PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Calhoun Vision, the developer of groundbreaking ocular technology designed to allow cataract surgeons to adjust the power of a lens after implantation in the eye, has announced the election to its board of directors of Joseph M. DeVivo, president and chief executive officer of AngioDynamics. The addition of the proven business leader comes during the third and final phase of the U.S. clinical study of Calhoun Vision’s Light Adjustable Lens (LAL®), the world’s first intraocular lens intended to be modified in one or two visits after being implanted with the goal of tailoring refractive power to a patient’s specific, individual needs. Such customization of treatment after lens implant surgery holds promise for achieving high levels of visual acuity without glasses.
“Joe is a prolific leader in the medical device industry who will bring significant additional knowledge and insight to our committed and skilled board of directors,” said D. Verne Sharma, chairman and chief executive officer of Calhoun Vision. “His extraordinary experience in building brands and businesses will be invaluable to us as we look to expand LAL adoption in global markets and seek approval of the technology in the U.S.”
DeVivo brings a more than 20-year track record of business success to the Calhoun Vision board. Since taking the helm of AngioDynamics (Nasdaq:ANGO) in September 2011, the company acquired Navilyst Medical and has almost doubled its worldwide revenues from $200 million to $360 million. Prior to AngioDynamics, DeVivo served as global president of Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics where he successfully led the company’s $2 billion global orthopedics business to record growth. Previously, DeVivo was president and chief executive officer of RITA Medical Systems, which he transitioned from an ablation company to the leader in medical device oncology. Acquired by AngioDynamics in 2006 during DeVivo’s tenure, RITA’s products formed much of AngioDynamics’ Oncology/Surgery division and have been key drivers of the company’s growth. Prior to RITA, DeVivo served as president, chief operating officer and director of Computer Motion, where he led a turnaround and successful merger with Intuitive Surgical. Earlier, DeVivo was vice president and general manager of a $350 million division of TYCO International’s Healthcare Business, U.S. Surgical/Davis and Geck Sutures, where he was responsible for sales, marketing, research and development, and finance in its vascular business. DeVivo also currently serves on the board of directors of AdvaMed and is board chairman of SurgiQuest.
“Calhoun Vision is developing revolutionary technology that has the potential to change the game in lens implant surgery, the most widely performed implant procedure in the world,” DeVivo said. “I’m honored to join the board of a company that has such a tremendous opportunity to improve the standard of care, and I look forward to offering my insights and guidance as the company continues to expand international sales, seek approval of the LAL in the U.S. and develop new products for the future.”
About Calhoun Vision
Calhoun Vision is redefining lens implant surgery by developing technology that enables surgeons to change the power of a lens after it has been implanted, with the potential to provide unparalleled visual outcomes. The company develops intraocular lenses that, when combined with a custom-designed digital light source, are intended to enable the surgeon to modify intraocular lens power after implantation to the specific, individual visual needs of each patient. Calhoun Vision’s Light Adjustable Lens (LAL®) is CE Mark approved for use in Europe, and is commercially available to patients in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico and the Czech Republic. It is currently in the third phase of clinical trials before submission for marketing approval in the United States.
Caution: The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) is an investigational device and is not approved or cleared for sale within the United States. Limited by Federal law to investigational use.
