About Us
Founder & Principal Consultant
Kristen Ade, PhD
Lucerna Via Consulting is led by Dr. Kristen Ade, a neuroscientist with over 20 years of experience in neuroscience and neurology clinical research. She has guided programs across early- and late-stage development, bringing together scientific rigor and strategic clarity to help companies design smarter trials, optimize outcomes, and accelerate innovation.
As Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Scion NeuroStim, Kristen directed early phase and pivotal clinical trials of a neuromodulation device for Parkinson’s disease and migraine. In this role, she worked closely with regulators, key opinion leaders, and patient advocacy groups, secured non-dilutive funding from major foundations, and led cross-functional teams to align clinical strategy with regulatory and commercial goals. This experience shaped her ability to bridge science, regulatory pathways, and market strategy—an approach she now applies through Lucerna Via.
Personal Note
My work has always been guided by a commitment to patients, but innovation only reaches them if it successfully navigates the regulatory, reimbursement, and commercial journey. That’s why I take pride in helping biotech teams align trial design with market realities and define clear paths for promising science to become accessible therapies.
Expertise on demand. Efficiency by design.
A Focused Flexible Approach
Lucerna Via is designed to provide the expertise you need, tailored to your program. While our core services are led directly by Dr. Kristen Ade, we also maintain a trusted network of experienced consultants across clinical trial operations, biostatistics, regulatory affairs, clinical medicine, data management, and other specialized areas.
These collaborators are engaged selectively, based on the unique needs of each project. By working with seasoned independent professionals rather than maintaining a large in-house staff, clients gain senior-level expertise when it’s needed—without the cost or complexity of full-time hires.
This model keeps teams lean, focused, and fully aligned with your goals—delivering high-impact insights and execution without unnecessary overhead.
Endorsements
“True medical device breakthroughs are rare, and the difference between success and failure often lies in the design and execution of pivotal clinical studies. Kristen Ade is the most skilled professional I have worked with in designing and conducting such studies. She anticipates challenges, weighs every detail—from inclusion criteria to statistical powering—and ensures studies are both scientifically rigorous and commercially relevant. If there is a role for a new medical technology in clinical practice, Kristen will design and conduct the study to define it, minimizing risk and maximizing the chance of success.”
Nat Bowditch, Former CEO of Avantec Vascular, Apneon, Hancock Medical and OrthoHub
“What sets Kristen apart is her ability to see the big picture while still driving the details that move programs forward. She bridges science and strategy seamlessly, keeping stakeholders aligned and keeping development efforts centered on delivering treatments to patients.”
Bob Black, Former CTO & COO of Scion NeuroStim, President of Veincare Technologies
“Dr. Ade is exceptional. I had the pleasure of working closely with her for more than five years, and she consistently demonstrated not only intelligence and rigor, but also a deep commitment to collaboration and execution. She brings passion for advancing treatments in neurological disorders and translates that into clear strategies that move programs forward efficiently and with patients always in focus.”
Lanty Smith, CEO of Tippet Capital, Former CEO of Scion Neurostim