Our Mission
Amnion is committed to innovating and customizing the use of gifted human birth tissue to facilitate regenerative therapies for optimal patient outcomes for those in need. Amnion employs its world-class science and technology-based Essence tissue processes leveraging decades of expertise in highly specialized solution-based medically based protocols.
The Team
Erik Jon Melling
Management Team
Erik Melling, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder Mr. Melling brings over 25 years’ successful direct sales and sales management experience into the sub-specialty ophthalmic device and biologics market. Erik’s expertise is in assembling an international team of key opinion leaders to test, validate and publish case studies of cadaverous and regenerative biologic technologies along with developing and managing a professional sales team capable of delivering solid sales results.
His focus is to drive world class biologic technology sales through innovation, testing and clinical results.
Mr. Melling co-founded multiple companies including Okto Optho which launched the world’s first dry amniotic membrane for ophthalmic ocular surface indications back in the early 2000s.
Melling holds a B.S. in Marketing from George Mason University with post graduate training at the University of Pennsylvania. He also holds a patent of the invention relating to the Esubspecialty ophthalmic device for the treatment of lagophthalmos
Michael P. Fortkort, Esq.
Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel
Mr. Fortkort brings entrepreneurial experience to the company and a wide range of legal expertise, including intellectual property law, transactional law, and regulatory experience. While a registered patent attorney and licensed attorney in Virginia and Washington, D.C., Mr. Fortkort has also managed several successful businesses in a variety of fields. Mr. Fortkort earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Notre Dame, a master’s degree in electrical engineering from George Washington University, and a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center.
Essence Morrow
Specializing in Regenerative Medicine, Pharmaceutical manufacturing and quality control, and blood banking Essence brings a network of knowledge and experience to our team. First entering the tissue realm in the bone and tissue grafts, she has spent years working with amniotic tissue. Essence’s expertise is in amniotic start-ups analyzing company needs, material and resource management, regulatory licensure and compliance, and process improvements.Her focus is to create grafts that exceed customer expectations and improve the lives of our community.Essence enjoys performing tech transfers, meeting new stakeholders, and employee engagement. She holds a B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Chemistry and a Master’s in Healthcare Management.