Chacowicz charges over to Mars Innovation

Canada-based commercialisation firm Mars Innovation appointed Steven Chackowicz (pictured) as its executive-in-residence for medical devices yesterday with responsibility for technology scouting and commercialisation in the space.

Chackowicz landed the role on the strength of his entrepreneurial record at early-stage healthcare and life science companies, where he is credited with smoothing the path to financial stability by pushing revenue growth and product adoption.

He will perform his duties on behalf of Mars Innovation’s 15 affiliates, which consist of universities, health systems and research institutions from the Toronto area.

He arrives at Mars following an eight-month tenure in charge of oncological imaging agent developer Nanovista, where he led efforts to close a $2.3m seed round in February 2018.

Chackowicz had previously spent approximately three years as executive vice-president of ultrasound scan technology developer Exact Imaging, after nearly four years in the same position at MRI machine supplier Aspect Imaging.

He also worked for ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging services provider VisualSonics as vice-president from 2002 until 2010, when ultrasound technology developer SonoSite acquired the business. SonoSite was acquired by photography and imaging company Fujifilm in 2011.

Chackowicz studied at University of Toronto from 1982 to 1986, graduating with a BSc in biochemistry, in addition to minors in metaphysics and epistemology.

Rafi Hofstein, president and chief executive of Mars Innovation, said: “We are extremely pleased to be able to recruit an executive with such intimate knowledge and expertise in the medical device arena.

“Mars Innovation’s members offer a rich pipeline of technologies in that space, and Steven joining Mars Innovation means we have the seasoned oversight to develop the best and most promising of these new inventions in a professional and expedient manner.”

– Photograph courtesy of LinkedIn