Elucid Appoints Clinical and Commercial Leaders Before PlaqueIQ™ Launch
Elucid, an AI-driven medical technology company specializing in providing physicians with a more accurate view of atherosclerosis for tailored treatment decisions, has strengthened its clinical and commercial teams with several senior appointments. These additions come as the company prepares for the commercial launch of its FDA-cleared PlaqueIQ™ image analysis software. The software offers comprehensive insights into patient, vessel, and lesion-level plaque composition and quantification, helping predict heart attack and stroke risks and support personalized treatment strategies.
Elucid, an AI-driven medical technology company based in Boston, has made significant strides in strengthening its leadership team as it prepares for the commercial launch of its PlaqueIQ™ image analysis software. The company is focused on improving cardiovascular care by offering a more precise view of atherosclerosis, which is the root cause of cardiovascular disease. PlaqueIQ™ is designed to help physicians accurately assess and personalize treatment for cardiovascular patients, utilizing the latest advances in AI and imaging technology. This innovative tool allows for the non-invasive detection and quantification of coronary plaque, providing valuable insights into a patient’s heart attack and stroke risk.
In a strategic move to enhance its clinical and commercial capabilities, Elucid has appointed several experienced leaders to key roles within the company. Among the notable additions is Dr. Amir Ahmadi, who has joined as the chief scientific advisor. Dr. Ahmadi is a renowned cardiologist with expertise in cardiac intensive care and multimodality imaging.
He serves as a clinical associate professor of Medicine (Cardiology) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York. Dr. Ahmadi’s clinical focus is on early detection of atherosclerosis and personalized treatment, leveraging advanced imaging techniques like CT coronary angiography to assess subclinical atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction mechanisms. His research is centered around understanding the relationship between high-risk plaque features and ischemia, which will be crucial for guiding Elucid’s clinical strategy.
Carol Holt, the newly appointed Vice President of Clinical Development, brings a wealth of experience in clinical trial management, medical technology, and cardiovascular care. Carol has previously held leadership roles in several life sciences companies, including Ventric Health (formerly Avicena), Cerus Endovascular (now part of Stryker Neurovascular), and Edwards Lifesciences. She has specialized in interventional cardiology and heart failure, with a proven track record in clinical affairs and business development. Carol’s extensive background in clinical education and her deep understanding of the cardiovascular market will be instrumental in driving the development and adoption of Elucid’s technology.
Kevin Mathews joins Elucid as the Senior Vice President of Marketing, bringing over 25 years of global experience in the medical device industry. Kevin’s expertise spans multiple sectors, including interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, and medical-surgical devices.
Prior to joining Elucid, Kevin was the global commercial leader for Acutus, a company specializing in arrhythmia mapping and ablation. He has also held senior roles at Philips IGT Devices, Jomed, and DeRoyal, making him a valuable addition to Elucid’s leadership team. Kevin’s commercial experience will be critical as the company looks to expand the reach of PlaqueIQ™ across the global healthcare market.
Amy Pyke has also been appointed as the Senior Vice President of Market Access. With 30 years of experience in market access and reimbursement strategy, Amy is well-versed in navigating complex healthcare reimbursement systems. She has held leadership positions at major companies, including Philips, Stryker, and Edwards Lifesciences, where she focused on securing favorable reimbursement and coverage for medical technologies. Amy’s expertise in market access will play a key role in ensuring that PlaqueIQ™ is accessible to a broad range of patients, helping to reduce disparities in cardiovascular care.
Kelly Huang, CEO of Elucid, emphasized the importance of a skilled leadership team in the company’s success. “An experienced, diligent, and committed team is critical to any company’s success,” said Huang. “With our outstanding clinical and commercial leaders in place, we can now accelerate progress towards our goal of a world where atherosclerosis can be routinely measured and treated on a patient-by-patient basis to prevent heart attack and stroke, ultimately saving lives.”
Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease that causes plaque buildup in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. PlaqueIQ™ is the first FDA-cleared non-invasive software that uses AI to objectively quantify and classify plaque morphology based on histological standards, offering a new level of accuracy in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease. By providing detailed information on the type, amount, and location of plaque, PlaqueIQ™ empowers physicians to make more informed, patient-specific decisions for managing cardiovascular health.
In addition to the leadership appointments, a recent change in the reimbursement landscape has further positioned PlaqueIQ™ for success. On January 1, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a final rule that significantly increased reimbursement for cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA), a key imaging technique used by PlaqueIQ™. This policy change allows more hospitals, particularly those in rural areas, to offer this vital service, reducing healthcare disparities. Furthermore, five Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) have recently expanded coverage to include AI-enabled quantitative coronary plaque analysis, making PlaqueIQ™ accessible to over 70 percent of eligible Medicare patients nationwide.
Elucid’s groundbreaking work in cardiovascular imaging and its strategic leadership appointments position the company for significant growth and impact in the fight against cardiovascular disease. With a strong team and a powerful product, Elucid is paving the way for personalized, precision medicine in cardiovascular care.
