Former JNJ Executive Joins Nevro Corp. Board

Menlo Park, Calif.-based Nevro Corp., a medical device company that has developed a neuromodulation platform for the treatment of chronic pain, has named Brad Vale, Ph.D., DVM, former head of Johnson & Johnson Development Company (JJDC)—the venture capital arm of Johnson & Johnson—to its board of directors.

Vale has more than 30 years of experience developing, commercializing and investing in medical devices.  He has extensive experience in medical device research and development, including blood-compatible polymers, lasers, microsurgery, novel tissue closure, and hyaluronic acid for adhesion prevention.

“We are delighted to add Dr. Vale, a medical device industry leader with significant strategic business experience in market-changing technologies and companies, to our board,” said Chairman and CEO Michael DeMane. “Brad’s leadership, experience and insights have been renowned in Silicon Valley for over two decades and they are great assets as we further our mission of improving the quality of life of those afflicted with debilitating chronic pain.”

“It is an honor to join an organization committed to providing life-changing treatment for patients suffering from chronic pain,” said Vale. “Nevro is emerging as a leader in the spinal cord stimulation field, and I am thrilled to join the company’s board of directors at this exciting stage of development.”

Vale joined JJDC in 1992, and in 1997 moved to California to establish the Silicon Valley office. Since joining JJDC, he has invested in more than 30 companies. In 2008, Vale was appointed to the position of vice president, head of venture investments. In 2012, Vale was named head of JJDC. Prior to joining JJDC, he supported Johnson & Johnson’s medical device businesses at the Corporate Office of Science and Technology. From 1982 to 1989, he was at Ethicon Inc., a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, working on preclinical studies, new business development, and a coronary artery bypass graft internal venture.

In connection with Vale’s appointment, Peter T. Bisgaard, a partner at Novo Ventures, stepped down from the board of directors at Nevro.

“Peter has been a significant contributor toward the successful transition of Nevro to a public company and his extensive expertise growing businesses in the medical technology sector has been valuable,” said DeMane. “We are thankful for his contributions to the company during his tenure on the board.”