JenaValve Appoints New CEO

JenaValve Technology Inc., which makes transcatheter aortic valve repair (TAVR) systems for the treatment of aortic valve disease, has named medical device executive Victoria E. Carr-Brendel, Ph.D., as CEO, effective immediately.

Carr-Brendel replaces Jan Keltjens, who served as interim CEO since January 2015. Keltjens will remain chairman of the JenaValve board and will support Carr-Brendel during a transition period.

Carr-Brendel joins JenaValve from Boston Scientific Corporation and brings to JenaValve more than 25 years of medical device leadership experience, including the development and commercialization of numerous advanced medical devices across disease states. She has a breadth of innovation, regulatory, clinical and strategic business experience in the medical device sector. Carr-Brendel will be based in Irvine, Calif. at JenaValve’s new corporate headquarters.

“With an impressive background and proven leadership in the medical device sector, Dr. Carr-Brendel is ideally qualified to lead JenaValve through its next phase of growth and position JenaValve as an important player in the large and rapidly growing worldwide TAVR market,” said Keltjens. “Our global team has worked diligently over the past several months to complete the design of our new pericardial tissue valve and transfemoral delivery system, and we will continue clinical work soon to support regulatory approval.”

Prior to joining JenaValve, Carr-Brendel served as general manager of Boston Scientific’s Bayer Interventional business. In this role she executed a successful commercial growth and integration strategy. Managing a business unit of 350 employees, Carr-Brendel was responsible for product development programs, setting commercial development strategy and overseeing program execution. Previously, she held various roles at Boston Scientific, including franchise general manager of the Peripheral Interventions division, vice president of research and development of the electrophysiology division, and director of research and development of the neurovascular division.

“Given JenaValve’s unique pericardial tissue valve and new transapical and transfemoral delivery systems, the company is poised to become a leader in transcatheter aortic valve repair,” said Carr-Brendel. “JenaValve is an innovative, nimble company that holds promise to make a significant impact in this competitive, growing market. I am confident that my product development expertise and experience in the commercialization of complex cardiovascular products are a perfect fit as we launch our new TAVR system worldwide. It is my intention to lead JenaValve to achieve the promise that the investors and employees have worked at over the past years for patients in need.”

“Our enhanced organizational focus, with corporate headquarters and innovation driven from Irvine, Calif. and global commercialization led from our Munich, Germany office, makes us well positioned for the European launch of our next-generation TAVR platform,” said Keltjens. “Given the large and rapidly growing market opportunity, our global team of talented, motivated employees and unwavering support from our investors, and now the added leadership of Dr. Carr-Brendel, we are truly excited about our future and fully expect to be competitive in this marketplace.”