Cala announced today that it picked a new CEO as its TAPS therapy for essential tremor (ET) received Medicare coverage.
The company promoted current Chief Product Officer Deanna Harshbarger to the corner office, effective immediately. She also becomes a member of the company’s board of directors. Renee Ryan, who became CEO at Cala in 2019, departed the CEO post in August 2023, according to her LinkedIn page.
Concurrently, Cala appointed founder Kate Rosenbluth as president and chief innovation officer as she continues to serve on the board.
Both executives proved instrumental in leading Cala to its Medicare reimbursement milestone, the company said in a news release. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) delivered a positive Medicare local coverage determination (LCD) for TAPS therapy. Medicare beneficiaries who qualify under the new coverage guidelines can now access TAPS to treat their hand tremor.
Cala kIQ delivers transcutaneous afferent patterned stimulation (TAPS) therapy. The non-invasive, FDA-cleared wearable device offers an effective therapy for action hand tremor relief in people with essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease. kIQ treats tremor by sensing each patient’s unique tremor signature. It delivers individualized stimulation to the nerves on the wrist that reach the brain to counteract tremor.
The company launched kIQ about a year ago.
“It is exciting to see how the strong and broad clinical evidence for TAPS Therapy has opened doors for patients to treat their tremor. TAPS Therapy makes essential daily activities such as eating, drinking, writing, and self-care feasible,” Rosenbluth said. “Cala is committed to innovation that improves patients’ lives and looks forward to continuing on that journey.”
More about the newly appointed executives at Cala
New CEO Harshbarger has more than 20 years of experience and leadership in the medical device space. Her background spans from product development to commercialization in movement disorders, neuromodulation and durable medical equipment.
Before her most recent post at Cala, she held leadership positions at Medtronic Diabetes, Boston Scientific Neuromodulation and Johnson & Johnson.
Cala Chair Stacy Enxing Seng praised Harshbarger’s “extensive commercial leadership” in movement disorders. Seng also highlighted her strategic view on the care continuum and her ability to foster a winning team culture.
Additionally, Seng noted Rosenbluth’s vision and scientific prowess as she helps to “trailblaze the next phase of development” at Cala.
“I have worked with Kate and the Cala team for the past three years. We are passionately committed to improving our therapy and developing new products that transform care for patients,” Harshbarger said. “I am excited to be serving as the CEO for Cala as we significantly expand access of Cala TAPS therapy to Medicare patients who represent approximately 75% of the ET population.”
