Founding CEO | New Orthopaedic Spine Startup (USA)

Founding CEO | Collagen Based Spine Repair Startup

Location: East Coast US (remote friendly, New York State preferred)
Travel: Monthly to Weill Cornell (NYC) and/or Cornell University (Ithaca)
Commitment: Part time (approximately 2-3 days per week to start, scaling post seed)
Start Date: Q3 2025
Compensation: Equity only pre seed; salary post financing

The Opportunity

We are seeking an entrepreneurial CEO to lead a Cornell spin out developing a next generation collagen based patch to repair spinal discs following surgery. Backed by NLC Health Ventures, this new venture is poised to reshape spine care by restoring disc integrity and preventing painful reherniations, one of the most common complications after discectomy.

You will be joining at the most critical moment: preclinical proof is in hand, IP is protected, and a pivotal large animal study is ready to launch. Now it is time to secure funding, build momentum, and prepare for clinical translation. If you are excited by the challenge of bringing cutting edge biomaterials from lab-to-market and changing the standard of care for millions of patients, this is your opportunity.

About the Venture

This new venture is developing a collagen based patch to improve healing after spinal disc surgery. Applied during the procedure and activated by light, the patch reinforces the disc and helps prevent future injuries by replicating the body’s natural collagen structure.

Specifically, the technology is a photocrosslinkable collagen patch that closes defects in the annulus fibrosus following lumbar microdiscectomy. Implanted via the standard surgical corridor and activated by light, the patch cures in under a minute to restore the disc’s structural integrity, reinforce biomechanics, and promote native tissue regeneration.

The innovation originates from Professors Lawrence Bonassar and Roger Härtl at Cornell, recognised leaders in spine biomechanics and regenerative medicine. Preclinical studies in rats and sheep have shown that the patch successfully prevents reherniation and mitigates disc degeneration, addressing a major unmet need in spinal surgery.

With strong international IP protection in place, the company is now preparing for a pivotal 1-year GLP sheep study in advance of First-in-Human trials.

Purpose of the Role

As Founding CEO, you will lead the company through its earliest and most defining phase: securing funding, finalizing preclinical strategy, establishing partnerships, and preparing for clinical entry. You will work closely with the inventors, early advisors, and NLC Health Ventures to build momentum, credibility, and long-term value.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Strategic direction

• Lead capital strategy and secure seed-stage funding (non-dilutive and dilutive)
• Build compelling investor narratives tailored to the U.S. MedTech ecosystem
• Engage early with potential exit partners and strategic acquirers

Clinical & Regulatory development

• Oversee the 1-year GLP sheep study in collaboration with scientific and regulatory teams
• Shape regulatory strategy with attention to reimbursement hurdles
• Prepare the groundwork for First-in-Human clinical trials

Commercial strategy

• Define the U.S. go-to-market approach for spine surgeons and hospital systems
• Validate clinical and economic value with KOLs, payers, and channel partners
• Develop relationships with key players in the spine market

Team building & Governance

• Build strong working relationships with the inventors, scientific team, and board
• Establish transparent governance, reporting, and strategic alignment
• Prepare the company culture and infrastructure for future team growth
  
  

Candidate Requirements

Must-Haves

• Entrepreneurial leadership experience in MedTech or biotech (preferably as CEO/founder)
• Strong network within the U.S. spine surgery ecosystem (clinicians, strategics, KOLs)
• Familiarity with FDA regulatory pathways for Class II/III devices and reimbursement strategy
• Demonstrated success in raising early-stage capital (grants, angels, or VC)
• Based on or willing to frequently engage from the U.S. East Coast

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience in biologics or biomaterials for regenerative medicine
• Background in early-stage company building in collaboration with academic institutions
• Prior exit or M&A experience in spine or orthopaedics

 

About NLC Health Ventures

This start-up is being built in collaboration with NLC Health Ventures, Europe’s leading healthtech venture builder. With over 100 ventures created to date, NLC identifies breakthrough innovations, builds expert teams around them, and supports each venture from lab to market. Through hands-on operational guidance, fundraising support, and access to dedicated capital, NLC helps founders turn scientific breakthroughs into investable, scalable companies.