Dr. Joseph N. Garner, Ph.D. is the Chief Executive Officer of Endomimetics™, a cutting-edge biotechnology company developing applications for the Bionanomatrix™ technology designed to enhance medical devices by mimicking human tissue. This innovation minimizes the need for additional surgeries, improves device longevity, and reduces complications. The technology also has applications in the maturation of arteriovenous fistulas.
In addition to leading Endomimetics™, Dr. Garner serves as the CEO of Technology Commercialization Partners (TCP), a Birmingham-based company dedicated to commercializing life sciences products. With a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Maryland and extensive experience as an executive in startup ventures, Dr. Garner specializes in guiding life science and medical technology entrepreneurs toward commercial success.
Previously, Dr. Garner was the Chairman and CEO of Soluble Therapeutics, Inc., where he led the team that successfully commercialized HSC Technology, leading to the company’s successful acquisition by CytoBiosciences. He has also held leadership roles at multiple life science startup companies.
As an Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Biotechnology Masters and PhD Programs, Dr. Garner teaches graduate students how to commercialize their technologies. He has also shared his expertise through presentations at scientific conferences throughout the globe. With a proven track record in innovation, commercialization, and leadership, Dr. Garner continues to drive advancements in biotechnology and life sciences.
Dr. Brigitta C. Brott is a distinguished expert in interventional cardiology with a focus on endovascular devices and biomedical engineering. She co-founded Endomimetics™, LLC to develop advanced nanomatrix coatings that enhance vascular healing and reduce clotting on implants. With a formidable educational background in Materials Science from MIT and MD from Loyola University, along with medicine and cardiology training at Harvard and Duke, Dr. Brott integrates engineering and clinical insights to drive medical innovations. A prolific researcher on stent technology, vascular imaging, and device coatings, she also focuses on advances in intravascular imaging. Dr. Brott has served on editorial boards for the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, as well as several NIH and American Heart Association study sections. Her work is dedicated to enhancing device safety and improving patient outcomes in cardiovascular care.
Dr. Ho-Wook Jun is a Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the School of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He earned his Ph.D. in Bioengineering from Rice University in 2004 and subsequently completed the Peter and Ruth Nicholas Postdoctoral Fellow at the Richard Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology at Rice University. In 2006, he joined the faculty at UAB. As a Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Endomimetics™, LLC., Dr. Jun’s research topics focus on developing nanostructured biomaterials and their translational applications for medical devices and therapeutics. He has published over 70 papers and 10 patents, and given over 60 invited talks and 100 conference presentations. He has supervised over 100 mentees. He has also received numerous awards including Fellow of the American Heart Association (AHA), Coulter Fellow and Early Career Award from the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation, Innovation Award from the American Diabetes Association, CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF), and Dean’s Award for Excellence in Mentorship.
Dr. Jennifer Sherwood is the Director of Research & Development at Endomimetics™. She received her Bachelors in Chemical Engineering at Arizona State University and her PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Dr. Sherwood specializes in Materials Science, Nanotechnology, Tissue Engineering, and Cell Biology. With extensive experience in developing biologically compatible nanomaterials, she focuses on applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and drug discovery. Her expertise encompasses the synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials, as well as in vitro studies assessing the toxicity and cellular interactions of various nanomaterials. Additionally, her background in chemical engineering provides expertise for the translation of novel biomaterial development at the benchtop scale to larger scale development, manufacturing, and eventual commercialization.
Currently, she is focused on developing the process to scale up the production of the Endomimetics’ Bionanomatrix™ for eventual manufacturing under GMP. Additionally, she is developing the protocols for evaluation of the stability of Bionanomatrix™ for long-term storage and shelf life, aiming to meet FDA requirements for use of the technology in Phase I pre-clinical and clinical trials. Dr. Sherwood’s technical skills and leadership experience position her as a key contributor to advancing innovative biomaterials in clinical applications.
Reid C. Millican, MS. is the Director of Business Development at Endomimetics™, LLC, where he plays a pivotal role in advancing the company’s Bionanomatrix™ technology through strategic partnerships, investor relations, and targeted marketing initiatives. With a strong foundation in business development and sales management, he has successfully driven significant revenue growth within the medical devices and biotechnology sectors. His expertise spans go-to-market strategies, investor relations, and brand development, ensuring alignment across departments to achieve company objectives.
He earned a Master’s Degree in Biotechnology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and Immunology from Auburn University. His technical skills include proficiency in business development, research methodologies, and various aspects of customer relationship management. Reid’s previous roles, including Business Development Manager, have honed his skills in account management and technical sales, significantly contributing to the company’s standing in a competitive marketplace.
Dr. Jun Chen is a distinguished Senior Scientist at Endomimetics, renowned for her innovative contributions to atherosclerosis research and treatment. She earned her Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry, specializing in polymeric biomaterials, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2016. Following her doctoral studies, Dr. Chen pursued postdoctoral training in the Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, focusing on tissue engineering for cardiovascular research. In 2018, she was awarded the American Heart Association (AHA) Postdoctoral Fellowship in recognition of her exceptional research. Dr. Chen has made significant advancements in biomaterials science, particularly in designing hydrogel-based platforms for drug delivery and tissue engineering. Among her groundbreaking innovations are the in vitro 3D nanomatrix vascular sheets (VS) and vascular sheets with atherosclerosis (VSA), advanced models that closely mimic human arterial biology and key features of atherosclerosis. These platforms enable cost-effective, high-throughput drug testing across various atherosclerosis stages, optimizing treatment strategies, accelerating regulatory submissions, and reducing reliance on animal models. The VSA-based assays are set to launch as Endomimetics’ first product line, offering revolutionary, tailored solutions to advance atherosclerosis drug discovery and development, meeting diverse client needs with precision and efficiency. With over 20 publications in leading journals such as ACS Nano, Biomaterials, and Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, Dr. Chen is an accomplished expert in 3D culture, biological assays, and project management. Her dedication to advancing cardiovascular therapies drives innovative solutions that enhance treatments and shape the future of atherosclerosis research. Dr. Chen is also the Principal Investigator for an SBIR Phase II project dedicated to evaluating and manufacturing Endomimetics’ Bionanomatrix™ arteriovenous fistula (AVF) gel to enhance AVF maturation and comply with FDA requirements for Phase I clinical trials.
