OUR TEAM
Dr. Ernesto Andrade
Founder & CEO
Director of Idea and Product Development
With over 30 years of experience as a surgeon, Dr. Andrade has led the creation of medical devices aimed at transforming patient care. His clinical insight and vision have guided the laboratory from concept to innovation.
Gabriela Andrade
Co-founder & COO
Gabriela holds a degree in Entrepreneurship and Economics and leads the company’s operations across production, finance, marketing, regulatory, and strategy. Her leadership has driven Vertex’s exponential growth and development across all divisions.
Camilo Hernandez
Manufacturing Director – Colombia
With over 25 years of experience in medical manufacturing and regulatory compliance, Camilo leads operations in Colombia, ensuring GMP adherence and INVIMA certification. He also holds ISO auditor certification and senior management training.
Don Hannula
Device Design Director
With 45 years of experience in medical device design and over 30 patents, Don has led engineering efforts for Johnson & Johnson, BMS, and others. His specialty is silicone-based medical devices.
Anthony Crandall
Project Manager
Biomedical engineer from ASU with hands-on experience in medical device development. He leads early-stage innovation and design with a focus on patient-centered solutions and rapid prototyping.
Matthew Ian Mace
Regulatory & Reimbursement Advisor – U.S.
Former CSO and Co-Founder of a device company with FDA Breakthrough Device Designation. Expert in U.S. regulatory strategy, reimbursement, and clinical pathways.
Fabio Aristizábal
Regulatory Advisor – Colombia
Former Superintendent of Health of Colombia and advisor to the Colombian Senate. Fabio brings decades of experience in public health policy and the integration of medical innovation into national systems.
Its extensive knowledge in the management of the relationship between private and public health entities, make it a strategic member in the company.
Zhengnian Tang, Ph.D., J.D.
Legal Advisor – IP and Patents
Patent attorney with 20+ years of experience in biomedical and electronic technologies. Former biomedical engineer at Guidant Corporation (now Boston Scientific), with deep expertise in intellectual property strategy for medtech.
Julio Martínez
Clinical Advisor
CEO of bioaccess®, a leading CRO in Latin America. Julio supports clinical trial strategy and LATAM market integration. He is also the host of the LATAM Medtech Leaders Podcast and an active voice in clinical research policy and practice.
Johana Gutiérrez Mejía
Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
Johana leads the commercial and marketing strategy with a strong background in digital communication and sales. Her approach focuses on patient engagement, brand positioning, and building long-term commercial relationships.
David Schlaefer
Manufacturing Director – U.S.
David is a medtech entrepreneur with over 25 years in product development. A biomedical and mechanical engineer, he co-founded two manufacturing companies and has extensive experience in PMA and 510(k) medical device development.
Priscila Hancock
Fractional CFO
Former Senior Finance Director at GSK and current CFO for multiple biotech startups. Priscila brings strong financial strategy, planning, and investor relations expertise to the team.
Dr. Nitin N. Katariya
Hepatology & Transplant Surgery Advisor
Transplant and HPB surgeon at Mayo Clinic Arizona. Director of the pancreas transplant program and active leader in the ASTS and AHPBA. Dr. Katariya advises on surgical applications, clinical implementation, and user-centered design.
Dr. Ernesto Andrade
Founder & CEO
Director of Idea and Product Development
With over 30 years of experience as a surgeon, Dr. Andrade has led the creation of medical devices aimed at transforming patient care. His clinical insight and vision have guided the laboratory from concept to innovation.
Gabriela Andrade
Co-founder & COO
Gabriela holds a degree in Entrepreneurship and Economics and leads the company’s operations across production, finance, marketing, regulatory, and strategy. Her leadership has driven Vertex’s exponential growth and development across all divisions.
Camilo Hernandez
Manufacturing Director – Colombia
With over 25 years of experience in medical manufacturing and regulatory compliance, Camilo leads operations in Colombia, ensuring GMP adherence and INVIMA certification. He also holds ISO auditor certification and senior management training.
Don Hannula
Device Design Director
With 45 years of experience in medical device design and over 30 patents, Don has led engineering efforts for Johnson & Johnson, BMS, and others. His specialty is silicone-based medical devices.
Anthony Crandall
Project Manager
Biomedical engineer from ASU with hands-on experience in medical device development. He leads early-stage innovation and design with a focus on patient-centered solutions and rapid prototyping.
Matthew Ian Mace
Regulatory & Reimbursement Advisor – U.S.
Former CSO and Co-Founder of a device company with FDA Breakthrough Device Designation. Expert in U.S. regulatory strategy, reimbursement, and clinical pathways.
Fabio Aristizábal
Regulatory Advisor – Colombia
Former Superintendent of Health of Colombia and advisor to the Colombian Senate. Fabio brings decades of experience in public health policy and the integration of medical innovation into national systems.
Its extensive knowledge in the management of the relationship between private and public health entities, make it a strategic member in the company.
Zhengnian Tang, Ph.D., J.D.
Legal Advisor – IP and Patents
Patent attorney with 20+ years of experience in biomedical and electronic technologies. Former biomedical engineer at Guidant Corporation (now Boston Scientific), with deep expertise in intellectual property strategy for medtech.
Johana Gutiérrez Mejía
Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
Johana leads the commercial and marketing strategy with a strong background in digital communication and sales. Her approach focuses on patient engagement, brand positioning, and building long-term commercial relationships.
Julio Martínez
Clinical Advisor
CEO of bioaccess®, a leading CRO in Latin America. Julio supports clinical trial strategy and LATAM market integration. He is also the host of the LATAM Medtech Leaders Podcast and an active voice in clinical research policy and practice.
David Schlaefer
Manufacturing Director – U.S.
David is a medtech entrepreneur with over 25 years in product development. A biomedical and mechanical engineer, he co-founded two manufacturing companies and has extensive experience in PMA and 510(k) medical device development.
Priscila Hancock
Fractional CFO
Former Senior Finance Director at GSK and current CFO for multiple biotech startups. Priscila brings strong financial strategy, planning, and investor relations expertise to the team.
Dr. Nitin N. Katariya
Hepatology & Transplant Surgery Advisor
Transplant and HPB surgeon at Mayo Clinic Arizona. Director of the pancreas transplant program and active leader in the ASTS and AHPBA. Dr. Katariya advises on surgical applications, clinical implementation, and user-centered design.