09.11.14
Irvine, Calif.-based JenaValve Technology Inc., a manufacturer of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) systems for the treatment of aortic valve disease, has named cardiovascular medical device industry veteran Stefan Schreck, Ph.D., as its new chief technology officer, effective immediately.
Schreck is a prolific inventor with more than 80 U.S. patents and patent applications and brings to JenaValve more than 30 years of technology innovation and engineering leadership.
“Dr. Schreck is joining JenaValve at a time of great change and opportunity. Stefan’s extensive domain experience and track record of innovations in the design of heart valves and related delivery systems makes him uniquely qualified to advance our pipeline and help position JenaValve as an important global TAVI player,” said David J. Drachman, who recently was named CEO of the company (see the July/August issue of MPO). “We continue to expand our worldwide commercial footprint for our transapical TAVI system and are also investing significant resources in the development of our innovative transfemoral (TF) platform which we plan to launch in Europe during 2015. Our devices are the only TAVI products with CE mark for both aortic stenosis and aortic insufficiency patients. Notably, our new steerable TF product has recently received[U.S. Food and Drug Administration] Fast Track designation.”
Schreck was responsible for the development of surgical heart valve repair and replacement products including annuloplasty rings, and aortic and mitral bioprosthesis at Edwards Lifesciences before and after the spinoff from Baxter Healthcare. He also invented the first catheter-based valve concepts for Edwards. From 2004 to 2013, Schreck served as vice president of technology and later chief technology officer at Irvine-based Endologix Inc.
“The novel JenaValve technology platform represents immense clinical value as its design elements address key technical challenges facing physicians,” Schreck said in a prepared statement. “My goal is to help deliver a pipeline of innovative bioprosthesis systems in a more rapid fashion. I am impressed with Mr. Drachman’s vision for JenaValve and commitment to aggressively compete with the larger players in the space.”
Schreck has a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and an master’s degree in aerospace engineering. Prior to joining the medical device industry, he conducted biomedical research at the Georgia Institute of Technology and at the University of Southern California-Los Angeles
Schreck is a prolific inventor with more than 80 U.S. patents and patent applications and brings to JenaValve more than 30 years of technology innovation and engineering leadership.
“Dr. Schreck is joining JenaValve at a time of great change and opportunity. Stefan’s extensive domain experience and track record of innovations in the design of heart valves and related delivery systems makes him uniquely qualified to advance our pipeline and help position JenaValve as an important global TAVI player,” said David J. Drachman, who recently was named CEO of the company (see the July/August issue of MPO). “We continue to expand our worldwide commercial footprint for our transapical TAVI system and are also investing significant resources in the development of our innovative transfemoral (TF) platform which we plan to launch in Europe during 2015. Our devices are the only TAVI products with CE mark for both aortic stenosis and aortic insufficiency patients. Notably, our new steerable TF product has recently received[U.S. Food and Drug Administration] Fast Track designation.”
Schreck was responsible for the development of surgical heart valve repair and replacement products including annuloplasty rings, and aortic and mitral bioprosthesis at Edwards Lifesciences before and after the spinoff from Baxter Healthcare. He also invented the first catheter-based valve concepts for Edwards. From 2004 to 2013, Schreck served as vice president of technology and later chief technology officer at Irvine-based Endologix Inc.
“The novel JenaValve technology platform represents immense clinical value as its design elements address key technical challenges facing physicians,” Schreck said in a prepared statement. “My goal is to help deliver a pipeline of innovative bioprosthesis systems in a more rapid fashion. I am impressed with Mr. Drachman’s vision for JenaValve and commitment to aggressively compete with the larger players in the space.”
Schreck has a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and an master’s degree in aerospace engineering. Prior to joining the medical device industry, he conducted biomedical research at the Georgia Institute of Technology and at the University of Southern California-Los Angeles