Meet us
Dr. Hong Cai
Co-Founder & CTO
Dr. Hong Cai co-founded the business in 2009. She has more than 20 years of experience in the field of molecular biology and is the inventor of the technology used in Mesa Biotech’s platform. She spent 13 years as a principal investigator at Los Alamos National Laboratory, managing and leading projects for nucleic acid-based assays for forensic analysis, biothreat pathogen detection, and human disease diagnosis.
Dr. Bruce Cary
Co-Founder & CSO
Dr. Cary is a co-founder of Mesa Biotech and the inventor of the technology that is the basis of the company’s platform. As CSO, he leads projects for the development of rapid molecular tests. Previously he spent 13 years as a principal investigator and scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, leading projects focused on biodefense, pathogen detection, nucleic acid metabolism and microarray gene expression technology.
Ingo Chakravarty
President & Chief Executive Officer
Ingo Chakravarty has led expansive growth in several diagnostic/genomic companies. He has over 25 years of experience and a proven track record in capital formation and building, and leading high performing organizations in healthcare that create differentiated solutions to outperform in the marketplace and generate sustainable, long term growth. He most recently served as President and CEO of NAVICAN Genomics and previously spent two decades building global businesses in the oncology and infectious disease marketplace, holding senior leadership positions at GenMark Diagnostics, Gen-Probe, Roche and Ventana Medical Systems.
Pete Bantock
Senior Vice President, Clinical and Corporate Health
Pete Bantock is a seasoned executive with international commercial and general management experience. With a colorful career that spans clinical diagnostics, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, he brings an eclectic perspective to commercializing and operationalizing technologies in a variety of healthcare delivery settings. Pete has rich experience in general management; business strategy; sales; marketing and organizational development. He espouses calm, rational thinking. He also inhabits a positive and civil work environment. Interested in science, medicine, business, people and wellness, he leverages his interests and background to offer strategic commercial leadership in the healthcare arena. Previously, Mr. Bantock held a variety of executive roles at Accelerate Diagnostics including Chief Commercial Officer, Head of Clinical Implementation Solutions and Chief Human Resources & Culture Officer. Prior to Accelerate Diagnostics, he was the SVP and GM of Roche Tissue Diagnostics’ North American Commercial Operations. Previously, he was the GM of Spring Bioscience, a subsidiary of Ventana/Roche. Preceding this, Mr. Bantock held a variety of commercial roles in clinical diagnostics at both Ventana Medical Systems and at Abbott Laboratories. He also spent several years working for Eli Lilly in the pharmaceutical sector. He obtained a Bachelors’ Degree and a Higher Diploma of Education from Rhodes University, South Africa.
Daniel De La Vega
SVP Operations
Dan de la Vega has led site operations though significant change related to acquisitions/divestitures, process scale-up, and facility transfers at several point-of-care diagnostics companies. He has over 30 years of experience in cGMP manufacturing and Operational Strategy. For the last two decades, he has focused on delivering financial results, quality products, and efficient processes in the rapid diagnostics industry and has held increasingly senior leadership positions at Alere, Abbott, and B. Braun Medical. He leads Site Operations for Mesa Biotech.
Kyla Hayden, JD
Chief People Officer
Kyla brings game-changing strategic leadership to facilitate and support sustainable growth. She scaled CrossFit’s significant labor growth from 800-15,000 units while maintaining culture and developing talent. She brings analytical rigor to the people function and has built and tracked ROI metrics that are driven by and align with the needs of the business. Her experience as a practicing attorney has brought a more analytical approach to the people function.
Kyla is known for cultivating an environment with a strong sense of community supported by a growth mindset. She encourages her team to use their talents, grow from their mistakes, and models accountability and responsibility. She constantly pushes them to grow, knowing that many tasks are hard before they become easy. Her leadership style is one that is tailored and built upon the most powerful attribute—trust.
Mark Ibison
Chief Financial Officer
Mark Ibison has over 20 years of experience across the full breadth of finance and accounting, supporting commercial teams to drive growth, manufacturing teams to improve profitability and as a strategic partner to general managers. He has also had operational responsibilities, managing procurement, distribution and continuous improvement functions.
He was most recently CFO at Prescient Medicine, an early-stage diagnostics company where he led fundraising efforts while building the accounting/finance function from the ground up. Prior to Prescient Medicine, Mark spent 6 years at Thermo Fisher where he was the Divisional CFO for businesses in the Life Sciences and Specialty Diagnostics groups. Earlier in his career, Mark held a number of finance leadership roles at Essentra, a UK-based FTSE 250 B2B manufacturer and distributor.
Julie Richardson
VP Quality and Regulatory Affairs
Julie Richardson leads the commitment to superior Quality Systems for Mesa Biotech with 20+ years of IVD, Clinical, and Pharma experience in the areas of Development, Manufacturing Technical Support, Validation, and Quality Systems. She held positions of increasing responsibilities at companies such as Hybritech, Gen-Probe, and Teva Pharmaceuticals.
Don Thomas
VP Engineering and Product Development
Don Thomas leverages 25+ years of experience in Product Development to lead Mesa Biotech engineering and R&D efforts. He has a successful track record leading cross-disciplinary teams in development of both molecular and cell-based assay systems. Previously, he held senior leadership positions at ACEA Biosciences and Nanogen.
Erik Tyrrell-Knott, JD
Senior Vice President, Business Development
Erik Tyrrell-Knott leverages more than 20 years of experience to lead Mesa Biotech’s business development and strategic alliance efforts. He has a proven track record of building multi-million-dollar businesses and alliances for companies ranging from start-ups to mature global companies. Previously, he held senior leadership positions at EMC, GE, Thermo Fisher and Elsevier Corporation.
Dr. Hong Cai
Co-Founder & CTO
Dr. Hong Cai co-founded the business in 2009. She has more than 20 years of experience in the field of molecular biology and is the inventor of the technology used in Mesa Biotech’s platform. She spent 13 years as a principal investigator at Los Alamos National Laboratory, managing and leading projects for nucleic acid-based assays for forensic analysis, biothreat pathogen detection, and human disease diagnosis.
Ingo Chakravarty
President & Chief Executive Officer
Ingo Chakravarty has led expansive growth in several diagnostic/genomic companies. He has over 25 years of experience and a proven track record in capital formation and building, and leading high performing organizations in healthcare that create differentiated solutions to outperform in the marketplace and generate sustainable, long term growth. He most recently served as President and CEO of NAVICAN Genomics and previously spent two decades building global businesses in the oncology and infectious disease marketplace, holding senior leadership positions at GenMark Diagnostics, Gen-Probe, Roche and Ventana Medical Systems.
Daniel De La Vega
SVP Operations
Dan de la Vega has led site operations though significant change related to acquisitions/divestitures, process scale-up, and facility transfers at several point-of-care diagnostics companies. He has over 30 years of experience in cGMP manufacturing and Operational Strategy. For the last two decades, he has focused on delivering financial results, quality products, and efficient processes in the rapid diagnostics industry and has held increasingly senior leadership positions at Alere, Abbott, and B. Braun Medical. He leads Site Operations for Mesa Biotech.
Mark Ibison
Chief Financial Officer
Mark Ibison has over 20 years of experience across the full breadth of finance and accounting, supporting commercial teams to drive growth, manufacturing teams to improve profitability and as a strategic partner to general managers. He has also had operational responsibilities, managing procurement, distribution and continuous improvement functions.
He was most recently CFO at Prescient Medicine, an early-stage diagnostics company where he led fundraising efforts while building the accounting/finance function from the ground up. Prior to Prescient Medicine, Mark spent 6 years at Thermo Fisher where he was the Divisional CFO for businesses in the Life Sciences and Specialty Diagnostics groups. Earlier in his career, Mark held a number of finance leadership roles at Essentra, a UK-based FTSE 250 B2B manufacturer and distributor.
Don Thomas
VP Engineering and Product Development
Don Thomas leverages 25+ years of experience in Product Development to lead Mesa Biotech engineering and R&D efforts. He has a successful track record leading cross-disciplinary teams in development of both molecular and cell-based assay systems. Previously, he held senior leadership positions at ACEA Biosciences and Nanogen.
Dr. Bruce Cary
Co-Founder & CSO
Dr. Cary is a co-founder of Mesa Biotech and the inventor of the technology that is the basis of the company’s platform. As CSO, he leads projects for the development of rapid molecular tests. Previously he spent 13 years as a principal investigator and scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, leading projects focused on biodefense, pathogen detection, nucleic acid metabolism and microarray gene expression technology.
Pete Bantock
Senior Vice President, Clinical and Corporate Health
Pete Bantock is a seasoned executive with international commercial and general management experience. With a colorful career that spans clinical diagnostics, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, he brings an eclectic perspective to commercializing and operationalizing technologies in a variety of healthcare delivery settings. Pete has rich experience in general management; business strategy; sales; marketing and organizational development. He espouses calm, rational thinking. He also inhabits a positive and civil work environment. Interested in science, medicine, business, people and wellness, he leverages his interests and background to offer strategic commercial leadership in the healthcare arena. Previously, Mr. Bantock held a variety of executive roles at Accelerate Diagnostics including Chief Commercial Officer, Head of Clinical Implementation Solutions and Chief Human Resources & Culture Officer. Prior to Accelerate Diagnostics, he was the SVP and GM of Roche Tissue Diagnostics’ North American Commercial Operations. Previously, he was the GM of Spring Bioscience, a subsidiary of Ventana/Roche. Preceding this, Mr. Bantock held a variety of commercial roles in clinical diagnostics at both Ventana Medical Systems and at Abbott Laboratories. He also spent several years working for Eli Lilly in the pharmaceutical sector. He obtained a Bachelors’ Degree and a Higher Diploma of Education from Rhodes University, South Africa.
Kyla Hayden, JD
Chief People Officer
Kyla brings game-changing strategic leadership to facilitate and support sustainable growth. She scaled CrossFit’s significant labor growth from 800-15,000 units while maintaining culture and developing talent. She brings analytical rigor to the people function and has built and tracked ROI metrics that are driven by and align with the needs of the business. Her experience as a practicing attorney has brought a more analytical approach to the people function.
Kyla is known for cultivating an environment with a strong sense of community supported by a growth mindset. She encourages her team to use their talents, grow from their mistakes, and models accountability and responsibility. She constantly pushes them to grow, knowing that many tasks are hard before they become easy. Her leadership style is one that is tailored and built upon the most powerful attribute—trust.
Julie Richardson
VP Quality and Regulatory Affairs
Julie Richardson leads the commitment to superior Quality Systems for Mesa Biotech with 20+ years of IVD, Clinical, and Pharma experience in the areas of Development, Manufacturing Technical Support, Validation, and Quality Systems. She held positions of increasing responsibilities at companies such as Hybritech, Gen-Probe, and Teva Pharmaceuticals.
Erik Tyrrell-Knott, JD
Senior Vice President, Business Development
Erik Tyrrell-Knott leverages more than 20 years of experience to lead Mesa Biotech’s business development and strategic alliance efforts. He has a proven track record of building multi-million-dollar businesses and alliances for companies ranging from start-ups to mature global companies. Previously, he held senior leadership positions at EMC, GE, Thermo Fisher and Elsevier Corporation.
Read more about us
Join us
Pardon our dust! We are under construction and growing fast. We are excited to make your acquaintance and connect further.
If you like the start-up environment, have a problem-solving mindset, want autonomy working for an innovative company; get ready to roll-up your sleeves and join our team of collaborative people.
Send your resume to [email protected]
Amazing things are happening here!
– First company funded through 2 phases under the NIH Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics program
– Expanding footprint and scale-up cGMP manufacturing of COVID–19 PCR rapid tests
– Currently building a dynamic and experienced scale-up team
– Projecting 200+ positions in Q4, 2020
Product documentation and training videos
Accula SARS-CoV-2 Documentation
Accula SARS-CoV-2 Instructions for Use (IFU)
Accula SARS-CoV-2 Quick Reference Guide (QRG)
Accula SARS-CoV-2 Point of Care Self-Collection Quick Reference Guide (QRG)
Accula Dock Operator’s Guide
Healthcare Provider Fact Sheet
Patient Fact Sheet
FDA EUA Letter of Authorization
Accula System – Flu & RSV Flier
Accula SARS-CoV-2 Training Videos
Transfer Pipette Training
Running the Test
Interpretation of Results