AtriCure, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATRC), a medical device company and a leader in
the development of technologies and solutions for the treatment of
atrial fibrillation, or Afib, and systems for the exclusion of the left
atrial appendage, today announced that David Francischelli has joined
the company as Vice President of Research and Development, effective
August 6, 2013.
Mr. Francischelli is an accomplished innovator in the medical device
industry with over 23 years of experience. Mr. Francischelli has spent
much of his career at Medtronic, Inc. in various research capacities;
most recently as Director of Research and Development in the company’s
Structural Heart business. In this role, he directed all aspects of
research and development for radiofrequency and cryogenic surgical
ablation technologies; including novel disposable devices and capital
equipment systems, developing new approaches to lesion creation and
evaluating areas for new therapy applications. Previously, Mr.
Francischelli lead research functions for Medtronic’s Atrial
Fibrillation and Cardiac Assist Systems sectors. During his tenure at
Medtronic, Mr. Francischelli developed the Cardioblate irrigated
ablation system, which has treated over 150,000 patients worldwide. In
addition to these accomplishments, Mr. Francischelli has been granted
over 50 patents, with an additional 80 more pending. He was recently
named as a 2013 Top Inventor by Twin Cities Business.
"David is a proven leader with a strong record of business and product
innovations spanning over twenty years. His experience with atrial
fibrillation and ablation technologies will be invaluable as we strive
to lead the industry in the treatment of AFib. We could not ask for a
better fit for the role, and are thrilled to have David aboard,” said
Mike Carrel, President and Chief Executive Officer of AtriCure.
David will report directly to Mike Carrel and be a member of the
AtriCure Executive Leadership Team.
“I have worked with David Francischelli for over a decade, and I am
thrilled he is joining AtriCure. David is an innovative leader and
talented engineer in the atrial fibrillation space and will be a great
addition to the already strong team at AtriCure,” said Dr. Ralph
Damiano, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Washington University School of
Medicine.
About AtriCure, Inc.
AtriCure,
Inc. is a medical device company providing innovative Atrial
Fibrillation (Afib) solutions designed to produce superior outcomes that
reduce the economic and social burden of Atrial Fibrillation. AtriCure’s
Synergy Ablation System is the first and only device approved for the
treatment of Persistent and Longstanding Persistent forms of Afib in
patients undergoing certain open concomitant procedures. AtriCure’s
AtriClip Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) exclusion device is the most widely
implanted device for LAA management worldwide. The company believes
cardiothoracic surgeons are adopting its ablation and LAA management
devices for the treatment of Afib and reduction of Afib related
complications such as stroke. Afib affects more than 5.5 million people
worldwide.
Forward-Looking Statements
This
press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements include statements that address activities, events or
developments that AtriCure expects, believes or anticipates will or may
occur in the future, such as earnings estimates, other predictions of
financial performance, launches by AtriCure of new products and market
acceptance of AtriCure’s products. Forward-looking statements are based
on AtriCure’s experience and perception of current conditions, trends,
expected future developments and other factors it believes are
appropriate under the circumstances and are subject to numerous risks
and uncertainties, many of which are beyond AtriCure’s control. These
risks and uncertainties include the rate and degree of market acceptance
of AtriCure’s products, AtriCure’s ability to develop and market new and
enhanced products, the timing of and ability to obtain and maintain
regulatory clearances and approvals for its products, the timing of and
ability to obtain reimbursement of procedures utilizing AtriCure’s
products, competition from existing and new products and procedures or
AtriCure’s ability to effectively react to other risks and uncertainties
described from time to time in AtriCure’s SEC filings, such as
fluctuation of quarterly financial results, reliance on third party
manufacturers and suppliers, litigation or other proceedings, government
regulation and stock price volatility. AtriCure does not guarantee any
forward-looking statement, and actual results may differ materially from
those projected. AtriCure undertakes no obligation to publicly update
any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
Copyright Business Wire 2013