Alfred Mann Foundation Enters New Phase After the Death of its Founder

by James Cavuoto, editor

May 2016 issue

The Alfred Mann Foundation for Scientific Research, based in Santa Clarita, CA, is entering a new phase after the death of its founder, Alfred E. Mann, earlier this year. The serial entrepreneur founded the foundation in 1985 and it has developed several neurotechnology products and medical devices in the years since. Spinoffs from AMF include Advanced Bionics, Second Sight, Bioness, Axonics Modulation Technologies, Medallion Therapeutics, and Quallion.

In an interview with NBR, AMF CEO David Hankin said the foundation would evolve from a pure research and development facility to one that would become more involved with commercial development. “We’re going to look much less like a university,” he said. Hankin said that AMF did not receive any funding from Mann’s estate, pointing out the $1.5 million Mann donated in 1985 as the only direct contribution from the founder.

Hankin highlighted the foundation’s current work with the IMES implantable myoelectric sensor, which has been used in some promising neuroprosthetics applications. AMF still owns patents relating to the BION injectable stimulator, though Boston Scientific acquired marketing rights for neuromodulation applications. Hankin said some new neuromodulation vendors marketing injectable devices may be violating AMF patents, though he declined to speculate on what legal action, if any, might ensue.

AMF recently appointed Eric Grigsby as chief medical officer. “Eric Grigsby cares first and foremost about producing great patient outcomes and as such is an outstanding addition to AMF’s team of scientists, engineers, and clinicians. Eric is widely recognized around the globe as a leader in pain relief and neuromodulation. His medical and clinical expertise, as well as his business acumen will enable him to play a key role as AMF develops new, leading edge medical products to address unmet medical needs,” said Hankin.

Grigsby is the former president and CEO of Neurovations, a clinical research and consulting company specializing in pain and neurologic disease. Grigsby is also the founder and medical director of Napa Pain Institute in Napa, CA. He continues to practice as a board certified pain physician. Grigsby graduated from Brown University with an undergraduate degree in biology and economics. He then completed medical school at Boston University School of Medicine, and completed residency training in anesthesiology and pain medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He received his MBA in health sector management from Duke University. Professionally, Grigsby was director of the hospital pain service at Mayo Clinic, and was later founding director of the University of California, Davis Pain Center. He has been in private practice of pain management in Napa, California for 20 years.

“After 30 years of clinical medicine, it’s clear to me that we do not have the necessary tools to help solve our biggest clinical challenges, especially for patients with long term chronic illness,” said Grigsby. “I’m excited to bring my experience in patient care and in product development to the Alfred Mann Foundation. The foundation has the people, leadership, resources, and a proven track record of success in medical device development. I’m eager to partner with them as CMO.”