Dale’s appointment goes into effect tomorrow, Aug. 9, 2024. He succeeds Karen Zaderej, who intends to remain in an advisory role for nine months. Axogen also announced that it named Paul Thomas as chair of its board, effective Aug. 9. Thomas first joined the board in 2020 and has more than 30 years of leadership experience in the healthcare industry.
Axogen said the appointment aligns its executive team with the company’s needs going forward. Axogen plans to focus on commercial expansion, broad-based revenue growth and a move toward sustainable positive cash flow and profitability with its peripheral nerve regeneration and repair techologies.
“On behalf of the board of directors, I offer my deep gratitude to Karen for her contributions over the past 18 years. Karen was integral to Axogen’s accomplishments and the development of the peripheral nerve repair market,” said Amy Wendell, Axogen’s lead director. “The board appreciates her countless contributions and wishes her well in her future endeavors.
“We are thrilled to welcome Michael Dale as our new CEO and a director on our board. His strong track record as a global medical technology company executive makes him the right leader to advance Axogen’s mission to revolutionize the science of nerve repair. He brings a wealth of experience in strategic leadership, innovation, and operational excellence.”
More about Axogen and new CEO Michael Dale
The Florida-based company develops and commercializes technologies for peripheral nerve regeneration and repair. It offers a comprehensive portfolio of products across various applications and surgical specialties. Those include traumatic injuries, oral and maxillofacial surgery, breast reconstruction and the surgical treatment of pain. Axogen offers products such as the Avive+ Soft Tissue Matrix, Avance nerve graft, AxoGuard Nerve Cap and AxoGuard Nerve Protector, among others.
Dale brings more than 30 years of experience leading medical device companies across the cardiovascular, neuromodulation, diabetes and electrophysiology markets. His track record includes an eight-year stint at Abbott as SVP, having also spent time as CEO of GI Dynamics.
“It is with pride and excitement that I embark today on a new mission as leader of Axogen,” said Dale. “I have been fortunate to be a part of many great healthcare businesses throughout my career. Each has been dedicated to fulfilling a credible business purpose based on unique advantages, hallmarks of a successful business. Axogen’s technologies and dedication to restoring peripheral nerve health and improving quality of life for patients who have lost sensory and or motor control function through trauma or disease embodies a unique combination of credible purpose and technological advantage. This is why I am excited to join Axogen.”
“To our shareholders and every stakeholder, my commitment on behalf of Axogen is to build upon our strong foundation by establishing the necessary objectives, strategies, and processes to attain profitably, standard-of-care status and ensure the fulfillment of our mission.”
