Profile

Founded in February 2021 by private equity firm GTCR and investor Gregory T. Lucier, Corza Medical emerged in response to a critical gap in the market. While many medical device companies focused on technical innovations, there was a noticeable lack of emphasis on excelling in customer service and fostering meaningful relationships with surgeons and clinicians. Thus, Corza Medical dedicated itself to closer collaboration with its customers, developing innovative solutions that enable them to better serve their patients while saving time, money, and effort.

Today, Corza Medical has rapidly established itself as a leader in the medical-device technology and innovative surgical solutions sector. With a focus on Ophthalmology, Wound Closure, Biosurgery, and Biomedical Textiles, the company is dedicated to developing cutting-edge solutions across these key areas while adopting a comprehensive approach to excellence in customer service and partnerships. The company’s effectiveness in pursuing its mission — defined by its commitment to delivering remarkable service, trusted performance, and outstanding value — has been a pivotal factor in its swift ascent within the industry.

Visit www.corza.com

Key Products

Corza provides healthcare professionals a platform of surgical technologies with many industry-leading brands, including Quill® barbed sutures, Sharpoint® Plus and Look™ surgical sutures, Katena® reusable and Blink™ single-use ophthalmic instruments, Barron corneal transplant devices, Sharpoint® microsurgical knives, and the TachoSil® fibrin sealant patch.

Key Executives

Greg Lucier, Executive Chairman

Greg Lucier founded Corza Medical in partnership with leading private equity firm GTCR to combine his 30+ years of life sciences leadership with GTCR’s unrivaled track record of creating unique, value-generating private equity opportunities. Greg most recently served as Chairman and CEO at NuVasive, a global technology leader in minimally invasive spine and orthopedic surgery. Prior to that, he was Chairman and CEO at Life Technologies—formerly Invitrogen—which he grew into a global life sciences powerhouse that was acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific for more than $15 billion. He spent the first part of his career with the General Electric—including GE Healthcare—in a variety of corporate officer and executive roles. Greg serves on several public and private company boards, including Antylia Scientific, Catalent, Dentsply Sirona, Maravai LifeSciences, and Pleno, Inc. He holds a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering from Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

Tom Testa, Chief Executive Officer

Tom Testa brings more than 30 years of leadership experience with the last 12 years focused on the medical device industry. Before his appointment to CEO in 2023, Tom was Chief Financial Officer of Corza Medical since its inception in 2021. Tom’s experience includes both senior financial and general management roles. He came to Corza Medical following his assignment as Vice President and General Manager of Nordson Medical, which he joined following Nordson’s acquisition of the Vention Medical Advanced Technologies business, where he was President. Tom was formerly the Chief Financial Officer of Vention Medical and GenTek, Inc., a diversified industrial holding company. Tom earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology and an MBA in Finance from the Stern School of Business at New York University.

Carla da Luz Boren, J.D., Chief Human Resources Officer

Carla da Luz Boren has over 20 years of experience in human resources, legal & compliance, as well as M&A within the life sciences and biotech sectors. Before joining Corza Medical, she held several senior leadership positions, most recently as General Counsel and Chief Human Resources Officer at Otonomy, Inc. Carla previously held various global senior leadership roles at Life Technologies/Thermo Fisher, including Vice President, Human Resources. Earlier in her career, Carla was an attorney with the law firms DLA Piper and Littler Mendelson. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Economy of Industrial Societies from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Derek Chaves, Chief Financial Officer

Derek Chaves brings nearly 25 years of experience in finance and accounting in the medical technology and life sciences industries. Derek began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers and has held roles of increasing responsibility with C.R. Bard, later acquired by Becton Dickinson, a global leader in medical technology and life sciences. Prior to joining Corza Medical, he served as Vice President, Finance for Becton Dickinson’s Integrated Diagnostic Solutions business unit. Derek earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bryant University and a Master of Business Administration from Charleston Southern University.

Thierry Leclercq, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Biosurgery

Thierry Leclercq is an accomplished executive who spent over 30 years at GE Healthcare, where he held roles of increasing responsibility across Asia, EMEA, and the U.S., culminating in his position as President and CEO of GE LifeCare Solutions. After his career at GE, Thierry became CEO of Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center (DORC), a leading provider of ophthalmic retinal solutions. At DORC, he led a successful business turnaround and subsequent sale to Eurazeo Group. Thierry earned a degree in Biomedical Engineering from Université de Technologie de Compiègne and an MBA from Temple University.

Jack Simmons, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Ophthalmology

Jack Simmons brings over 15 years of leadership experience in the medical technology industry. Jack joined Corza Medical through the acquisition of Katena Products, Inc., where he most recently served as Vice President. Global Sales, overseeing direct selling, distributor partnerships, commercial operations, and customer service activities worldwide. Prior to Katena, Jack spent 11 years at Cardinal Health, holding various roles in sales, sales management, marketing, and finance/operations. Jack earned a Bachelor of Science in Business and Marketing Management, and a Master’s in Sport Management from the University of Minnesota.

David Hanlon, Senior Vice President, Quality & Regulatory Affairs

David Hanlon brings over 40 years of global leadership experience in Quality and Regulatory Affairs, successfully developing and implementing regulatory product strategies in both the medical device and pharmaceutical industries. Before joining Corza Medical, David was Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance at Exact Sciences and Cardinal Health. He has also held senior-level Quality and Regulatory roles at Terumo, Bausch & Lomb, Fisher Diagnostics, and Wyeth/Pfizer. David earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from Westmar University, and an MBA from Shenandoah University.

James Getty, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, General Manager, Biomedical Textiles

James Getty, Ph.D., has nearly 30 years of experience in medical device product development and manufacturing and is a recognized expert in development processes and continuous improvement techniques. His career includes roles in product development, sales and marketing, and manufacturing, most recently as Vice President and General Manager at Nordson Medical, where he led contract engineering and manufacturing teams serving the interventional medical device market. James earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry as well as a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Davis.

Dennis Diaz, Senior Vice President, Manufacturing & Operational Excellence

Dennis Diaz brings more than 25 years of experience within the medical device industry. Before joining Corza Medical, he served as Vice President and Head of Manufacturing for Teleflex, where he led end-to-end supply chain operations across the U.S. and Mexico. Prior to Teleflex, Dennis held leadership roles at Integer, including Vice President of Global Operations. Earlier in his career, he held positions with Johnson & Johnson. Dennis earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Penn State University, and an Executive MBA from the University of Southern California. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves and is certified in Lean Manufacturing.

James Xu Shubi, Vice President, General Manager China

James Xu has led the Great China region for Corza Medical (and its predecessor entity) for over 7 years. Prior to joining the Company James was the Managing Director of Devicor Medical China. In this role, James was part of the management team that successfully spun off Johnson & Johnson’s breast care business to form Devicor, which was subsequently acquired by Danaher/Leica Biosystems. Prior to Devicor, James worked for Johnson & Johnson Medical China for 15 years, across numerous specialties including cardiovascular, orthopedics and women’s health. James graduated from Second Military Medical University in Shanghai and earned an MBA from Rutgers University School of Business.

Jason Abair, Vice President, Legal & Chief Compliance Officer

Jason Abair has provided legal guidance to medical device and pharmaceutical companies for over 20 years. Before joining Corza Medical, Jason served as General Counsel for Highridge Medical, the spin-out of Zimmer Biomet’s spine and bone healing businesses. Prior to Highridge, he served as Associate General Counsel to Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies for almost 10 years. Previously, Jason was an attorney with the law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges specializing in pharmaceutical patent litigation. Jason earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Duke University, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Colorado.

Customer Insights

“Corza’s commitment to medical education is unparalleled. Without their generous support, we would not have been able to teach and instruct over 1000 students and optometrists.” — Dr. Jeffrey R. Varanelli, OD FAAO, Simon Eye Center

“We have been using Sharpoint® sutures in our surgical center for over a year. The suture quality is equivalent to that of Ethicon.” — Dr. Serafin M. DeLeon III, ORTHOPAEDIC HAND & UPPER EXTREMITY, Illinois Bone & Joint Institute Gurnee, IL

“I have been using Express Gut in my practice for two years. It´s more affordable and I don’t have to sacrifice needle quality.” — Dr. Joseph Niamtu, PLASTIC SURGEON, Niamtu Cosmetic Facial Surgery Midiothian, VA

“The needle penetrated the tissue with ease even after more than 15 passes. A dependable needle that I would be happy to use again.” — Dr. Robert Colgrove, PLASTIC SURGEON, Vinings Surgery & Hair Restoration Center Atlanta, GA

Investors

Corza Medical is a portfolio company of GTCR, a leading private equity firm, which helped create and build the business alongside Gregory T. Lucier. In January 2021, GTCR and Lucier simultaneously acquired and merged Surgical Specialties Corporation and the TachoSil carve-out from Takeda Pharmaceutical into the newly named Corza Medical. Corza further expanded its surgical platform into the ophthalmic surgery sector with the add-on acquisitions of Katena Products and Barron Precision Instruments.

About Gregory T. Lucier

Active investor in healthcare and technology sectors—as well as corporate board engagements—involved in more than 75 acquisitions exceeding $30 billion in total value. Personally committed to changing the healthcare system by investing in like-minded companies driving better financial, operational, and clinical outcomes.

Focuses on leading organizations with dynamic management teams, providing governance, strategic insights, and growth capital to expand equity value. Provides access to appropriate relationships, learnings, and support to create industry-leading brands, products, and services.

Over thirty years of executive leadership in the management of IP portfolios, global expansion, business model repositioning, operational initiatives, the building of high-performing, high-executing teams, and recognized expert in M&A at the C-Suite level.

Holds Board of Director positions with public and private companies, including:

• Board seats – Public (currently held): Catalent, Dentsply Sirona, Maravai Life Sciences


• Board seats – Private (currently held): Antylia Scientific, Corza Medical (Executive Chairman), Pleno, Inc. (Chairman)


• Board seats – Public (formerly held): NuVasive (Chairman), Life Technologies (Chairman; formerly Invitrogen now ThermoFisher Scientific), CareFusion Corporation (now Becton Dickinson), Invuity (Chairman; now part of Stryker)


• Board seats – Private (formerly held): Sanford-Burnham Research Institute (Chairman), Edico Genome (now part of Illumina)

Competitors

Competitors in Ophthalmology:

• Competitors in the ophthalmic instruments category: Storz, Ambler


• Competing against Corza Medical’s Blink Single-Use brand: BVI Medical


• Competitor in the ophthalmic lenses category: Volk


• Competitors in the ophthalmic biologics category: BioTissue and New World Medical


• Competitors in the plugs category: BVI Medical, Oasis Medical


• Competing against Corza Medical’s Sharpoint brand for ophthalmic applications: BVI Medical, Mani, Alcon


• Competing against Corza Medical’s Barron brand: Moria

Competitors in Wound Closure:

• JNJ


• Medtronic

Competitors in Biomedical Textiles:

• Mani


• Quality Needles


• SutureX


• Ashaway

Corporate Responsibility

At Corza Medical, the commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles is deeply embedded in the company’s mission to provide remarkable service, trusted performance, and outstanding value. While striving to meet the needs of partners, customers, and patients worldwide, Corza Medical is equally dedicated to advancing ESG efforts to ensure that growth benefits all stakeholders.

ESG Commitment:

• Long-Term Sustainability: Corza Medical is committed to enhancing the long-term sustainability of the company by integrating ESG considerations into core operations. This ensures enduring value for employees, customers, communities, and the environment. The company’s commitment aligns with its brand promise of exceptional service and performance while investing in innovative solutions to advance surgical care globally.


• Collaboration with Stakeholders: To advance ESG initiatives, Corza Medical collaborates closely with customers, partners, contractors, and other stakeholders. By leveraging collective expertise, the company drives progress in addressing ESG challenges and reinforces its mission of providing reliable service and close collaboration in essential surgical products and technologies.


• Transparency and Communication: Transparency and open communication are vital elements of Corza Medical’s ESG strategy. These practices foster trust and demonstrate a commitment to upholding high standards of integrity and accountability.


• Ethical Governance: Ethical standards are at the foundation of Corza Medical’s governance practices. The company adheres to strict guidelines prohibiting bribery and improper payments to public officials and complies with global anti-money-laundering laws and regulations. These standards reflect Corza Medical’s dedication to ethical conduct and support the delivery of the company’s brand promise.

Environmental Responsibility: The environmental strategy at Corza Medical focuses on reducing the carbon footprint, managing waste effectively, and optimizing water use. In 2023, the company established baseline metrics and tracking systems to guide environmental initiatives. Throughout 2024, Corza Medical is committed to achieving meaningful improvements and sustainability targets.

Social Impact: Corza Medical is dedicated to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace while supporting human rights and community well-being. The company’s social initiatives include implementing key policies, providing training, and conducting audits to ensure fair labor practices and data security. Ongoing volunteer work and product donations highlight the company’s commitment to making a positive impact on the communities it serves.

Governance Excellence: Corza Medical maintains high standards of corporate governance and transparency, adopting leading practices such as an anonymous complaint hotline, comprehensive ethics and compliance training, and strict anti-corruption measures. These practices ensure the company upholds the highest levels of integrity and accountability.

Corza Medical is excited about the opportunities to drive positive, meaningful change and remains steadfast in its commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices, positioning the company for future value creation for all stakeholders.