Phagenesis Names Stephen Oesterle, MD, to Advisory Board for Growth and Global Expansion Strategy

Phagenesis Appoints Dr. Stephen Oesterle to Board of Directors

On April 29, 2026, Phagenesis, a leading MedTech company specializing in neuromodulation therapies for dysphagia, announced the appointment of Dr. Stephen N. Oesterle to its board of directors. Dr. Oesterle, a veteran of the medical technology and life sciences industry, brings decades of experience in clinical medicine, corporate strategy, and venture capital to his new role. This strategic move aims to accelerate the company’s growth trajectory in the U.S. and its global expansion initiatives.

Dr. Oesterle previously served as Senior Vice President of Medicine and Technology at Medtronic, where he spent 14 years as part of the Executive Committee, influencing long-term innovation strategies and corporate investments. "Steve brings a wealth of MedTech experience across multiple applications and has guided companies through critical growth and value-creation phases," remarked Dr. Oern Stuge, MBA, Chair of Phagenesis's Board. "His unique blend of clinical understanding, strategic insight, and a proven track record in developing category-defining technologies will enhance our board and play a crucial role in accelerating Phagenesis's next phase of U.S. growth and global outreach."

Currently, Dr. Oesterle serves on the boards of Baxter and Peijia Medical and provides advice to several healthcare firms backed by private equity and venture capital, including EQT, Novo Holdings, and JP Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital. With his training at the Massachusetts General Hospital and advanced fellowship in interventional cardiology from Stanford University, Dr. Oesterle also holds teaching positions at Stanford and Harvard Medical Schools.

"Joining the board of Phagenesis at such a pivotal time in its development excites me," Dr. Oesterle commented. "Phagenesis has built a solid clinical foundation that addresses a significant unmet need in patient care. Improving outcomes for patients with severe dysphagia while reducing costs and complexity for healthcare systems is compelling. I look forward to supporting the team in expanding the company and its impact globally."

This appointment comes as Phagenesis gains momentum in the U.S. market, buoyed by increasing recognition of pharyngeal electrical stimulation (PES) as an effective and scalable intervention for severe dysphagia following stroke. The recent inclusion of PES in the guidelines by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association for acute ischemic stroke patients underscores its role as a clinically validated therapy capable of improving swallowing outcomes and reducing complications for stroke patients.

"Steve’s entry aligns with a critical turning point for Phagenesis," stated Chad Hoskins, CEO of Phagenesis. "We are transitioning from early commercialization to broader adoption, bolstered by strong clinical momentum and increasing acknowledgment of the need to address dysphagia at its neurological root. His experience in building and scaling innovative medical technologies will be pivotal in accelerating our U.S. expansion, deepening clinical acceptance, and establishing Phagenyx as the treatment standard."

About Phagenesis

Phagenesis is a pioneering MedTech company developing groundbreaking neuromodulation therapies for swallowing disorders. The Phagenyx® system delivers electrical stimulation to the pharynx (PES) to restore safe and efficient swallowing by targeting the underlying neurological disorder. In the U.S., Phagenyx is indicated for severe dysphagia following a stroke, while it has a CE mark in Europe for neurogenic dysphagia caused by various neurological conditions. Key investors backing the company include EQT Life Sciences, Sectoral Asset Management, British Business Bank, Northern Gritstone, and Aphelion. For more information, please visit Phagenesis.com.