European VC fund Sofinnova Partners has hired Martin Rothman, M.D., as a venture partner. Rothman joins Sofinnova from Medtronic, where he worked as VP of medical affairs for coronary, structural heart and renal denervation.
Medtronic persuaded Rothman, an interventional cardiologist, to enter the industry at the start of 2010. Rothman worked as a clinician for decades prior to the switch. The move gave Rothman the chance to apply the experience running clinical trials and founding medtech startups that he gained while working as clinician to the needs of a big, multinational business.
Now, Rothman is switching gears again. Having collaborated with Sofinnova through his involvement in LimFlow and HighLife—which received money from the VC fund—Rothman is joining as a venture partner.
The appointment gives Sofinnova access to the knowledge of someone familiar with the needs of patients and industry in one of the most active areas for medtech investments and deals.
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While at Medtronic, Rothman worked on programs targeting renal denervation, trans-aortic valve replacement and percutaneous mitral regurgitation. Rothman also had a hand in advancing the transcatheter mitral valve replacement technology Medtronic gained in its $458 million takeover of Twelve.
“Martin is an exceptional physician and repeat entrepreneur. His experience ideally complements our team and represents a key asset for Sofinnova Partners at a time when our activity is growing,” Antoine Papiernik, managing partner and chairman of Sofinnova, said in a statement.
Sofinnova has a long-standing interest in medical devices, as well as drugs and other life science products, but has traditionally focused its investments in early-stage companies. That changed recently with the addition of a crossover fund that equips Sofinnova to support startups for longer.