Second Heart Lands Bill Carpou, Octane CEO and Former Blackstone Executive, to Board as Talent Strategy Accelerates

SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Second Heart Assist, Inc. announced the appointment of Bill Carpou to its Board of Directors, a move that underscores the company's ability to attract top-tier leadership as it prepares to scale its breakthrough cardio-renal platform. Carpou currently serves as CEO of Octane, one of the nation's leading growth platforms for medical technology companies, and previously held a senior operating role with Blackstone, the world's largest alternative investment firm.

The appointment comes at a time when Second Heart is building momentum around its Whisper support platform, a percutaneous device designed to unload the heart while improving kidney perfusion with minimal hemolysis. The technology is aligned with the American Heart Association's new CKM initiative, which calls for integrated solutions across cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic care.

"Bill's addition to the board reinforces the message that Second Heart is structuring itself to lead," said Jeff Donofrio, CEO of Second Heart Assist. "He understands how to prepare companies for public markets, how to hold teams accountable, and how to create value that lasts. His track record in Orange County, one of the most competitive MedTech markets in the country, shows he knows how to win where competition is toughest."

Orange County is recognized as one of the top U.S. hubs for medical device innovation, boasting over 2,000 life sciences companies and employing more than 65,000 individuals. Carpou's leadership in this environment has given him national visibility and influence across the industry.

Momentum Still Building

Carpou's appointment is not the end of the story. Second Heart is actively finalizing the recruitment of additional leaders, including clinical teams from competing device companies, who will be announced soon. The company is deliberately building a board and leadership team designed to eclipse industry peers in both governance and clinical expertise.

"Second Heart Assist is at an inflection point," said Carpou. "They have a technology that is already ahead of where the field is moving. What excites me is the vision to back that innovation with the kind of leadership and corporate structure that can win in the market. I look forward to contributing to that vision while also providing accountability and oversight support as the company accelerates it momentum velocity."

With Carpou now on the board, Second Heart signals scientific readiness and new corporate strength. The message to investors, clinicians, and partners is clear: the company is assembling the kind of leadership that transforms breakthrough technology into lasting market leadership.

About Bill Carpou

Carpou is the CEO of Octane, a growth platform headquartered in Orange County, CA, that connects people, capital, and resources to accelerate company success. He is the founder and partner of Visionary Ventures, one of the most active venture capital funds in the healthcare sector, and previously served as an executive at Blackstone.  Carpou is a graduate of Villanova University.

About Second Heart Assist, Inc.

Second Heart Assist is a medical device company developing percutaneous mechanical circulatory support technologies for patients with heart failure and cardio-renal syndromes. Its flagship Whisper platform is designed for rapid deployment and kidney-focused perfusion with the lowest hemolysis among comparator devices, aligning with the American Heart Association's CKM strategy. By addressing cardio-renal dysfunction at its source and supporting recovery of heart, kidney, and lungs together, Second Heart is pioneering a new standard of care that unites multi-organ health in one therapy.

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SOURCE Second Heart Assist Inc.