Rocky Hill-based Lumeda, a startup that is developing an optical device to target cancer-killing laser light during lung cancer surgery, has named its first CEO.
Alexander “Sandy” Zinke has worked in various marketing and business development executive positions for medical device companies in Massachusetts and New York — including Boston Scientific, Hologic and CDx Diagnostics — where he has been involved in developing and commercializing more than a dozen products and programs, Lumeda said in a recent announcement.
“I am excited and honored to be joining the Lumeda team comprised of experienced engineers and entrepreneurs with a track record of developing practical solutions to technical challenges across several industries,” Zinke said in a statement.
Lumeda was founded by Trevor MacDougall and Paul E. Sanders, whose prior photonics ventures found some success in the energy industry.
Targeting improvements to lung cancer treatment, using a technique called photodynamic therapy, represents a pivot for the two entrepreneurs, the two men told HBJ earlier this year.
“Sandy’s vision for and expertise in launching new medical technologies will bring this important lung cancer therapy to the market,” Sanders and MacDougall said. “He brings significant experience and a network of industry contacts that will help Lumeda develop the key relationships with medical thought leaders and commercial partners critically needed to accelerate the introduction of this novel technology to the clinic, where it promises to reduce the risk of recurrence and improve patient outcomes.”
Lumeda, which has branded its lung cancer technology as DigiLum, is backed by an initial $1-million investment from the quasi-public Connecticut Innovations and Branford-based Cycle Venture Partners.
