MANSFIELD, Mass., April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- NDO Surgical, Inc. announced that John Frantzis was appointed vice president of global sales and business development and will start his tenure at the SAGES meeting being held this week in Las Vegas. Mr. Frantzis brings more than 25 years experience managing emerging high-technology and medical device companies, and has consistently directed significant sales growth and formed critical business alliances. At NDO Surgical, Frantzis is responsible for expanding domestic and global adoption of the company’s minimally invasive GERD procedure, utilizing the Plicator System.
Most recently, Frantzis was vice president of sales and business development at Retica, an ocular biometric company. He helped secure financing and develop corporate strategy, while directing worldwide sales, business development and partner programs.
“John has played an instrumental role helping several early-stage companies achieve remarkable revenue growth,” said Bernard Haffey, president and CEO of NDO Surgical. “He is the perfect person to leverage the Plicator’s demonstrated clinical efficacy into global adoption.”
Frantzis has utilized a variety of business development, marketing and sales efforts to significantly grow revenues. As executive vice president for Summit Technology, he directed sales and marketing efforts that helped revenues soar from $1 million to $70 million. Frantzis developed worldwide educational programs with key physician thought leaders and establish a 42- country distribution network.
Before Summit, John led a global sales organization for ADC Telecommunications. Under his leadership, the group’s revenues grew from $5 million to $210 million within four years, and the customer base increased 600 percent within three years.
“I am pleased to join NDO Surgical at the SAGES 2007 meeting; it is the ideal venue to establish immediate contact with our valued customers and thought leaders,” said Frantzis. “As an emerging medical device company, NDO Surgical is a perfect environment where I can draw on my past experience with innovative market entrants. I look forward to helping the millions afflicted with GERD worldwide receive minimally invasive, outpatient relief with the Plicator.”
Throughout his career, John has directed novel product launches, developed effective direct sales forces, and implemented global marketing strategy and education programs. Frantzis received his bachelor’s degree from William and Jefferson College, and attended Columbia University Business School’s executive management program.
About NDO Surgical
Based in Mansfield, Mass., NDO Surgical is a privately held medical technology company dedicated to the development of innovative endoscopic technologies for gastrointestinal diseases. Investors include Versant Ventures, Polaris Ventures, and Menlo Ventures. Additional information is available at the Company’s website at http://www.ndosurgical.com .
About Versant Ventures
Versant Ventures is a leading healthcare-focused venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments in medical devices, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, healthcare services, and healthcare information technology. The firm, founded in 1999, consists of a seasoned team of eleven managing directors with more than 105 years of venture capital investing experience and more than 145 years of operating experience. Versant Ventures currently manages over $1 billion in committed capital having raised its third fund in November 2005, and is currently managing over 70 companies in its portfolio. For additional information, please visit http://www.versantventures.com .
About Polaris Ventures
Established in 1996, with offices in Waltham and Seattle, Polaris has over $3 billion under management. Polaris Venture Partners have helped build numerous market leading companies, including Accordant Health Services, Advanced Inhalation Research, Akamai Technologies, Allaire, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, American Superconductor, Aspect Medical Systems, Avici Systems, Centra Software, Classifieds2000, deCODE genetics, Exchange.com, Matrics, Microbia, Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Paradigm Genetics, Powersoft, PSCI, SolidWorks and TransForm Pharmaceuticals. More information about Polaris Venture Partners is available at http://www.polarisventures.com .
About Menlo Ventures
Menlo Ventures provides long-term capital and management support to early- stage and emerging-growth companies from its latest $1.2 billion venture capital fund. The firm is one of Silicon Valley’s oldest venture capital partnerships, and has organized and managed ten venture funds since inception in 1976. With over $3.9 billion under management, and a team with over one hundred years of collective experience in technology, marketing, sales and general management, Menlo Ventures has the expertise and resources to support the most ambitious of growing companies. For additional information, please visit http://www.menloventures.com .
NDO Surgical, Inc.
CONTACT: Rhonda Bracey, Vice President, Finance & Administration, of NDOSurgical Inc., +1-508-337-8881, ext. 121, rbracey@ndosurgical.com
