Mr. David Elsley, MBA, is a business leader with a proven track record of developing, financing, and managing all aspects of corporate development in biotechnology and high-growth organizations.
David founded Vasogen Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the research and commercial development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of heart failure and other inflammatory conditions. He assembled a team of management, directors, and scientific advisors comprising industry professionals and thought leaders and managed and directed Vasogen’s growth from start-up to an organization employing over 250 people with operations and R&D programs in Canada, the United States and Europe and a market capitalization of over US$1 billion. Mr. Elsley founded Cardiol Therapeutics in 2017.
Keynote
Listed Company
Biotech, Cannabis
Jim Gallagher
Clean Air Metals
Abraham Drost, M.Sc. P.Geo. CEO & Director
Mr. Drost is a Professional Geoscientist with a 35-yr career in exploration and development. He is the former President and Director of Sabina Gold and Silver (SBB:TSX). Mr. Drost was the founding CEO of Premier Royalty Inc. (NSR:TSX), and at the sale to Sandstorm Gold. He was a former CEO and then Director of Mega Precious Metals Inc. (MGP:TSXV) at the sale to Yamana. Mr. Drost was most recently CEO and Director of Carlisle Goldfields Ltd. (CGJ:TSX) at the sale to Alamos (AGI:TSX). Previously, Mr. Drost was Regional Land Use Geologist with the Ontario Government and highly attuned to First Nation aspirations in Canada.
Jim Gallagher, P.Eng. Executive Chairman
Mr. Jim Gallagher, P.Eng. Mr. Gallagher is a Professional Engineer with a 35-year track record of optimizing operational performance. Mr. Gallagher was most recently the President and CEO of North American Palladium Ltd. (“NAP”). During his 6 year tenure at NAP, Mr. Gallagher rebuilt the senior management team, introduced advanced technologies and mining methods at the Lac des Iles Mine and achieved an operational and financial turnaround making the Lac des Illes Mine one of the largest and lowest cost underground mines in Canada, culminating in the 2019 sale of NAP for $1 billion to Impala Platinum. Prior to NAP, Mr. Gallagher spent 24 years with Falconbridge Inc., in a variety of operational and project management roles and eight years as Global Director of Mining for Hatch, leading one of the largest mining EPCM teams in North America. Mr. Gallagher is currently the chair of the technical committee on the board of Directors for Harte Gold and also serves on the board of the Ontario Mining Association.
Keynote
Listed Company
Commodities, Precious Metals
John M. Torrens
SaluberMD
Dr. Torrens is a 25-year healthcare and education entrepreneur. A 2x Inc 5000 Honoree, he is experienced in leading high growth companies, raising capital, and M&A (buy and sell side). Dr. Torrens has a Ph.D. in healthcare administration and did his dissertation on reimbursement and utilization of telehealth services. He holds a faculty position in the Syracuse University Whitman School of Management’s Department of Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises as an award winning Professor of Entrepreneurial Practice. He is an active member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and served in multiple volunteer leadership positions including a term on the International Board of Directors (2013-2015).
Keynote
Private Company
Medtech, Healthcare
Corporates
Company backgrounds and useful links.
Cardiol Therapeutics
David Elsley
Cardiol Therapeutics Inc. (TSX: CRDL; OTCQX: CRTPF) develops innovative cannabidiol therapies for heart failure. The company is expecting significant growth in 2020 as it moves to launch its pharmaceutical cannabidiol formulation in Canada. Cardiol recently signed a supplier agreement with Canada’s largest pharmacy chain, Shoppers Drug Mart, to become a medical cannabidiol supplier to the national chain. The firm also has plans to expand into Europe and Latin America and is commencing a Phase 2 international trial in patients with acute myocarditis, an inflammatory form of heart failure that represents a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in children and young adults.
Keynote
Listed Company
Biotech, Cannabis
Clean Air Metals
Jim Gallagher
Presently Trading as Regency Gold Corp. TSXV:RAU.H; Conditionally approved as Clean Air Metals Inc. (TSXV:AIR)
Clean Air Metals is Canada’s newest high grade Palladium-Platinum Junior Mining Company in advanced exploration and development of commodities which will power the EV revolution. The company has two high quality palladium, platinum, copper and nickel projects in the Thunder Bay region (Pt-Pd 1:1 ratio). Shareholder value creation comes from upgrading existing drill-indicated targets to resources, expanding known historical resource areas along strike and further targeting the feeder zone source areas for high grade massive sulphide deposits. Clean Air Metals brings best-in-class management and board including: incoming Executive Chairman Jim Gallagher (recently CEO of North American Palladium which sold to Impala Platinum for C$1 billion) and Abraham Drost, incoming CEO, former Senior Officer of a number of successful junior mining companies including Sabina, Premier Royalty and Carlisle. (Valuation: $25M, Recent Financing: $15M Feb 2020)
Keynote
Listed Company
Commodities, Precious Metals
SaluberMD
John M. Torrens
SaluberMD is a Global Telemedicine company that differentiates itself by providing a single, integrated platform for the effective delivery of remote health care services. We provide safe/secure video consult platform (with a personal health record, e-prescribing clinical documentation), our COR X Medical Smartwatch for remote patient monitoring, and a suite of connected diagnostic devices for remote testing. Our global network of providers also accepts second opinion referrals. SaluberMD is generating revenue in Europe and the US with pilot projects launching Asia and the Persian Gulf.