Veteran executive previously led Abbott’s global diagnostics organization
Kim Popovits, interim chief executive officer, to resume role as Director on the Board of Talis
MENLO PARK, Calif., Nov. 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Talis Biomedical Corporation, a company dedicated to advancing health equity and outcomes through the delivery of accurate infectious disease testing in the moment of need, at the point of care, today announced the appointment of Brian Blaser to President, Chief Executive Officer and Director. Kim Popovits, currently serving as Interim Chief Executive Officer, will resume her role as Director on the Board of Talis. These changes will be effective December 1, 2021.
“Brian’s experience and track record in leading transformational strategies to launch innovative diagnostic products, drive commercial growth and scale global operations is ideal for the magnitude of our opportunity ahead,” said Ms. Popovits. “With the recent Emergency Use Authorization for our Talis One™ COVID-19 Test System, our experienced executive leadership and Brian’s industry expertise, we are well positioned to address a significant and growing unmet need in infectious disease testing.”
Mr. Blaser has more than 25 years of senior leadership experience in the in-vitro diagnostics industry, including 17 years at Abbott Laboratories. During his tenure at Abbott, Mr. Blaser most recently served as EVP of Diagnostics Products overseeing the company’s multi-billion-dollar global diagnostics organization, including its core laboratory, point of care, rapid diagnostics and molecular diagnostics businesses. Earlier in his career, Mr. Blaser held key leadership positions in operations, finance and engineering with the Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics division of Johnson & Johnson, Eastman Kodak and General Motors. He currently serves as an Executive Advisor to Water Street Healthcare Partners and as a Non-Executive Director on the board of Rockley Photonics. Mr. Blaser holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology from the University of Dayton and a Master of Business Administration from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
“I am honored to lead Talis through this important phase of growth and believe we have a unique product and opportunity to make an enduring impact for infectious disease patients at the point of care,” said Mr. Blaser. “I look forward to working alongside the Talis employees, senior leadership team and Board to achieve the company’s bold mission and business objectives.”
About Talis Biomedical
Talis is dedicated to advancing health equity and outcomes through the delivery of accurate infectious disease testing in the moment of need, at the point of care. The company plans to develop and commercialize innovative products on its sample-to-answer Talis One system to enable accurate, low cost, and rapid molecular testing. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for use of the Talis One COVID-19 Test System in a variety of healthcare settings. For more information, visit talisbio.com.
