JenaValve Technology Adds to its Management Team

JenaValve Technology Inc., a next-generation heart-valve technology company, has expanded its management team. The firm recently appointed Pieter Van den Steen as chief commercial officer and general manager of JenaValve’s Munich, Germany, office.

“Pieter’s international commercial expertise is essential to JenaValve as we continue to build a world-class sales and marketing platform,” said CEO Victoria E. Carr-Brendel, Ph.D. “JenaValve is establishing its presence as a global heart valve company. We have the bench strength to be able to quickly and efficiently bring our next generation products through our development programs into Europe initially and then the U.S. and elsewhere. Pieter joins us at a critical time in our transformation, and his deep expertise strengthens and extends our position as a dynamic commercial enterprise in advance of our multiple product launches.”

Van den Steen, who has nearly 20 years of commercial experience, including more than 10 years in medical device markets, brings a strong expertise in international sales and marketing to the position, according to the company. Prior to JenaValve, he served as the commercial leader of Boston Scientific’s Peripheral Interventions division in Europe, after being the general manager for one of its European regions. Prior to Boston Scientific, Van den Steen held international leadership roles with increasing responsibilities in sales and marketing for St. Jude Medical Inc. in neuromodulation and Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon and Cordis entities.

Van den Steen earned his master’s degree in Applied Economics from the University of Antwerp and graduated with an MBA from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.

“Joining JenaValve at this pivotal point in transition to a global commercial entity is very exciting,” said Van den Steen. “I believe the technology has the potential to transform the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) community and open up expanded market opportunities for all patients in need of a less invasive procedure for aortic valve replacement.”

JenaValve Technology, with operating locations in Irvine, Calif.; Leeds, England; and Munich, Germany; develops, manufactures and markets TAVR systems to treat patients suffering from aortic valve disease. The company’s Transapical TAVR system, consisting of the JenaValve valve system plus Cathlete PLUS delivery system, has CE Mark approval for aortic valve stenosis and for the unique indication to treat patients suffering from aortic valve insufficiency. JenaValve currently markets this product in Europe and other selected markets worldwide. JenaValve is backed by U.S., European and Asian investors, including Atlas Venture, Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners, Gimv, Legend Capital, NeoMed Management, Omega Funds, RMM, Sunstone Capital, Valiance and VI Partners.