Hechler brings more than 15 years of focused life-sciences experience in M&A, strategy, and
operations
Newton, Mass., Sept. 16, 2020 – Lumicell, Inc., a leader in image-guided cancer surgery, today announced the addition of Howard Hechler as Senior Vice President of Strategy & Business Development. In this new role, Mr. Hechler will leverage his depth of transactional and operational experience across a range of life sciences technologies to optimize and execute Lumicell’s corporate strategy.
“Lumicell welcomes Howard Hechler as a key member of our leadership team in this highly visible role,” said Kevin Hershberger, CEO, Lumicell. “He joins at an important time for the company as we progress closer to an FDA market application for our first indication in breast cancer. Given the broad applicability of Lumicell’s drug and imaging technology across a range of cancers, we are excited for Howard to lead our corporate development activities.”
The Lumicell system for fluorescence guided surgery (FGS) was developed to enable real-time in vivo visualization and removal of residual cancer during primary surgeries – with the goal of reducing the risk of repeat surgeries and local cancer recurrence. Lumicell’s recent Feasibility Phase C trial (234 patients at 16 sites) demonstrated that, by using the intraoperative molecular imaging system, additional residual disease was identified and removed, for both invasive cancers and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), in 11% of patients.
Mr. Hechler brings more than fifteen years of experience in medical devices, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and drug-device combination products, leading cross-functional teams to develop business cases and C-suite strategic plans. Most recently, Mr. Hechler worked at Locust Walk, a boutique life sciences investment bank, where he supported the firm’s growth and extended its medical technology practice reach. Prior to Locust Walk, Mr. Hechler was Chief Business Officer at PolarityTE, where he steered business development, marketing, sales, and market access/reimbursement strategies. Much of his career was spent at Medtronic, where he ran Business Development and Strategy for the company’s $2B Surgical Technologies division. His career began as an Associate Practice Executive for Campbell Alliance’s M&A group, advising small, medium, and large pharma and biopharma companies on a range of deals. He has also worked at XL TechGroup, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, and founded his own life-sciences consulting firm, Obliquity Consulting.
“At various points throughout my career, I have focused on interventional oncology and breast cancer in particular. It’s an area I am passionate about, and so I am very pleased to join Lumicell, a company I’ve long followed and admired,” said Mr. Hechler. “Lumicell is leading the way in image-guided cancer surgery and I’m eager to pair my specific experience in this space with my expertise in strategy and business development to advance Lumicell’s groundbreaking surgical technology.”
Mr. Hechler graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University. Following his undergraduate studies, he went on to earn Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctorate degrees from the University of Virginia.
About Lumicell, Inc.
Lumicell is a technology leader in the field of image-guided cancer surgery. The company is developing a novel system that enables real-time detection of tumor tissue in patients so that no cancer cells are left behind during surgery. The company’s Lumicell System has unprecedented ability to see and guide removal of cancer cells remaining in the surgical cavity – beyond the margin of the specimen – and has the potential to significantly improve surgical outcomes and reduce healthcare costs by eliminating the need for repeat surgeries. Lumicell is investigating the Lumicell System in patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, brain cancer, colorectal, esophageal and pancreatic cancers. Additional future indications are planned to include perfusion, wound care and infection, and surgeries for lung, and liver cancers. For more information, please visit www.lumicell.com.
