Ablative Solutions Appoints President and CEO

Ablative Solutions Inc., a company pioneering new approaches to the treatment of hypertension, has appointed Kate Rumrill as president and CEO. Rumrill will also serve on the board of directors for the company. With 30 years industry experience, Rumrill brings deep expertise in delivering products to market from both the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.
 
Rumrill most recently served as president and CEO of NeoSync Inc., a clinical stage, non-invasive neuromodulation company focused on developing products to treat patients with major depressive disorder and other diseases of the central nervous system. She will remain on the board of directors for NeoSync Inc. Prior to NeoSync, Rumrill was vice president, global medical affairs, for Covidien’s peripheral vascular business. She began her career in pharmaceuticals, holding varied roles in preclinical and clinical research, most notably with Eli Lilly and Company, where she contributed to the development and support of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals of several blockbuster neuroscience product offerings.
 
“We’re enthusiastic to have someone with Kate’s unique background stepping into the leadership role at Ablative Solutions during this important time in the company’s clinical development. Her combined pharmaceutical and device experience will be extremely valuable as the company evaluates the drug/device combination Peregrine System Kit in the TARGET BP Clinical Trial Program,” said Michael Fulton, M.D., senior managing director of BioStar Capital and chairman of the board for Ablative Solutions.

The Peregrine System Kit is currently being studied to evaluate safety and efficacy when used in the treatment of patients with uncontrolled hypertension in conjunction with antihypertensive medications. It is also being studied in a proof-of-concept trial in Europe to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the product when used to treat patients not taking antihypertensive medications. It is an investigational product not currently approved in the United States or in Europe. Its use is limited to investigational use in clinical trials.
 
The Peregrine System Infusion Catheter has FDA 510(k) clearance for the infusion of diagnostic and therapeutic agents into the perivascular area of the peripheral vasculature. The Peregrine System Infusion Catheter is CE marked for the infusion of a neurolytic agent (e.g. alcohol) to achieve a reduction in systemic blood pressure in hypertensive patients. The Peregrine Catheter is not commercially available in the United States or Europe.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to join Ablative Solutions at this very exciting time in the company’s growth. Our technology and team have the potential to create real value for our customers and shareholders alike,” said Rumrill. “With our promising early clinical data, I am excited to work with the team and our scientific advisors and physician partners to execute the new trials and deliver the clinical evidence required to make this therapy available for the large population suffering from uncontrolled hypertension. It is an honor to have the opportunity to work with entrepreneurs and scientists.”
 
Ablative Solutions Inc., based in Kalamazoo, Mich., and San Jose, Calif., was founded in 2011 with a vision to address the unmet need of hypertension. Ablative Solutions’ approach targets the overactive sympathetic nervous system, which may play a role in hypertension, heart failure, kidney disease, metabolic syndrome and sleep apnea. The Peregrine System Kit is currently being investigated as a treatment for hypertension in conjunction with antihypertensive medications.