IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hancock Jaffe Laboratories, Inc. (Nasdaq: HJLI, HJLIW), a company specializing in medical devices that restore cardiac and vascular health, today announced that Chris Sarner will be joining the company as its Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance. Ms. Sarner will join Hancock Jaffe on January 2, 2019, and will replace Sue Montoya, who is retiring.

Ms. Sarner has more than twenty-five years of experience working with a variety of medical device companies from start-ups to industry leaders, as well as six years as a medical device regulator. While in the private sector, Ms. Sarner has worked on 30 products that have received FDA approval and CE mark certification, and as a regulator she has reviewed and granted CE mark certification for more than 50 Class III medical devices.  She comes to Hancock Jaffe from a senior position at DEKRA Certification B.V., a European Notified Body where she reviewed design dossiers and conducted quality systems and regulatory audits for medical device companies seeking CE marking. Her prior medical device industry experience includes regulatory strategy, quality assurance, new product development, project management, and clinical marketing in leadership positions at Arbor Surgical Technologies (sold to Medtronic), Edwards Lifesciences, Baxter Healthcare, and Medtronic, primarily on tissue based surgical and percutaneous cardiovascular implants. In her previous roles, Chris has led numerous new and innovative product development projects, including Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implant (TAVI) devices, Modular Aortic Valve devices, and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm systems, from early feasibility to commercialization. Her technical expertise includes tissue engineering, microbiology, biochemistry, biocompatibility, microbiology and sterilization.

Robert Berman, Hancock Jaffe’s CEO, stated, “In addition to having impeccable credentials and   work experience, Chris is a perfect fit for the Hancock Jaffe culture.  Throughout her career, Chris has demonstrated initiative and creativity to overcome obstacles and achieve company goals and she is a welcome addition to our senior management team.”

Ms. Sarner has an MBA from Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business and Management, and a B.S. in Biological Science from the University of California, Irvine.

About Hancock Jaffe Laboratories, Inc.

HJLI specializes in developing and manufacturing bioprosthetic medical devices to establish improved standards of care for treating cardiac and vascular diseases. HJLI currently has three product candidates: the porcine tissue based VenoValveÒ, which is intended to be surgically implanted in the deep venous system of the leg to treat Chronic Venue Insufficiency; the CoreoGraftÒ, a bovine tissue based off the shelf conduit intended to be used for coronary artery bypass surgery, and a porcine tissue based heart valve, which based upon its relatively small size and increased output, is an ideal candidate for pediatric aortic/mitral valve replacement.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and any statements of stockholders, directors, employees, representatives and partners of Hancock Jaffe Laboratories, Inc. (the “Company”) related thereto contain, or may contain, among other things, certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties.  Such statements may include, without limitation, statements identified by words such as “projects,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “potential” or similar expressions.  These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Actual results (including, without limitation, the performance of the new board members described herein) may differ significantly from those set forth or implied in the forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond the Company’s control).  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future presentations or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

HJLI Press Contacts:

Amy Carmer
Tel: 949-261-2900
Email: [email protected]

Jules Abraham
CoreIR
Tel: 917-885-7378
Email: [email protected]