Babson Diagnostics Bolsters Board of Directors with Three Diagnostics Industry Experts

Austin, Texas -  Babson Diagnostics, a transformative diagnostic blood testing company, announced today that it has expanded its board of directors to include diagnostics industry leaders David Stein (Director), Dennis Gilbert (Director), and Dave Hickey (Observer).

Babson’s board of directors is integral to shaping the company’s strategy for achieving its mission of improving customer health by making diagnostic blood testing more convenient, accessible, and human. The board’s newest appointees represent a history of innovation in the diagnostics industry.

“Babson’s success is a direct result of the ingenuity, diversity of thought, and expertise of its earliest supporters,” said Eric Olson, CEO of Babson. “Our board of directors includes some of the brightest minds and most renowned innovators in the diagnostics industry. We are honored to expand Babson’s leadership with David, Dennis, and Dave; their guidance will help to bring our vision of a person-centered health care system to life.”

Stein, Gilbert, and Hickey join existing board members Eric Olson; Maninder “Mini” Kahlon, Ph.D., vice dean for the Health Ecosystem at the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School; and Judson Cooper, founding principal with Prism Ventures. The additions reinforce Babson’s origins within and connections to some of the world’s leading diagnostics companies and emphasize the company’s dedication to leading through science:

• David Stein, Ph.D., former head of global strategy and innovation at Siemens Healthineers: Stein’s previous roles include CEO of Siemens' molecular diagnostics and point of care businesses, head of strategy for the diagnostics division, and global vice president of engineering within the diagnostics division. Working alongside Eric Olson, he was instrumental in incubating Babson Diagnostics in the company’s earliest days. Stein earned his doctorate in engineering from Johns Hopkins University.
• Dennis Gilbert, Ph.D., head of laboratory diagnostics research and development at Siemens Healthineers: Previously head of research and development for Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) Life Sciences, Abbott Diagnostics and Applied Biosystems, he has led some of the most notable innovations in the research and diagnostics industries. At Siemens Healthineers, Gilbert leads research and development for the Atellica Solution, the state-of-the-art instrument suite used for Babson Diagnostics’ chemistry and immunoassay tests. Gilbert received a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and cell biology from the University of California, San Diego and a doctorate in genetics from Johns Hopkins University.
• Dave Hickey, worldwide president of integrated diagnostic solutions at BD: A health care executive with over 25 years in the in vitro diagnostics industry, Hickey currently leads BD’s diagnostics businesses, including the specimen management business. He has formerly served as CEO of Siemens’ central laboratory business unit. Hickey is an active participant on the boards of directors for AdvaMed Dx and the University of Maryland Health Sciences Research Park. He earned his degree in medical laboratory sciences (clinical biochemistry) at the University of Manchester.

“Babson Diagnostics represents a new frontier in diagnostic blood testing,” Stein said. “I’m thrilled to collaborate with this groundbreaking team. Their commitment to improving the human experience of diagnostics—backed by scientific rigor and cutting-edge medical technology—will change how customers approach their overall health and wellness.”

The board appointments follow the recent announcement of Babson and BD’s long-term strategic partnership agreement to bring laboratory-quality, small-volume blood collection to retail locations such as pharmacies. Babson’s diagnostic blood testing service will combine BD’s novel capillary blood collection device in development with Babson’s proprietary automated sample handling and microsample analytical technologies, also in development, to produce diagnostic results with less than one-tenth the typical sample volume. This service is designed to make diagnostic testing more convenient and accessible for customers, thereby improving adherence and, ultimately, population health.

Babson is undergoing clinical studies to validate its innovative blood collection, sample handling, and analysis technology in retail pharmacy settings.