Michael P. Francis, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
CEO, Asante Bio

25 U.S. Patents

Michael P. Francis, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine. He is also the CEO and founder of Asante Bio, a Florida-based biomanufacturing company focused on advancing regenerative medicine and orthopedic medical devices.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Francis has made transformative contributions to the field of regenerative medicine and musculoskeletal health, developing, patenting, and commercializing numerous innovations that are used in the treatment of common orthopedic and spinal conditions. His groundbreaking work includes the invention of bioengineered implants and regenerative biomaterials, which have significantly advanced the treatment of conditions such as rotator cuff repair, spinal fusion, ACL regeneration, and pediatric musculoskeletal disorders. These technologies are used by hundreds of clinicians and have benefited millions of patients, improving surgical outcomes and enhancing quality of life. Among his most notable commercialized inventions are Tapestry™ for rotator cuff regeneration and ActiBraid™ for ACL repair, both now considered industry standards.

As co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Embody, Inc., Dr. Francis developed groundbreaking technologies, including the first-ever microfluidic collagen suture and electrospun orthopedic implants. These technologies represent significant advancements in the field of musculoskeletal repair, with wide-reaching clinical implications for millions of patients annually. In 2023, Embody was acquired by Zimmer Biomet for $275 million, one of the largest recent exits in the life sciences sector.

Beyond his technical expertise, Dr. Francis has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing biomedical research and entrepreneurship. His work has brought together cutting-edge research, patenting, commercialization, and venture funding to produce practical, life-saving medical solutions. Notably, Dr. Francis’ innovative research has secured more than $30 million in private funding and over $25 million in federal grants, enabling the development and commercialization of next-generation biomedical technologies. He is actively involved in national and international standards committees and lectures widely on inventorship, entrepreneurship, and biomanufacturing.

Dr. Francis holds 25 U.S. Patents and is a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE). He also serves on various advisory boards and committees, contributing to the advancement of medical technologies and standards.

Dr. Francis received a joint Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville and Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond in Pathology & Molecular Medicine. He went on to complete his post-doctoral training in Biomedical Engineering & Regenerative Medicine at LifeNet Health Institute for Regenerative Medicine.