SANTA ROSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Direct Flow Medical, Inc., a privately held, emerging medical device company focused on the next generation, minimally invasive implant to treat patients with heart valve disease announced the appointment of Charles Davidson, MD, as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Davidson brings a wealth of knowledge to the organization, having spent over 20 years in interventional cardiology and medicine. He has also worked extensively in his career with medical device industry leaders and start-up companies.
Dr. Davidson currently is a Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and is the Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Clinical Chief of Cardiology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. His professional memberships include Fellow, American College of Cardiology, Fellow of the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions and a Fellow membership with the Clinical Council, American Heart Association. Prior positions were held at Duke University Medical Center and Yale University School of Medicine. “Dr. Davidson’s experience in interventional cardiology and his extensive knowledge of cardiac care will be invaluable to Direct Flow Medical as we continue to expand our clinical trials and drive the future growth of the Company,” commented Bernard Lyons, President and CEO of Direct Flow Medical. “His longstanding thought leadership in the care of patients with cardiac disease, experience in novel interventional devices combined with his first-hand experience in the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures will help us achieve our clinical and market objectives. Simply, this is just a terrific addition to our existing team.” The current clinical programs are actively recruiting patients outside the United States.
Dr. Davidson’s connection with Direct Flow Medical began 3 years ago, when he first reviewed the early clinical data from the feasibility study and has been a key consultant to the DISCOVER CE Mark Study which was initiated late in 2011. About his newest affiliation with the organization, Dr. Davidson says, “I am very impressed with the Direct Flow Medical device. This is a true, second generation device which is designed to allow for precise placement, conforms to the aortic valve anatomy, thereby virtually eliminating any paravalvular leaks. I look forward to working with the Direct Flow Medical Team and their outstanding group of clinical investigators and advisors to help bring this latest, unique innovation to fruition. The Direct Flow Medical device addresses one of the most important clinical issues in the TAVR Market – aortic regurgitation. It has the potential to improve clinical outcomes globally and better serve the needs of this growing patient population.”
About Direct Flow Medical, Inc.
Founded in 2004, the Company is headquartered in Santa Rosa, California, and has a second technology and manufacturing facility in Lake Forest, California. The Company’s unique implant design is not limited to aortic valve disease but is readily applicable to mitral and other heart valve anatomical sites. Direct Flow Medical has raised 3 rounds of funding to date with the following investors: EDF Ventures, New Leaf Venture Partners, Spray Venture Partners, Foundation Medical Partners, VantagePoint Venture Partners, ePlanet Venture Partners and strategic corporate investors. For further information, please visit the website at www.directflowmedical.com.
The Direct Flow Medical® Transcatheter Aortic Valve System is an investigation device, limited by applicable law to investigational use and not available for sale.