Nova Group’s senior staff has been providing advisory services to the life sciences industry since 1994. Our approach to client engagements begins with a dedicated case team composed largely of senior professionals that remain actively involved throughout the project.

Derek Burnham, President and Managing Partner
Derek has over 20 years of experience in the business consulting and medical technology field where he has worked with top consulting organizations to map strategy, identify new opportunities, and solve complex issues triggered by shifting competitive landscapes, industry upheavals, and disruptive technology. He is a specialized strategist in this rapidly evolving arena, and he has assessed and leveraged new products, therapies, and technologies. As result of the comprehensive research and analysis his teams have delivered, Nova Group’s clients have accelerated their growth and bolstered their bottom line. He is an accomplished facilitator and has led numerous focus groups sessions and advisory boards. Derek also worked in industry prior to the Nova Group, most recently with Boston Scientific where he was responsible for building strategic marketing capabilities and assessing new market opportunities. Derek holds an MBA from the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania.

James McAvinn, Partner
Jim has twenty years of business experience in management consulting, R&D line management, marketing, and strategic planning. Jim served Baxter Corporation for nine years in a variety of R&D and marketing positions, Meadox Medicals for six years in product marketing and market development, and Boston Scientific for six years in strategic marketing. Jim holds four medical device patents and has an MS in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

David W. Wagner, Founder
David has twenty-five years of management experience and has served as a member of the board of directors for more than twenty companies. Prior to founding the Nova Group, he served as Corporate Vice President for Boston Scientific Corporation and President of Dryvit Systems International (now a division of RPM). David has considerable experience in management consulting and venture capital and holds an MBA from the Tuck School at Dartmouth College.

Nova Group’s additional staff reflects prior experience at Cardinal Health, LEK Consulting, Bain & Company, Genzyme, and Baxter, as well as education in biology, engineering, and business. In addition to leveraging a dedicated junior staff, we also augment our own capabilities with a worldwide network of strategic partnerships with individual subject experts and other professional services firms.