McDermott + Bull Recruits Chief Technology Officer for JenaValve Technology
June 30, 2026 – Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has placed Edward Sarnowski as chief technology officer of JenaValve Technology, Inc. in Irvine, CA. The search was completed by partner Ken Dropiewski, and executive recruiter Michael Matranga.
“Ed’s appointment marks an important step in the evolution of JenaValve as a company,” said John Kilcoyne, CEO of JenaValve. “With FDA approval now behind us and the U.S. commercial launch underway, we are entering a new phase of growth that demands R&D leadership of the highest caliber. Ed’s deep experience building and scaling global R&D organizations, delivering complex transcatheter programs from concept to commercialization, and navigating the regulatory rigor required in structural heart makes him exactly the right person to lead our technology organization. I am confident that under his leadership, we will continue to advance the science of TAVR for AR.”
Mr. Sarnowski brings more than 20 years of medical device R&D leadership experience, with deep expertise in structural heart and transcatheter valve technologies. In this role, he will be instrumental in advancing JenaValve’s key innovation initiatives and expanding the Trilogy platform’s capabilities to safely and effectively serve the broadest possible population of patients suffering from aortic regurgitation.
Most recently, Mr. Sarnowski served as vice president of R&D for TAVR and Congenital and subsequently vice president of R&D, mitral & tricuspid at Medtronic Structural Heart, where he led a global R&D organization accountable for establishing transcatheter valve replacement therapies spanning R&D execution, clinical investigation, and portfolio strategy. Prior to Medtronic, he spent a decade at St. Jude Medical (acquired by Abbott) in senior R&D and business development leadership roles, where he drove FDA PMA submissions and built early-stage partnerships across cardiac and heart failure programs.
“I am honored to join JenaValve at such a transformative moment,” said Mr. Sarnowski. “The Trilogy System represents a remarkable achievement — a purpose-built, first-of-its-kind transcatheter therapy that addresses a true unmet need in the structural heart space. I look forward to working alongside this exceptional team to build on the foundation that has been established, driving the meaningful innovation required to deliver life-changing solutions to cardiovascular patients worldwide.”
Mr. Sarnowski will lead the company’s R&D organization and drive the next phase of innovation as JenaValve advances its transcatheter aortic valve programs following the recent U.S. FDA approval of the Trilogy THV System for symptomatic, severe aortic regurgitation (ssAR).
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JenaValve Technology is a medical device company that develops transcatheter heart valve systems for the treatment of patients with aortic valve disease. Founded in 2006, the company specializes in minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) technologies, including its Trilogy Heart Valve System, which is designed to treat severe aortic regurgitation and aortic stenosis in patients at elevated surgical risk.
Serving a Range of Domestic and Global Clients
McDermott + Bull provides mission-critical permanent executive placement and interim solutions for a range of domestic and global clients. The firm serves private and public companies, private equity firms and their operating companies across multiple industries, including technology, financial services, biotech and life sciences, and professional services.
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Mr. Dropiewski is part of the firm’s medtech and life sciences practice, based in Denver, CO. While he serves the entire medical device and biotechnology industry, he is particularly well known for his work within the cardiac, vascular, interventional, and oncology segments. Mr. Dropiewski has been in the medtech industry for over 25 years.
Mr. Matranga is manager of search operations for McDermott + Bull where he performs research to ensure the placement of senior leaders. He is responsible for candidate sourcing, contact enrichment, and overall data management for the firm. Prior to his current role, Mr. Matranga served as a data management associate for McDermott + Bull. He now partners with the aerospace + defense, life sciences, and real estate practices to help fulfill their research needs.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
