South Jordan, UT — August 1, 2025
Purgo Scientific, a pioneering medtech firm developing a refillable antibiotic delivery device known as the Purgo Pouch, has appointed James A. Bowman as Chief Executive Officer. He succeeds Mike Benjamin, who is stepping down due to personal health reasons and will remain engaged as Chairman of the Board.
The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Purgo, as it transitions from preclinical momentum toward human trials and dual-market deployment. The company’s flagship Purgo Pouch—a semi‑permeable, catheter-connected reservoir that delivers sustained, high‑dose tobramycin directly to surgical or traumatic wound sites—has earned FDA Breakthrough Device designation and amassed significant institutional support.
Bowman brings more than 20 years of life sciences leadership, specializing in commercializing surgical and drug delivery technologies across specialties ranging from orthopedics to oncology. His technical training includes brand-new executive education through Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management program.
“Jim is exactly the kind of leader we need at this pivotal stage of our growth,” said Mike Benjamin, Purgo’s Chairman. “His proven ability to bring medical technologies to market, coupled with operational discipline and strategic vision, makes him the ideal guide for our next chapter.”
Under Bowman’s leadership, Purgo will accelerate its progression toward clinical trials—anticipated in 2026 for orthopedic surgical site infections—and scale both its human and veterinary businesses. The latter, delivered through the Vetlen spin-off, is already generating real-world validation and early revenue in companion and large animals.
Bowman said: “I’m honored to join Purgo Scientific and build on the strong foundation Mike and the team have created. With its unique, refillable platform and powerful scientific roots, Purgo is poised to redefine localized therapy in both human and veterinary medicine.”
Founded in 2016 by microbiologist Dustin Williams, whose life-changing experience treating a severely infected amputee in Ecuador inspired the technology, Purgo has since secured over $10 million in U.S. Department of Defense contracts as well as private‑sector funding, including from the Utah Innovation Fund. The Purgo Pouch has shown compelling results in over 140 sheep studies, delivering sustained local antibiotic therapy, effectively disrupting bacterial biofilms, and aiming to reduce infection‑related readmissions and mortality.
Under Benjamin’s leadership, Purgo built a multidisciplinary team, institutional and governmental backing, and a veterinary channel to carry the company toward commercialization. Bowman now assumes the helm as the company prepares for scale-up, regulatory milestones, and strategic partnerships.
For more information, visit purgoscientific.com.
