BeneChill names former Boston Sci exec as new CEO

San Diego's BeneChill has named Fred Colen as its new president and CEO. Colen previously held senior management positions at Boston Scientific ($BSX), including executive VP of operations and technology and president of the cardiac rhythm management group.

BeneChill is developing therapeutic hypothermia products for early, rapid, non-invasive cooling in the field. Its RhinoChill IntraNasal cooling system has CE Mark approval for inducing therapeutic hypothermia immediately following cardiac arrest and is available in most major European markets. It is not yet available in the U.S.

"I am very excited with this opportunity to lead the management team at BeneChill," Colen said in a release. "With the RhinoChill IntraNasal cooling system, the company has a unique device which helps preserve the brains of patients who have suffered a cardiac arrest, stroke or traumatic brain injury. I am eager to build the business in Europe and to move the RhinoChill device towards FDA approval in the USA."

Earlier this year, BeneChill and Physio-Control agreed to partner on the launch of the RhinoChill IntraNasal cooling system in Europe. Physio-Control was in the news last week after parent Medtronic ($MDT) agreed to sell the unit to Bain Capital in a transaction valued at approximately $487 million.

- see the BeneChill release