European Medtech Organizations Select Joint CEO

The European Medical Technology Industry Association (Eucomed) and the European Diagnostic Manufacturers Association (EDMA) have named Serge Bernasconi as both organizations’ new CEO. He took on the role on July 16, succeeding Luciano Cattani at Eucomed and Volker Oeding at EDMA.

Both associations have been collaborating as of late in what, in January, was called a “European industry alliance.” The members of Eucomed represent the in vitro diagnostics industry, while those of EDMA represent the medical technology industry in Europe. The selection of a joint CEO was sought to help cohesively join the two associations.
“The time is right to further intensify the cooperation between Eucomed and EDMA,” said Eucomed Chairman Guy Lebeau, M.D.

Bernasconi has more than 30 years experience in pharmaceuticals and medical devices, having worked for companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Schering Plough in the United States and Europe, and more recently, Medtronic. In his capacity as president and international regional vice president of Medtronic France, he was elected president of the French Association for the Promotion of Innovation in Medical Devices, and vice president and treasurer of the French Medical Technology Industry Association.

“I am very pleased to welcome Serge to lead the teams at EDMA and Eucomed,” said Jürgen Schulze, Ph.D., president of EDMA. “Serge’s considerable experience will be a great asset to the industries and we are all very much looking forward to building rewarding partnerships that benefit the entire healthcare equation.”

For his part, Bernasconi is enthusiastic about his new role, commenting, “I am convinced that both associations occupy an excellent position to help in advancing healthcare in Europe. As our alliance grows stronger, we will become ever more effective in delivering on this promise.”