TROY L. THORNTON
`773 Rhode Island St. San Francisco, CA 94107
`laynethornton@gmail.com (415) 505-6195
`
`SUMMARY: Results-oriented R&D leader with over 30 years of cardiovascular device
`design, development and management experience, including clinical training and support.
`
`CURRENT:
`2015 to Present: Consulting for medical device companies, focused on early design and
`development, problem-solving and IP. Also provide due diligence and technical assessment for
`companies evaluating potential investments and acquisitions.
`
`PRIOR EXPERIENCE:
`June 2012 – December 2014: Program Director, Abbott Ventures
`Responsible for technical assessment and analysis of potential investments in
`cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular medical device technologies.
`• Worked with the Abbott Ventures team with a primary focus on technical due diligence for
`cardiovascular investment / acquisition opportunities.
`• Worked with Abbott Vascular Structural Heart senior management to develop and implement a
`broader structural heart business strategy.
`
`June 2000 – May 2012: Vice President, Research & Development, Evalve, Inc., Menlo Park,
`California (acquired by Abbott Vascular in 2009)
`Responsible for managing all aspects of research and development for a novel
`cardiovascular device implant and delivery system.
`Led the R&D team in developing the MitraClip percutaneous mitral valve repair system, consisting
`•
`of three complex catheters and a permanent mechanical implant.
`Included physician training, field clinical support, Clinical Specialist training, and analysis of clinical
`results.
`The MitraClip system is currently available in over 30 countries, was approved by FDA in 2013,
`and is currently a >$900 million product line for Abbott Vascular.
`
`•
`
`•
`
`June 1995 – May 2000: Project Manager, Prograft Medical, Inc. (1997 acquired by W.L Gore &
`Associates, Inc.) Sunnyvale, Calif.
`Responsible for development and successful commercial introduction of a bifurcated,
`modular stent-graft used in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (‘Excluder’).
`
`• Designed and built the first prototypes, conducted acute and long-term animal studies, and
`managed the overall project from inception through initial commercialization (outside U.S.).
`• Hired and managed a team of six engineers and three technicians.
`• Worked closely with clinical and regulatory departments in writing IDE filings, instructions for use,
`and clinical protocols.
`• Developed physician and in-house training materials. Trained Gore clinical specialists and sales
`associates worldwide.
`Provided physician training and case support during the U.S. IDE trial.
`•
`Supported physicians during five live case transmissions at endovascular symposia worldwide.
`•
`• Result was exponential growth of implants from 140 in 1998 to 600+ in 1999, with total sales
`generated of over $5 million prior to initial market release. Product is currently >$350 million
`product line for W.L. Gore.
`
`T. Thornton Resume January 2022
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`-1-
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`IMPERATIVE Ex. 1004
`IPR Petition - US 11,744,691
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`August 1989 – May 1995: Project Group Leader, Senior Engineer for Advanced Cardiovascular
`Systems (Guidant), Santa Clara, CA.
`1993 – 1995: Project Group Leader, Perfusion PTCA Catheters
`• Responsible for conceiving, prototyping, and testing innovative coronary perfusion
`catheter concepts. Proved feasibility, and filed two patents relating to the most promising
`concepts.
`1989 – 1993: Senior R&D Engineer, Rapid Exchange PTCA Catheters
`• Developed an elliptical coronary PTCA catheter from initial concept to market launch.
`Responsible for catheter design, material selection, process development, performance
`testing, physician evaluation, and animal studies.
`• Direct supervision of two engineers and two technicians. Managed a large project team
`which finalized development and implemented the design in full-scale manufacturing.
`The catheter gained 20 market share points, and became the top-selling PTCA in the
`U.S. with over $60 million / year in sales.
`
`•
`
`1987 – 1989: Manufacturing Engineer, Symbion, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT
`Developed and improved processes for class III medical device product lines. Developed
`ultrasonic welding processes for four parts of a centrifugal blood pump. Designed packaging,
`validated sterilization, and designed/installed a new clean room.
`
`1985 – 1987: Process Engineer, Becton-Dickinson, Inc., Sandy, UT
`Validated processes and implemented into pilot manufacturing a thermodilution catheter.
`Conducted cost-saving programs and process improvements on central venous catheter products.
`
`EDUCATION: B.S. Engineering Science with Biomedical Engineering emphasis, 1985 Iowa State
`University, Ames, IA
`
`PATENTS: Over 37 issued patents
`
`T. Thornton Resume January 2022
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