Ray Cohen Appointed CEO of Symphony Medical

Former CEO of Cardiac Science to Build New Atrial Fibrillation Company

Life Science Partner announced today the recruitment of Ray Cohen to become Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors of Symphony Medical, a clinical development stage company commercializing biopolymer-based products for cardiovascular conduction abnormalities, including atrial fibrillation.

A Cleveland Clinic spin-off company, Symphony Medical recently raised more than $6 million in equity funding to develop treatments for atrial fibrillation and other ailments. Symphony Medical was founded in 2002 with technologies that focus on the development and commercialization of novel treatments of cardiovascular conduction abnormalities. Using practical and cost-effective approaches, Symphony’s products are designed to correct cardiac conduction disorders through safe biologic, non-ablative means. Presently, Symphony is engaged in the clinical development phase of its first product for the prevention of post-operative atrial fibrillation.

Tom Callaway, MD, President of Life Science Partner noted, “Cohen is an acknowledged leader in the field of the early-stage company in cardiac disease – having revived Cardiac Science, the early leader in the field of Automatic Atrial Defibrillators.” Joining Cardiac Science in 1997, he identified the vision, hired the scientific and sales leadership team, raised over $130 million in equity and debt capital, and captured 25% the world market share in AEDs. Cohen led a very aggressive acquisition strategy, acquiring and integrating four companies – Cadent Medical, Survivalink, Comlient and Artema), that enabled the company to continue its rapid growth and build its technology portfolio.  Versed in international business, Cohen’s team established OEM relationships with Medtronic Physio-Control, GE and Japan’s Nihon Kohden Corporation.  In September 2005, Cohen merged Cardiac Science with Quinton Cardiology Systems, Inc., where he remains as Chairman of the Board and strategic advisor of the merged company still operating under the Cardiac Science name (www.cardiacscience.com).

Cohen’s experience in building companies based upon novel technologies did not begin with Cardiac Science. He was previously the owner of a cardiac diagnostic monitoring and device company, Diagnostic Monitoring, and the President of BioAnalogics, a developer of bio electrical impedence devices.  His early career is marked by a successful track record as a sales leader in the field of medical devices rising to the level Vice President, Sales and Marketing of Brentwood Instruments in Torrance, California.

Under Cohen’s leadership, Symphony expects to commercialize its atrial fibrillation technologies and other products through corporate partners with global marketing and sales capabilities. The company has established a culture of rapid product development, continuous expansion of intellectual property, minimization of capital and personnel expenses, and superior science and clinical know-how.

In addition to his leadership as Chairman of the Board of Cardiac Science, Cohen is a member of the Young President Organization, the IndUS Entrepreneurs and a lecturer at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Merage School of Business at UC Irvine.