Sam Brusco, Associate Editor01.25.22
Cartilage biomimetic product developer Hyalex Orthopaedics has appointed Carl Vause as its new CEO, succeeding interim president Michael Hawkins, Ph.D. Dr. Hawkins was named chief technology officer for the company.
Prior to Hyalex, Vause served as VP of marketing at CONMED Orthopedic Solutions as well as CEO if Soft Robotics and global joint repair franchise leader at Smith+Nephew.
Dr. Hawkins served for 35 years at Zimmer Holdings, where he became VP of corporate research.
"We are thrilled to welcome Carl with his extensive experience in orthopaedics and sports medicine," Wende Hutton of Canaan Partners and chair of the board at Hyalex told the press. "He is well-prepared to collaborate with the surgical community as we look to enter the clinic this year and expand our HYALEX materials platform and product portfolio. We are also privileged to have the ongoing expertise of Mike Hawkins on our executive team at a critical time during which the company has advanced from a focus on research to product and clinical development."
The HYALEX Cartilage System repairs cartilage lesions and restores function for patients with knee articular cartilage loss and bone requiring surgery. The technology earned U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Breakthrough Device Designation last year. The platform provides a single-step, off-the-shelf, low-friction, low-wear, durable tool for articular lesions or injury.
"A reliable and reproducible solution for articular joint pain caused by cartilage lesions is one of the largest untapped opportunities in orthopedics," said Vause. "The HYALEX Cartilage System is the first truly biomimetic cartilage implant that has the potential to help millions of patients currently lacking treatment options, and not wanting a total joint replacement. Our mission is to help these patients be active and stay active."
Prior to Hyalex, Vause served as VP of marketing at CONMED Orthopedic Solutions as well as CEO if Soft Robotics and global joint repair franchise leader at Smith+Nephew.
Dr. Hawkins served for 35 years at Zimmer Holdings, where he became VP of corporate research.
"We are thrilled to welcome Carl with his extensive experience in orthopaedics and sports medicine," Wende Hutton of Canaan Partners and chair of the board at Hyalex told the press. "He is well-prepared to collaborate with the surgical community as we look to enter the clinic this year and expand our HYALEX materials platform and product portfolio. We are also privileged to have the ongoing expertise of Mike Hawkins on our executive team at a critical time during which the company has advanced from a focus on research to product and clinical development."
The HYALEX Cartilage System repairs cartilage lesions and restores function for patients with knee articular cartilage loss and bone requiring surgery. The technology earned U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Breakthrough Device Designation last year. The platform provides a single-step, off-the-shelf, low-friction, low-wear, durable tool for articular lesions or injury.
"A reliable and reproducible solution for articular joint pain caused by cartilage lesions is one of the largest untapped opportunities in orthopedics," said Vause. "The HYALEX Cartilage System is the first truly biomimetic cartilage implant that has the potential to help millions of patients currently lacking treatment options, and not wanting a total joint replacement. Our mission is to help these patients be active and stay active."