Vascular Flow appoints new chief clinical officer

Vascular Flow has appointed Barbara Bunger as chief clinical officer.

Bunger, who holds a doctorate in health science, will oversee the development of clinical and health economic evidence supporting the adoption of SLF prosthetic vascular grafts, and brings an extensive repertoire of experience in clinical affairs including regulatory submission, clinical operations and clinical trial development to the company. She has previously led clinical trial operations for Medtronic and developed clinical, regulatory and quality strategies for Si-Bone.

The appointment follows a consolidation of US operations, which has included the appointment of Larry Hayes to the position of chief commercial officer. Hayes will continue to serve as president of the company, a role in which he established the strategic direction for two distinct markets (arteriovenous access and peripheral vascular) in the USA.

Bill Allan, chief executive officer of Vascular Flow said: “Barbara’s appointment brings considerable expertise to the company, and strengthens the senior team in the USA. She will be responsible for overseeing the development of the evidence base supporting Spiral Laminar Flow, and expediting our exposure to both clinicians and payors in this market.”

A company press release suggests that the USA is an important territory for Vascular Flow. In 2014, the company announced the appointment of a national sales team, presented data at the 2014 VEITHsymposium showing a 30% increase in one-year success rates for vascular bypass surgery and dramatic reduction in amputations, and opened a USA-based registry for Spiral Flow arteriovenous grafts in haemodialysis access.

Bunger commented: “Vascular Flow Technologies has a growing body of evidence showing improved clinical outcomes for patients receiving SLF grafts and I am delighted to be joining the company at such an exciting stage of its development.”