Our Leadership Team

InSitu Biologics is an emerging biotech company focused on development of a multi-phase prolonged drug delivery platform for localized treatment of pain, cancer, and infection. Meet the exceptional leaders that comprise our team:

Executive Team

Kevin Bassett, MBA

President & CEO

Kevin Bassett joined InSitu Biologics in September 2019 as President and CEO. Prior to joining InSitu, Kevin was General Manager of HLT Medical, a clinical-stage company developing a next-generation heart valve in the field of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). Kevin has also served in a variety of senior executive roles in early-stage medical technology companies over the past 20 years.

Kevin is a certified public accountant (inactive license). He holds an M.B.A. from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota and a B.A. in Accounting and English from St. John’s University. Kevin also served as an officer in the United States Army Reserves from 1991-2001.

Mark Ereth, MD

Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Mark Ereth joined InSitu Biologics in September 2020 as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Ereth is an Emeritus Professor at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science and an Emeritus Consultant at Mayo Clinic. As a physician, scientist, inventor, and social entrepreneur, he has received grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, led numerous human and laboratory studies – including many in support of FDA submissions, authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, and co-founded Cheetah Development, a nonprofit working in Tanzania.
Bill Taylor

Chief Science Officer

Bill Taylor is a co-founder and the Chief Science Officer at InSitu Biologics, beginning his work on the Matrix in 2007. Bill is a successful medical product development programs manager and scientist, has been awarded over $900k in government research grants, and has authored industry papers in chemical remediation and demilitarization utilizing biological systems.

Bill holds a B.S. from the University of Minnesota with a double major in Chemical Engineering and Biology.

Kay Warnott, MSN

Vice President
Clinical Operations

Kay Warnott joined InSitu Biologics in December 2019 as Vice President of Clinical Operations. Kay has an MSN, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Degree from the University of Kentucky. She also has over 20 years of Clinical Research, Clinical Operations, and Clinical Development Strategies experience, resulting in NDA approval for multiple pharmaceutical drug products. Kay is an influential leader with a demonstrated history of success in building, developing, and leading high-performing teams. She has also served on various physician advisory boards and safety review committees.

Clinical Areas of Expertise: Acute pain management, cardiovascular, cardiothoracic and pulmonary diseases, and thrombotic syndromes in both adults and pediatrics.

Kevin Barrett, MBA

Chief Operating Officer

Kevin Barrett joined InSitu Biologics in October 2019 as Chief Operating Officer. Before joining InSitu, Kevin held Director positions in International and Program Management for Cardiovascular Systems Inc., a medical device company focused on developing and commercializing innovative solutions for treating coronary and peripheral artery disease. In addition, Kevin has served as Director of Operations for Angioslide Inc., a medical product company in the peripheral angioplasty space with a unique product that combines PTA balloon intervention with debris capture and removal.

Kevin holds an M.B.A. from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota and a B.A. in Business from the University of St. Thomas.

Rita Pendergrass
Rita Pendergrass

Director
Clinical Operations

Rita Pendergrass joined InSitu Biologics in December 2019 as Director of Clinical Operations. Rita has over 30 years of experience in the biotech industry in both pharmaceutical drug products and medical devices. She has overseen Phase I-IV clinical trials, including facets such as budget preparation, contract negotiation, and all clinical study activities from site setup through the final clinical study report. Rita has also collaborated in the completion of successful regulatory submissions from IND to NDA approval for multiple drug products.

Rita has a degree in Business Administration and is a certified research associate in clinical trials.

Board of Directors

James Knapp, CFP

Chairman

James Knapp served as a director at InSitu Biologics from 2015 to 2018 and became Chairman of the Board in 2018. He has 17 years of investment experience and holds a B.A. in Management from Luther College. He is also President & CEO of Heritage Wealth Architects in St. Paul, MN.
Kevin Bassett,
President & CEO

Director

Kevin Bassett joined InSitu Biologics in September 2019 as President and CEO. Prior to joining InSitu, Kevin was General Manager of HLT Medical, a clinical-stage company developing a next-generation heart valve in the field of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). Kevin has also served in a variety of senior executive roles in early-stage medical technology companies over the past 20 years.

Buzz Benson

Director

Buzz Benson founded SightLine Partners in 2004. He has been an active investor and advisor in the healthcare industry for over 30 years, with more than 25 years of private equity experience. He served as President and Managing Director of Piper Jaffray Ventures from 1992 to 2004 and co-headed the firm’s healthcare-focused investment banking activities from 1986 to 1992.
Andy Lafrence, CPA

Director

Andy LaFrence is the CFO at StemoniX. He has 35 years of accounting, finance, and operations experience, including executive management positions at public and private life sciences companies. He has served as Sr. VP and CFO of Biothera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., VP of Finance/Information Systems/CFO at Surmodics, Inc. and CFO at CNS Therapeutics.
Dr. Robert Wilson, MD

Director

Dr. Robert Wilson is an interventional cardiologist and Professor of Medicine who previously led the interventional cardiology program at the University of Minnesota. He has extensive experience in medical device and business development. Dr. Wilson previously founded and led three medical device companies: Acist Medical Systems (diagnostic interventional cardiology equipment), HLT (transcatheter heart valve), and Egg Medical (radiation protection platform), where he is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman.