Pulse Biosciences Strengthens Executive Team

Pulse Biosciences Inc. has augmented its C-Suite lineup with the appointment of Liane Teplitsky as chief operating officer (COO) and expanding Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. David Kenigsberg’s role to full-time.

The top-tier enhancements bolster the company’s strategy to prioritize and accelerate the development and future commercialization of its nPulse Cardiac Catheter Ablation System. As COO, Teplitsky will oversee the company’s clinical, regulatory, quality, and commercial functions.

“We are thrilled to welcome Liane to Pulse at such a consequential moment in the company’s development,” Pulse Biosciences Co-Chairman/CEO Paul LaViolette said. “She brings a wealth of relevant experience and a remarkable track record of building and scaling medtech businesses. Her operational and leadership experience will be instrumental in accelerating our strategic priorities with emphasis on the cardiac catheter development program. Together with Dr. Kenigsberg’s expanded commitment to our clinical strategy, we have expanded the depth and capability of our executive team and are now optimally positioned to execute on our clinical and regulatory objectives.”

Teplitsky has 20 years of experience leading and scaling medical technology businesses, with a particular focus on electrophysiology, cardiovascular, and digital health technologies. She most recently served as CEO of Artedrone, where she led the strategy and development of an autonomous robotic technology for stroke treatment. Previously, Teplitsky held senior marketing and commercial leadership roles at Abbott Laboratories and St. Jude Medical, contributing to the development, clinical validation, and global commercialization of cardiovascular and EP therapies. She also served as president of Robotics, Technology, and Data Solutions at Zimmer Biomet, where she led global strategy and commercialization for robotics and digital health technologies.

Teplitsky earned a master of science degree in biomedical engineering from Duke University and bachelor of science degrees in electrical engineering and physiology from the University of Saskatchewan. She is currently board chairman at Carvolix (Paris-EUR) and will maintain this role upon joining Pulse Biosciences.

“What drew me to Pulse was the science; nanosecond PFA is a differentiated technology with the potential to meaningfully advance how atrial fibrillation is treated and patients respond,” Teplitsky stated. “The clinical foundation is strong, the team is exceptional, and the company is at an inflection point where focused execution can make a real difference. I am eager to contribute and look forward to working alongside the Pulse team to deliver on that potential for patients.”

Besides appointing Teplitsky as COO, the company also made Dr. Kenigsberg a full-time employee. The doctor will serve as CMO while also maintaining his active routine clinical practice. His increased leadership capacity will benefit the company as it advances its IDE pivotal clinical study evaluating the nPulse Cardiac Catheter System for atrial fibrillation treatment, executives claim. Dr. Kenigsberg has extensive experience leading clinical trials in electrophysiology and is a recognized key opinion leader in pulsed field ablation.

In connection with her appointment as COO, and pursuant to her employment agreement terms, the company granted Teplitsky equity inducement awards outside of its 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, but under the terms of its 2017 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan. These awards consist of (i) a nonstatutory stock option (the Start Date Option) to purchase up to 700,000 shares of common company stock for $19.06 per share, and (ii) restricted stock units (the “Start Date RSUs”) representing 200,000 shares of common stock.

Pulse Biosciences has awarded inducement options to two other recently hired employees to purchase, in aggregate, up to 7,700 shares of company stock at $19.06 per share.

Pulse Biosciences is a bioelectric medicine company developing proprietary nPulse technology that delivers nanosecond electrical energy pulses to non-thermally clear cells while sparing adjacent non-cellular tissue and initiating regulated cell death. The company is actively developing its nPulse technology to treat atrial fibrillation and other conditions in a select few other markets.