Mauna Kea Technologies Appoints Chief Operating Officer

Mauna Kea Technologies, inventor of Cellvizio, the multidisciplinary confocal laser endomicroscopy platform, has appointed John Soto as chief operating officer (COO). Soto will be responsible for Mauna Kea’s global operations and commercial execution, contributing more than 25 years of experience in the medical device industry to Mauna Kea’s corporate leadership team. He will report to Sacha Loiseau, founder and CEO.
 
Prior to joining Mauna Kea Technologies, Soto served as executive vice president and chief commercial officer at AngioDynamics, where he oversaw the company’s global commercial execution and strategy, including international distribution partnerships.
 
“John has a track record of generating rapid growth at global medical device companies and driving sustained commercial success. His experience combined with our focus on commercial execution, particularly in the U.S. market, will benefit our 2017 performance,” said Loiseau.
 
Prior to AngioDynamics, Soto’s earlier roles include senior leadership positions with Smith & Nephew plc, RITA Medical Systems, Computer Motion and U.S. Surgical. Soto served in the British Royal Navy where he earned a degree in electronic engineering and studied medical marketing at the University of California at Los Angeles.

Joseph DeVivo, Mauna Kea Technologies board member, former CEO of AngioDynamics and currently CEO of InTouch Health, added: “Having worked with John Soto for more than 20 years, I am highly confident of his abilities as a commercial and business leader. John will increase Mauna Kea’s capacity to achieve its operating and strategic objectives.”

Soto succeeds Pierre Forest, who resigned to pursue other interests.
 
“Mauna Kea Technologies is at an inflection point today. The Cellvizio platform is supported by an impressive body of clinical evidence, important medical society endorsements and much improved U.S. reimbursement support.” said Soto. “I am excited to join the team and look forward to contributing to the company’s commercial success.”

Mauna Kea Technologies is focused on eliminating uncertainties related to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other diseases thanks to real time in-vivo microscopic visualization. The company’s flagship product, Cellvizio, has received clearance to sell a wide range of applications in more than 40 countries, including the United States, Europe, Japan, China, Canada, Brazil and Mexico.

Watch the video below to learn more about Cellvizio: