IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Edwards Lifesciences
Corporation (NYSE: EW) today announced that following regular
succession planning discussions with the Board of Directors,
Edwards' chairman and CEO, Michael A.
Mussallem, who recently turned 70, has informed the Board of
his decision to retire as CEO in connection with the company's
Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 11,
2023.
At the 2023 annual meeting, Mussallem will stand for election as
non-executive chairman of Edwards' Board. He will be succeeded as
CEO by Bernard Zovighian, currently
corporate vice president and general manager for Edwards'
Transcatheter Mitral and Tricuspid Therapies (TMTT) business.
Zovighian will serve as president of Edwards Lifesciences effective
Jan. 1 until he becomes CEO in May,
working closely with Mussallem, the Board and the Executive
Leadership Team on a smooth transition.
"It has been a special honor and privilege to lead our team at
Edwards Lifesciences for more than 20 years in their immense
contributions to helping and advancing care for millions of
patients around the world. I am particularly proud of the
'patients-first' culture that is embodied by our employees and the
commitment to innovation and excellence that our global teams
demonstrate. Our success to date is a testament to our talented
executive leadership and passionate global team, and we are well
positioned for an even brighter future," said Mussallem.
As part of the planned CEO succession, Edwards has appointed
additional members of the company's executive leadership team to
new roles, effective Jan. 1.
Larry Wood, corporate vice president
and general manager of Edwards' Transcatheter Aortic Valve
Replacement (TAVR) business, will take on an expanded role. Wood
will become corporate vice president and group president, TAVR and
Surgical Structural Heart, where he will have responsibility for
both businesses. Daveen Chopra, who
has served since 2018 as corporate vice president and general
manager of Edwards' Surgical Structural Heart business, will lead
TMTT beginning Jan. 1.
Zovighian joined Edwards in 2015 as vice president and general
manager of Surgical Structural Heart, which included responsibility
for the company's global valve network. He became corporate vice
president of the surgical business and a member of the Edwards
Executive Leadership Team in 2016. He then assumed the role of
corporate vice president and general manager for TMTT in 2018,
establishing a global organization focused on transforming care for
patients with mitral and tricuspid disease. During his career,
Zovighian has launched breakthrough therapies for patients and
developed experience across multiple disciplines and general
management, including nearly 20 years at Johnson & Johnson in
roles such as regional leadership outside of the United States and worldwide president of
one of the company's divisions.
"I am excited to have the opportunity to partner with our people
around the world to build upon Edwards' patient-focused culture and
innovation strategy. Edwards has contributed over the last six
decades to the advancement of treatments for structural heart
disease and critical care patients, and our robust pipeline of
technologies will enable us to help even more patients in the
future. I look forward to working closely with the Board, Mike and
Edwards' Executive Leadership Team on a smooth transition and
further advancing the great work of our global teams," said
Zovighian.
"Our Board is confident in the Edwards Executive Leadership
Team, which has unmatched experience and a commitment to
patient-focused medical innovations globally. We have worked
cohesively for many years, collaborating on Edwards' strategy, and
I am confident that under Bernard's experienced and passionate
leadership, the company will continue its legacy of patient impact,
innovation and growth," said Mussallem.
About Edwards
Lifesciences
Edwards Lifesciences is the global leader of patient-focused
innovations for structural heart disease and critical care
monitoring. We are driven by a passion for patients, dedicated to
improving and enhancing lives through partnerships with clinicians
and stakeholders across the global healthcare landscape. For more
information, visit Edwards.com and follow us on Facebook,
Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to,
statements made by Mr. Mussallem and Mr. Zovighian, statements
regarding the changes in roles under the succession plan and other
statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking
statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by
management of the company and are believed to be reasonable, though
they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Our
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they
are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any
forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after
the date of the statement. Investors are cautioned not to unduly
rely on such forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that
could cause results to differ materially from those expressed or
implied by the forward-looking statements based on a number of
factors as detailed in the company's filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2021, and its Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31,
June 30, and September 30, 2022. These filings, along with
important safety information about our products, may be found at
Edwards.com.
Edwards, Edwards Lifesciences and the stylized E logo are
trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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SOURCE Edwards Lifesciences Corporation