Allergan CEO Pyott steps down from Edwards Lifesciences board

Allergan (NYSE:AGN) chairman & CEO David Pyott is resigning his seat on the board at Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW), effective immediately, to devote more time to his chief executive duties – which include fending off a hostile takeover bid.

Allergan is resisting the move by Valeant Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:VRX, TSE:VRX) and hedge fund mogul William Ackman’s Pershing Square Capital Management to take it over in a $53 billion cash-and-stock deal.

"The board and I are truly appreciative of David’s service and commitment to Edwards during the last 14 years," Edwards chairman & CEO Michael Mussallem said in prepared remarks. "David’s extensive global experience in leadership roles at innovative health and nutrition companies made him a valuable resource for our company. He has been a trusted partner and brought important expertise to Edwards in delivering novel therapies to address the needs of patients. We wish him the best and thank him for the significant role he has played in Edwards’ growth and success."

Pyott held a seat at Edwards from 2000 until Oct. 3, 2014, according to a press release.

Snowmobile maker Polaris lures sleds buff & BSX global ops EVP Pucel
Ken Pucel, the snowmobiling buff who was executive vice president of global operations, quality & technology at Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX), left the medical device maker for a similar role at Polaris Industries. Pucel owns 8 Polaris sleds, "including a vintage Sno-Traveler," according to a press release.
Read w

New Thoratec CEO Grossman shuffles the deck
Keith Grossman’s only been in the corner office at Thoratec (NSDQ:THOR) for a few weeks, but he’s already put his stamp on the executive suite, hiring Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) veteran Niamh Pellegrini to fill the newly created North America president role and adding Vasant Padmanabhan as senior vice president of technical operations.
Read more

Staar Surgical CEO Caldwell to step down
Staar Surgical (NSDQ:STAA) CEO Barry Caldwell is stepping down effective March 1, 2015, after 7 years at the helm of the implantable lens maker. Staar also said director Kathryn Tunstall is stepping down for health reasons and that it added Advanced ICU Care chairman & CEO Louis Silverman to the board.
Read more

Lifecell’s regenerative medicine prez Croxford bows out

Acelity subsidiary LifeCell said the president of its regenerative medicine business, Philip Croxford, is leaving the company.
Read more