Centerline Biomedical Appoints Jim Dillon as President and Chief Executive Officer, Strengthening Leadership for Next Phase of Growth
Centerline Biomedical, Inc. (“Centerline”), a medical technology company recognized for advancing cardiovascular navigation and visualization systems, announced today the appointment of Jim Dillon as its new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective August 18, 2025. Dillon will also join the company’s board of directors, marking a significant leadership transition at a pivotal stage in the company’s growth and commercialization journey.
Dillon succeeds Gulam Khan, who has led Centerline since October 2022. Under Khan’s leadership, the company successfully advanced its portfolio of next-generation products, including securing 510(k) clearance and the commercial launch of its second-generation devices, along with notable improvements in its proprietary software. His contributions helped establish Centerline as a stronger player in cardiovascular innovation. The company acknowledged Khan’s efforts, emphasizing his instrumental role in positioning the organization for its next chapter.
A Pivotal Appointment at a Transformative Time
For Centerline, this leadership change comes at a time when the company is entering a scale-up phase, focusing on both commercial expansion and technological innovation. With its Intra-Operative Positioning System (IOPS®) platform already demonstrating meaningful clinical and operational value, the company is preparing to accelerate growth, deepen its market presence, and expand the adoption of its solutions across cardiovascular and surgical care settings.
In his first public remarks as CEO, Dillon expressed his enthusiasm about joining Centerline:“It is an honor to join Centerline at such a pivotal stage. The IOPS platform is poised for scaled growth, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to lead the company as it continues to innovate such remarkable technology for patients and caregivers.”
His comments reflect both an appreciation of the progress already made and a commitment to steering the company into a new era of expansion.
Board Endorsement and Strategic Rationale
Todd Schwarzinger, Chairman of Centerline’s Board, underscored the strategic rationale behind Dillon’s appointment, pointing to his deep sector experience and proven leadership in scaling medtech businesses:
With decades of medtech industry leadership, Jim brings deep cardiovascular sector experience leading portfolio innovation, operational alignment, and strategic financing for medical technology companies. Jim has a strong track record of driving commercial growth through category creation and market penetration, and we are excited to have him leading Centerline.
This statement highlights not only Dillon’s executive expertise but also his specific alignment with Centerline’s current priorities—innovation, operational excellence, and growth execution.
Jim Dillon’s Background: A Career of Driving Innovation in Cardiovascular MedTech
Dillon brings to Centerline a distinguished career spanning more than two decades in the medical technology industry, with a particular emphasis on cardiovascular innovation. His leadership experience includes serving as President and CEO of several pioneering companies that advanced transformative technologies in cardiac and renal care.
- At BiVACOR, Dillon guided efforts to develop a novel total artificial heart technology, advancing clinical readiness and strategic partnerships.
- With BioVentrix, he oversaw the advancement of less-invasive ventricular remodeling therapies, targeting heart failure patients with limited treatment options.
- At Reprieve Cardiovascular, Dillon worked on the development of fluid management systems aimed at improving outcomes in patients with heart failure.
- He also led RenalGuard Solutions, a company focused on devices designed to protect kidney function in high-risk cardiac patients undergoing contrast imaging or interventional procedures.
Across these roles, Dillon built a reputation for navigating complex clinical landscapes, advancing product pipelines from concept to commercialization, and securing critical financing to drive growth. His combination of strategic vision, operational leadership, and fundraising expertise has consistently enabled companies under his leadership to establish themselves as innovators in their respective fields.
Centerline’s IOPS Platform: Redefining Surgical Navigation
At the heart of Centerline’s value proposition is its Intra-Operative Positioning System (IOPS®), a platform designed to transform how physicians navigate complex vascular procedures. Traditional surgical navigation often relies on fluoroscopy, which exposes patients and clinicians to ionizing radiation and requires contrast agents that may carry risks for patients with kidney impairment.
IOPS offers a radiation-free, real-time 3D navigation system, enabling greater precision, reduced reliance on harmful imaging, and improved outcomes for patients. By leveraging advanced visualization, the system empowers surgeons to perform with greater confidence while enhancing safety for both the clinical team and the patient.
Under Khan’s leadership, the second-generation IOPS devices gained FDA clearance and entered commercialization, validating the system’s technological maturity. Dillon now takes the reins at a time when the focus shifts from development to broad market penetration, adoption, and scaling.
The Leadership Transition: From Development to Commercial Growth
The leadership handoff from Khan to Dillon reflects Centerline’s natural evolution as a company.
- Gulam Khan’s tenure was characterized by portfolio development, regulatory approvals, and product commercialization. He strengthened the foundation on which future growth could be built.
- Jim Dillon’s appointment signals a shift toward execution, growth strategy, and financial scaling. His track record suggests he is well-suited to guide Centerline through challenges such as market access, competitive differentiation, global expansion, and strategic partnerships.
This transition positions Centerline to capitalize on the groundwork already laid, while embracing a leadership style oriented toward expansion and value creation.
Industry Context: Growing Need for Advanced Cardiovascular Navigation
The market for cardiovascular visualization and navigation systems is expanding rapidly, driven by several converging factors:
- Rising Cardiovascular Disease Burden: Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, creating sustained demand for safer, more precise interventional tools.
- Shift to Minimally Invasive Procedures: Hospitals and clinicians are increasingly favoring less-invasive interventions, which require precise navigation technologies like IOPS.
- Safety and Efficiency Demands: Reducing exposure to radiation and contrast agents is a growing priority for healthcare systems, aligning with IOPS’ advantages.
- Operational Efficiency in Hospitals: With growing emphasis on efficiency and outcomes, advanced visualization systems can help reduce procedure time and enhance overall productivity.
Against this backdrop, Centerline’s technology is positioned to play a transformative role. Dillon’s experience in building markets for new categories of medical technology is expected to be a major asset in navigating this expanding landscape.
