THE BONEBRIDGE STORY

THE BONEBRIDGE STORY

OUR VISION

We want to become the most respected and trusted company in orthopaedic trauma. On this journey, we are aware that anyone we love can sustain a fracture tomorrow. That is why we commit to deliver simple and high-quality solutions for fracture care. As a physician-led company, we put fundamental values first and strive to be close to clinical practice.

MEET THE TEAM

The Bonebridge team works hard to implement ideas quickly and to turn clinical solutions into marketable products within a short amount of time. Expertise in the fields of medicine, engineering, quality management, regulatory affairs, and business administration helps the Bonebridge team to constantly reduce complexity in all its processes. We thus remain a company that stays focused and is easily accessible to clinicians.

TEAM UNITED STATES

Jessie Dionne

JESSIE DIONNE

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BSc

Executive VP & GM USA

Jessie joined Bonebridge in 2022 as the Executive Vice President and General Manager USA. He is responsible for all US operations and manages the organization in the US. Jessie started his medical training in the U.S. Army, which included a tour in Afghanistan. Jessie then joined Synthes and developed a passion for orthopedic trauma. A veteran of the medical device sales industry, he has excelled with market leaders such as Johnson & Johnson, Smith & Nephew, Exactech and Nuvasive as well as start-ups like Sig Medical (acquired by Zimmer Biomet). Jessie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Millersville University, PA. He currently lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and two children.

Elvin Sotomayor

ELVIN SOTOMAYOR

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BSc

Vice President of Sales and Business Development

Elvin joined Bonebridge USA in 2023 as the Vice President of Sales and Business Development. He brings a wealth of experiences to Bonebridge, having worked in different roles with names such as Synthes, Smith & Nephew, Zimmer Biomet, and Biotronik. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree from Southwestern University, Elvin began his career in medical devices as a trauma consultant for Synthes Orthopaedics. He later made a transition to a sports medicine start up, Cayenne Medical. His contributions to their exponential sales growth helped drive the acquisition by Zimmer Biomet, where he continued as a Commercial Sales Director for the Central US. Most recently, Elvin was the Director of Corporate and Strategic Accounts for Biotronik, where he was intimately involved in the contracting and negotiation activities from the Rocky Mountains Region, South Central US, and Southeastern US regions. Elvin lives in Texas with his wife and two children.

TEAM SWITZERLAND

Kis Baumgartner

KIS BAUMGARTNER

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MA

Head of Supply Chain Management

Since October 2022, Kis has been in charge of procurement and production planning, materials management, as well as purchasing and logistics at Bonebridge. He originally started his career in management consulting in Zurich and Stockholm. In subsequent years, he worked in various leadership positions in global enterprises, small and medium-sized companies, and startups. Kis is passionate about increasing the efficiency and efficacy along the whole supply chain. He possesses in-depth expertise in optimization, automatization, and industrial digitalization as well as the respective procedural, infrastructural, and organizational transformations. He also has long-time experience in global business development, namely expanding into new product categories as well as exploring new procurement and sales markets. Kis holds a Master’s degree in economics from the University of St. Gallen (HSG).

Jorrit Bühlmann

JORRIT BÜHLMANN

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MSc ETH

Development Engineer US

Jorrit joined the Research and Development team at Bonebridge in early 2022. He originally started his professional career at a product development company in Zurich, Switzerland. In that role, he was responsible for running several projects from the initial planning phase to serial production. He also had the opportunity to work with well-known medical device companies. As part of the development team at Bonebridge, he drives the further development of our product portfolio. Jorrit holds a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich.

Benjamin Burkhard

BENJAMIN BURKHARD

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MSc ETH

Head of Sales Switzerland

Benjamin Burkhard joined the Swiss team in early 2024 as the new Head of Sales Switzerland. Benjamin already has several years of sales experience under his belt: He started his career as a sales representative for Stryker in the endoscopy & sports medicine division, where he excelled as one of the top 5 sales reps in Europe for two years in a row. As a Regional Field Trainer, he was also responsible for overseeing and conducting the sports medicine education of the Swiss sales force. Benjamin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences and technology from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich. For his Master’s degree in biomedical engineering, which he also obtained at ETH, he was awarded the prestigious Willi Studer Prize for graduating at the top of his class.

Patrick Burki

PATRICK BURKI

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BSc

CTO, Head of R&D

Patrick joined Bonebridge in early 2019 and manages the Research & Development team. He started his professional career with an apprenticeship in construction and design engineering at Synthes. He then worked as a development engineer in different fields for DePuy Synthes/Mitek Sports Medicine and completed training as a mechanical engineer at the Bern University of Applied Sciences in Burgdorf, Switzerland. He subsequently joined 41medical, a think tank and design & development company that grew out of the former Synthes innovation team. Before joining Bonebridge, he led the Research & Development team at 41medical.

Sarah Bürki

SARAH BÜRKI

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MSc ETH

Head of Product Management and Medical Affairs

Sarah has been the Head of Clinical Affairs at Bonebridge since 2021. Sarah originally completed an apprenticeship as a dental technician and worked in the dental industry for several years. After having lived in the United States for two years, she started pursuing a Master’s degree at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, Switzerland. Sarah continued her post-graduate training by performing clinical research at the Laboratory of Human Nutrition at ETH, focusing on the bioavailability of trace elements and minerals. Sarah subsequently worked for a Swiss consulting company, where she primarily focused on the clinical evaluation of medical devices. She holds a Master of Science degree in health sciences and technology.

Marion Charieau

MARION CHARIEAU

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DO

Sales Representative

Marion joined the Bonebridge sales team in July 2023 and is responsible for the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Born in France and with a passion for the medical field, she pursued an education in Osteopathy and practiced in various clinics and rehabilitation centers in Valencia and Barcelona, Spain, as well as Porto Alegre, Brazil. Marion's diverse career took a turn when she returned to Barcelona, delved into the commercial world, and furthered her education with post-graduate studies in International Trade. Prior to joining Bonebridge, Marion developed her expertise as a Key Account Specialist at the Etnia Eyewear Culture Group. Her unique blend of clinical and business experience makes her an asset to our team.

Christof Gerber

CHRISTOF GERBER

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MD, MA

CEO and Founder

Christof started his professional career as an economist, working in banking and finance in Zurich, Switzerland. He subsequently received undergraduate medical training at the University of Zurich as well as at the University of Washington’s Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, USA. He went on to complete post-graduate medical training in anesthesiology and emergency medicine in Switzerland and is a Swiss Board certified anesthesiologist. Christof holds a Master’s degree in economics and a doctorate in medicine, both from the University of Zurich, Switzerland. He also completed management programs at INSEAD and at Harvard Business School.

Celina Gmür

CELINA GMÜR

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MSc ETH

Clinical Affairs Manager

Celina joined our Clinical Affairs team in June 2023. Celina started her career in the Clinical Operations department at Zimmer Biomet, where she worked for several years and gained experience in clinical research and clinical project management. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Health Sciences and Technology from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, as well as a Teaching Diploma in Physical Education.

Michelle Gumpelmayer

MICHELLE GUMPELMAYER

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MSc

Head of QM & RA

Michelle has been in charge of quality management and regulatory affairs at Bonebridge since 2020. She is a trained biotechnologist and her academic work focused on the analysis of iron and magnetite nanoparticles in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease patients. Prior to joining Bonebridge, Michelle worked in quality management and regulatory affairs for several other medical device manufacturers in Switzerland. Michelle holds a Master of Science degree in biotechnology from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna, Austria. She completed her master’s thesis at the Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination (LCC) at the University of Toulouse, France.

Alexander Häusler

ALEXANDER HÄUSLER

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MA

CFO and Founder

Alex has gained experience in various industries. He started his career working for two fast-growing startups in the fashion industry – VIU Ventures AG, based in Zurich, Switzerland, and AMARO, based in São Paulo, Brazil. Alex then held different positions at UBS in Zurich, focusing mainly on data analysis in operational risk. He subsequently moved on to work for of a small Swiss venture capital company which invested mainly in early stage MedTech ventures. He soon discovered his interest for the fascinating world at the frontier of medicine, research and business and decided to co-found Bonebridge in 2018. Alex has a Master’s degree in economics from the University of St. Gallen (HSG).

Sara Probst

SARA PROBST

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MA

Head of Communications and Brand Management

As part of Bonebridge’s Marketing team, Sara plans and executes various marketing and communication activities and writes content for digital and analog channels. She originally started her career as a research associate in executive search. Since then, she has worked as an editor, copywriter, and communication manager for international enterprises, small and medium-sized companies, and NPOs. She holds a Master of Arts degree in English linguistics, American literature and education from the University of Bern, Switzerland and also completed a CAS Corporate Writer at Schweizerische Textakademie.

Mélanie Zemp

MÉLANIE ZEMP

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BSc ETH

Business Intelligence Specialist

Mélanie started her professional career in 2021 with an internship at Bonebridge and has been part of the team ever since. In her part-time role, she oversees Bonebridge’s data management, is responsible for the generation, preparation and analysis of data, and works closely with the members of the management team. Mélanie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences and technology and is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in biomedical engineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Christian Gerber

CHRISTIAN GERBER

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MD, FRCS Ed. (hon)

Chairman of the Board

Christian Gerber, MD, co-founded Bonebridge in 2018. He is an orthopaedic surgeon, scientist and medical teacher. Dr. Gerber is known for his extensive work on traumatic and atraumatic pathologies of the shoulder. He is the former Professor and Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. He has authored over 400 scientific articles and has received numerous awards for his contributions to the field of orthopaedics, including the Neer Awards of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons on four occasions, the Kappa Delta OREF Clinical Research Award of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the Orthopaedic Research Society’s Arthur Steindler Award. Dr. Gerber holds a doctorate in medicine (MD) from the University of Bern, Switzerland and is a Professor emeritus at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. He is an honorary member of the Swiss Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (Swissorthopaedics) as well as an honorary member of the French Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (SOFCOT). He is an honorary fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh.

Christoph Bangerter

CHRISTOPH BANGERTER

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MD

Member of the Board

Christoph Bangerter, MD, joined Bonebridge as Member of the Board of Directors in 2019. Dr. Bangerter practiced medicine as a general practitioner before joining the management of Galenica Group in Switzerland. He assumed responsibility for integration of electronic solutions such as Documed into the Galenica group of companies. He then moved on to join the Executive Management Board of KPT Health Insurance Group in Switzerland. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer of KPT Health Insurance Group in 2008 and remained in office until his retirement in 2014. Dr. Bangerter serves as a Board Member of several small to medium-sized Swiss companies primarily in the healthcare industry. Dr. Bangerter holds a doctorate in medicine (MD) of the University of Bern, Switzerland. He completed various management programs, including the Program for Executive Development at IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland.

L. Scott Levin

L. SCOTT LEVIN

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MD, FACS, FAOA, FAMSE

Member of the Board

Dr. Lawrence Scott Levin joined the Bonebridge Board of Directors in June 2023. Dr. Levin is a world-renowned physician-scientist with a focus on limb salvage surgery, surgery of the hand, and microsurgery. He is the Paul B. Magnuson Professor of Bone and Joint Surgery, Professor of Surgery (Plastic Surgery) and the current Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA. Dr. Levin has authored over 450 scientific articles not only in orthopaedics, but in plastic surgery and hand surgery, and has substantially contributed to the advancement of the field in all these surgical disciplines. Dr. Levin has received numerous awards honoring his work, including the Kappa Delta Elizabeth Winston Lanier Award of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Andrew J Weiland Medal of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Dr. Levin served as the Chair of the American College of Surgeons’ Board of Regents from 2020-2021 and serves as the Vice President and Associate Dean for Resource Development at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Levin holds a BSc degree in zoology from Duke University, Durham, NC, USA and an MD from Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Eric Lohrer

ERIC LOHRER

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MA, MBA

Member of the Board

Eric Lohrer joined the Bonebridge Board of Directors in June 2022. He started his professional career as a financial analyst with Credit Suisse First Boston in New York, USA. In 2004, he joined Synthes in the US (now Johnson&Johnson) as a Product Manager in the spine division. From 2005 to 2006, he served as the assistant to the CEO of Synthes and was subsequently entrusted with the reorganization of the Korean market. He lived with his family in Korea for two years before returning to California to work as a Sales Consultant and subsequently as a Regional Sales Manager Spine for Synthes. He ended his 10-year tenure at Synthes in 2014 as the Director of Extremities EMEA. Since 2014, Eric Lohrer has been managing a global family office with main offices in Zurich and Boston. He holds a Master's degree in economics from the University of St.Gallen, Switzerland and an MBA from Harvard Business School in Boston, USA.

Manuel Thomke

MANUEL THOMKE

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Member of the Board

Manuel Thomke joined Bonebridge as a Member of the Board of Directors in 2019. He started his professional career at the International School for Hotel Management in Lucerne, Switzerland. After graduation, he founded several highly successful start-ups in the hotel and restaurant business and remains an active investor and entrepreneur. He holds several mandates in the hotel/restaurant industry as well as in real estate and medical technology sectors.

HISTORY

Bonebridge was founded in Switzerland in 2018 by a group of clinicians and can draw on the broad expertise of its stakeholders. Originally a two-employee operation, the company achieved CE marking of its first product, the SALGINA 2.5mm Distal Radius System, within one year.

Shortly thereafter, six more Bonebridge osteosynthesis systems (including solutions for clavicle, proximal humerus, and tibial plateau fractures) were approved in Switzerland and successfully brought to market. The team has grown substantially since its beginnings and is now equipped with the expertise and skills required to further develop Bonebridge into a respected and trusted international medical device company.

Since 2022 Bonebridge has been represented in the United States through its subsidiary Bonebridge Inc. and is serving the US trauma market with the same values, dedication and commitment as in Switzerland.