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Charles Remsberg Appointed CEO of Tibion, a High-Tech Rehab Equipment Company With New "Bionic Leg" That Helps Stroke and Other Patients Rehabilitate as They WalkMOFFETT FIELD, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Charles Remsberg, an executive with nearly 20 years of experience building global and domestic sales for leading high-technology rehab companies, has been appointed chief executive officer of Tibion Corporation. Tibion is pioneering the design and development of "wearable" bionic technologies that combine rehabilitation and enhanced function for patients impaired by stroke, neuromuscular disease, surgery, or aging. "The board of directors selected Mr. Remsberg because of his customer-centered focus and experience in commercialization of high-technology rehabilitation systems," explains Tibion President and Cofounder Kern Bhugra. "We believe Mr. Remsberg can best help us rapidly achieve commercialization of Tibion products including our PK100 Bionic Leg." Mr. Remsberg joins Tibion after serving for 3 years as CEO of Hocoma Inc., the U.S. sales and marketing arm of the privately held Swiss company Hocoma AG, best known for its clinic-based Lokomat® robotic gait orthosis that has helped thousands of American patients with spinal cord, stroke, traumatic brain injury and cerebral palsy to recover their ability to walk. Prior to that position, Mr. Remsberg was head of worldwide sales for Hocoma, and for more than 10 years, an executive of Biodex Medical Systems, Shirley, NY. At Biodex, he rose from product development manager to head of worldwide sales for the nation's leading supplier of balance, gait, and joint rehabilitation systems to private clinics, rehabilitation hospitals, professional sports teams, and skilled nursing facilities. Tibion's first commercialized product is its PK100 Bionic Leg, a powered, assistive device that enhances rehabilitation therapy, supplements muscle strength and function, and provides mobility assistance for activities of daily living. The PK100 is in limited sales and clinical trials in the U.S., and scale-up and global marketing will begin in 2010. Unlike clinic-based fixed robotic systems, the PK100 provides wearable, sensor-based, assistance and resistance as the patient engages in rehabilitation activities allowing function of the afflicted leg. The first clinical tests have been with stroke patients in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. "I joined Tibion because I am impressed with the impact its technology can have on the rehabilitation of millions of handicapped patients worldwide," Mr. Remsberg said. "I look forward to the opportunity to accelerate acceptance of the Bionic Leg, and the application of its technology to other unmet patient needs." "Tibion has reached the stage where its first product is ready for clinical evaluation and marketing, and follow-on products are in development," explains Claremont Creek's John Steuart, a member of the Tibion board of directors. "We looked for a leader who understood the skills needed to deliver leading-edge equipment, and had the confidence of rehabilitation academia, clinicians and major providers. We are excited by the potential of the company under his leadership." In addition to Mr. Bhugra and Mr. Steuart, the Tibion board of directors includes Randy D. Lindholm, consultant to medical device companies; Ted Driscoll, PhD, Claremont Creek Ventures; Thomas Fogarty, MD, cardiovascular surgeon and entrepreneur; Foster Hendrix, Saratoga Ventures; Mark D. Smith, MD, MBA, President and CEO of the California HealthCare Foundation. Tibion is a privately held company located at NASA Research Park, Moffett Field, California. The company's mission is to develop smart medical devices and therapies that address the needs of neuromuscular and musculoskeletal deficiencies. Tibion's products are enabled by patented innovations encompassing a broad range of disciplines, including orthotics, biomechanics, robotics, and embedded control systems. For more information, visit the company's website at www.tibion.com. Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6121978&lang=en |
