Dr. Mark Tapsak PhD
Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Member of the Healthcare Council
Council Member Biography
Mark Tapsak, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining Bloomsburg University, he was a Senior Scientist at DexCom based in San Diego, CA. Dr. Tapsak has also worked for Medtronic in Minneapolis, MN. His academic experience centers on polymer synthesis, polymer characterization and analytical chemistry. Dr. Tapsak's industry experience utilized his polymer chemistry training in medical product innovation, project management, technology transfer, and intellectual property strategies. He holds 21 US patents on medical devices and materials. Dr. Tapsak is also listed on more than 30 patent applications still under review in this field. (This is me - Update Profile)
Employment History
- 2010 - Unspecified
- Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- 2004 - 2010
- Assistant Professor, BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- 2000 - 2004
- Senior Scientist, DEXCOM, INC.
- 1996 - 2000
- Senior Polymer Chemist, MEDTRONIC, INC.
GLG NewsSM Analyses by Mark Tapsak
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Ocutec attempts to challenge SiHy lenses with a PEG based composition
December 28, 2010
Ocutec Receives Additional GBP0.5 Million Equity Funding Round | findarticles.com
Besides incremental improvements in SiHy contact lens materials, there have been few alternative materials that come close to the balance of oxygen permeability and water content. However, a polyethylene glycol composition developed by Ocutec, will attempt to challenge this market. I like to use patents and patent applications as a gauge whether a company such as Ocutec will be successful. My opinion is that Ocutec is not poised to make a significant challenge to the current SiHy materials.
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Continuous glucose monitoring: according to the web where do we stand?
December 28, 2010
Implanted glucose sensor works for more than 1 year | esciencenews.com
A recent paper by David Gough, professor of bioengineering at UCSD, reports the successful year-long continuous glucose monitoring from a subcutaneously implanted device. Although the results of this study are interesting, credit is not given where credit is due. Other medical device companies have demonstrated similar, if not better, successes. For example, both Medtronic and DexCom have completed human clinical trials with alternative sensor platforms.
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Industry leaders need to work with the US Patent and Trademark office to keep US patents strong
April 24, 2008
Federal Court Sides With GlaxoSmithKline, Strikes Down Rules Issued by Patent Office | biz.yahoo.com
The USPTO is facing an epidemic amount of frivolous patents. This degrades their ability to review strong and potentially important patents in a timely manner. Although this particular change was struck down in Federal court, industry leaders need to work with the USPTO in order to strengthen the US patent system.
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CooperVision enters US market with Avaira™ two-week silicone hydrogel contact lenses
April 16, 2008
CooperVision Introduces Avaira™ Two-Week Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses | www.coopervision.com
I’m not so sure that this is a leap forward for CooperVision. After long delays for the release of the Biofinity lens, a two-week version has just been released. The material properties are reportedly “nice”, but certainly scaled back from what was reportedly achieved with Comfilcon A.
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DexCom Makes Progress Towards Easier Glucose Monitoring
November 19, 2007
Dexcom says gets FDA OK to calibrate glucose monitoring system | www.reuters.com
It's not easy being small, especially in the world of medical devices. Big players leverage branding, large sales forces and deep R&D organizations when they bring technologies to market. Unfortunately, most products are incremental improvements at best. Rarely does the conservative healthcare market benefit from a “leapfrog event”. DexCom announced today that the FDA approved a new calibration process for its seven day glucose sensor. While this announcement may appear trivial, it demonstrates steady progress for an important medical device by a relatively small company.
GLG Study Groups with Mark Tapsak(?)
| Study Group Name | No. Members |
|---|---|
| Users of Mass Spectrometers in the U.S. | 103 |
GLG Live Meetings with Mark Tapsak(?)
Mark Tapsak has not participated in any GLG Live Meetings.
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