Creative Balloons appoints David Johnson as Chairman of the Board of Directors

• Senior medtech executive David Johnson to head Board of Directors (Beirat)
• Creative Balloons has developed hygh-tec^(R), revolutionizing catheter technology by applying highly seal efficient, microscopically thin balloon components from polyurethane (PUR)
• hygh-tec^(R) addresses a high unmet medical need, particularly in intensive care units, which have been heavily burdened during the COVID-19 pandemic

Waghaeusel (Germany), January 10, 2022 – Creative Balloons GmbH, Waghäusel near Heidelberg, a specialist in medical technology, today announced the appointment of David Johnson as Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2022. Dave has held many senior executive and board positions with large market-leading companies as well as emerging companies with innovative medical devices. Managing global medtech businesses for over 20 years in Canada, the USA and the UK, he has successfully developed mid-, small- and micro-cap companies in public and private environments.

“We are delighted to welcome David Johnson as Chairman of the Creative Balloons’ Board of Directors,” said Frank Gehres, CEO of Creative Balloons. “His many years of executive and board experience with large and smaller players in the medtech industry will be a tremendous asset for Creative Balloons as we approach market entry into the US and UK. Dave’s strategic advice and strong industry expertise, specifically in the intensive care segment, as well as his deep insight into the US market will help us to accomplish important tasks such as building up our commercial organization and achieving market access for our product hygh-tec^(R). I look forward to working closely with him and our Board as we carry out our mission to rethink critical care.”

David Johnson has 35 years of experience leading small, medium, and large companies – both public and private – in the medical device space, including intensive care products. Before heading the Creative Balloons board, Dave served as CEO for Enveric Biosciences, and continues as a member of their Board of Directors.
Prior to this, he held global roles with ConvaTec, a leading player in medical products. As President of the ConvaTec Division within Bristol-Myers Squibb, he facilitated the sale from BMS to Nordic Capital for 4.1 billion USD. He further continued as CEO of ConvaTec Inc. together with being a member of their Board of Directors, whereas under his directive sales increased tremendously. After leaving ConvaTec, he has been acting as board member and chairman in several US-based companies such as HyperMed Imaging, Alliqua BioMedical and Omni Orthopaedics, and aided them with his vast experience in leading transactions and raising capital.
Dave holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton (Canada), and completed the INSEAD Advanced Management Program in Fontainebleau (France). He also is a Fellow from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (USA).

“I strongly believe in the highly innovative approach to catheters that Creative Balloons has developed with hygh-tec^(R),” commented David Johnson. “Its successful market entry in Germany is impressive. I am very much looking forward to working with Creative Balloons as it grows into new markets and to bringing in my business experience from that specific product category. It will be a pleasure to help leverage the full potential of the contribution hygh-tec^(R) brings to ICU caregivers and the enhanced treatment opportunities it holds for patients.”

“The Board of Creative Balloons is excited about Dave Johnson joining and leading our efforts,” says Dr. Ulrich Wandschneider, former CEO of hospital operator Asklepios and current member of the board of directors of BioNTech, who is representing investment company Salvia on the Creative Balloons Board of Directors. Besides him and David Johnson, the Board consists of Dr. Karl Nägler representing Wellington Partners and Matthias Guth representing MIG Capital AG.

About Creative Balloons
Creative Balloons is a specialized medical technology company. The company develops and markets novel catheter technology based on microscopically thin, complex shaped balloon films made of polyurethane (PUR). Creative Balloons taps the properties of these extraordinary structures for problem-solving platform concepts in the Fecal, Urinary and Respiratory segments. The current focus is on systems for the containment of patient contamination. In this context, Creative Balloons is developing drainage technology for fecal management in intensive care patients, which provides significant benefits in nursing, hygiene management and patient therapy. The first product utilizing this technology, hygh-tec^(R), is already used in German-speaking countries with great success. Creative Balloons was founded in 2007 and is based in Waghäusel, near Heidelberg, Germany.
www.hyghtec.com

Contact:
Creative Balloons GmbH
Frank Gehres, CEO
Phone: +49-7254-4039710

Media relations:
MC Services AG
Eva Bauer
Phone: +49-89-210228-80