Expanding Access to Cochlear Implantation

Eric Timko joined iotaMotion as Executive Chairman in 2016, bringing with him over 25 years of experience in the medical industry. Previously, Mr. Timko was President and CEO of Blue Belt Technologies which was acquired by Smith and Nephew in January of 2016 for $275 million. Prior to joining Blue Belt, Mr. Timko served as President and CEO of NeuroVasx, Inc., President of Carl Zeiss Surgical, Inc., and as Vice President of Siemens Medical Systems, Inc. Mr. Timko possesses a proven track record in building an effective and profitable organization and brings vast experience in medical technologies at both the start-up and commercial stages and across many specialties such as orthopaedics, neurosurgery, ophthalmology and several others. Mr. Timko also serves on the Boards of XTANT Medical, as CEO of Orthalign and on the Minnesota Chapter of Folds of Honor.

Dr. Marlan Hansen is a co-founder and co-inventor of the company’s technology, and is a key opinion leader in cochlear implants based on his extensive clinical experience, publications and industry relationships. Dr. Hansen is an expert clinician-scientist trained in neurotology/skull base surgery and cell and molecular neurobiology. He is a Department Chair of Otolaryngology and a Professor of Neurosurgery and Molecular Physiology & Biophysics at the University of Iowa. Currently, his clinical practice focuses on both cochlear implants and surgery of the inner ear and skull base. He is active in research and publications, currently serving as the PI for a clinical trial funded by the Dept. of Defense to use hearing preservation electrodes to treat veterans with noise-induced hearing loss; and is co-investigator on the ongoing clinical trials at the University of Iowa that determine the outcomes achieved with hearing preservation cochlear implant surgery.

Mike Lobinsky is an accomplished medical technology executive with more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, spanning advanced capital equipment and precision surgical robotics. Prior to joining iotaMotion, he served as CEO of medical device developer EOS Imaging, which was acquired by ATEC Spine inc. in 2021. Mike has additionally served as U.S. Vice President – Robotics at Smith & Nephew PLC, which he joined through their 2016 acquisition of Blue Belt Technologies, a global innovator in handheld surgical robotics. He assembled and led Blue Belt Technologies’ US Sales efforts from commercialization through acquisition. Mike built and managed high performing teams at Stryker, Brainlab, and BioMedix earlier in his career.

Chris Martin is President, Medical Devices & CFO of Research Corporation Technologies, Inc. (RCT).  RCT is a technology investment company with over $1 billion in assets. Along with his management responsibilities, Mr. Martin directs RCT’s medical device team and portfolio of investments. Mr. Martin is a member of the RCT Board of Directors and serves on the board of a number of RCT’s portfolio companies. He received a BS in Biology from the University of Michigan, an MS in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Southern California, and an MBA from The Anderson School at UCLA.

Wayne co-founded Mutual Capital Partners Funds in 2004 and leads the firm’s healthcare investing practice.  He has been instrumental in setting MCPF’s healthcare strategy and establishing the firm’s credibility within the healthcare vertical.  Previously, Wayne worked in investment banking for both National City Investments and McDonald & Company.  Wayne was the first employee hired by the new co-heads of the investment banking group and played an integral role in sourcing and executing transactions, recruiting talented professionals, and significantly growing the group’s revenue.  Wayne’s exits in medical technology include Cleveland Heartlab (Sold to NYSE: DGX), TGX Medical (Sold to NASDAQ: IART), and OrthoHelix Surgical Designs (Sold to NASDAQ: TRNX).  While Wayne was on the OrthoHelix board the company’s revenue grew over 8,000% and the exit generated more than a 5x cash on cash return.  Wayne currently sits on the board of multiple venture backed medical device companies.  Wayne holds a B.S. in in Business Administration with a specialty in Finance from The Ohio State University and was named One of Northeast Ohio’s Leading Young Executives.  Wayne serves as Immediate Past Chairman on the Lakewood Catholic Academy board of directors and resides in Lakewood, Ohio with his wife Kristen and three children.

Mike is President and Chief Operating Officer at Grace Medical, a global leader focused in otology.  He has more than 30 years experience in the medical device industry. He joined Grace Medical in 2007, after serving as Senior Vice President Otology Business Unit for Gyrus ENT.  Mike spent 14 years with Gyrus and its predecessor, Smith & Nephew ENT. During that period he served in a number of capacities, including Vice President of Sales and Group Director Global Marketing.  Mike began his career with Treace Medical in 1986, continuing with Xomed-Treace following the merger of the two companies. He currently serves as Vice Chair Board of Directors for the Greater Memphis Medical Device Council.  Mike holds a BS in Marketing from the University of Mississippi.

With a rich tapestry of thirty years in the medical technology industry, Jeff Hopkins is a dedicated professional whose passion lies in collaborating with surgeons to deliver innovative and meaningful treatments to patients. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to developing and implementing cutting-edge solutions that enhance patient care and operational efficiency for healthcare providers. Hopkins’s impactful leadership was most notably exemplified during his tenure at Johnson & Johnson, where he spearheaded the turnaround of the Acclarent ENT business. Among his proudest accomplishments is the creation of the TruDi-3D Cranial Navigation System, the first JNJ product to utilize AI software for patient care, along with approval of the Aera Eustachian Tube device, which has proven to be superior to traditional repeat ear tubes in pediatric care—a testament to his dedication to improving patient outcomes. Currently, as the CEO of FlowPhysix, Hopkins is focused on revolutionizing vascular care through the introduction of innovative technology designed for thrombectomy procedures.