iSonea CEO to resign in May

iSonea (ASX:ISN) CEO Michael Thomas has announced plans to step down from the role in May 2014.

During the six-month transition period, iSonea board member Jerry Korten will take the role of executive director and oversee the transfer of Thomas’ duties.

Thomas joined iSonea as CEO in mid-2011. He is also president and CEO of medical devices and healthcare services consulting firm Appian Partners.

iSonea chairman Dr Stewart Washer said the company plans to take the opportunity to appoint an executive with strong international marketing experience to the CEO role, in the lead-up to the US launch of its AirSonea mobile wheeze-monitoring device in early 2014.

“With the significance of the global opportunity, we are seeking to appoint a CEO with international sales and market growth background and the expertise to implement a worldwide campaign,” he said.

The company launched AirSonea in Australia in September.

Meanwhile, Starpharma (ASX:SPL) revealed it has appointed financial services veteran Robert Thomas to its board, initially as a non-executive director.

Thomas will be groomed to take the role of chairman once current chair Peter Bartels retires in 2014 as part of a board succession plan. Bartels joined Starpharma in 2003.

Thomas has 35 years’ experience in the securities industry at firms including Potter Partners (now UBS) and Citigroup.

“I have been following Starpharma for some time and have been watching their recent progress with great interest. I am enthusiastic about the commercial potential of the company’s technology and welcome the opportunity to become involved with the company,” Thomas said.

iSonea (ASX:ISN) shares were trading 5.17% lower at $0.55 as of around 1 pm on Wednesday, while Starpharma (ASX:SPL) shares were trading 0.57% higher at $0.88.