Anthony Amato
About Anthony Amato
Anthony Amato (age 57) is a director of BioSig Technologies (BSGM); he served as Chairman and CEO from April 30, 2024 until resigning those roles on May 28, 2025, remaining on the board thereafter. He previously sat on BioSig’s advisory board (Jan 2021–Feb 2024) and consulted for the company in March–April 2024 before his appointment as CEO and director. Amato founded InQuest Science (2017) and acquired Bridge Associates International Pharmaceutical Consulting (2020); earlier he founded Amega Scientific (1999, sold to Mesa Labs in 2013) and was Director of Sales at Mesa Labs. He holds a dual degree in business management and finance from Glassboro State College (1989) .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| BioSig Technologies, Inc. | Chairman & CEO; Director | Apr 30, 2024–May 28, 2025 (CEO/Chair); Director since Apr 30, 2024 | Led turnaround; later executed Streamex share exchange; resigned CEO/Chair at closing; remained director |
| BioSig Advisory Board | Advisory Board Member | Jan 2021–Feb 2024 | Advisory capacity prior to executive role |
| Bridge Associates International Pharmaceutical Consulting | Owner/Lead (via InQuest) | Acquired Mar 2020 | Consulting engagement with BioSig announced Apr 4, 2024, precedes CEO appointment |
| InQuest Science | Founder | Mar 2017–present | Built consulting platform preceding Bridge acquisition |
| Amega Scientific Corporation | Founder/Leader | Founded 1999; sold 2013 | Grew to industry leader; ISO 17025/GxP; sale to Mesa Labs (Nasdaq: MLAB) |
| Mesa Laboratories (MLAB) | Director of Sales | Prior to 2013 | Commercial leadership in quality control products |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| InQuest Science | Founder | 2017–present | Private consultancy |
| Bridge Associates International Pharmaceutical Consulting | Owner | 2020–present | Private consultancy; engaged by BioSig Apr 2024 |
Board Governance
- Independence: Not independent under Nasdaq rules; in 2025 the board affirmed all directors except Henry McPhie and Anthony Amato are independent . In 2024, Amato served as combined Chairman & CEO (non‑independent) .
- Committee memberships: None; all audit, compensation, and nominating committees comprised of independent directors . Post‑closing (2025) committee chairs/members remained independent; Amato not assigned .
- Board leadership and executive sessions: BioSig combined Chair/CEO role with a lead independent director, and held regular executive sessions out of management’s presence .
- Attendance: For 2023, no incumbent director attended fewer than 100% of board/committee meetings; one director attended the annual meeting (Amato was not then on the board) .
| Committee Assignments (as of Nov 5, 2024) | Membership |
|---|---|
| Audit Committee | Abelman (Chair), Browne, Baer; Amato: none |
| Compensation Committee | Browne (Chair), Abelman, Baer; Amato: none |
| Nominating & Corporate Governance | Browne (Chair), Abelman, Baer; Amato: none |
Fixed Compensation
| Component | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary (CEO) | $300,000 annually effective Aug 1, 2024 | |
| Target Bonus (CEO) | 60% of base salary (discretionary) | |
| Director Retainer Policy | Starting Apr 2024: directors entitled to $10,000 per quarter; prior policy since Jan 2021: $15,000 per quarter or $20,000 for committee chair (in-person), $7,500 telephonic; cash or equity (waived telephonic during pandemic) |
Severance and Change‑of‑Control (per Executive Agreement, Sept 11, 2024):
- Without Cause/Good Reason: Lump sum equal to base salary plus 100% of annual bonus; 12 months acceleration of time‑based equity vesting; up to 12 months company‑paid health insurance .
- Change‑of‑Control + termination (90 days before to 18 months after CoC): 2x (base salary + 100% annual bonus); up to 18 months medical coverage .
- No tax gross‑ups policy disclosed for executives (2023) .
Performance Compensation
| Award Type | Grant Date | Quantity/Terms | Vesting/Expiry | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Options | Sept 11, 2024 | 2,400,000 options @ $0.4479 exercise price | 50% vests at grant; remaining 50% vests biannually over 4 years; expires Sept 11, 2034 | |
| Restricted Stock (time‑based) | Sept 11, 2024 | 275,000 shares (fully vested at grant) | Immediate vest | |
| Restricted Stock (time‑based) | Sept 11, 2024 | 1,275,000 shares | Vests biannually over 3 years from grant | |
| Future Equity Grants | Starting Q1 2025 | Eligible for annual equity grants per board practices | TBD |
Compensation Metrics and Philosophy:
- Company discloses emphasis on pay‑for‑performance; annual compensation linked to company and individual performance; equity used to align with shareholders (metrics not specified) .
Other Directorships & Interlocks
- No current public company directorships disclosed outside BioSig .
- Transaction interlock: As CEO, Amato signed the Streamex Share Purchase Agreement and related closing documents; board later determined he is not independent in the combined company .
Expertise & Qualifications
- Entrepreneurial/operator background in healthcare technology and quality systems; founded and scaled Amega Scientific (ISO 17025; GxP). Former sales director at Mesa Labs (Nasdaq: MLAB). Dual degree in business management and finance (Glassboro State College, 1989) .
Equity Ownership
| Holder | Shares Beneficially Owned | % of Common | Composition | Total Voting Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Amato | 2,033,202 | 11.09% | 833,202 common + 1,200,000 options exercisable within 60 days | 4.86% |
Additional alignment constraint:
- Right‑to‑Place letter (May 28, 2025): Amato agreed not to sell BioSig securities for 12 months without first offering them to the company; BioSig retains limited right to purchase prior to third‑party sale .
Governance Assessment
- Independence risk: Amato is not independent; previously combined Chair/CEO role centralized authority, later relinquished at Streamex closing. His significant equity stake and executive award package (large options and RS grants) align economics but heighten influence and potential conflicts in compensation and strategic transactions .
- Committee neutrality: Not seated on audit, compensation, or nominating committees; all committees chaired and populated by independent directors—mitigates risk of self‑oversight .
- Conflicts/Related‑party exposure: As CEO he executed the Streamex acquisition agreements; Finder agreements granted shares to third‑party finders (not to Amato). No specific related‑party transactions disclosed for Amato; company processes require audit committee approval of related‑party transactions .
- Pay structure signals: Executive agreement includes 2x change‑of‑control multiple and immediate vesting acceleration (12 months) under certain terminations—standard but can be shareholder‑sensitive in small caps; no tax gross‑ups disclosed (positive) .
- Ownership/Discipline: Large beneficial ownership and Right‑to‑Place restrictions signal skin‑in‑the‑game and reduced near‑term sale risk .
- Board composition/diversity: 2024 board had no diverse directors under Nasdaq’s rule (company seeking candidates), a governance red flag for many institutions .
RED FLAGS
- Not independent; former combined Chair/CEO structure .
- Board diversity shortfall versus Nasdaq disclosure objectives .
- Significant CoC/severance protection and substantial equity acceleration (potential pay‑risk at small cap) .
- Material dilution and complex capital structure from Streamex exchangeable shares post‑closing (earnings volatility risk); Amato’s role in transaction could attract scrutiny .
Policy Protections
- Prohibition on hedging and pledging company stock for directors/officers .
- Independent audit, compensation, and nominating committees .
- Audit committee oversight of related‑party transactions .