US medtech executive to join Aroa Biosurgery board

Seasoned US-based life sciences executive Darla Hutton appointed to Aroa’s board
Long-standing director Steven Engle to retire after nine years with biotech
Hutton to help guide Aroa Biosurgery’s continued expansion in North America

Special Report: Soft tissue repair company Aroa Biosurgery has made a key appointment to its board with US-based seasoned global corporations executive Darla Hutton to replace retiring long-standing director Steven Engle.

Aroa Biosurgery (ASX:ARX) has appointed seasoned medtech commercial strategist Darla Hutton as an independent non-executive director as it looks to further expand in North America.

ARX says US-based Hutton brings more than 25 years of international leadership expertise in life sciences commercial strategy, operations, sales, marketing, and data analytics.

She is currently vice president of commercial operations and marketing-Asia, at Silicon Valley-based Intuitive Surgical, Inc., a global leader in minimally invasive care.

A member of the NASDAQ-100 and S&P 500, Intuitive is a pioneer in the field of robotic-assisted surgery and developed the da Vinci surgical robotic system.

The company’s products are used in 70 countries and to date, in more than 12 million procedures.

ARX says Hutton has held roles of increasing responsibility at Intuitive, including vice president of corporate accounts-US and vice president of marketing, market access & custom hospital analytics.

She has contributed to the expansion of Intuitive’s commercial operations, capabilities, and range of global offerings.

In addition to her core role, Hutton is also a member of the company’s diversity council.

The seasoned life sciences executive has previously held commercial positions at global med tech and pharmaceutical companies, including Boston Scientific and GlaxoSmithKline.

Hutton’s appointment will take effect from today, March 22 and she will stand for election at ARX’s next AGM.

ARX has also announced the retirement of long-standing director Steven Engle, effective on March 31, 2024.

The US a key target market

ARX develops, manufactures, sells and distributes medical and surgical products to improve healing in complex wounds and soft tissue reconstruction.

The biotech’s products are developed from its proprietary ECM technology platform, a novel extracellular matrix biomaterial derived from ovine forestomach.

The company has commercialised four product families based on its ECM technology, targeting chronic wounds, hernia, soft tissue, and breast reconstruction.

More than 6 million ARX products have been used globally in a range of procedures to date, with distribution into its key market of the US via the company’s direct sales force and distribution partner TELA Bio.

Chairman Jim McLean says Hutton’s skills and expertise will help guide the company’s continued expansion in North America.

“On behalf of the board, I would also like to thank Steve for his significant contribution,” McLean says.

“Over the past nine years, he has provided a wealth of knowledge to the board and helped shape Aroa’s direction.”

Chief executive officer Brian Ward says with her breadth and depth of her experience, Darla will be a valuable addition to ARX’s board.

“In particular, her expertise in selling into the operating room is well aligned with ARX’s focus on soft tissue reconstruction procedures,” Ward says.

This article was developed in collaboration with Aroa Biosurgery, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.