Carl Zeiss Meditec Taps Mazzo To Lead Consolidated Unit

Carl Zeiss Meditec has moved to consolidate its diagnostic and surgical products in ophthalmology and has brought in well-known ophthalmology industry veteran, James V. Mazzo, to head up the new unit.

Mazzo joins CZM as Global President of the ophthalmology unit with responsibility for the new strategic business unit along with overseeing CZM’s US sales and service functions, CZM said in a statement.

The goal is to “facilitate more effective customer service, more aggressive market penetration and global expansion.” Mazzo has extensive experience building brands in the surgical space, which could benefit CZM if it moves to penetrate the US market with its well-established IOL business in Europe.

Mazzo may be one of the best-known names in corporate leadership in ophthalmology with more than 35 years in the pharmaceutical and device side of the industry. Mazzo has been executive chairman and CEO of AcuFocus since 2013, during which time it received FDA approval of its Kamra corneal inlay and the CE mark for its IC-8 small-aperture IOL. Mazzo also has been executive board chair of Neurotech, which has been developing cell therapies for AMD and glaucoma.
Mazzo may be best known for his time as CEO of AMO, starting in 2002, and then Advanced Medical Optics at Abbott Laboratories from 2009 to 2013, directing its global vision care business. Before that he’d spent 20 years with Allergan, leaving as president of its global surgical business in 2002 when he led the spinoff of AMO.

In a joint statement, Ludwin Monz, President and CEO of CZM, Michael Kaschke, Chairman, said they are “excited” to have Mazzo on board. “The re-organization and new leadership of the ophthalmology business will allow Carl Zeiss Meditec to extend the offering for ophthalmology and optometric customers globally,” they said. “We see particular opportunities in extending the business in North America and parts of Asia.”

Mazzo said he was “privileged and honored” to join CZM. “The company has been an innovative leader in the industry for over 100 years,” he said. “The broad line of technology and commitment to our industry is exciting. I look forward to continuing this excellence and building ZEISS into the premier ophthalmic franchise.”
 
Come see Jim and congratulate him on this new position on August 8, when he will once again lead a dynamic discussion with the “Masters of the Industry” during OIS@ASRS, in San Francisco. https://ois.net/ois-asrs-2016/agenda/