About Benvenue Medical
Founded in 2004, Benvenue Medical, Inc., provides next generation minimally invasive systems for spine repair that combine expandable implants with novel delivery instruments to provide enduring functional benefits for patients.
Benvenue Medical has developed next-generation, minimally invasive implants and devices for the spine based on proprietary flexible PEEK and pre-shaped Nitinol technologies.
Luna® 3D is a multi-expandable, PEEK interbody implant that is delivered through a minimally-invasive cannula to the disc space and expands in-situ, first to an ALIF-sized footprint and then expands up to 15mm in height.
The Orbit Discectomy System is a minimally-invasive, comprehensive discectomy platform achieving superior disruption of disc tissue, complete preparation and improved workflow.
Our Vision
Be the global leader in minimally invasive restoration of the natural curvature of the spine.
Our Mission
Benvenue Medical develops next generation minimally invasive expandable implant systems for the spine, supported by clinical data.
Management Team
Robert Weigle | CEO
Robert Weigle joined Benvenue Medical in 2009 and brings over 20 years of experience in medical devices, including relevant neuro/spine experience at Johnson & Johnson, Baxter, Aesculap and Neurocare.
Laurent Schaller | Founder & Chief Technical Officer
Laurent Schaller has over 20 years of experience in the medical device industry, with a focus on development of interventional/catheter-based tools, micro devices, and surgical products. He has played key roles with companies such as Target Therapeutics, Cardima and Coalescent Surgical.
Rick Simmons | Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Rick Simmons joined the company in 2014 and brings over 30 years of commercialization experience in the medical device industry. Rick has held leadership and corporate consulting roles at DePuy Synthes Spine, TranS1, NuVasive, Innovasive Devices, Acufex and most recently was President of g2m MedTech Advisors.
Board of Directors
Michael Kramer | Chairman of the Board
Michael joined CRG as an Operating Partner in 2017 after having significant experience in senior management roles at several medical device companies, including TriVascular, ATS Medical, CABG Medical, Inc and Ecolab, Inc. Prior to entering industry, he was a manager in the assurance and advisory services practice at the professional services firm of Ernst & Young LLP.
Robert Weigle | CEO & Director
Luke Düster | Director
Luke became a member of the board of directors in 2017. Since 2009, He has worked for CRG investing in healthcare companies across a wide range of product technologies and therapeutic areas. Under his leadership, CRG has committed over $3 billion to commercial-stage healthcare companies across 50+ investments. Prior to joining CRG, Luke was at Harris Williams & Co. from 2004 to 2009, where he served as vice president and advised private equity and corporate clients across a broad range of M&A assignments. Luke also held investment banking roles at the Wallach Company a regional investment banking boutique, from 2000 to 2002, and the Nord Companies, a healthcare advisory firm, from 1998 to 2000. Luke received his B.S. summa cum laude from the University of Colorado at Boulder and an M.B.A. with honors from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Kevin Reilly | Director
Kevin became a member of the board of directors in 2017. He is a Vice President for CRG, which he joined in 2014. Kevin’s primary focus at CRG is identifying and assessing new investment opportunities and managing/operating existing portfolio companies. Kevin has been particularly active within medical devices, amongst other healthcare sectors, and specifically spine and orthopedic investments. Prior to CRG, Kevin worked within Stifel’s Healthcare Investment Banking Group – focusing on raising capital for healthcare companies, through IPOs, follow-on equity and credit offerings. He also advised on numerous M&A transactions totaling to several billion dollars in transaction value. Kevin graduated from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Information Systems.
John J. Chopack, Jr | Director
John is a Principal and founding partner of Inspiros. He manages the day-to-day operations of Inspiros and is responsible for investment origination, portfolio company management and investor relations. John has 14 years of experience in venture capital investing in medtech companies. John has also worked on Wall Street with Investec and Techvest as a medtech analyst. Prior to his financial career, John was an orthopedic sales representative for Wright Medical and Encore Orthopedics.
Jeff Thramann, MD | Director
Jeff Thramann is a serial entrepreneur who was the founder and chairman of Lanx, a spinal implant company sold to Biomet, US Radiosurgery, an oncology services company sold to Alliance Healthcare Services (NASDAQ; AIQ), ProNerve, an intraoperative monitoring company sold to Waud Capital Partners and American Physicians, a hospitalist company sold to Towerbrook Partners. Prior to pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors, Thramann was the founder of Boulder Neurosurgical Associates in Boulder, CO. Thramann is the named inventor on over 50 U.S. and international issued and pending patents. He completed his neurosurgical residency and complex spinal reconstruction fellowship at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ. Medical school was completed at Cornell University Medical College in NYC and his undergraduate degree was earned at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Chris Fennell | Director
Chris is a partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. He began his legal career as an associate at the firm in 1989 and was elected partner in 1997. Chris advises on technology and life sciences companies, both public and private, through all stages of development and growth. Chris has over 25 years of experience with counseling publicly held companies. Prior to attending law school, Chris was a senior auditor and certified public accountant with Arthur Andersen & Co. in San Francisco.
