ViaCyte Names Michael Scott Vice President, Device Research & Development

SAN DIEGO, June 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — ViaCyte, Inc.
today announced the appointment of Michael J. Scott, Ph.D. as Vice
President, Device Research and Development, reporting to John West,
President and Chief Executive Officer.  In this capacity, Dr.
Scott will oversee all device development and manufacturing
activities, including design, engineering, and testing.  Dr.
Scott will also contribute to regulatory matters in the device area
and to the overall leadership and strategic direction of the
Company.

“We are pleased to have Mike join ViaCyte.  He has a
successful track record of leading complex device development
projects, from technical innovation through clinical
implementation,” said Mr. West.  “We expect Mike’s experience
with implantable medical devices, together with our stem cell
expertise, will effectively advance our combination product toward
regulatory approval.”

Before joining ViaCyte, Dr. Scott served in multiple managerial
positions at Edwards Lifesciences, a publically traded company
focused on the science of heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring.
 Dr. Scott’s most recent role was Senior Director of
Engineering, Heart Valve Therapies, in which he managed high
profile products that are currently in preclinical and clinical
trial phases with commercialization expected later this year.
 Dr. Scott also served as the Technical Team Leader for a
bioprosthetic heart valve which is currently the best selling
product of its type worldwide, generating over $100 million in
annual revenue.

Dr. Scott’s past experience also includes the role of Vice
President of Research and Development at Orqis Medical Corporation,
a venture-backed medical device startup.  Dr. Scott led Orqis
to the first human use of a sophisticated implantable blood pump
system for the treatment of congestive heart failure.  His
broad range of responsibilities also included the oversight of
system design and developme

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