Mr. Ferrari was the co-founder and CEO of CardioThoracic Systems, a company he led to an initial public offering in 1996. CTSI was ultimately acquired by Guidant Corporation in November 1999. In addition, he founded Saratoga Ventures, a venture capital partnership that has provided seed financing to startup medical technology companies. At Saratoga, Mr. Ferrari was Chairman of Oratec, which was sold in 2001 to Smith & Nephew PLC. Prior to that, Mr. Ferrari was the CEO of a publicly traded medical technology company, Cardiovascular Imaging Systems. CVIS was acquired by Boston Scientific Corporation in 1995. Mr. Ferrari also co-founded The Medical Technology Group, which spun out Integrated Vascular Systems, a company which was sold to Abbott. From 1986 to 1990, Mr. Ferrari held the positions of Executive Vice President and General Manager of ADAC Laboratories.
He holds a BS degree from Ashland University and an MBA from the University of South Florida.
Rich Ferrari, Managing Director at De Novo Ventures, will share his rich experience in the Medical Devices industry - as an executive, an entrepreneur and as an investor. Snapshots filled with war stories, challenges, victories & successes – all that make bringing a medical device innovation to market such a memorable experience. He will share his viewpoints about 10 things he wish he knew 20 years ago when he got started in the Medical Device industry.
He will share parts of his experience as CEO of Cardiovascular Imaging Systems - how he orchestrated an IPO and a successful acquisition to Boston Scientific . How he guided Cardiothoracic Systems Inc from a startup to IPO, in record time (in 7 months!) and later to its acquisition by Guidant. Cryovascular, Paracor and other medical device startup stories.
