




Healthcare Industry News: DePuy
News Release - June 13, 2008
Three Industry Veterans Join Ascension Orthopedics
AUSTIN, Texas, June 13 (HSMN NewsFeed) -- Ascension Orthopedics, Inc., a leader in orthopedic extremity implants, announces the hiring of three orthopedic executives, William F. Warrender, Jr., John F. Walters and David C. Furr, as new Senior Vice Presidents. Their extensive background and experience will make a substantial contribution to the future growth of Ascension.Bill Warrender joined Ascension on April 14 as Senior Vice President of Global Sales. He brings more than 25 years of sales, marketing and general management experience to the executive team. Warrender was most recently based in Pennsylvania as President of Medartis, Inc. and has held management positions with Encore Orthopedics, Smith & Nephew, and Zimmer, among others. "Bill will contribute a valuable 'can-do' spirit to our sales team," states Andrew J. Miclot, President and CEO of Ascension. Warrender has a B.S. in Marketing and Management from LaSalle University and an M.B.A. in Management and Finance from the University of Notre Dame.
John Walters assumed the role of Senior Vice President of Global Marketing on June 2. He has been active in the orthopedic medical device field for over 20 years, having high-level positions at market-leading corporations including DePuy, Johnson & Johnson and Wright Medical Technologies. "John has a combination of marketing, development and financial experience in orthopedics that will be an important asset as we work to reposition ourselves and expand within the extremities market," says Miclot. Walters received his B.S. degree in Biology and his M.B.A. in Management and Finance from the University of Arizona.
David Furr also joined the executive team on June 2, as Senior Vice President of Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Affairs. Prior to accepting this new role at Ascension, Furr was president and principal of FDC Services, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in quality, regulatory and clinical issues for the orthopedic, medical device and pharmaceutical industries. "He brings the kind of seasoned leadership that will be required as we continue to branch out in a worldwide market where regulations constantly evolve," explains Miclot. During his nearly 30 years of experience, Furr has also held senior positions at Boston Scientific, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Zimmer and Greer Laboratories. He holds a B.S. degree in Chemistry from Texas State University and an M.S. degree in Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs from the Temple University School of Pharmacy.
Ascension Orthopedics secured $21 million in a Series D financing in January 2008. Frazier Healthcare Ventures lead this round of funding as the majority investor. "We appreciate Frazier's investment in Ascension. Their commitment to our company has enabled us to hire these talented executives," said Miclot.
About Ascension Orthopedics, Inc.
Ascension Orthopedics started in Austin, Texas in 1996. In 2001, Ascension received FDA PMA approval for its first product, an innovative pyrolytic carbon total joint replacement for the MCP (Knuckle) joint of the hand. The company has since increased its joint replacement product line to include implants for the shoulder, elbow, wrist, fingers and toes. Ascension Orthopedics is dedicated to the development of orthopedic implants for upper and lower extremities. Ascension's mission is to help surgeons treat patients suffering from pain and dysfunction, by developing state of the art orthopedic products. Ascension Orthopedics sells products in the United States and in more than 20 foreign countries worldwide. For further information, please visit http://www.ascensionortho.com/.
About Frazier Healthcare
Investing since 1991, Frazier Healthcare Ventures is one of the nation's leading providers of venture and growth equity capital to emerging biopharma, medical device and healthcare service companies. With more then $1.8 billion under management, Frazier Healthcare has invested in over 100 healthcare companies that cover the entire developmental spectrum from seed stage to PIPEs to acquisitions of cash generating companies. Frazier Healthcare is nationally known for its highly experienced 23 member investment team, which collectively brings to bear a tremendous breadth of healthcare industry and investment experience. The team's expertise encompasses product development and launch, clinical trial implementation and design, academic research, clinical practice, industry operating experience, and business development. For more information, please visit http://www.frazierhealthcare.com/.
Source: Ascension Orthopedics
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