Highland Instruments, founded by scientists trained at Harvard and MIT, is pioneering the use of ESStim™, a novel noninvasive brain stimulation technology for chronic pain, neurodegenerative diseases, and psychiatric disorders. ESStim™ is protected by a broad and deep patent portfolio, both issued and pending, nationally and globally. Note caution as Federal (or United States) law limits device to investigational use in the chronic pain, Parkinson’s Disease, and Opioid Use Disorder indications.

Almost 70 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, neurodegenerative, and psychiatric diseases which ESStim™ can help treat. These patients typically face treatment choices between medications, which can wane in effectiveness, and surgical procedures, which are invasive and risky. ESStim™ will offer patients a third option - non-invasive brain stimulation - to treat chronic pain, neurodegenerative, and psychiatric diseases.

John McDonough

Chairman

A five time CEO, John has raised over $500 million of public and private capital creating over $6 billion of market value over the past 30 years. In addition to Highland, John is currently Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors at Sunbird Bio, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Cytrellis Biosystems, Chairman at BioPorto Diagnostics and Founder/President of the Crush Colon Cancer Foundation.

Timothy Wagner, PhD

Founder/Chief Science Officer

Dr. Timothy Wagner is a scientist with an extensive portfolio, including multiple patents, scholarly papers, international presentations, and book chapters, reflecting decades of research and innovation in the neurostimulation field. He was trained at Harvard Medical School and MIT’s HST program with degrees in Medical and Electrical Engineering (PhD, dual distinction).

Laura Dipietro, PhD

Chief Technology Officer

Dr. Laura Dipietro is an electrical/biomedical engineer and holds a PhD in biomedical robotics from Scuola Superiore San’Anna, Pisa, Italy. Her research focuses on neurotechnology. She was a research scientist at MIT in the Mechanical Engineering Department prior to joining Highland where she is currently a PI on several clinical trials and projects focused on designing innovative technologies for improving patients’ lives.

Alex Herzlinger, MBA

Chief Business Officer

Alex serves as Highland’s Chief Business Officer after 14+ years of MedTech commercial and general management experience, including leading national sales and marketing teams for J&J and Abbott. Alex began his career as a US Army Infantry Officer, including two combat tours; he graduated with AB from Harvard College and MBA from Harvard Business School.

Felipe Fregni, MD, MPH, PhD

Site Principal Investigator

Dr. Fregni is the Director of the Laboratory of Neuromodulation at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School and a a Professor of Epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He is a pioneer in the world noninvasive brain stimulation, having conducted instrumental trials exploring neuromodulation treatments for Chronic Pain, Parkinson's Disease, and stroke. Dr. Fregni runs several of Highland’s trials.

Ciro Ramos, MD, PhD

Site Principal Investigator

Dr. Ramos-Estebanez is an 
Associate Professor in Neurology & Neurosurgery
 and Neurocritical Care Division Chief at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Ramos’ research activities are focused on developing and evaluating translational technology for neurological diseases. Dr. Ramos works with the Highland team on clinical trials and is running several of Highland’s trials.