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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

Leadership Changes at Alfred Mann Foundation

David Hankin has stepped down as chief executive of the Alfred Mann Foundation for Scientific Research, the Business Journal has learned. Hankin, a patent attorney, said he left to spend more time with his siblings and ailing father. Despite his exit, he is more than hopeful that the Valencia foundation will continue to be an influential organization in the Valley’s medical device industry. “It is a great organization that does great work, and I have admiration for people who are there,” said Hankin. “The mission was what attracted me to the foundation and I hope that they will do well in the future carrying it out.” The foundation has been instrumental in developing many of the Valley region’s medical technology companies since its inception in 1985. It was established by late billionaire Alfred Mann, an inventor behind medical devices including pacemakers, insulin pumps and cochlear hearing implants. The foundation’s mission is to develop and commercialize solutions to unmet or poorly met medical conditions. The foundation was the driving force behind Valley companies such as MannKind Corp. in Westlake Village and Second Sight Medical Products Inc. in Sylmar. Under Hankin’s leadership, the organization continued to create innovative medical devices. Hankin said he was especially proud of the development of the Implantable MyoElectric Sensor system used to control prosthetic limbs, which he was involved with in his early years at the foundation. However, Hankin said he is most proud of establishing a new culture that has made the Mann Foundation a thriving nonprofit. “I was instrumental in changing the company culture from research and development focused to a one that develops meaningful medical products,” said Hankin. “We put AMF in a great position and it should be successful very far into the future as a result.” Indeed, the foundation has established several companies during Hankin’s tenure, such as Bioness Inc. which develops medical devices to help patients with neurological disorders gain mobility. In February, Bioness received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its device L300 Go, which treats gait movement disorders caused by stroke and injuries to the brain. The latest AMF company Monolythix, established in 2014, combines biochemistry with polymer science. The result is a special wicking polymer that can separate desired chemical compounds from blood and other biological samples. Hankin left the organization in July. The current acting chief executive of the foundation, John Petrovich, said the organization is developing technologies that are nascent but promising. Petrovich said the foundation will continue to fulfill its mission of addressing poorly met medical needs in the health care system. As for Hankin, he is planning to scope out new opportunities come October. “I’m thinking about lot of things. I’ve been in entertainment and pure tech before,” said Hankin. “I’m fond of the innovation space because it’s a place where you can make a difference in the society. That’s what AMF was all about for me.” New Valley Facilities Several new health facilities have opened in the Valley region in the last few months, aimed at serving patients from the coast to the High Desert. In July, a new 232,000-squre-foot North Tower at the Ventura County Medical Center opened its doors, complete with 120 private patient rooms, expanded emergency department and a pediatric unit that includes an outdoor playground. The crown jewel of this $304 million project is the new operating room which features robotic surgery systems. In Palmdale, Katayoun Motlagh Health Clinic opened its doors to new patients. The family practice facility provides a wide variety of services, ranging from the typical urgent care treatments to cosmetic services like Botox and stem cell therapies. This is the Encino-based clinic’s second location. Lastly, a new urgent care facility opened in Moorpark in August. The Adventist Health Physicians Network Moorpark Urgent Care is a 5,226-square-foot office with six exam rooms and a procedure room. The clinic is open to walk-in patients and will address health conditions ranging from broken bones to stomach aches. “We are excited to be part of the Moorpark community and to meet the health care needs of its residents and businesses,” said Director of Operations Anthony Chapman in a statement. Staff Reporter Iris Lee can be reached at (818) 316-3130 or [email protected].

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