Sanovas Forms Scientific Advisory Board to Support Development of Lung Cancer Technology

SAUSALITO, Calif., July 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanovas Inc., a medical technology company focused on developing and commercializing next-generation micro-invasive diagnostics, devices and drug delivery technologies, announced today the formation of a scientific advisory board to support the development of its Vas Zeppelin™ Smart Catheter portfolio, which will initially be commercialized for lung cancer and pulmonary disease. The company appointed Stephen C. Schimpff, MD, an internationally recognized physician and former University of Maryland Medical Center CEO, as chairman of its scientific advisory board.

"Consistent with Sanovas' mission to surround its excellence with the very best minds and very best talents, we are honored to have Dr. Schimpff lead our scientific advisory board," Sanovas CEO Larry Gerrans said. "Dr. Schimpff's wealth of knowledge in clinical oncology and infectious disease combined with his vast executive experience operating a health care delivery system qualifies him as one of the most elite members of our community. His insight and leadership will prove invaluable to Sanovas' clinicians, scientists and management as we endeavor to advance the interventional pulmonary sciences. We are delighted."

Internationally recognized for his research into the causes, prevention and treatment of infection in cancer patients undergoing aggressive cancer therapy, Schimpff has published more than 200 scientific articles, reviews and book chapters. He has written three books, including "The Future of Medicine: Megatrends in Healthcare," "The Future of Health-Care Delivery: Why It Must Change and How It Will Affect You," and "Alignment – The Key to Success of the University of Maryland Medical System." He also co-edited "Comprehensive Textbook of Oncology," Editions 1 and 2 and "Handbook of Supportive Care in Cancer," Editions 1 and 2.

Schimpff has more than four decades of experience as a physician and health care administrator. He served as the CEO of the University of Maryland Medical Center, which includes the world's preeminent trauma center and a National Cancer Institute (NCI) - designated cancer center. He was the founding director of the University of Maryland (now Greenebaum) Cancer Center and went on to become the University of Maryland Medical System's executive vice president and chief operating officer. Schimpff was a senior investigator and served as the head of the NCI's Baltimore Cancer Research Center's (BCRC) section of infectious diseases and microbiology, as well as the head of the University of Maryland School of Medicine division of infectious diseases. Schimpff also served as chair of the board of governors of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Warren G. Magnuson Clinical Center, the world's largest hospital devoted solely to clinical research. Schimpff received a bachelor of arts degree in biological sciences from Rutgers University and earned his medical degree from Yale Medical School.

"While public awareness and research efforts have led to great strides in the treatment and survival rate of leukemia, lymphoma, breast and other cancers, lung cancer has yet to experience the same advances," Schimpff said. "Lung cancer is the deadliest of all cancers, and chronic pulmonary diseases are becoming epidemic worldwide. Early diagnosis and intervention are desperately needed. Sanovas' micro-invasive technologies will give thoracic surgeons, pulmonologists and oncologists critical new tools to diagnose, treat and deliver therapeutics in the lungs, and are among one of the most exciting solution sets on the horizon. It gives me great pleasure to contribute to such a significant field of endeavor."

Sanovas' Vas Zeppelin™ Smart Catheter technology portfolio is designed to access, image, measure, and diagnose anatomy in small airways and vessels residing at, or below, 3 millimeters in diameter, areas that have previously been inaccessible. Featuring the world's smallest surgical camera, the Vas Zeppelin™ allows the removal of tumors and other obstructions and enables the local delivery of drug and immune therapies to patients suffering from lung cancer and related pulmonary and vascular diseases.  

About Sanovas

Sanovas, Inc., based in Sausalito, Calif., is a medical technology company focused on developing and commercializing next-generation micro-invasive diagnostics, devices and drug delivery technologies for unmet clinical needs. Sanovas' microsurgical technology platform is designed to give surgeons the ability to access and visualize previously inaccessible areas of the body; enabling them to diagnose, treat and deliver drug and immune therapies to small diameter anatomy in entirely new ways. Privately held Sanovas was founded by the pioneers in minimally invasive surgery. The company has more than 45 multi-national patents pending.

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SOURCE Sanovas, Inc.