About Us
Aspire Biotech, Inc. was founded in 2001 by a group of experienced biomaterial scientists and medical device engineers. We are a biomaterials R & D company focused on improving medical devices through the development of superior biomaterials. Our core competencies surround the development, formulation, testing, and application of specialty biomaterials.
Innovations by the Aspire team have led to the development of several multi-million dollar products in a variety of medical markets. We have made critical contributions to the development of wound closure systems, gastrointestinal testing systems, wound and tissue sealants, skin protectant, and veterinary tissue adhesives.
Aspire conducts business under the FDA; QSR (21 CFR Part 820) and has significant experience working under quality control regulation and standards, as well as filing submissions with the FDA. We are strongly committed to meeting or exceeding the quality standards of our industry as well as our clients’ expectations.
Dr. Ian N. Askill, Ph.D. - Founder (Please see "Scientific Leadership")
Dr. Colin Askill, FRCR - Founder
Dr. Askill graduated from the University of Liverpool (UK) in 1973, receiving an MB. ChB. He trained in Oncology at Christie Hospital, Manchester, UK. Dr. Askill gained DMRT (London) in 1978 and FRCR (Radiotherapy), (London) in 1980. Since 1981, Dr. Askill has worked as a Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Singleton Hospital, Swansea, Wales, UK. Dr. Askill specializes in Cancers of the Gastrointestinal tract and Lymphomas, but previously served on the Medical Research Council Testicular Tumour Working Party. He is ARSAC certified for therapeutic and diagnostic use of various radioactive materials, and GCP certified for research.
Dr. M. Karen Newell, Ph.D.
Dr. Newell has been on Aspire's board since the company's inception. She is the Clement Market Endowed Professor of Biology at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. She founded and is currently the Chief Scientific Director and Co-Chairman Board of Directors for the CU Institute of Bioenergetics. Dr. Newell serves as the Associate Director of the Center for Computational Biology at the University of Colorado. She has held faculty positions at the National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, McGill University, and the University of Vermont. Dr. Newell is a Member of the American Association of Immunologists. Dr. Newell was awarded the CU System-Wide Technology Transfer "Outstanding Inventor" award in 2004 and has thereafter been awarded their "Pinnacle of Invention" distinction. She became a member of the UCCS Research Committee Million Dollar Club in 2008; and has received grants from the Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities, the MK Chapman Foundation, and most recently from the Time for Lyme Foundation and the Turn the Corner Foundation to improve treatment of Lyme Disease. Dr. Newell is the inventor of many novel technologies in both metabolic control of disease and also immunological pathways to control auto-immune diseases. She has numerous patent applications and a growing number of issued US patents.
Allan S. Roth, MBA, CPA, CFP
Allan Roth is the author of the book "How a Second Grader Beats Wall Street" (Wiley, 2009) and father of the book's hero, Kevin. Allan also writes a personal finance column for the Colorado Springs Business Journal, is frequently quoted by the press including The Wall Street Journal and Money Magazine. He is hated by overpaid fund managers and investment advisors. Mr. Roth is the founder of Wealth Logic LLC in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Wealth Logic is an hourly-based financial planning and investment advisory firm that advises clients with portfolios ranging from $10,000 to $50 million. Prior to founding Wealth Logic, Mr. Roth was a financial officer at two multi-billion dollar corporations. Mr. Roth is an adjunct professor at Colorado College and teaches Behavioral Finance at the University of Denver's Graduate Tax Institute. He earned his MBA from theKellogg School at Northwestern University.
Dr. Askill has been developing superior biomaterials and medical devices for over 30 years. His innovations have been responsible for the development and commercialization of a multitude of medical devices generating millions of dollars for client companies. Dr. Askill has a proven track record of innovation across the medical spectrum. He is the author of well over 20 issued US patents, with several more pending. His patents cover a broad range of devices in fields as diverse as wound care, infection control, esophageal testing, product sterilization, and aneurysm control.
Throughout his career, Dr. Askill has developed a reputation for providing effective leadership. For corporate employers and clients, including Fortune 500 companies, he has been responsible for evaluating emerging technologies and for guiding new devices through the development process. Dr. Askill has also held officer-level positions for several start-up companies, culminating in his founding of Aspire Biotech, Inc.
In support of the Colorado Springs community, Dr. Askill sits on the Bioscience Board of the Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation; the Science Advisory Board of the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences for the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs; and the Advisory Board of the El Pomar Institute for Innovation and Commercialization (EPIIC). Dr. Askill further encourages innovation in the local bioscience community through regular presentations to professional organizations on the subjects of opportunity evaluation and effective innovation strategies in biotechnology. He encourages educational advancements in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through his participation in the "Tuesday Tours" educational program designed to provide both educators and students with an enhanced understanding of career opportunities available in the biosciences.
Susan Kane, Senior Research ScientistScientist Susan has over 20 years of experience in analytical chemistry, working under quality controls, and within the maze of FDA regulations. Her experience includes seven years as Laboratory Director at Colorado Analytical Research and Development Corporation before joining the Aspire team. She has developed a strong reputation in the industry for innovative and efficient method development, solving testing problems which could otherwise delay or change the scope of product development.
