SHOP
SHOP

About

BioVinc is on a mission to develop a cure for Prosthetic Joint Infections.

BioVinc is currently exploiting its smart targeting platform technology to develop novel bone selective therapeutics and its lead pipeline drug is a novel cure for prosthetic joint infections (PJI).

Our Leadership

Shuting Sun, PhD

Chief Scientist

Frank H. Ebetino, PhD

President/Chief Scientific Officer

Edward Schwarz, PhD

Chief Product Officer

Jeffrey Neighbors, PhD

Director of Development

Tom Wolfe

Board member, Business Development

Scientific Advisors

Charles E. McKenna, PhD

Director, Center for Drug Discovery, USC

Graham Russell PhD, MD

Oxford University

Stephen L. Kates, MD

Professor & Chairman, Dept. of Ortopaedic Surgery, VCU

Marvin Brown, MD

Biotech Innovator

Dr. Parish Sedghizadeh, DDS

Dentist/oral surgeon Director of USC Center for Biofilms

Past and Present Partners

usc-logo
u-of-rochester-logo
vcu-logo
U-of-Sheffield-logo
UNC-logo
UMass-logo
TAMU-logo
UCLA-logo
Charles-River-logo
US-WorldMeds-logo

What is BioVinc?

The name “BioVinc” is rooted in the Spanish word vinc, meaning “linkage,” symbolizing the critical connection that forms the foundation of our groundbreaking work. The original inspiration behind the name comes from the “magic linker” technology used in our fluorescent imaging probes, which are already commercialized and widely utilized in R&D across the globe.

With decades of experience in bisphosphonate research and proprietary linker technology developed by our esteemed team members, BioVinc has expanded its focus to include the discovery and development of novel skeletal-selective therapies. Building on this expertise, we are pioneering an innovative “ADC-like” approach for bone diseases, creating powerful, targeted solutions for patients with unmet medical needs. BioVinc is the “link” between scientific discovery and transformative therapeutic advancement.

Shuting Sun, PhD

Chief Scientist

shuting.sun@biovinc.com

Dr. Shuting Sun is a medicinal chemist specializing in multifunctional phosphonate-based drug actives and imaging probes. As the CEO and co-founder of BioVinc, she leads the company’s efforts in developing cutting-edge bone-targeted therapeutics and diagnostics. She serves as co-PI and co-investigator on multiple NIH grants totaling over $10 million, and has driven groundbreaking research in osteomyelitis, bone cancers, dental and cochlear abnormalities, and other bone-related diseases.

Dr. Sun’s expertise spans synthetic and analytical chemistry, chemical biology, and cell biology. Her Ph.D. work led to the commercialization of a fluorescent imaging probe toolkit, now widely used in R&D. Under her leadership, BioVinc is accelerating the development of innovative diagnostics and therapeutics for conditions such as prosthetic joint infection, osteonecrosis of the jaw, arthritis, and osteosarcoma.

Dr. Sun earned her Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry from the University of Southern California and has conducted research as a visiting scientist at UCLA and the University of Rochester. Her vision and expertise continue to shape the future of bone-targeted medicine.

Frank H. Ebetino, PhD

President/Chief Scientific Officer

halebetino@biovinc.com

Dr. Hal Ebetino, President and Chief Scientific Officer of BioVinc, is a globally recognized leader in bone-targeted drug discovery, with over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He was a key member of the team that developed risedronate (Actonel®) for osteoporosis and played a pivotal role in identifying the primary enzymatic target of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates, revolutionizing the treatment of bone diseases. His research has significantly advanced the understanding of bisphosphonate uptake, distribution, and excretion, shaping their clinical applications.

Dr. Ebetino’s expertise spans multiple therapeutic areas, including arthritis, obesity, infectious disease, gastrointestinal disease, and cancer. He has led numerous academic and industry collaborations on drug development and imaging, contributing to the discovery of novel bone probes that enhance the understanding of bone turnover and skeletal drug distribution. His work has been instrumental in developing bone-targeting drug conjugates for various indications, including prosthetic joint infections, multiple myeloma, and other bone related diseases.

Dr. Ebetino earned his Ph.D. from the University of Rochester. With nearly 200 publications and patents, Dr. Ebetino continues to drive innovation in bone-targeted therapies.

Edward Schwarz, PhD

Chief Product Officer

Dr. Edward Schwarz is a renowned osteoimmunologist specializing in bone infections and chronic osteomyelitis. As a continuously NIH-funded principal investigator for over 20 years, his lab at the University of Rochester made the groundbreaking discovery that S. aureus invades the osteocytic lacuno-canalicular network (OLCN) in cortical bone, making it resistant to all known antibiotics. He also demonstrated this in animal models and human diabetic foot ulcers, reshaping our understanding of chronic bone infections.

Dr. Schwarz is the Burton Professor of Orthopaedics and Director of the Center for Musculoskeletal Research at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He leads NIH-funded programs, including the P50 CORT initiative on bone infection and the P30 Resource-Based Center for Musculoskeletal Biology and Medicine. He also co-directs NIH CTSA-funded pilot studies.

Beyond academia, Dr. Schwarz serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Orthopaedic Research and as Chief Product Officer at BioVinc, advancing innovative bone-targeted therapies.

Jeffrey Neighbors, PhD

Director of Development

jneighbors@biovinc.com

Dr. Jeffrey Neighbors is a seasoned expert in drug discovery and development, with a focus on oncology, precision medicine, and pharmacology. His research explores novel inhibitors targeting the mevalonate pathway for potential osteosarcoma and neuroblastoma treatments, as well as natural products like pawhuskins to enhance wound healing.

Dr. Neighbors is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular and Precision Medicine and the Department of Medicine at Penn State. He also brings biotech industry experience, having led drug development efforts in a startup setting, integrating chemical synthesis, pharmacokinetics, ADME/DMPK studies, and regulatory strategy to drive therapeutic innovation.

Tom Wolfe

Board memeber, Business Development

tom.wolfe@yahoo.com

Tom Wolfe is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with extensive experience in fundraising, business development, and startup growth. He has successfully led early-stage companies, secured strategic investments, and navigated complex regulatory and operational challenges.

With over 30 years of experience, Mr. Wolfe has managed businesses ranging from startups to divisions within Fortune 100 companies. He has served as a board member, consultant, and advisor to multiple investment funds and technology companies, helping them scale through capital acquisition, business strategy, and operational leadership.

In addition to his investment and business development expertise, Mr. Wolfe has collaborated with national laboratories and venture-backed companies, bringing innovative technologies to market. His deep understanding of cross-disciplinary integration—from product development to market expansion—makes him a valuable asset for emerging ventures seeking growth and investor engagement.

Charles E. McKenna, PhD

Director, Center for Drug Discovery, USC

Dr. Charles E. McKenna is a distinguished expert in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, currently serving as a Professor of Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC). He is also the Director of USC’s Center for Drug Discovery. His prolific career spans cancer therapeutics, anti-infectious drug development, and imaging probes for bone disease.

Dr. McKenna’s research integrates bio-organic chemistry, spectroscopy, computational drug design, and enzyme kinetics, and he has collaborated with leading scientists worldwide in molecular biology, virology, and structural biology. His groundbreaking contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including election as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and induction into the National Academy of Inventors.

With decades of experience in both academia and translational research, Dr. McKenna brings unparalleled scientific expertise to the company. He is the co-founder and scientific advisor of BioVinc and his involvement underscores the company’s strong foundation in cutting-edge science, reinforcing its potential to develop breakthrough therapeutics.

Prof. Graham Russell, PhD, MD

Oxford University

Dr. Graham Russell, the Norman Collisson Professor of Musculoskeletal Sciences at the University of Oxford, is a globally recognized leader in bone pharmacology. His pioneering research led to the discovery and development of bisphosphonates, transforming the treatment of osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, and metastatic bone disease.

With over 500 publications, Dr. Russell has significantly advanced the understanding of bone metabolism, bisphosphonate mechanisms, and novel therapeutics. His distinguished career includes leadership roles at Oxford and Sheffield, as well as key contributions to international bone research initiatives.

Dr. Russell has received numerous prestigious honors, including being the first British clinical scientist to receive the W.F. Neuman Award from the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research and his election as a Fellow of the Royal Society. His expertise reinforces BioVinc’s strong scientific foundation and commitment to innovation in bone disease treatment.

Stephen L. Kates, MD

Professor & Chairman, Dept. Orthopaedic Surgery, VCU

Dr. Stephen Kates, MD, is a distinguished orthopaedic surgeon and the John Cardea Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University. A leader in musculoskeletal trauma and joint reconstruction, he specializes in hip and knee replacements, orthopaedic trauma surgery, and the treatment of musculoskeletal infections.

Dr. Kates is internationally recognized for developing an innovative model for treating geriatric fractures, now adopted by medical centers across Europe, Latin America, and Asia. His research focuses on preventing and treating bone infections, earning him the prestigious Richard A. Brand Award for Outstanding Orthopaedic Research. He has also been repeatedly recognized among the nation’s top orthopaedic surgeons by U.S. News & World Report.

As a past president of the International Geriatric Fracture Society and a leader in organizations such as the American Orthopaedic Association and Orthopaedic Trauma Association, Dr. Kates continues to shape the future of orthopaedic surgery. His expertise strengthens BioVinc’s mission to advance innovative treatments for bone disease and musculoskeletal disorders in clinical settings.

Marvin Brown, MD

Biotech Innovator

Dr. Marvin Brown brings a wealth of expertise in medicine, surgery, and biotech, with a distinguished career as a Professor at the University of California, San Diego, and the Salk Institute (retired). Beyond academia, he is a seasoned entrepreneur and biotech leader, having founded and led multiple technology-driven companies.

As the Founder, President, CEO, and Chairman of Alanex Corporation, Dr. Brown played a pivotal role in advancing combinatorial chemistry-based drug discovery, leading to its successful acquisition by Agouron Pharmaceuticals in 1997. He also founded MIR3, a premier provider of intelligent notification and response software for business operations, including emergency and crisis management.

With his extensive experience in both scientific research and biotech entrepreneurship, Dr. Brown provides invaluable strategic insight to BioVinc, reinforcing its mission to translate cutting-edge discoveries into impactful therapeutics.

Dr. Parish Sedghizadeh, DDS

Dentist/oral surgeon

Dr. Parish P. Sedghizadeh is a Professor of Clinical Dentistry at the University of Southern California, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, and Department Co-Chair of Diagnostic Sciences, Anesthesia & Emergency Medicine. As a clinician-scientist, Dr. Sedghizadeh conducts research, publishes, consults, and teaches oral and maxillofacial pathology, radiology, and medicine with an active intramural clinical practice. Dr. Sedghizadeh has over 85 peer-reviewed publications, and his research laboratory and clinical research projects at USC focus on the characterization and treatment of microbial biofilm infections, particularly osteomyelitis and osteonecrosis where he has developed novel bone-targeted antimicrobial therapeutics.