JenaValve Technology, Inc., a privately-held, venture-backed developer,
manufacturer and marketer of transcatheter aortic valve implantation
(TAVI) systems for the treatment of aortic valve disease, today
announced that cardiovascular medical device industry veteran Stefan
Schreck, Ph.D. has been named the Company’s new chief technology
officer, effective immediately.
Dr. Schreck is a prolific inventor with more than 80 US patents and
patent applications and brings to JenaValve more than 30 years of
technology innovation and engineering leadership.
“Dr. Schreck is joining JenaValve at a time of great change and
opportunity. Stefan’s extensive domain experience and track record of
innovations in the design of heart valves and related delivery systems
makes him uniquely qualified to advance our pipeline and help position
JenaValve as an important global TAVI player,” said chief executive
officer David J. Drachman. “We continue to expand our worldwide
commercial footprint for our transapical TAVI system and are also
investing significant resources in the development of our innovative
transfemoral (TF) platform which we plan to launch in Europe during
2015. Our devices are the only TAVI products with CE Mark for both
aortic stenosis and aortic insufficiency patients. Notably, our new
steerable TF product has recently received FDA Fast Track designation.”
Dr. Schreck was responsible for the development of surgical heart valve
repair and replacement products including annuloplasty rings, and aortic
and mitral bioprosthesis at Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE: EW) before and
after the spin-off from Baxter Healthcare. He also invented the first
catheter based valve concepts for Edwards. From 2004 to 2013, Dr.
Schreck served as vice president of technology and later chief
technology officer at Irvine-based Endologix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ELGX). Under
his technical leadership, Endologix rapidly expanded its base business
product portfolio and commercialized a new innovative sealing technology
to advance the transcutaneous repair of aortic aneurysms.
Dr. Schreck said, “The novel JenaValve technology platform represents
immense clinical value as its unique design elements address key
technical challenges facing physicians. My goal is to help deliver a
pipeline of innovative bioprosthesis systems in a more rapid fashion. I
am impressed with Mr. Drachman’s vision for JenaValve and commitment to
aggressively compete with the larger players in the space.”
Dr. Schreck holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and a M.S. in
aerospace engineering. Prior to joining the medical device industry, he
conducted biomedical research at the Georgia Institute of Technology and
the University of Southern California.
About JenaValve
JenaValve Technology, Inc., based in Irvine, California and Munich,
Germany develops, manufactures and markets transcatheter aortic valve
implantation (TAVI) systems to treat patients suffering from aortic
valve disease. The Company’s transapical TAVI system is CE marked and
currently marketed in Europe and other markets worldwide and its new
transfemoral TAVI system is currently undergoing clinical evaluation in
Europe with a view toward achieving CE Mark in 2015. JenaValve is backed
by world-class U.S., European and Asian investors, including Atlas
Venture, Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners, GIMV, NeoMed
Management, Legend Capital, VI Partners, Sunstone Capital, Omega Funds,
Biovest and Valiance Advisors.
Additional information is available at www.jenavalve.com.
Copyright Business Wire 2014