Management

Ina Laura Perkins – CEO

Throughout her professional career, Ina Laura Perkins has worked with medical innovations. Before joining Realheart 2017, she held the position as Head of Research at Calon Cardio-Technology. Ina Laura Perkins started her academic career in stem cell research and did her doctorate at Swansea University Medical School and has an Executive MBA from Stockholm School of Economics.

Ina Laura Perkins owns 80 235 shares, 8 915 TO2, 26 745 TO3, and 400 000 warrants of series 2022/2027.

Azad Najar – Chief Innovation Officer

Azad Najar is one of the founders of Realheart and the main inventor behind Realheart TAH. Azad is originally from Iraqi Kurdistan, a licensed doctor and works part time as chief physician in the urology department at Västmanland Hospital in Västerås. Azad Najar has been working with research and development of the basic idea behind the artificial heart since 1999. Employed since 2007.

Azad Najar (together with related parties) owns 3 272 635 shares.

Thomas Finocchiaro – Chief Technology Officer

Thomas Finocchiaro holds a PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Aachen. He has worked for more than ten years at the University Hospital of Aachen, including as manager of a Total Artificial Hearts programme. Before joining Realheart he was employed at Reinheart TAH GmbH, most recently as Chief Scientific Officer. Employed since 2021.

Thomas Finocchiaro owns 150 000 warrants of series 2022/2027.

Ulf Kjellman – Chief Medical Officer

Dr Kjellman has over 35 years of experience in cardiac and thoracic surgery. He has authored numerous scientific articles focusing on cardiovascular diseases. His experience extends to the field of MCS, both LVAD/RVADs with single ventricle support and TAH. Kjellman was one of the first to implant both HeartMate 2 and HeartMate 3, after CE marking. (left ventricular assist devices developed by Abbott) and also the cardiac surgeon who performed the first implantation of the SynCardia artificial heart in Sweden and Scandinavia in 2008. Employed since 2023.

Jimmy Nybom – Interim Chief Financial Officer

Jimmy has a Master of Science in Business Administration with a focus on accounting and finance from Umeå University. He has experience as an interim CFO and board member in the public company sphere, and has worked very closely with business owners, boards and management in, for example, capital raising processes, company valuation and listing procedures. Jimmy has 18 years of experience as a chartered accountant and advisor at the global accounting firm Grant Thornton, where he has had extensive contact with Realheart as the company’s auditor during the years 2019-2022 and is therefore well versed in the company’s finances and operations. He is also co-founder of the business advisory firm ALPRIX. Employed since 2024.