Smart Reactors has appointed Backer McKenzie as Vice President of Business Development. He takes on responsibility for global business development, with a particular focus on new OEM relationships, emerging device programmes and strategic partnerships in international markets.
The appointment follows a period of sustained investment in the technical side of the business. Smart Reactors now offers a growing range of medical device coating technologies, including the Camouflage™ hemocompatible and healing surface technology, hydrophilic coatings and antimicrobial coatings.
Growing the commercial side of the business
Brian Haddigan, CEO of Smart Reactors, commented:
“Our technical capabilities have grown significantly, and we are now investing in the commercial side of the business to match that progress. Backer’s appointment is an important part of that strategy.”
“Our goal is not simply to supply coatings. We want to work alongside medical device companies from the earliest stages of development, helping them solve surface challenges and supporting their products all the way through to commercial production.”
That description matches how the company already works with device manufacturers. Support runs from prototype coating and design and process optimisation through to technical transfer and manufacturing support and after-sales support. Coating is treated as part of the development programme rather than a single step handed over at the end of it.
Where the new role will focus
Backer McKenzie will work primarily with companies developing next-generation neurovascular, cardiovascular, peripheral vascular and other interventional devices. Surface behaviour matters enormously in these applications. Blood-contacting devices face thrombosis risk, protein fouling and slow healing at the device interface, and each of those problems has historically been tackled separately.
The Camouflage™ coating was developed to address several of them at once, combining hemocompatibility with antimicrobial performance and support for endothelialisation. It is applied today across vascular implants, perfusion devices, blood filters and oxygenators, dialysis devices, structural heart devices and electrophysiology devices.
Backer McKenzie commented:
“There is a significant opportunity to bring Smart Reactors’ technology and expertise to a much wider international audience. The combination of proprietary technology, specialist coating knowledge and the ability to support customers from concept through production gives Smart Reactors a very strong platform for growth.”
About Backer McKenzie
Backer McKenzie is a commercial leader with a track record in driving growth, building partnerships and taking advanced technologies into global markets. He brings international experience across sales, business development and commercial strategy in the medical technology sector.
About Smart Reactors
Smart Reactors develops and delivers advanced coating technologies that improve the performance, safety and outcomes of medical devices. The company works from Galway Technology Park in Ireland and supports customers from prototype through to production. You can read more about Smart Reactors, browse the full range of device applications, or download technical material from the whitepapers and resources library.
Media enquiries
For media enquiries, partnership discussions or technical questions about Smart Reactors coating technologies, please get in touch with the team.
Smart Reactors Limited, Block 15, Galway Technology Park, Parkmore Road, Galway, Ireland, H91 RXY9
