Synchron Appoints Kurt Haggstrom as Chief Commercial Officer

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Synchron, an endovascular brain-computer (BCI) interface company, today announced the appointment of Kurt Haggstrom as Chief Commercial Officer. Haggstrom brings an extensive background in medical device commercialization and product launches, with a technical background in R&D engineering, holding over 20 U.S. patents.

“I am honored and excited to join the Synchron team and be part of this amazing journey to help the millions of people worldwide who suffer from paralysis,” said Kurt Haggstrom, Chief Commercial Officer, Synchron. “Throughout the past 20+ years, I have pursued my passion within the medical technology industry to help improve the lives of patients all around the world. I am eager to bring my experience to Synchron to help support its mission of developing an endovascular implant that can transfer information from every corner of the brain at scale.”

At Synchron, Haggstrom will lead the commercial organization, including product, marketing and reimbursement.

Haggstrom most recently served as Vice President of Global Product and Strategy Marketing at Cordis, a manufacturer of interventional cardiovascular technology. Previously, Haggstrom served as the Global Director of Marketing, Neurovascular at Medtronic, a leading medical equipment manufacturer, where he worked for 18 years. During his time at Medtronic, Haggstrom worked in several roles in product management and marketing, including playing a critical role in the development and commercial launch of the disruptive pipeline embolization device.

“We are thrilled to have Kurt join the team. Kurt will bring world-class commercial leadership to ensure we have designed the product and clinical trials in readiness for launch of the first commercial implantable BCI into the U.S. market,” said Tom Oxley, CEO, Synchron. “Kurt joins us at a crucial moment in our development, on the heels of successful clinical results in our Australia trial, and commencement of our U.S. trial.”

Haggstrom’s hiring follows Synchron’s recent enrollment of the first-ever BCI implant in the U.S. at Mount Sinai hospital in New York. Once complete, the procedure will mark a milestone in the BCI community when the first U.S. patient receives the Stentrode BCI.

​​About the Stentrode™

Synchron’s flagship technology, the Stentrode, is an endovascular brain implant designed to enable patients to wirelessly control digital devices through thought and improve functional independence. Synchron’s foundational technology, a motor neuroprosthesis (MNP), or motor BCI, is implanted via the jugular vein using neurointerventional techniques commonly used to treat stroke, and does not require drilling into the skull or open brain surgery. The system is designed for patients suffering from paralysis as a result of a broad range of conditions, and aims to be user friendly and dependable for patients to use autonomously.

About Synchron, Inc.

Synchron, an endovascular brain interface company, is a leader in implantable neural interface technology. The clinical-stage company is developing a neuroprosthesis for the treatment of paralysis and the first endovascular implantable neuromodulation therapy. Future applications include the potential to diagnose and treat conditions of the nervous system, including Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, depression, and hypertension. Synchron is headquartered in New York City, with offices in Silicon Valley, California and R&D facilities in Melbourne, Australia. For more information, visit www.synchron.com. Follow us on Twitter @synchroninc.