Oraya Therapeutics Names Jim Taylor as President and Chief Executive Officer
NEWARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oraya Therapeutics, Inc., a medical technology company developing radiosurgical treatments for eye diseases, today announced the appointment of Jim Taylor as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Taylor brings over 25 years of experience in the medical device and technology sector.
Taylor joins Oraya after serving for seven years as President and CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. (CZMI), the recognized global leader in ophthalmic diagnostic and therapeutic systems for a wide range of eye diseases. He also served on the management board for CZM AG, the public parent company listed on the German stock exchange. During his tenure at CZM, the company commercialized several important new technologies, including optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging systems which have become gold standard tools in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma and retinal disease. Mr. Taylor also represented Zeiss on the AdvaMed Board, where he served in the ophthalmic working group.
“Jim’s appointment will ensure continued progress of Oraya’s IRay™ system for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Jim was a key part of the global CZM leadership, and his organization achieved significant growth and diversification during his tenure. We are delighted that he is joining the team,” said Guido Neels, Oraya Therapeutics board member and Managing Director at Essex Woodlands Health Ventures.
“In addition, his success in building and leading a world class management team and his expertise and reputation in the ophthalmic arena will be invaluable assets as we move into the next stage of development and growth for the very promising and unique technology that Oraya intends to bring to AMD patients and caregivers around the world,” continued Neels.
Prior to joining CZM, Taylor served as President of the $200 million Coherent Medical Group (ophthalmic and surgical lasers), and as President of Ohmeda Medical Systems, at that time the global leader in anesthesia delivery and monitoring systems. Over the course of his career, he has also worked in senior roles in the medical imaging, critical care monitoring and medical services sectors of the industry.
“We are delighted to have a well-respected leader in the industry like Jim join Oraya, and we look forward to great things,” said Michael Gertner, M.D., founder of Oraya Therapeutics. “In combination with our recent financing, we can now efficiently bring this potentially revolutionary product to physicians and patients.”
Taylor holds a BS degree with honors from the United States Naval Academy, and a Masters in Business from John’s Hopkins University. He serves on the board of the Blind Babies Foundation in Northern California, and will be joining the board of Oraya Therapeutics, Inc.
The CEO search was completed by O’Hara Associates. For more information on Oraya Therapeutics, please visit www.orayainc.com.
About Oraya Therapeutics
Oraya Therapeutics is a privately-held company founded in 2007 by Michael Gertner, M.D., an adjunct partner at Essex Woodlands Health Ventures. The company is focused on changing the paradigm of eye care by developing a radiosurgical system for the non-invasive treatment of disorders of the eye. Oraya has raised $64 million since inception and is located in Newark, California. For further information, please contact Kate Jennings, kate@maricich.com.
Taylor joins Oraya after serving for seven years as President and CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. (CZMI), the recognized global leader in ophthalmic diagnostic and therapeutic systems for a wide range of eye diseases. He also served on the management board for CZM AG, the public parent company listed on the German stock exchange. During his tenure at CZM, the company commercialized several important new technologies, including optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging systems which have become gold standard tools in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma and retinal disease. Mr. Taylor also represented Zeiss on the AdvaMed Board, where he served in the ophthalmic working group.
“Jim’s appointment will ensure continued progress of Oraya’s IRay™ system for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Jim was a key part of the global CZM leadership, and his organization achieved significant growth and diversification during his tenure. We are delighted that he is joining the team,” said Guido Neels, Oraya Therapeutics board member and Managing Director at Essex Woodlands Health Ventures.
“In addition, his success in building and leading a world class management team and his expertise and reputation in the ophthalmic arena will be invaluable assets as we move into the next stage of development and growth for the very promising and unique technology that Oraya intends to bring to AMD patients and caregivers around the world,” continued Neels.
Prior to joining CZM, Taylor served as President of the $200 million Coherent Medical Group (ophthalmic and surgical lasers), and as President of Ohmeda Medical Systems, at that time the global leader in anesthesia delivery and monitoring systems. Over the course of his career, he has also worked in senior roles in the medical imaging, critical care monitoring and medical services sectors of the industry.
“We are delighted to have a well-respected leader in the industry like Jim join Oraya, and we look forward to great things,” said Michael Gertner, M.D., founder of Oraya Therapeutics. “In combination with our recent financing, we can now efficiently bring this potentially revolutionary product to physicians and patients.”
Taylor holds a BS degree with honors from the United States Naval Academy, and a Masters in Business from John’s Hopkins University. He serves on the board of the Blind Babies Foundation in Northern California, and will be joining the board of Oraya Therapeutics, Inc.
The CEO search was completed by O’Hara Associates. For more information on Oraya Therapeutics, please visit www.orayainc.com.
About Oraya Therapeutics
Oraya Therapeutics is a privately-held company founded in 2007 by Michael Gertner, M.D., an adjunct partner at Essex Woodlands Health Ventures. The company is focused on changing the paradigm of eye care by developing a radiosurgical system for the non-invasive treatment of disorders of the eye. Oraya has raised $64 million since inception and is located in Newark, California. For further information, please contact Kate Jennings, kate@maricich.com.