Valtronic U.S. Welcomes New R&D Engineering Director

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Valtronic Technologies (USA) has hired Mike Labbe to the newly created position of Director R&D Engineering. This key position is the first step towards a strategic buildup of R&D capabilities at Valtronic U.S.

With almost 25 years of experience in the medical device industry, Labbe will further build up the team and drive the site's R&D activities. Valtronic's U.S. General Manager Jay Wimer said, "Mike brings new focus to our R&D activities in the U.S. We're excited about what it means for our future to have someone with his capabilities and qualifications as part of our team."

Labbe's background and experience made him the ideal candidate for this key position. Prior to joining Valtronic, he served as director of new product development at Neurotechnology Innovations Translator (NIT), as director of R&D at QIG Group/Nuvectra, and as vice president for engineering at BIOMEC. Labbe has led the development of numerous Class II and IIII medical device projects from concept through regulatory approval, most recently for a Class III fully implantable SCS neurostimulation system for the treatment of chronic pain. He holds seven U.S. patents, has been published in Med Phys, and has been a presenter at the American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Labbe's focus is to create a strong R&D team in the U.S. comparable to that of Valtronic's global headquarters in Switzerland. "Developing similar R&D capabilities in Solon will be a strong asset for Valtronic," adds Rainer Platz, CEO. "Offering our customers the full range of solutions, from design and feasibility, to development, industrialization and manufacturing is key to allow for high quality innovative medical devices. With Mike's experience in the medical device field, and his understanding of the customer's and patients' needs, the way is paved for even more innovative breakthroughs."

Labbe has a master of science degree in biomedical engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts.