IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Uptake Medical Corp., a developer of medical technologies for the nonsurgical treatment of lung diseases including emphysema, announced today that Dr. Steven Kesten will join the company as its vice president and chief medical officer effective November 3, 2010.

Dr. Kesten joins Uptake Medical with over 20 years experience in pulmonary medicine including academic research and clinical leadership in the pulmonary industry. He served at Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the world's 15 leading pharmaceutical companies for over 10 years, most recently as the vice president, medicine for marketed products for respiratory disease.

Dr. Kesten received his medical degree and specialty training in internal medicine and pulmonary medicine at the University of Toronto. Dr. Kesten was a staff pulmonologist at Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital as well as a faculty member of the University of Toronto. In his last year in Toronto, he was appointed medical director of the Toronto Lung Transplant Program. He subsequently joined Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center as the medical director of the Rush Advanced Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Program and was appointed as an associate professor of medicine at Rush Medical College before joining Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals.  

Uptake Medical is developing InterVapor, a minimally invasive, bronchoscopic catheter-based method of delivering vapor to emphysematous lung regions. Applying energy to emphysematous lung tissue to reduce those areas allows for better functioning lung regions, which will expand and offer the patient improved overall breathing mechanics.

Dr. Kesten has published over 140 peer-reviewed manuscripts. His main research interests over the years have been in COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma as well as lung transplantation.  

"We are thrilled to have the scientific and practical clinical trial experience and expertise that Dr. Kesten brings to Uptake Medical," noted King Nelson, president and chief executive officer of Uptake Medical. "Dr. Kesten is one of the true opinion leaders in the pulmonary medicine disease area and we are excited to have him join the company and lead our efforts in these critical clinical areas."

"We look forward to Dr. Kesten enhancing our scientific and clinical expertise in the further development of the InterVapor technology," said Robert Barry, founder and chief technology officer, Uptake Medical.

About Uptake Medical

Uptake Medical™ Corp. is a developer of medical technologies for the treatment of lung diseases including emphysema. The core technology is a simple, minimally invasive, non-implant interventional pulmonary approach designed to measurably improve lung function and patient quality of life. Emphysema afflicts over 3 million people in the United States. It is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), primarily caused by smoking, and is a major cause of chronic disease and death throughout the world. It accounts for over $40 billion in healthcare costs. More information and a list of participating clinical trial sites can be found at www.uptakemedical.com.

SOURCE Uptake Medical Corp.

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