Frank DiCosmo, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer

Frank is a founding partner of Covalon Technologies Ltd. He is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a position he has held since March 2004. Frank has previously served Covalon as Chief Scientific Officer and Chairman of the Board. He is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors (Canada).

Frank is co-inventor of Covalon products and holds several USA, Canadian and international patents. In 2007, Frank received one of 50 prestigious Science "Alumni of Honour Award" for distinguished accomplishments to healthcare and the community, from the University of Waterloo, on its 50th Anniversary. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo, Department of Biology, and was a post-doctoral research fellow (Biochemistry) at the University of British Columbia.

Frank also was a professor at the University of Toronto. During his tenure there (1983 - 2004) he began the work that served as the nucleus for the formation of Covalon. Frank has expertise in biochemistry of anticancer drugs of plant origin, taxol, vinblastine, vincristine, liposome delivery of anticancer agents and biofilm development and biopolymer chemistry. His interests have been used in designing rational modes to deter device-related infection in patients fitted with in-dwelling medical devices. Frank's interests in biopolymer chemistry led to the development of novel collagen-based advanced tissue coverings and innovative wound dressings.

Valerio DiTizio, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer

Val is the co-inventor on Covalon technologies. He has degrees in science from the University of Toronto as a Biochemistry Specialist. Val completed his Master's degree in liposome drug delivery at the University of Toronto. His graduate research involved the application of polymer chemistry and drug delivery in pursuit of novel materials and processes that currently comprise the core of Covalon’s intellectual property. Val holds several US and European patents. He has been with Covalon since its inception.

William Jackson
Chief Business Officer

William has fifteen years of medical device experience. He has been a successful enterpreneur taking start-ups to market leader, and specializes in building relationships, partnerships and sales. His experience includes sales with Karl Storz Endoscopy (first agent to grow territory by $1 million in first year), was a top ten sales performer for Stryker Corporation, member of the president's Council of Stryker Corporation, co-founder and president of Quick Stitch, co-founder of Preferred Medical Products (a start-up catheter manufacturer company, sold to Ballard medical), and VP Finance for TIME process. William has an undergraduate degree in Honours Business Administration and a graduate degree in Accounting. He has been with Covalon since its inception.

Sonia Sanhueza, Ph.D.
Chief Operations Officer

Sonia has more than 20 years of industry experience. She graduated as a Biochemist from the Universidad de Concepción, Chile, was a Professor at the University Austral, Chile, and continued her post-graduate studies at The Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, where she first studied crystallography and further obtained her Doctoral degree in Biochemistry. She was a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Toronto studying molecular virology. Dr. Sanhueza has worked for large and medium size biological, pharmaceutical and medical device companies such as Sanofi-Pasteur, ApoPharma and Millenium Biologics. She has filed patents in the vaccine field, lead large multinational R&D projects, responsible for regulatory strategies for anticancer and respiratory tract infections vaccines, obtained product license approval world-wide and lead strategic initiatives. She joined Covalon Technologies in November 2006.

Peter Hobbes, C.A.
Chief Financial Officer

Peter comes to Covalon with a broad background of industry experience and responsibility. He spent 13 years with Stryker Canada, from its corporate birth until 2003. His primary responsibilities were Finance, IT and Administration, and he carried sales, marketing and operational at various periods during his tenure. He also worked for two manufacturing operations and spent his audit years with Deloitte in their small business department. Peter is a A BMath graduate (Hons) from Waterloo and a CA.  Peter joined Covalon Technologies in October 2008.