Optical Diagnostic Developer, MELA Sciences, Appoints Veteran Medical Device Investment Banker, Samuel Navarro, as Director
IRVINGTON, N.Y., Mar 14, 2014 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
MELA Sciences, Inc. MELA -1.17% , developer of
MelaFind®, an FDA approved optical diagnostic device that assists dermatologists in melanoma diagnosis, today announced the appointment of veteran medical device investment banker Samuel E. Navarro to the Board of Directors. Mr. Navarro’s appointment brings MELA’s Board to eight members.
Mr. Navarro brings a wealth of knowledge and industry expertise in finance, investment banking, mergers and acquisitions, equity research and investment management experience in the medical device industry. Mr. Navarro is currently Managing Partner at Gravitas Healthcare, LLC. Before Gravitas, Mr. Navarro was Managing Director of Cowen & Co. in New York City and head of their Medical Technology Investment Banking initiatives, leading a team of senior people, and was responsible for building the franchise across all product categories, including M&A/Advisory and financing services and products. Before Cowen & Co., Mr. Navarro spent over four years at The Galleon Group running the Galleon Healthcare Fund as a Senior Portfolio Manager. He was responsible for all healthcare investments across all sectors, including pharmaceuticals / biopharmaceutical industries, medical technology and hospital supplies, and all areas of healthcare services. Prior to Galleon, Mr. Navarro was Global Head of Healthcare Investment Banking at ING Barings.
Mr. Navarro has also served or serves on the boards of Arstasis, MicroTherapeutics, Jomed, Photomedex and Pixelux Entertainment. Mr. Navarro received an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Science in Engineering from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin.
Mr. Navarro commented, “I am excited to contribute to the MELA Sciences Board as they execute their U.S. and European commercialization strategy for MelaFind and develop plans for other global markets. I also look forward to working with the company to evaluate and develop other potential applications for their optical diagnostic technology.”
Rose Crane, CEO of MELA Sciences said, “Sam brings a tremendous breadth of experience, expertise and relationships across the medical device and healthcare industry and huge enthusiasm regarding MELA Sciences and our potential. We look forward to the vital insight and guidance Sam will provide as we move forward.”