Healthcare Industry News: arrhythmia
News Release - November 27, 2012
Jay Millerhagen Joins Respicardia(R) as Vice President of Clinical Affairs and Market Development
MINNEAPOLIS--(Healthcare Sales & Marketing Network)--Respicardia®, which successfully completed enrollment into the first global chronic pilot study to treat central sleep apnea (CSA) with an implantable system last month, announced today the appointment of Jay Millerhagen as vice president of clinical affairs and market development. The developer of implantable therapies to improve respiratory and cardiovascular health made the strategic hire in anticipation of the start of its pivotal clinical trial of the remede® System, a pacemaker-like device that delivers electrical pulses to the diaphragm during sleep to restore a more normal breathing pattern in patients with CSA. According to an earlier acute feasibility study, the device can reduce the apnea hypopnea index by at least 50 percent.“We are delighted that Jay has decided to join our dynamic team and will spearhead our pivotal clinical trial expected to start in early 2013,” said Bonnie Labosky, CEO of Respicardia. “His 23 years of cardiology-centric medical device experience, which includes conducting several major clinical trials, make him an ideal fit for our company at this exciting and important juncture.”
In addition to developing and executing clinical trial strategies for Respicardia, Millerhagen will be responsible for developing and expanding the market for the remede System, as well as the company’s other future product offerings. The company estimates that 10.5 million people suffer from CSA in North America, Canada, Europe and Asia Pacific, with tens of millions more in other parts of the world.
Prior to joining Respicardia, Millerhagen served as vice president of clinical affairs for the Atrial Fibrillation Division of St. Jude Medical, where he conducted numerous IDE clinical trials for atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation. He has also held leadership positions at Guidant/CPI and Boston Scientific, where he managed the Heart Failure Research and Market Development program, and led the team that developed and introduced the first Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillators (CRTD). Millerhagen received his B.A. in Physiology and Psychology from Concordia College, his M.S. in Exercise Physiology from St. Cloud State University and his M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas.
About Central Sleep Apnea
Central sleep apnea disturbs the normal breathing pattern during sleep and has an adverse effect on overall cardiovascular health. The disease occurs when the brain does not send the correct signals to the diaphragm and can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, reduced exercise capacity, and irregular or very fast heart rhythms (arrhythmia). CSA is common among patients with heart failure, affecting approximately 40 percent, can lead to the worsening of heart failure and is associated with an increased risk of death.
About Respicardia
Founded in 2006 and headquartered near Minneapolis, Minnesota, Respicardia® is dedicated to developing implantable therapies designed to improve the respiratory and cardiovascular health of patients. The company’s initial product, the remede® System, is an implantable stimulation device that is designed to restore a more regular breathing pattern during sleep for patients with central sleep apnea. For more information on the company and participation in its upcoming pivotal clinical trial, please visit www.respicardia.com.
Source: Respicardia
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