Bruce Burgess

Director, Venture Development

Bruce Burgess brings 30 years of business experience to TLA, having developed numerous medical device, diagnostic and drug delivery products for worldwide markets. Prior to taking on leadership roles at TLA, Bruce served as a Mentor-in-Residence, helping UA startups develop their strategies and form effective teams. Bruce obtained his Masters degree in Engineering from the University of Michigan, working with pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly on their artificial pancreas program. He also obtained an MBA from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. As President and CEO, Bruce has been responsible for the growth and acquisition of three early stage companies. Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Sensor Systems Inc. developed novel diagnostic and monitoring equipment and disposables used during open heart surgery procedures. The company was sold to Instrumentation Laboratories out of Bedford, Massachusetts. HemoCue, Inc. is a worldwide manufacturer and supplier of in-vitro diagnostic equipment and disposables utilized in hospitals, physician offices and outpatient surgery centers. The company was acquired by industry-leading laboratory services provider Quest Diagnostics. Lastly, TheraFuse, Inc., in partnership with several leading pharmaceutical companies, developed novel drug delivery products for polypeptides and other large molecule drug candidates that currently can only be delivered via injection. Bruce also managed Mallinckrodt Medical's Critical Care division, which was later sold to CH Werfen Group in Barcelona, Spain as part of Mallinckrodt's corporate restructuring. 

Degree(s)

  • M.S. Engineering from University of Michigan
  • M.B.A. University of Michigan's Ross School of Business