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Author: kelsey.ramadhan@sonicincytes.com

FDA Grants 510(k) Clearance for Sonic Incytes’ Velacur ONE™, AI-guided point of care ultrasound for the management of chronic liver diseases

VANCOUVER, British Columbia–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sonic Incytes Medical Corp, proudly announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) clearance for Velacur ONE™, its point-of-care ultrasound elastography device. Building on the success of its original model, Velacur™, Velacur ONE™ introduces an enhanced interface and features for improved portability and user experience. These improvements enable […]

Dr. Caitlin SchneiderClinical Director

PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering, with 10+ Years of Ultrasound Research Experience

Caitlin has been developing technology in the field of ultrasound and ultrasound elastography for the past 15 years, working on projects ranging from robotically controlled ultrasound probes for laparoscopic surgery to understanding fibrosis development in transplant kidneys. She completed her PhD in Electrical Engineering at the University of British Columbia in 2017 and has been continuing that work at Sonic Incytes. She enjoys the process of bringing technology from an academic research setting to the hands of physicians. When not working, Caitlin can be found in the mountains around Vancouver, hiking, climbing, skiing or kayaking.

Julio LoboDirector, Product Development

Software Engineering Leader with R&D Experience in Academic and Clinical Settings

Julio R. Lobo is the Director of Product Development at Sonic Incytes, a health technology company. Within Sonic Incytes, Julio progressed from Lead Software Engineer to their current role, demonstrating expertise in the product lifecycle. Their background reflects a strong focus on software development and engineering methodologies.

Prior to their role as Director, Julio contributed as a Lead Software Engineer at Sonic Incytes. Their work history includes research and development roles at the University of British Columbia and BC Cancer Agency. During their tenure at the University of British Columbia, Julio contributed to research initiatives as a Research Engineer. Their activities involved research and development from January 2007 to January 2010. They also contributed to research and development at BC Cancer Agency from January 2006 to January 2013.

Earlier in their career, Julio briefly contributed as a Software Developer at EIM Solutions. Julio holds a Master of Applied Science (M.A.Sc.) and a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) from The University of British Columbia

Kevin MurreySenior V.P. of Sales

Commercial Sales Leader with 20+ Years of Proven Success Driving Innovative Medical Imaging and Liver Elastography Technology to Market

Need bio for Kevin

Richard RawnsleyChief Financial Officer

Former Finance and Operations Executive at Alpha Foods, Hootsuite and Ernst and Young

Richard Rawnsley, CPA, CA, currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Sonic Incytes Medical Corp. since November 2023. Prior to this role, Richard was the Interim CFO during the post-acquisition integration at Alpha Foods from August to October 2023 and held the position of Chief Financial Officer & Operations Leader at Alpha Foods from August 2018 to August 2023. Richard’s earlier experience includes serving as Director of Tax & Treasury at Hootsuite from July 2014 to August 2018 and working in International Tax Services and Transfer Pricing at Ernst & Young from May 2010 to July 2014. Richard began their career in Audit & Assurance at EY from 2006 to 2010. Richard’s educational background includes completing the CICA In-Depth Tax Program, the CA School of Business, and earning a BComm in Accounting from the University of Calgary.

Barry AllenPresident & CEO

Serial Founder and Operator of Medtech, Software and Digital Companies

Barry Allen is the current President & CEO at Sonic Incytes. Barry has also previously worked as an Entrepreneur in Residence at Ventures West and as the CEO and President at PureWeb Inc.

Barry has over 18 years of experience in the business world, with a focus on early stage life sciences and technology companies. As an experienced entrepreneur and operator, they have provided strategic planning and input to Ventures West, limited partners and portfolio companies.

Under Barry’s leadership, PureWeb Inc. has become a leading provider of smart streaming technology. Their technology is used by healthcare professionals, businesses, and gaming companies all over the world. Some of their products include ResolutionMD, a mobile and web enterprise viewer for 2D and 3D images, and Spaces, a critical collaboration tool.

Barry Allen is a graduate of Queen’s University, where they earned their BA in Economics

Dr. Kenneth MortisuguDirector

President & CEO, First Samurai Consulting; Former Johnson & Johnson Vice President; Former Acting U.S. Surgeon General

Dr. Kenneth Moritsugu is the President and Chief Executive Officer of First Samurai Consulting, LLC, a firm specializing in health consulting focused on public health systems and policies, “putting the patient at the center of everything we do.”

Dr. Moritsugu is the former Vice President for Global Professional Education and Strategic Relations for Johnson & Johnson’s Diabetes Solutions Companies, and former Worldwide Chairman of the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institutes (JJDI). He retired from Johnson & Johnson in 2013.

Rear Admiral Moritsugu was the Acting Surgeon General of the United States, in 2002 and again from July 2006 until his retirement from the Commissioned Corps of the US Public Health Service (USPHS) in September 2007. As Acting Surgeon General, he served as the nation’s top doctor, communicating the best available science and information to the American people to help protect, promote, and advance their health and safety. He was the operational commander of the 6,500 Commissioned Corps health professionals. A career officer in the USPHS for 37 years, he served as the Deputy Surgeon General of the United States from 1998. In these roles, he was responsible for the development and issuance of twenty major documents from the Office of the Surgeon General.

Dr. Moritsugu was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. After attending Chaminade College for two years, he received his Baccalaureate Degree with Honors in Classical Languages from the University of Hawaii in 1967, his MD from the George Washington University School of Medicine in 1971, and a Master of Public Health in Health Administration and Planning from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1975.

Dr. Moritsugu has been a leader in the physician assistant profession since his tenure as Director of the Division of Medicine of the DHHS, from 1978 through 1983, when he supported the emerging group of new health professionals with grants for PA programs. As the Director of the National Health Service Corps from 1983 through 1987, he assigned PAs to NHSC sites including community health centers, as integral members of the health care team. Subsequently, as the Assistant Bureau Director and Medical Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, he was instrumental in establishing the key role of physician assistants in correctional health. He was responsible for the commissioning of the first PA in the US Public Health Service in 1989. He was appointed a Lifetime Member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants in May 1997. In May 2000, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Veterans Caucus of the AAPA, and was designated a Lifetime Member. In May 1993, he received the President’s Award from the AAPA. After several terms on the board of the Physician Assistant Foundation, he received the distinction of Emeritus Trustee in 2002. In his role as Deputy Surgeon General, and Surgeon General of the United States, he continued to champion and to advance the concept of the PA in local, community, and national venues.

A member of Alpha Omega Alpha, Delta Omega, and Omicron Delta Kappa, Dr. Moritsugu is Board Certified in Preventive Medicine; holds Fellowships in the American College of Preventive Medicine, the Royal Society of Public Health, the Royal Society of Medicine, and the National Academy of Public Administration; and is a Certified Correctional Health Professional. He is an Adjunct Professor of Global Health at the George Washington University School of Public Health, and Adjunct Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

Dr. Moritsugu resides in Great Falls, VA with his wife, Lisa R. Kory. He has two daughters, Erika Lizabeth Moritsugu, Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, in Washington, DC; and Emily Renee Moritsugu.

To watch an interview by Dr. Moritsugu, please click here.

Acknowledgments: This biography was prepared by Dr. Moritsugu, with editorial assistance by Alfred M. Sadler Jr., MD, and submitted to the PA History Society in August 2016. The photo is courtesy of Dr. Moritsugu.

When using information from this biography, please provide the proper citation as described within the PA History Society Terms of Use.

Natalie DakersBoard Chair

Adjunct Professor at UBC’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Natalie Dakers is a leading figure in the Canadian health sciences sector. Natalie has been the founding CEO of several high impact and first-of-its kind national organizations including Accel-Rx Health Sciences Accelerator, the Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD) now Admare BioInnovations, and the commercial arm of CDRD, CDRD Ventures. She co-founded Neuromed Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company in the neurological space developing drugs for chronic pain and epilepsy. Early in her career she enabled the technology transfer for over a dozen start-ups while at the University of British Columbia (UBC)’s Industry Liaison Office. Natalie is an Adjunct Professor at UBC’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Ms. Dakers has served on many public and private boards including BIOTECanada, Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Genome Canada, Genome BC, LifeSciences BC and others. She currently serves on Augurex, BioTalent Canada, Pender Private Investments Inc., Sonic Incytes, and Stemcell Technologies.

Natalie has continued to support the health sciences ecosystem as a mentor to early stage innovation companies through programs provided by the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL), eUBC, LifeSciences BC, SFU Venture Labs, and WXN.

Among her many awards are BIV BC500 (2021), LifeSciences BC Milton Wong Award for Leadership 2019, Startup Canada’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2015, WXN’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women and Business in Vancouver’s Most Influential Woman 2016, 2018 and Industry Leadership BIOTECanada 2009.

Paul GeyerDirector

Chief Investment Officer Nimbus Synergies

Paul brings over 25 years of experience as a seasoned entrepreneur in the medical device sector, having successfully founded and led three companies. With more than two decades as a successful angel investor, Paul’s unique operator background, extensive industry knowledge, and vast network have made him one of British Columbia’s most sought-after angel investors.

He is a trusted first call for aspiring ventures, particularly in the health technology space, providing him exceptional access to promising early-stage companies. His refined heuristic and deep market insights enable him to identify opportunities with the potential for substantial long-term returns.

Dr. Nezdam AfdahlClinical Advisor

Distinguished Professor of Medicine Harvard Medical School

Nezam H. Afdhal, MD, DSc, is the Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. He is also Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Afdhal received his MD degree in 1981 from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and did fellowship training at University College Dublin and at Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Afdhal’s clinical expertise focuses on the management of the complications of liver disease, including cirrhosis and portal hypertension. His research has been on liver fibrosis, hepatitis B and C. Dr. Afdhal has served on multiple State, National and International advisory boards for liver disease. He has served as on the Editorial Board and as a reviewer for multiple journals in Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases. He has published more than 250 original manuscripts, reviews and editorials in journals such as New England Journal of Medicine, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Gut, and Journal of Hepatology, as well as 40 book chapters and 2 books. He has received many awards, including the American Liver Foundation Award for Excellence, a Fullbright Scholarship and an Honorary Doctor of Science from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

Dr. Naim AlkhouriClinical Advisor

Director of the Fatty Liver Program and Medical Director of Research at the Clinical Research Institute of Ohio (CRIOH)

Naim Alkhouri, M.D., is the Director of the Fatty Liver Program and Medical Director of Research at the Clinical Research Institute of Ohio (CRIOH).  He also severs as the VP of Academic Affairs, Chief of Transplant Hepatology, and Director of the Fatty Liver Program at Arizona Liver Health (ALH) in Phoenix, AZ. Prior to joining CRIOH and ALH, Dr. Alkhouri served as the director of the Metabolic Health Center at the Texas Liver Institute and Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatric at the University of Texas (UT) Health in San Antonio, TX.

Dr. Alkhouri completed his Gastroenterology and Transplant Hepatology training at the renowned Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH where he was also appointed Assistant Professor of Medicine and Director of the Metabolic Liver Disease Clinic at the Cleveland Clinic Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute. Dr. Alkhouri is a key opinion leader in the field of NASH therapeutics and an advisor/ consultant to many pharmaceutical and biomarker development companies.  He is Principal Investigator on several multicenter global NASH trials and a member of the AASLD NASH Special Interest Group (NASH SIG).

Dr. Alkhouri has been published in over 200 publications and presents his work at both national and international medical conferences. Among many research awards, Dr. Alkhouri received the American College of Gastroenterology Junior Faculty Development Award to study the analysis of breath volatile organic compounds to diagnose nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Dr. Alkhouri’s specialty interests include nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic liver diseases, viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency, and liver transplantation.