Carl Vause Is Hyalex Orthopaedics’ New CEO

Lexington, Massachusetts-based Hyalex Orthopaedics, Inc. has appointed Carl Vause as its new chief executive officer, president, and member of its board of directors.

Vause has a history of bringing orthopedic products to the sports medicine market. His experience before Hyalex includes a year as vice president of marketing at CONMED Orthopedic Solutions, seven years as CEO of Soft Robotics Inc., and nearly four years with Smith & Nephew.

Hyalex Board Chair Wende Hutton expressed excitement about Vause joining Hyalex: “We are thrilled to welcome Carl [Vause] with his extensive experience in orthopaedics and sports medicine. He is well-prepared to collaborate with the surgical community as we look to enter the clinic this year and expand our HYALEX^® materials platform and product portfolio.”

Vause will be replacing Hyalex’s interim president, Michael Hawkins, Ph.D. Dr. Hawkins has more than 35 years of experience in the orthopedic industry. He will continue to serve as a director on the board of directors and has also been named chief technical officer.

Dr. Hawkins career has been focused on materials science and orthopedic implants. He spent nearly 34 years at Zimmer Holdings, where he progressed through executive research positions, ending his tenure as vice president corporate research. Per the press release, he has been credited with developing innovative orthopedic products “spanning novel bone graft substitutes, biomimetic surfaces, and composite implants, and has overseen regulatory, quality and R&D functions.”

Hutton added, “We are also privileged to have the ongoing expertise of Mike Hawkins on our executive team at a critical time during which the company has advanced from a focus on research to product and clinical development.”

Hyalex is a medical device company with more than 17 global patents and trademarks. It is developing the HYALEX Cartilage System, which is, per the press release, “intended to repair cartilage lesions and restore function for patients with loss of knee articular cartilage and bone requiring surgery.” The system is in development and is not available for clinical use.

Vause told OTW, “I’m excited to be working with an amazing team to bring the transformative and biomimetic first-of-its kind HYALEX^® Cartilage System to millions of patients with articular joint pain and osteoarthritis who lack reliable treatment options and do not want a total joint replacement. Our mission is to help these patients be active and stay active—I’m thrilled to be part of this world-class team with tremendous potential to truly revolution the orthopaedic industry.”