Raymond W. Cohen Named Chairman of CAIRDAC Board

The veteran medtech executive joins the cardiac pacemaker developer following a string of major industry exits.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Healthcare

Raymond W. Cohen Named Chairman of CAIRDAC Board

Medtech firm CAIRDAC has appointed Raymond W. Cohen as the new chairman of its board of directors. Cohen brings extensive experience leading cardiovascular and neuromodulation companies to the French developer of leadless cardiac devices.

Why it matters

The appointment positions CAIRDAC to leverage Cohen's track record of driving significant corporate exits as it advances its self-powered pacing technology toward human clinical trials. His involvement signals a strategic push to secure market footing within the multi-billion dollar cardiac device sector.

The global pacemaker market is valued at approximately $5.5 billion. Cohen previously oversaw the $3.7 billion sale of Axonics to Boston Scientific, alongside the $600 million sale of SoniVie and the $533 million sale of Nalu Medical in 2025.

The players

Raymond W. Cohen

He is a veteran medtech executive who co-founded Axonics and served as chairman for firms including SoniVie.

CAIRDAC

Based in Antony, France, this company specializes in developing leadless, self-powered cardiac pacemakers.

Boston Scientific

This major medical device manufacturer acquired Axonics in late 2024.

The details

CAIRDAC is currently developing ALPS technology, which utilizes a piezoelectric harvester to convert heartbeat energy into electricity for leadless pacing. The company, headquartered in Antony, France, is preparing for a first-in-human study following preclinical results reported in a 2026 Europace abstract.

Timeline

  1. September 24, 2026: CAIRDAC appointed Raymond W. Cohen as chairman of its board.

  2. 2026: Preclinical results were reported in a Europace abstract.

  3. 2025: Cohen led the successful sale of both SoniVie, Ltd. and Nalu Medical.

  4. Late 2024: Boston Scientific acquired Axonics, Inc. for $3.7 billion.

  5. 2018: Axonics completed its initial public offering.

Market Landscape

The move aligns CAIRDAC with the broader industry trend of recruiting proven leadership to navigate the high-stakes environment of cardiac innovation. Following the 2024 acquisition of Axonics by Boston Scientific, this appointment underscores a focus on grooming niche medtech firms for acquisition by large-cap players.

For patients and healthcare providers, this leadership shift suggests a faster progression of CAIRDAC's leadless pacing technology toward clinical availability. The company is actively pursuing CE marking in Europe before launching a pivotal study in the United States.

The takeaway

The addition of an experienced deal-maker to the board suggests CAIRDAC is prioritizing a clear path to market or corporate acquisition. Investors and stakeholders should watch for updates on the company's progress toward human trials and regulatory milestones in Europe.

Further reading

For more on the latest trends in the medical device sector, explore our Healthcare section.