Name: Paul Ziegler
Current role: CEO and president of Augmedics
Previous role: Independent consultant
Augmented reality surgery company Augmedics has named Paul Ziegler as its president and CEO, filling the vacancy created when Kevin Hykes left for neuromodulation firm CVRx.
Augmedics sells a headset that allows spine surgeons to view virtual images of the patient’s bones and surgical instruments inside the body. 3D images of the spine and 2D navigation images are superimposed over the surgeon’s vision, allowing them to view data without looking away from the patient. Surgeons have used the system to treat more than 8,500 patients, according to Augmedics.
Hykes led the company for two years, in which time it raised $82.5 million and passed milestones such as use of the system in 5,000 cases. When Hykes left, Augmedics initially named Chairman Rick Anderson as interim leader. Gwen Watanabe later served as interim CEO.
Ziegler worked as an independent medtech consultant for the past 11 months, according to his LinkedIn profile. Before that, Ziegler spent almost five years at Viewray, the manufacturer of an MRI-guided radiation therapy system. Viewray promoted Ziegler from chief commercial officer to CEO in July 2023, just before the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Viewray tried to find buyers for its assets but failed to strike a deal. The bankruptcy court approved a wind-down order in October 2023. Ziegler left the company around that time and began working as an independent consultant.
Augmedics received 510(k) clearance for a new registration method for its Xvision spine surgery system in October. The company said the clearance eliminates the need for 3D intraoperative imaging, clearing a barrier to the use of the system.