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Phagenesis Welcomes Stephen Oesterle to Its Board of Directors

In an important move for the future of its growth, Phagenesis, a pioneer in neuromodulation therapies for swallowing disorders, announced the appointment of Dr. Stephen N. Oesterle to its board of directors on April 29, 2026. With a distinguished background in medical technologies and life sciences, Dr. Oesterle is expected to contribute significantly to the company’s strategic direction and global expansion.

Dr. Oesterle has built a notable reputation within the medical technology sector, underscored by decades of experience in clinical medicine, business strategy, and venture capital investment. He previously served as Senior Vice President for Medicine and Technology at Medtronic and was a member of its executive committee for 14 years, where he was instrumental in shaping the company's long-term innovation strategy and investment initiatives.

In welcoming Dr. Oesterle, Oern Stuge, MD, MBA, chair of Phagenesis’ board, remarked: “Steve brings extensive medical technology experience across various applications and has a proven track record of successfully guiding companies through critical growth stages and value creation. His unique blend of clinical knowledge, strategic insights, and experience in developing category-defining technologies will enhance our board and be critical as Phagenesis continues to accelerate its next phase of growth in the U.S. and worldwide, executing our long-term strategy.”

Currently, Dr. Oesterle holds board positions at companies such as Baxter and Peijia Medical, and he provides guidance to several privately-funded healthcare companies and venture enterprises. He also advises renowned global investment firms like EQT, Novo Holdings, Temasek, JP Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital, and Patient Square Capital. After his internship at Massachusetts General Hospital, he completed his interventional cardiology fellowship at Stanford University, serving as a faculty member at both Stanford and Harvard medical schools.

Expressing his enthusiasm about joining Phagenesis, Dr. Oesterle stated, “I am excited to join the Phagenesis board at a pivotal time in the company’s evolution. Phagenesis has established a solid clinical foundation, addressing a significant unmet need in patient care. The opportunity to improve outcomes for patients suffering from severe dysphagia while reducing costs and complexity for healthcare systems is compelling. I look forward to assisting the team in growing the business and expanding its global impact.”

This announcement comes as Phagenesis continues its expansion in the U.S. market, where there is increasing recognition of Pharyngeal Electrical Stimulation (PES) as an effective and scalable intervention for severe dysphagia following strokes. The recent inclusion of PES in the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association guidelines for acute ischemic stroke underlines the therapy’s role as a clinically validated option that can improve swallowing outcomes and reduce complications in stroke patients.

Chad Hoskins, CEO of Phagenesis, emphasized the significance of Dr. Oesterle's arrival at this crucial juncture for the company, stating, “We are moving from early commercialization to broader adoption, with strong clinical momentum and increasing acknowledgment of the necessity to address dysphagia at its neurological root. His expertise in developing and scaling innovative medical technologies will be vital to accelerating our expansion in the United States, deepening clinical adoption, and establishing Phagenyx as a standard of care.”

About Phagenesis

Phagenesis is a leading medical technology company that develops groundbreaking neuromodulation therapies for swallowing disorders. Their Phagenyx® system delivers Pharyngeal Electrical Stimulation (PES) to restore safe and effective swallowing by targeting underlying neurological deficits. In the United States, Phagenyx is indicated for severe post-stroke dysphagia, while in Europe, it holds CE marking for neurogenic dysphagia resulting from various neurological conditions. The company is backed by prominent health investors, including EQT Life Sciences, Sectoral Asset Management, British Business Bank, Northern Gritstone, and Aphelion. For more details, visit Phagenesis.com.