Curiteva Hires Strategic Advisor, VP of Clinical and Research

Curiteva Inc. has added two new executives to its management team. Steve Cichy has been hired as a strategic advisor, while Erik Erbe, Ph.D., has been recruited for the job of vice president, Clinical and Research.

“Steve and Erik are talented, experienced leaders in our industry. We are honored they are joining Curiteva to drive our commercial success and guide the launch of our novel interbody platform,” stated CEO Mike English. Curiteva announced the close of an oversubscribed Series A raise at $20.5 million in September of 2020 and plans to deploy the capital to expand infrastructure and drive the successful commercialization of its R&D platform in 2021. 

Huntsville, Ala.-based Curiteva has released limited details regarding the technology but has described it as Fused Filament Fabrication 3D printing of PEEK to deliver an implant with controlled interconnected macroporosity throughout the entire implant rather than only the endplates. In addition, the technology boasts advanced hydrophilicity and increased bioactive surface area for osseointegration that will revolutionize interbody fusion in spine as well as adjacent markets in healthcare and medical device.

Cichy is an industry veteran who most recently led the Titan Spine sales organization for 13 years through a successful acquisition by Medtronic in 2019. “I recognized Curiteva as a true platform company with world-class manufacturing and operations. I appreciate the company’s passion for innovation highlighted by their acquisition of Fossil Labs last year. I’m confident, based on my recent experience, that this is the next generation of novel interbody technology and I wanted to be a part of the team when it hits the market later this year.”
 
Erbe is a 30-year industry veteran with more than 50 issued U.S. patents and specific expertise in chemical processing of ceramic biomaterials, innovative biologics, and clinical research. “What Todd Reith and the team at Curiteva are doing with 3D printing will alter the course of bone healing and open the door to significant advancement within orthopedics, trauma, and neurosurgery,” stated Dr. Erbe.