MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CardioKinetix Inc., a medical device company pioneering a catheter-based treatment for heart failure, announced today that Maria Sainz has joined the company as president and chief executive officer. A veteran medical device executive, Maria brings more than 20 years of international experience to the role. Most recently Maria served as general manager of Stryker Neurovascular, which acquired Concentric Medical, Inc. in October 2011 under her leadership as president and CEO.
“We are delighted to welcome Maria to CardioKinetix,” said Casey Tansey, general partner at U.S. Venture Partners and the chairman of the company’s Board of Directors. “She is an exceptional leader with a proven record of success in bringing innovative new therapies to market internationally. I am confident that this strong commercial experience, as well as her commitment to improving quality of life for patients with cardiovascular disease, will serve CardioKinetix well as it moves toward its next stage of growth.”
“CardioKinetix is at an exciting time as we prepare for commercialization of the first-of-its-kind Parachute™ Ventricular Partitioning Device in Europe and begin the randomized pivotal trial of the therapy in the United States,” said Maria. “I feel fortunate to be part of bringing this innovative technology to heart failure patients around the world. There is a significant unmet need for new treatments for these patients, who suffer from debilitating symptoms and are in need of additional options for improving their quality of life.”
Prior to joining Concentric Medical, Ms. Sainz held several senior roles at Guidant Corporation including president of the Cardiac Surgery business; vice president, Global Marketing for Vascular Intervention; and vice president, Intermedics Cardiac Rhythm Management in Europe. Ms. Sainz received an M.A. in Languages from the University Complutense in Madrid, Spain and a Masters in International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management.
Maria will be based at the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif.
About the Parachute™ Ventricular Partitioning Device
The first-of-its-kind Parachute Ventricular Partitioning Device is a minimally invasive treatment for patients with heart failure caused by damage to the heart muscle following a heart attack. Delivered through a catheter inserted in the femoral artery, the small parachute-shaped implant partitions off the damaged portion of the heart, decreasing overall volume and restoring the geometry and function of the heart’s left ventricle. Clinical data demonstrates improved overall cardiac function and quality of life for patients treated with the device.
The Parachute Ventricular Partitioning Device received CE Mark in 2011. In the U.S., the Parachute system is an investigational device limited by federal law to investigational use only and is not available for sale.
About CardioKinetix Inc.
CardioKinetix, based in Menlo Park, Calif., is pioneering the catheter-based Parachute™ Ventricular Partitioning Device for heart failure. Privately held, the company is backed by SV Life Sciences, New Leaf Venture Partners, U.S. Venture Partners, Panorama Capital, and H&Q Healthcare Investors. For more information please visit www.cardiokinetix.com.
Contact:
CardioKinetix
Barry Templin, 650-364-7016
barry@cardiokinetix.com
