Dr. Sumaira Macdonald Named Chief Medical Officer of Silk Road Medical

January 13, 2014—Silk Road Medical, Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA) announced the appointment of Sumaira Macdonald, MBChB (Comm.), FRCP, FRCR, PhD, as Chief Medical Officer, effective immediately. Dr. Macdonald will direct the company’s scientific and technical agenda and lead research in endovascular interventions for the prevention and treatment of stroke. Silk Road Medical develops technology for minimally invasive access and treatment of carotid and neurovascular disease.

In its announcement, Silk Road Medical noted that before joining the company, Dr. Macdonald served as a vascular radiologist and honorary clinical senior lecturer at Newcastle University and the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. She is the co-editor of Carotid Stenting; A Practical Guide (London, UK: Springer Science Business Media; 2009), is the author of more than 70 medical publications on vascular disease, and has given more than 300 international lectures. Dr. Macdonald is the recipient of many academic society honors, serves on the editorial boards of a number of scientific journals, including Endovascular Today, and is highly sought after as a speaker.

In the company’s press release, Dr. Macdonald commented, “I am excited to join Silk Road in its pursuit of promising technology to protect the brain from the risk of stroke during carotid artery stenting. The unique combination of providing temporary flow reversal and avoiding arch manipulation affords the best protection against typical complications associated with transfemoral access-filter–protected carotid stenting procedures. The company is striving hard to provide solutions to patients with carotid artery disease, a shared goal to which I have also devoted my professional career.”

The Silk Road system uses transcarotid stenting with dynamic flow reversal. The company advised that it is limited to investigational use and is not cleared or available for sale in the United States. The Silk Road System is authorized for sale in countries that recognize CE Mark approval. 

Erica Rogers, President and Chief Executive Officer of Silk Road Medical, stated in the company’s announcement, “To have attracted a clinician of Dr. Macdonald’s significant caliber is a testament to the promise of our technology in preventing stroke resulting from carotid artery disease. Her leadership in clinical research and renowned medical skills will significantly contribute to the advancement of our products and company’s growth. We are honored to have her on the team.”