Vessix Vascular Names Michael D. Gioffredi Chief Commercialization Officer

LAGUNA HILLS, Calif., April 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Vessix Vascular, Inc., a developer of novel percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) balloon catheter technology for the treatment of hypertension, announced today that veteran medical device sales and marketing executive Michael D. Gioffredi has been named Chief Commercialization Officer.

Gioffredi has worked as an executive in the medical device industry for over 25 years and for the past six years served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Fremont, CA-based AngioScore, Inc., a developer of angioplasty scoring balloon catheters used in treating artery disease. Previously, he was Chief Marketing Officer at Irvine, CA-based Cardiac Science, Inc.

"Mr. Gioffredi brings extremely valuable expertise in global marketing and sales to Vessix that will assist us to accelerate commercialization of the Vessix V2 Renal Denervation System," said Chief Executive Officer Raymond W. Cohen.  "We are currently in the midst of our international, multi-center REDUCE-HTN renal denervation clinical study for medication-resistant hypertension and believe now is the right time for us to begin preparing for commercialization in Europe. Michael has a track record of producing specific and measurable results with velocity - I know this first hand having worked together in the past to successfully launch new products worldwide."

Vessix's V2 Renal Denervation System for the treatment of hypertension is an over-the-wire balloon catheter with electrodes mounted on the exterior of the balloon to facilitate the delivery of RF to the adventitia layer of the renal artery.

Vessix at EuroPCR 2012
Vessix announced that it will be exhibiting its V2 RF balloon catheter Renal Denervation System in booth M72 at the EuroPCR 2012 conference to be held May 15-18 in Paris.

During EuroPCR, Vessix will be presenting at the Cardiovascular Innovation Pipeline on Renal Denervation to be held on Wednesday, May 16 at 3:00 pm in Room 351.

About Renal Denervation
Renal denervation is a percutaneous, catheter-based therapy that uses radiofrequency energy to disrupt renal (or kidney) sympathetic nerves whose hyperactivity leads to uncontrolled high blood pressure, also called resistant hypertension. 

According to the American Heart Association, a 5 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) reduction in systolic blood pressure results in a 14 percent decrease in stroke, a 9 percent decrease in heart disease, and a 7 percent decrease in overall mortality. Renal denervation has shown in clinical studies to be safe, durable and effective in reducing systolic blood pressure by as much as 20 percent.

Numerous analysts suggest that there are more than 12 million patients worldwide whose blood pressure remains uncontrolled, despite taking three or more anti-hypertensive medications. This represents a global market opportunity for renal denervation approaching $30 billion.

About Vessix Vascular, Inc.
Founded in 2003, Vessix is a privately held pre-revenue stage company developing novel radiofrequency balloon catheter technology. The Company is backed by world-class European and U.S. venture firms including NeoMed Management AS, Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners and OrbiMed Advisors LLC. For more information on Vessix Vascular, please visit the Company's website at www.vessixvascular.com or contact Matt Clawson at Allen & Caron Inc at 949-474-4300 or via email at [email protected].

SOURCE Vessix Vascular, Inc.