Murrysville, Pa.

Respironics has appointed John Miclot president and CEO of the respiratory products manufacturer, effective Dec. 1. Miclot succeeds James Liken, who has been president and CEO since 1999.

Liken will assume the newly created role of vice chairman of the company, which is an advisory position only, he said during a press briefing last month. Liken added that he will remain active in the Alexandria, Va.-based American Association for Homecare and in government relations.

Miclot most recently was chief strategic officer of Respironics and previously was president of the company's home care division. He joined the company in 1998 as group vice president, sleep disorders, and had been senior vice president, sales and marketing, for Theradyne, which was acquired by Respironics in 1998.

“John has done an outstanding job in his various leadership roles since joining Respironics in 1998,” Liken said. “He has over two decades of experience in the medical device industry, and has a proven track record of leading successful market-driven strategies.”

During the briefing, Miclot told reporters the company will focus on new opportunities in the sleep and respiratory markets, which could involve expanding product lines to include treatments for insomnia, seasonal affective disorder and mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea, as well as advanced treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

“We have a very rich [research and development] pipeline,” Miclot said. To support these efforts, Miclot said Respironics is actively looking at potential partnerships and acquisitions.

The company's current senior management team, including Craig Reynolds as COO and Dan Bevevino as CFO, will remain in place.

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