SynCardia Co-Founder Honored with Pioneer in Transplantation Award at ISHLT

TUCSON, Ariz., May 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- SynCardia Systems, Inc. (www.syncardia.com), manufacturer of the world's first and only FDA, Health Canada and CE (Europe) approved Total Artificial Heart, announced today that world-renowned heart surgeon and SynCardia co-founder Jack G. Copeland, MD, was awarded the prestigious Pioneer in Transplantation Award at the annual meeting of the International Society of Heart & Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) on April 25 in Montreal.

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"Jack is a dynamic thinker," said cardiologist Michael Hess, MD, co-founder and first president of ISHLT, who worked with Dr. Copeland in the early years of cardiac transplantation. "He was one of the first surgeons to arrive at the conclusion that cardiac transplantation was limited by the supply of donor hearts, and that we must begin to build on the concept of a mechanical replacement for the human heart in end-stage failure."

Dr. Copeland, who is also a co-founder and past president of ISHLT, made medical history in 1979 when he performed Arizona's first heart transplant. In 1985, he made headlines again when he became the first surgeon to successfully use the Jarvik 7 artificial heart to bridge a patient to a heart transplant. The first five previous implants of this artificial heart had only been for permanent use.

"Only a true pioneer with a firm mastery of the concept of mechanical heart replacement would recognize that the defunct Jarvik program and pump was worth rebuilding, redesigning and developing," said Dr. Hess. "His team was top flight and together this group brought the Jarvik heart to the University of Arizona, went to work and developed what is known today as the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart."

Over the course of his career, Dr. Copeland has performed more than 100 implants of the Total Artificial Heart. His countless contributions to this life-saving technology include advancing surgical techniques, patient care protocols and anticoagulation (blood) management, as well as serving as the Principal Investigator for the 10-year pivotal clinical study. This study produced the highest bridge to transplant rate, 79%, of all approved mechanical circulatory support devices, and resulted in FDA approval of the Total Artificial Heart as a bridge to transplant on Oct. 15, 2004.

"In 2001, Jack, along with two colleagues, formed SynCardia Systems, Inc. to take over ownership of this technology from the University of Arizona, and in 2008, the company achieved reimbursement approval from Medicare for the Total Artificial Heart," said Dr. Hess. "These successes have led to international acceptance and utilization of this technology - all due to the brilliance and work ethic of a single pioneer."

After heading the cardiothoracic surgery program at the University of Arizona for 33 years, Dr. Copeland joined the faculty of UC San Diego in July 2010. Besides his pioneering work with the Total Artificial Heart, Dr. Copeland also performed Arizona's first heart-lung transplant in 1985 and the first U.S. implant of a pediatric ventricular assist device designed for newborns and small children in 2000.

The Pioneer in Transplantation Award is bestowed every other year on an ISHLT member for their landmark contributions in the field of heart and/or lung transplantation. Past winners include Christiaan Barnard, MD, Michael DeBakey, MD, and Christian Cabrol, MD.

About the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart

SynCardia Systems, Inc. (Tucson, AZ) is the privately-held manufacturer of the world's first and only FDA, Health Canada and CE approved Total Artificial Heart. Originally used as a permanent replacement heart, the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart is currently approved as a bridge to transplant for people suffering from end-stage heart failure affecting both sides of the heart (biventricular failure). There have been more than 1,100 implants of the Total Artificial Heart, accounting for more than 300 patient years of life.

Similar to a heart transplant, the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart replaces both failing heart ventricles and the four heart valves, eliminating the symptoms and source of end-stage biventricular failure. Unlike a donor heart, the Total Artificial Heart is immediately available at SynCardia Certified Centers. It is the only device that provides immediate, safe blood flow of up to 9.5 liters per minute through each ventricle. This high volume of safe blood flow helps speed the recovery of vital organs, helping make the patient a better transplant candidate.

Forbes Ranks SynCardia #69 Among "America's Most Promising Companies"

In its February 2013 issue, Forbes selected SynCardia as one of "America's Most Promising Companies" for the second consecutive year. On the list of 100 privately held, high-growth companies with bright futures, SynCardia was selected #69, moving up eight spots from its #77 ranking last year. See the full list of SynCardia Awards & Recognition here.

For additional information, please visit: http://www.syncardia.com

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SOURCE SynCardia Systems, Inc.