Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse Executive-in-Residence Launches Medical Device Company

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse (PLSG), the organization providing capital investments and customized company formation and business growth programs to western Pennsylvania's life sciences enterprises, announced today that one of its nationally recognized Executives-in-Residence (EIR) has launched a new medical device company; Intimate Bridge to Conception, Inc. (Ib2C(TM)).

Ib2C(TM) Founder and CEO, Stephen Bollinger was recruited back to Pittsburgh in 2009 after 26 years away to join the PLSG as an EIR.  Since that time, Steve has assisted seventeen regional medical device companies while also working on the formation and development of Ib2C(TM)'s commercialization pathway.

Intimate Bridge to Conception, Inc. is an early-stage medical device company focused on reproductive health to aid in natural fertility and conception in the privacy of the patient's home. Ib2C(TM) gives women and couples healthcare products that will assist them in reaching their reproductive goals. Ib2C(TM) will have a positive impact and a positive effect in two targeted populations; individuals committed to building a family and patients diagnosed with infertility that have not been able to participate or have been unsuccessfully served by current fertility alternatives.

"We have great confidence in Steve's leadership," said John W. Manzetti, PLSG President & CEO. "His talent and drive, as well as his experience and knowledge of the medical devices industry will allow for a strong launch for Ib2C(TM) and his vision will set the stage for a strong future for the company." Mr. Manzetti continued, "Steve is a perfect example of the success of the PLSG's Executive Program and our efforts to attract and keep C-level life sciences talent in our region."

In the growing era of infertility, currently one in six women are looking for help becoming pregnant. This population has very few options and most of the available options today are slow, invasive, costly, and frequently awkward. Over the past thirty plus years, the course between natural intercourse and Assisted Reproductive Therapies (ART) has become somewhat of a vacant path. There are a few procedures that can be performed in the physician's office prior to the final option of In-vitro fertilization (IVF). The primary option, Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is still quite invasive, expensive and add to the natural stress levels of this coupled patient population. More importantly, a similar process, which is quite rudimentary, has been historically proven to be possible and successful in the privacy of the patient's home, in certain cases.

Ib2C(TM)'s lead technology, Focus Touch™, is a take-home, conception aid system that is designed to address the growing unmet need of delayed and/or unsuccessful natural fertility that historically has had similar results to IUI, yet can now be done in the privacy of the home.

"This technology is the first step in the 'supported' conception path to fertility which could dramatically reduce time, expense and stress; especially for patients where advance programs like IVF are not real options," said Stephen Bollinger, Ib2C(TM) President & CEO. Mr. Bollinger continued, "Locating our company in the PLSG's incubator has been instrumental to our business development and capitalization efforts. Strong regional support combined with our nationally recognized Advisory Board has positioned Ib2C(TM) to meet the market demand for a safe, cost-effective and private conception aid."

About Intimate Bridge to Conception, Inc. Founder & CEO Stephen Bollinger

Stephen's extensive and diverse background in the medical devices and biologics market has been an asset to the PLSG's Executive Program and the regional companies that he has assisted. Stephen has held multiple leadership positions from Founder, President and Chief Operations Officer of early stage companies, to a broad spectrum of roles not limited to, global operations, marketing, product management and sales. Prior to joining the PLSG, he was an Executive-in-Residence at Highland Capital Partners where he supported the healthcare segment. Prior to Highland, he was President and Chief Operations Officer at Pervasis Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held biologically active medical device company. From 2000 to 2004, he was a founder and the Chief Operating Officer of Angiolink Corporation, a privately held medical device company which he sold to Medtronic Corporation in fall of 2004. From 1997 to 1999 Stephen was the Vice President of Research, Development and Operations for Byron Medical and sold that company to Mentor Corporation in 1999. From 1991 to 1997, Stephen held positions at Mentor Corporation, American Hydro-Surgical Instruments and Deknatel.

Mr. Bollinger served as an artillery officer in the United States Army from 1987 to 1991, where he led reconnaissance teams into combat during Operation Desert Storm. In 1991, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for exceptional meritorious service during combat. He also graduated from the United States Army Airborne and Ranger schools. Mr. Bollinger currently holds seven medical patents, with multiple pending. He studied at Oklahoma City University for his MBA and is a graduate of the United States Military Academy, West Point with a BS in mechanical engineering.

About the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse (PLSG)

The Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse (PLSG) provides capital investments and customized company formation and business growth services to western Pennsylvania's life sciences enterprises. The PLSG supports biosciences companies with promising innovations in the following concentrations: Biotechnology Tools, Diagnostics, Healthcare IT, Medical Devices and Therapeutics. The PLSG is propelling the sustainable growth of the region's life sciences economy by accelerating research and technology commercialization with seed and early-stage companies; connecting investors with their Investment Portfolio companies; expanding established life sciences ventures and relocating biomedical companies to Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.plsg.com.

SOURCE Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse