About Chitogel
Enhance post-operative care and the patient experience
Chitogel is a global medical device company offering a leading edge wound healing gel for use in endoscopic sinus surgery.
Our first product to market, the Chitogel Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Kit, is currently distributed in the United States of America, Australia and New Zealand so far.
Optimising wound healing after sinus surgery is critical to achieving long term, positive patient outcomes. It requires a product that supports rapid and complete wound healing, minimises adhesions, preserves structural integrity and addresses patient comfort.
Chitogel is a clinically proven hydrogel, designed to meet these needs and improve the outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgeries. These outcomes are supported by 10+ years of research and clinical evidence, 18+ published studies and successful patient and surgeon testimonials.
Globally connected
We foster a globally connected and inclusive culture at Chitogel, with our team being geographically spread across New Zealand, Australia and the United States.
Our headquarters and EN ISO 13485:2016 certified manufacturing facility are based in Wellington, New Zealand.
Our values
At Chitogel, our team culture is driven by four core values that are designed to empower employees to reach their full potential.
Do what's right
Patient focused
Be curious and bold
Stronger together
Our leadership team
Nick Samaras
Chairman
Dr Samaras has had over 30 years’ business experience in the Global Life Sciences as an industry expert.
He is currently chairman of an ASX listed diagnostics company and has held several senior executive level positions in management, marketing, sales, and research and development.
Nick joined the Chitogel Board in 2019 and has been particularly valuable as we look to grow and enter into further international markets.
Edward Lamb
Chief Executive Officer
Edward joined Chitogel in 2022 and has a strong business, marketing, and sales background.
He has previously held senior roles within the medical device industry across Europe, managing businesses ranging from U$½M- US$220M. Working in both private and public health care sectors, Edward has worked at AstraZeneca, Roche, MDS Medical and Pharmaco (NZ) Ltd. Formerly a UK Country Manager, UK Group Marketing Director and General Manager for Central Eastern Europe within Johnson & Johnson Medical, he is familiar with the complexities of working within different health care systems across multiple countries.
In these roles, he has built a global network of connections and working relationships which will help him lead the team as we continue to expand Chitogel within existing and future markets. Edward holds an MBA from Cranfield School of Management in England and has also attained Postgraduate Diplomas in International Marketing and Project Management.
PJ Wormald
Director
Professor PJ Wormald is Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery and Professor of Skull Base Surgery at the University of Adelaide, South Australia. He is recognised as a global leader in sino-nasal disorders, FESS, and endoscopic skull-base Surgery.
PJ has developed an extensive research program into the causes and development patterns associated with sino-nasal diseases and has a special interest in innovative and new treatments of nose and sinus disease.
PJ’s clinical experience and world-renowned success has been an asset to Chitogel.
Simon Robinson
Director
Simon Robinson is a graduate of Otago University and completed postgraduate work as a Rhinology Fellow at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide, Australia.
He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He specialises in endoscopic sinus surgery including revision sinus surgery, management of complex frontal sinus disease, endoscopic DCR and endoscopic management of sinus and skull base tumours.
As the surgeon with the most experience using Chitogel ESS kits in patients, he is an important voice to have as we engage and grow our customer base.
Michael Turner
Chief Financial Officer
Michael Turner has been a Partner at Polson Higgs for 20 years. His contributions to the accounting profession were recognised in 2009, when he was made a Fellow of the College of Chartered Accountants.
He has served on the Otago Branch of CAANZ, was chair in 2006/2007 and joined the CAANZ National Tax Advisory Group in January 2006. He lectured at the University of Otago in Taxation and is on the board of the Otago Southland Employers Association.
He has been actively involved with Chitogel since it was formed, supporting the Board with his team providing management accounting, cashflow modelling, & day to day compliance requirements.
Surgeon and patient testimonials
"My patient’s nose looked great 2 weeks postop. The ostia are patent and there is no scarring"
"The gel gives the best results in a few months, and you will have an ‘a-ha' moment when this happens"
"It fully absorbed after 10 days and the patient continues to improve"
"It’s great that you have enough gel for both sides"
"I found the product easy to use"
"Just being able to focus, without that pressure behind my eyes and in my nose cavity... everything is clear. It is lovely"
"It's nice just to be able to lie down to sleep, and just live a normal life".