When it comes to its incredible anti-microbial properties, silver is worth its weight in gold.

Since 2001, Exciton Technologies Inc. has capitalized on this fact with its unique recipes for incorporating silver into wound-care treatments. After achieving quite a bit of success thus far, the company is setting its sights on the multi-billion-dollar wound-care market.

“The wound-care market is very competitive, and it is dominated by 10 big players,” says Rod Precht, President and CEO of Exciton Technologies Inc. “But with growing education by the end user, and with advances in technology, the market is open for next generation technologies like ours.”

But while the opportunities are unlimited, the fast-growing biotech company faces many challenges.

“Ideas are plentiful, but getting them off the ground and into the right arena where there is existing structure and opportunity is hard,” Precht explains. “So sufficient funding, and the right management to help take the idea and get it to the next level, are the two biggest hurdles.”

Randy Yatscoff, TEC Edmonton’s AHFMR, Executive-in-Residence, knows these problems well, and is helping the company realize its potential.

With 16 years as an academic, and over 10 year as an business executive running biotech companies (most notably, Isotechnika), Yatscoff has a well-rounded view of what start-up companies need to succeed. Now, he’s enjoying a “second career” as a mentor.

“I feel my experience is what bridges that gap (between science and business), which a lot of people in the business community don’t necessarily have,” he says.

Yatscoff is involved with all aspects of the company, including: helping them raise $2 million, restructuring its board of directors, and managing the regulatory process.

“Randy has provided Exciton with management experience to guide us into the appropriate business development avenues, where we can see the end result of our ideas and concepts,” says Precht.

“The momentum and finish line wouldn’t be realized if it were not for TEC Edmonton and their EIR Dr. Randy Yatscoff.”