McDermott + Bull has successfully placed Matt Byrne as Vice President of R+D and Operations at Francis Medical. In this role, Matt will deliver significant design and operating improvements to ensure that the company consistently meets or exceeds quality standards in the products that are delivered. He will be responsible for providing leadership for activities required to define, design, develop, and deliver new products and programs related to the company’s strategic priorities, effectively managing next generation product development for cancer. He will also manage the full manufacturing process to include the Contract Manufacturing Organization, as well as the resources required for the quality production of unique products subject to FDA regulation for customers in the U.S. and Europe.
Prior to joining Francis Medical, Matt was a key member of the R+D team at NxThera, starting with the company in its early years through its acquisition by Boston Scientific. He developed a deep understanding of, and appreciation for, the power of water vapor technology to treat urological conditions. Matt earned a dual BSE degree in biomedical engineering and electrical/computer engineering from Duke University, his Master of Science in engineering from Harvard University, and his MBA with high distinction from Harvard Business School, where he was a George F. Baker Scholar and a Robert S. Kaplan Life Sciences Fellow. He has extensive medical device start-up experience in roles spanning product development, marketing, strategy, and business development.
Francis Medical is a dynamic medical device company committed to developing urological cancer treatments that are tough on cancer yet gentle on patients. Their work is fueled by a compassionate belief that minimally invasive treatments can stop cancer. The company’s core values are Quality, Integrity, Innovation, Excellence, and Collaboration. In September 2021, Francis Medical announced the completion of a $55 million round of Series B equity financing to fund the development of its proprietary prostate cancer treatment through FDA 510(k) approval, which includes a pivotal clinical study (VAPOR 2) for the management of prostate cancer, scheduled to begin enrollment in August 2022. Long term, Francis Medical intends to expand product development to include applications for treating bladder and kidney cancers.
This executive search was completed by McDermott + Bull Partner Ken Dropiewski, Executive Recruiter Regina Hammer, and Senior Research Associate Josh Nichols.