Our Vision
A world where regenerative medicine is the standard of care. Together with the very best commercialization partners we are making it happen.
Our Team
We are dynamic leaders with deep expertise in R&D, business development, intellectual property, process design and streamlined production – all within advanced-technology sectors such as medical devices, biotech and aerospace. We are award-winning scientists, engineers and production specialists who want to make a difference.
At our core, we are driven to
Visualize game changing solutions
Innovate magical processes and products
Transform industry business models
That’s how we create the most advanced bioengineering platforms for regenerative medicine.
Visionary Just Like You
Progress happens quickly at Octane, thanks to a management team that defies convention, and elevates creativity and collaboration.
CEO AND CO-FOUNDER
OCTANE GROUP OF COMPANIES
With 30 years in medical device commercialization, Tim Smith draws on a wealth of expertise in R&D, sales and marketing, business development and intellectual property management. Tim works closely with Octane’s ventures and partners, bringing senior management perspective on private and public company business strategy and financing.
COO AND CO-FOUNDER
OCTANE GROUP OF COMPANIES
Ian Grant brings more than 30 years of experience in operations management. Our ventures and partners count on him for expert insight into regulated product development, production process implementation and dynamic manufacturing environments.
DIRECTOR OF QUALITY
OCTANE GROUP OF COMPANIES
Jeremy has built his career on the pursuit of excellence in quality management. After earning his diploma in computer programming and networking at St. Lawrence College in Kingston, Ont., Jeremy worked in the automotive industry, initially as a quality inspector and quickly progressing to a certified quality engineer. At Octane, Jeremy oversees anything and everything quality-related, from qualifying and validating production lines to reviewing submissions to Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As a long-term Octane team member, Jeremy is firmly committed to ensuring the quality of products that improve and save lives.
CONTROLLER
OCTANE GROUP OF COMPANIES
J. Drew Phillips is a finance professional with more than 30 years of experience in the biotech, aerospace, telecommunications and aluminum industries, and in the not-for-profit sector. He has worked for global leaders such as Alcan Aluminum and Rolls-Royce Canada, and has extensive experience in raising public and private funds, as well as venture debt and asset financing.
TISSUE ENGINEERING PROGRAM MANAGER
OCTANE ORTHOBIOLOGICS INC.
Born and raised in Switzerland, Sonja is a biotechnology and chemical engineer with experience in vaccine research and process engineering. She won a Governor General gold medal for her PhD thesis at Royal Military College, an International Master Student Award at the University of Waterloo, and a Mobilite Valais Etude scholarship at the University of Applied Science in Western Switzerland. At Octane, Sonja leads projects that translate and automate implant processes.
PRODUCTION AND AUTOMATION MANAGER
OCTANE GROUP OF COMPANIES
A biomedical and electrical engineer with a background in life sciences, Annie identifies automated and robotic solutions to increase production and workflow efficiencies at Octane. Before joining Octane, she worked as a surgical robotics specialist providing training and technical support during robot-assisted surgeries. As a student at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont., and at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland, Annie led projects focused on medical technology, including an optical navigation tool for ultrasound-guided fetal surgery.
SPINAL IMPLANT PROGRAM MANAGER
OCTANE EXO INC.
Joe drives R&D of advanced biomaterials and processes at Octane, fine tuning specific properties to achieve clinical results such as accelerated bone growth in implants. He is a materials engineer with a University of Toronto Master’s degree in chemical engineering and applied chemistry. Prior to Octane, Joe gained expertise in medical science through Ontario-based research work at St. Michael’s Hospital, Victoria Hospital and Spinesonics Medical.
BIOLAB MANAGER
OCTANE GROUP OF COMPANIES
Almira’s passion for laboratory work manifests in virtually everything she does at Octane: from developing systems and troubleshooting protocols to ensuring assays yield productive results. After graduating with distinction from St. Lawrence College Biotechnology Technologist program, Almira took on research and laboratory technician roles at Queen’s University and Royal Military College of Canada, focusing on molecular biology experiments, Next Generation Sequencing libraries, as well as analyzing and documenting lab protocols.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SCIENTIST
OCTANE EXO INC.
Pooja leads cell-based testing for implant material and other therapies at Octane. She honed her cell culture engineering skills at McGill University, where she worked with patient-sourced and lab-cultured cells. Pooja had previously worked with a Harvard Medical School research team that investigated the impact of cell sex on clinical outcomes from nanomedicine.
INNOVATION CONSULTANT
OCTANE INNOVATIONS INC.
Alexis leads the development of research programs to generate novel products and processes at Octane, drawing on 20 years of experience in biomaterials, tissue engineering, computational biology and automated therapies in regenerative medicine. She is a graduate of Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont., where she earned her doctorate in Physics, and two Bachelor of Science degrees in Engineering Physics and Biochemistry.
SUPPLY CHAIN AND LOGISTICS COORDINATOR
OCTANE GROUP OF COMPANIES
From procurement and inventory management to shipping and receiving, Ryley oversees the end-to-end supply chain and logistics function for all Octane companies. He started his career with Octane in 2015, when he stepped into the role of project supervisor while completing advanced diploma studies in biotechnology at Algonquin College in Ottawa. Ryley is currently working towards designations from Supply Chain Management Canada and from the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.
Careers
Innovate With Us
Want to be part of a driving vision to transform healthcare through cutting-edge regenerative medicine?
If you’re a forward-thinking player in search of a forward-thinking team, Octane may just be the place for you.
