Updated: Direct Flow Medical Names New CMO

Santa Rosa, Calif.-based Direct Flow Medical Inc. has appointed Charles Davidson, M.D., as its new chief medical officer. The young company produces the Direct Flow Medical (DFM) percutaneous aortic valve and associated delivery systems for the treatment of heart valve disease. Davidson brings 20 years of interventional cardiology and medicine experience to the company. He also has worked extensively in his career with medical device industry leaders and start-up companies.

Davidson currently is a professor of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Ill. In addition, he is director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and clinical chief of cardiology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, also based in Chicago. His professional memberships include fellow of the American College of Cardiology, fellow of the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions and a fellow membership with the Clinical Council of the American Heart Association. He previously held positions at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., and Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn.

“Dr. Davidson’s experience in interventional cardiology and his extensive knowledge of cardiac care will be invaluable to Direct Flow Medical as we continue to expand our clinical trials and drive the future growth of the company,” said Bernard Lyons, president and CEO of Direct Flow Medical. “His longstanding thought leadership in the care of patients with cardiac disease, experience in novel interventional devices combined with his first-hand experience in the transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures will help us achieve our clinical and market objectives. Simply, this is just a terrific addition to our existing team.”

Davidson has been connected with Direct Flow Medical for three years. In 2009, when the company received funding to develop and test its valve, Davidson reviewed the early clinical data from the feasibility study. He also was a key consultant to the Discover CE Mark Study that began in late 2011.

“I am very impressed with the Direct Flow Medical device,” said Davidson. “This is a true, second generation device which is designed to allow for precise placement, conforms to the aortic valve anatomy, thereby virtually eliminating any paravalvular leaks. I look forward to working with the Direct Flow Medical team and their outstanding group of clinical investigators and advisors to help bring this latest innovation to fruition. The Direct Flow Medical device addresses one of the most important clinical issues in the TAVR [transcatheter aortic valve replacement] market—aortic regurgitation. It has the potential to improve clinical outcomes globally and better serve the needs of this growing patient population.”