OvaGene Oncology
OvaGene Oncology is a molecular diagnostics company, located in Irvine, California, and is dedicated to improving cancer care and outcomes for gynecologic cancer patients through the development of novel gene-based assays. OvaGene will offer proprietary and non-proprietary molecular diagnostic assays to assist physicians in the diagnosis, prognosis and therapy selection (radiation and chemotherapy) of gynecologic cancers.
OvaGene's senior management team is highly experienced in cancer diagnostics and has demonstrated success in the field of cancer genomics, companion diagnostics, and functional cell assays. The team has a proven track record in the industry and has developed strong relationships with key academic institutions, gynecologic oncologists, and medical centers worldwide.
Management Team
Frank J. Kiesner, J.D.
Founder, Chairman and CEO
Mr. Kiesner served as Chairman, President and CEO of Oncotech Inc. for 17 years. Oncotech became the leading company in the USA and Europe in the field of individualizing cancer treatment and drug selection. On a base of $3 million new investment, Mr. Kiesner built the company to this leadership position using only internally generated cash flow and profits. Under his leadership Oncotech validated, introduced and was reimbursed for over 50 new cancer tests. Mr. Kiesner was previously a partner at Northstar Ventures, General Council and Treasurer of ADC Telecommunications (a multi-billion dollar public company) and President of ADC Corporation's Magnetic Division. He served on multiple committees and boards for the American Laboratory Association and has extensive experience in the regional, federal and congressional workings of health care reimbursement. Working with Congressman Bill Thomas, Chairman of the Congress's Ways and Means Sub-Committee on Health, Mr. Kiesner was the leading force behind the passage of the "Patients Benefit Improvement Act Of 1999" which rewrote the new technology approval and patient-provider appellate process for the Medicare and other federal Statutory Programs. Mr. Kiesner obtained his J.D. from the University of Minnesota School of Law.
Jay E. Coonan, M.D.
Founder, Executive Vice-President, Strategy and Business Development
Dr. Coonan has broad experience in the life sciences and health care delivery sectors. He worked in Business Development for Oncotech Inc. and was Director of Medical Affairs and Business Development for OmegaTech Inc. Dr. Coonan served as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for Exempla Healthcare Inc., a Denver CO hospital system. As a Board-certified Gastroenterologist, he ran an active clinical practice of Gastroenterology in Colorado, also serving as Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Coonan obtained his M.D. at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine.
William E. Ricketts, Ph.D.
Founder, Chief Scientific Officer
Dr. Ricketts most recently served as Vice President of Clinical and Scientific Affairs for Exiqon Diagnostics. He was Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President of Research for Oncotech Inc. until its acquisition by Exiqon in 2008. Previously, Dr. Ricketts was Project Leader for oncology drug discovery at Valeant Pharmaceuticals. He did postdoctoral work on drug and target discovery at Isis Pharmaceuticals after completing his Ph.D in Biomedical Sciences from the University of California, San Diego.
Denise A. Chua, MBA, MT (ASCP), CLS
Founder, Vice-President of Clinical Operations and Marketing
Ms. Chua has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, including over 10 years of successful marketing management in the biotechnology and clinical diagnostics industry. In addition to being an experienced marketing professional, she is also a microbiologist and a licensed clinical laboratory scientist from which she has gained a detailed understanding of the science behind clinical assays and gene-based tests. Ms. Chua received her MBA in Marketing from Loyola Marymount University, and has an undergraduate degree in Microbiology from California State University, Long Beach. Ms. Chua completed her clinical laboratory training at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Department of Pathology. Ms. Chua is very passionate about the field of gynecologic oncology and is committed to bringing life-changing diagnostics from concept to bedside for treating physicians and their patients.
Neil J. Finkler, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Finkler has extensive experience in gynecologic oncology. He is the Director of the Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Training Program at Florida Hospital Cancer Institute (Orlando, FL). Dr. Finkler is also a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the College of Medicine at Florida State University and at the University of Central Florida. Dr. Finkler completed his Gynecologic Oncology fellowship, and his internship and residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Prior to his clinical training, he obtained his medical degree (M.D.) at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY and his bachelors degree from Colgate University (cum laude) in Hamilton, NY.
