The Medical 21 team is led by Manny Villafaña.  Manny has a substantial track record starting companies that develop and deliver successful products to the market.

• Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. (CPI) revolutionized the pacemaker industry by introducing a long-life lithium iodine pacemaker, a technology still used today by 100% of the pacemaker/defibrillator market.  CPI is now owned by Boston Scientific.

• St. Jude Medical developed an innovative, mechanical, bi-leaflet heart valve that dramatically reduced the frequency of blood clots.  St. Jude is now part of Abbott Medical.

• ATS Medical further evolved the mechanical heart valve, introducing an open-pivot design and capturing a strong share of the market.  ATS is now owned by Medtronic.

As a result, Manny has received numerous awards of recognition, including:

• The "Living Legend of Medicine" award from the World Society of CardioThoracic Surgeons.

• MDEA Lifetime Achievement Award.  (https://www.mddionline.com/manny-villafa%C3%B1a-relentless-risk-taker-and-enduring-entrepreneur)

• Inductee of the Minnesota Business Journal Hall of Fame and the Minnesota Science and Technology Hall of Fame.

• Research at the University of Iowa:

       - Medical Devices

       - Cardiovascular Biomechanics

       - Biomaterial Development

       - Mechanical Assessment of Soft Tissues

• Former Process Engineer at 3M.

• Expert in the pre-clinical development of bypass grafts.

• Accomplished pre-clinical surgeon.

• Extensive experience in the application of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) quality controls and methodologies.

• Served as Associate Director of cardiovascular research laboratory (ESS) at the University of Minnesota.

• Medical device experience with roles in:

       - Manufacturing

       - Operations

       - Process Development

       - R&D

       - Quality

• Deep medical/technical experience with nitinol support systems.