JenaValve Appoints New Executive Chairman

JenaValve Technology Inc. has attracted the CEO of Laguna Hills, Calif.-based Vessix Vascular Inc. to serve as its new executive chairman of the board. Raymond W. Cohen joins the Munich, Germany-based company with 25 years of medical device industry experience.

JenaValve is a venture-backed developer of transcatheter-delivered aortic valve systems (TAVI) for the treatment of aortic valve disease. The company’s U.S. offices are located in Wilmington, Del.

Cohen has served as Vessix’s CEO since 2010. The company, which developed a percutaneous radiorequency balloon catheter renal denervation system used to treat uncontrolled hypertension, was acquired by Boston Scientific Corporation in November 2012 for $425 million.

Michael J. Dormer is transitioning from his position as JenaValve’s non-executive chairman of the board of directors to an advisory role.

“With more than 350 device implants to date in Europe and powerful outcomes data, it is now the right time for JenaValve to increase awareness of our novel TAVI technology in the U.S. with potential partners, investors, analysts, regulators and clinicians,” said Helmut J. Straubinger, CEO of JenaValve. “Given Mr. Cohen’s and Mr. Dormer’s broad U.S. and international experience and successful track records, they will make a great team to bring value to JenaValve and all of its stakeholders.”

Cohen currently serves as a member of the board of directors of a number of public and private U.S.-based companies.