Hal Mathews, MD, Leader in Spine Surgery to Become VP Medical Affairs for Medtronic Sofamor Danek

To Lead Clinical, Regulatory, Reimbursement Strategy and Physician Relations

Life Science Partner announced today the recruitment of Hallet H. Mathews, MD, to become vice president, medical affairs for Medtronic Sofamor Danek.  Medtronic Sofamor Danek is the world’s leading orthopaedic company which develops and manufactures products that treat a variety of disorders of the cranium and spine, including traumatically induced conditions, degenerative conditions, deformities and tumors.  Medtronic Sofamor Danek markets its products worldwide and has FY2003 revenue of approximately $1.3 billion.

A leader in the field orthopaedic basic and clinical research, Mathews is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon.  He is the Founder and President of MidAtlantic Spine Specialists, a multi-disciplinary, multi-specialty group that incorporates Orthopaedic, Neurosurgery and Pain Management & Rehabilitation specialties in Richmond and Williamsburg, Virginia.

“He is a demonstrated clinical leader and general manager – as he now oversees a 10,000 square foot clinic with 45 employees in Richmond and a smaller clinic facility in Williamsburg,” said Tom Callaway, MD, founder and president of Life Science Partner.  “In addition, he has already established strong relationships with the Sofamor Danek clinical investigators worldwide, having participated in and led clinical trials for many of Medtronic’s products.”

In his new role, Mathews will oversee clinical development and regulatory affairs for the Company, with an emphasis on working with business units to identify potential drug or device technologies with strong clinical indications, managing the regulatory strategy globally and overseeing Medtronic Sofamor Danek’s relationships with physicians worldwide.  Medtronic Sofamor Danek is the leader in the use of biological materials, including the first product using a bioengineered bone morphogenetic protein, INFUSE, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use with titanium interbody implants in the lumbar spine.