NEW YORK NY, February 25, 2008 - Paradigm Spine, LLC, a developer of innovative posterior non-fusion spinal implant solutions, announced that it has appointed J. Chris McAuliffe to the position of Executive Vice President, Field Operations, in preparation for the launch of its first US products in 2008.
Mr. McAuliffe joined Paradigm Spine in 2006 as Director of Technical Services and Professional Education to lead the US coflex® IDE trial.
Marc R. Viscogliosi, Chief Executive Officer of Paradigm Spine, said: “Chris McAuliffe’s efforts have driven significant momentum in the coflex® trial and we expect enrollment to be completed in 2008.”
Mr. McAuliffe is responsible for the addition of key clinical sites and led the expansion of the US IDE distribution and support network. He also implemented the Company’s unique clinical marketing efforts that have contributed to the acceleration of patient enrollment in the coflex® trial.
The coflex® interlaminar/interspinous process stabilization device is a functionally dynamic implant indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe spinal stenosis. Outside the US, the coflex® device has a clinical history of more than a decade of use.
“There have been approximately 25,000 implants outside the US, with surgeons and patients reporting good to excellent results,” Mr. Viscogliosi said.
“Chris has been a very positive addition to our strong team. The Board and I recognize that his talents, leadership and dedication have made a real impact on the coflex® IDE trial and, as a result, Paradigm Spine is well prepared to commercialize technologies in the US,” Mr. Viscogliosi added.
“Chris will provide the leadership qualities needed to organize our sales, marketing, professional education, logistics and customer service efforts, something he has done before in his career and we expect him to perform at a high level in this role for Paradigm Spine,” Mr. Viscogliosi said.
Mr .McAuliffe said: “I appreciate Marc’s confidence in allowing me to assume an expanded role at Paradigm Spine. I am fortunate to work with a very talented team of professionals in all functional areas of the Company and it is an honor to work with many of the very best spine surgeons in the US and around the world.”
Prior to joining Paradigm Spine, Mr. McAuliffe served as Executive Vice President – Sales, Marketing and Professional Education for Confluent Surgical (since acquired by Tyco/Covidien), a neurosurgical and spine specialty company where he led the launch of the DuraSeal polymer sealant.
Previously, Mr. McAuliffe served as Vice President – Sales, Marketing and Professional Education for Endius, Inc. (recently acquired by Zimmer Spine), a technology leader in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. Before that, he was Vice President – Sales at Bioelectron, where he led the launch of the SpinalPak Spinal Fusion Stimulator to accelerate spine fusion. His previous positions in sales, marketing and management were with J&J and Biomet.
About Paradigm Spine, LLC Paradigm Spine is a company focused on providing indication specific non-fusion solutions for orthopedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons who treat spinal conditions and diseases.
The company is concentrating on building a multi-product non-fusion portfolio. The company’s signature product is the coflex® interlaminar/interspinous functionally dynamic stabilization device, currently being used in over 30 countries. The company has commenced a multi-center IDE clinical trial of the coflex® implant in the United States. The FDA recently cleared the company’s DSS system, which will be the company’s first product to be marketed in the United States. Paradigm Spine’s other core platform involves non-fusion scoliosis technologies.
For more information please visit: www.paradigmspine.com
