Vascular Perfusion Solutions Inc., or VPS, has named Mark Muller as its new CEO as part of a shuffle in executive management for the San Antonio-based biotech company.
Muller had previously served as president of the company, which cleared an important regulatory hurdle earlier this year.
“Mark has been an integral part of the early success of VPS and has proven to be a transformative leader,” the company’s former CEO, Tom DeBrooke, said. “His vision for the company will move us that much closer to bringing the life-saving technology of our VP.S Encore medical device to patients across the globe.”
DeBrooke will remain with the company as chairman of its board.
In February, the Business Journal reported that VPS had secured a “breakthrough device” designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its initial product.
The patent-pending technology is expected to significantly extend the life span of donated organs. The device can fit in an overhead compartment on an airplane and uses oxygen to enable the preservation of vascularized tissue for eight hours or longer, doubling the viability of organs beyond the current standard of care.
“Once you receive this designation, which only goes to a few companies each year, you get pushed right to the front of the queue,” Muller said. “We are on the front burner.”
With the shift of Muller to the CEO position, VPS has launched a search for a new president. Keith Peeples, a veteran in the health care industry, will serve in that role on an interim basis.
Peeples was previously CEO at BioMedical Enterprises Inc.
“He is uniquely qualified to guide VPS into our next stage of growth,” DeBrooke said.
The company has made additional executive hires. They include Thornton Bates, who will serve as vice president of operations, and Paul Garro, who will take on the role of vice president of global business development.
