Michael Lesh

Michael Lesh MD, MS is a cardiologist, inventor and entrepreneur. His 30+ year career spans both sides of translational medicine. He currently is Professor of Medicine and the campus-wide Executive Director of Health Technology Innovation in the Office of the Vice Chancellor at University of California San Francisco, utilizing his background to drive commercialization of discoveries made by UCSF faculty.

Dr. Lesh’s research at UCSF led to the first AF pulmonary vein isolation(PVI) patent: 6,012,457 “Device and method for forming a circumferential conduction block at pulmonary vein.” Atrionix, founded to commercialize this innovation, was acquired by Biosense/Webster in 1999.
Dr. Lesh was Founder, Chairman and CEO of Appriva Medical, which developed the first trans-catheter LAA occlusion device (PLAATO) to prevent stroke in patients with AF. The Appriva patents form the basis of the Watchman device. He was Founder, Chairman and CEO of Mitralife (acq. MDT), which developed a coronary sinus implant for MR and of Evera Medical, which fabricated biomaterials for reconstructive surgery. Dr. Lesh was Founder, Chairman and CEO of Middle Peak Medical (acquired, Symetis), which is developing a percutaneous mitral valve.
Dr. Lesh was Independent Director at HeartScape (acq. by Roper) and Stentys (STNT, IPO 2011). He is currently Executive Director of several early-stage companies including Cordance (open BBB to treat CNS) and Abate Med (biotech for skin disease).