- After almost 14 years in the position
- Praise for Zaderej
- Search for a successor
- Zaderej said 117 words
(exechange) — Alachua, Florida, January 4, 2024 — Karen Zaderej, chief executive of Axogen, is set to leave her position. As announced by Axogen Inc. in a news release and in a regulatory filing published on Thursday, January 4, 2024, Karen Zaderej will leave her post as chief executive officer at the specialist in surgical solutions for peripheral nerve injuries, after almost 14 years in the role, effective by January 2025.
Axogen will undertake a search for a successor.
“Accelerate Axogen’s next phase of commercial growth and move towards profitability”
Amy Wendell, Axogen’s Lead Director, stated: “With the BLA submission for Avance® Nerve Graft nearing completion and the Company continuing to demonstrate steady revenue increases year over year, we will look to bring on board a CEO who will help accelerate Axogen’s next phase of commercial growth and move towards profitability. The timing is right for this as the Company begins to shift its focus in 2024 to what will be a post-BLA commercial expansion strategy.”
Precise information regarding Karen Zaderej’s future plans was not immediately available.
“Retire”
Axogen said: “President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Karen Zaderej plans to retire from the Company by January 2025.”
Share price decline since January 2019
The announcement follows a decline in Axogen Inc.’s share price of 68% since January 2019.
In the position of CEO since 2010
Karen Zaderej became CEO of the Company in 2010.
Karen Zaderej joined Axogen Corporation in May 2006. She has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a Member of the Board of Directors since September 2011 and became Chairman of the Board of Directors in May 2018.
She served as Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors of Axogen Corporation, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary since May 2010 and as Chief Operating Officer from October 2007 to May 2010 and as Vice President of Marketing and Sales from May 2006 to October 2007.
From October 2004 to May 2006, she worked for Zaderej Medical Consulting, a consulting firm she founded, which assisted medical device companies build and execute successful commercialization plans.
From 1987 to 2004, she worked at Ethicon, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, where she held senior positions in marketing, business development, research & development, and manufacturing. Zaderej is a member of the University of Tampa Board of Trustees and sits on the Board of Directors for EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: EYPT).
She has an M.B.A. from the Kellogg Graduate School of Business and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University.
117 words by Karen Zaderej
In the release announcing her planned departure as CEO of Axogen Inc., Karen Zaderej received praise.
In announcing her departure, Karen Zaderej said 117 words.
“Year-over-year growth of 18% and 15%”
Karen Zaderej stated: “Axogen is in a strong position as we start 2024. As announced separately today, we have promoted several key team members to new leadership roles that will be important in the next chapter of the Company. We are also reporting preliminary fourth quarter and full-year 2023 revenue of approximately $42.7 million and $158.8 million, demonstrating year-over-year growth of 18% and 15%, respectively. I am proud of the accomplishments of our team and know that Axogen is positioned well for continued growth. While I will retire from my roles on the executive team and Board, I firmly believe in the talent and strength of the team to continue to improve patient lives and drive long-term success at Axogen.”
Push-out Score for Karen Zaderej’s move determined
The Push-out Score™ determined by exechange gauges the pressure surrounding Karen Zaderej’s move on a scale of 0 to 10.
Read the full story in the exechange report 2.2024 ($).