: EW), and RTI Surgical (NASDAQ: RTIX), as well as the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Mr. Valeriani received a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and a master of business administration from Rutgers University.
Eli Casdin
Eli Casdin is the Chief Investment Officer and Founder of Casdin Capital a New York-based investment firm focused on funding innovation for life science tools, diagnostics, healthcare information technology and services, and industrial applications of biotechnology. For the last 16 years he has analyzed and invested in disruptive technologies and business models in life sciences and healthcare. Eli holds a B.S. from Columbia University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Shaun Rodriguez, PhD
Dr. Rodriguez is the Director of Life Science Research for Casdin Capital, a New York-based investment firm focused on funding innovation for life science tools, diagnostics, healthcare information technology and services, and industrial applications of biotechnology. Prior to joining Casdin, Shaun served as Director and Senior Research Analyst at Cowen and Company in the firm’s healthcare equity research group where he was recognized as a 2014 Rising Stars of Wall Street by Institutional Investor. Previously, Shaun worked in early-stage healthcare venture capital as an Associate with the Partners Innovation Fund, and in strategic business development with Partners Healthcare.
Shaun earned a PhD in Biological Sciences from Harvard University. He also holds a B.S. from the University of Maine and an M.S. from Tufts University. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Lawrence General Hospital, Massachusetts.
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
Paul Thomas
Mr. Paul G. Thomas currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Prominex, Inc., a company focused on the development of molecular diagnostic assays for point-of-care infectious disease testing, a position he has held since 2018. Mr. Thomas previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of Roka Bioscience, a molecular diagnostic company focused on pathogen testing, a position he held from 2009 until 2017. Mr. Thomas previously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LifeCell Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFC), a regenerative medicine company from 1998 until it was acquired by KCI in 2008 in a transaction valued at $1.8 billion. Mr. Thomas previously held various senior positions, including President of the Pharmaceutical Products Division, during his tenure of 15 years with Ohmeda, a world leader in inhalation anesthetics and acute care pharmaceuticals. Mr. Thomas currently serves on the board of directors of Abiomed (NASDAQ: ABMD) and Surgalign Spine Technologies (NASDAQ: SRGA). Mr. Thomas received his MBA degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Business and completed his post graduate studies in Chemistry at the University of Georgia Graduate School of Arts and Science. He received his B.S. degree in Chemistry from St. Michael’s College in Vermont.
