Healthcare Industry News: SynCardia Systems
News Release - March 8, 2012
SynCardia Names New Chief Operating Officer
Experienced Materials/Medical Device Executive to Oversee Manufacturing, Quality and Engineering for the World's Only Approved Total Artificial HeartTUCSON, AZ--(Healthcare Sales & Marketing Network)- SynCardia Systems, Inc. (www.syncardia.com), manufacturer of the world's first and only FDA, Health Canada and CE (Europe) approved Total Artificial Heart, announced today that Douglas Nutter has joined the company as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Mr. Nutter will oversee manufacturing, quality and engineering at SynCardia.
"Doug has an extensive background in materials similar to those used in the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart," said Michael Garippa, SynCardia CEO/president/chairman. "In addition, his expertise in organizational development and excellence, along with his proven track record of creating profitable product-market strategies for growth, will be an incredible asset to our company."
Mr. Nutter received an S.B. in Physics from MIT and began his career as a materials physicist for Hercules. He joined GE's plastic business in 1977 where he worked for 20 years. As President of Exatec, LLC, he led the formation, negotiation and start-up of a joint venture between GE and Bayer for lightweight, life-saving polycarbonate automotive windows. After 25 years in the materials industry, Mr. Nutter spent 10 years in optics-based medical devices as Vice President of Business Development at Optical Research Associates, and General Manager of Electro-Optics at Zygo Corporation.
"I am very excited to join SynCardia," said Mr. Nutter. "The company has a very talented and passionate team with a proven, life-saving product, innovative new driver technology and a noble mission. My goal is to expand operations to support future growth of the company, including production of raw materials, Total Artificial Hearts and the evolving line of drivers."
In addition to the Total Artificial Heart, SynCardia currently manufactures the Freedom® portable driver, the world's first wearable power supply for the Total Artificial Heart, and the CE-approved Companion 2 Driver for supporting European patients from implant in the OR until their condition stabilizes. The Freedom driver is CE approved for use in Europe and undergoing an FDA-approved Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) clinical study in the U.S.
CAUTION -- The Freedom® portable driver is an investigational device, limited by United States law to investigational use.
Source: SynCardia Systems
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