NeoChord Names Board Chairman

NeoChord Inc., a privately-held medical technology company developing minimally invasive valve repair technology for degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR), has appointed J. Alex Martin, who currently serves as a director on the company’s board, as chairman, effective immediately.  Michael Fulton, M.D., the company’s current board chairman, will remain “as an integral member” of the board.
      
“Alex has over 40 years of experience in the healthcare and medical device industries, and I am delighted that NeoChord can further benefit from his leadership in his new role as board chairman,” said David Chung, president and CEO of NeoChord. “His executive experience and track record in high growth organizations will be invaluable to NeoChord as we continue to advance our strategic objectives. In prior roles, Alex has been instrumental in driving business development activities and broad corporate growth. I also would like to thank Dr. Fulton for his many contributions and direction as board chairman, including his role as Interim CEO, while leading the CEO search committee in 2014. We look forward to his future contributions as a director and greatly appreciate his continued dedication and commitment to NeoChord.”
 
Martin has significant corporate executive of the healthcare and medical device industries experience. He previously served as the president and CEO of Coherex Medical, where he led the company to a successful exit with Biosense Webster, a Johnson and Johnson company, in November 2015. Prior to Coherex, Martin was the president and CEO of WorldHeart Corporation, where he led the company to a successful exit with HeartWare in August 2012. Previously, Martin has held senior leadership roles with Edwards Lifesciences, Cordis Corporation (a Johnson & Johnson Company), and SonaMed Corporation. Martin has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky.

“I am pleased to continue working alongside the company’s management team and my fellow board members,” said Martin. “I deeply believe in NeoChord’s mission and am very encouraged that their new off-pump approach provides a significant solution for a disease that currently can only be addressed with more invasive bypass pump surgery.”
 
Founded in 2007 and based in St. Louis Park, Minn., NeoChord Inc. develops minimally invasive repair technology for DMR. NeoChord’s DS1000 system received CE market clearance in December 2012. NeoChord received IDE approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the U.S. pivotal trial in May 2016.