Tulyp Medical Taps Veteran CEO Steve Motes to Spearhead US Growth

PARIS & DALLAS – May 18, 2026 – Tulyp Medical, a Paris-based medical device company, has signaled its readiness for a major push into the U.S. market by appointing industry heavyweight Steve Motes as its new Chief Executive Officer. The move comes on the heels of positive results from the company’s first-in-human study of its intelligent pressure-driven perfusion system, a technology poised to challenge the decades-old standard of care in vascular interventions.

Motes, a 30-year veteran of the medical device sector, brings a formidable track record of commercializing complex cardiovascular technologies at global giants like Abbott, Medtronic, and Edwards Lifesciences. His appointment is a clear strategic maneuver, transitioning Tulyp from a stealthy R&D-focused startup into a company preparing for significant clinical and commercial milestones.

“I am thrilled to join Tulyp at this pivotal stage,” said Steve Motes in a statement. “Tulyp is advancing a fundamentally different approach to perfusion that aligns more closely with how the body actually regulates oxygen delivery.”

A New Leader for a New Era in Perfusion

Steve Motes’ career is a highlight reel of successful product launches and market expansions in the cardiovascular space. At Abbott, he was a key contributor to the launch of the HeartMate 3 LVAD system, a life-saving device for patients with advanced heart failure. He was also instrumental in expanding the company's ECMO business, a technology central to providing circulatory support. This deep experience with complex mechanical circulatory support (MCS) systems makes him uniquely qualified to lead Tulyp, whose technology operates in the same critical-care ecosystem.

His leadership tenure also includes significant roles at Medtronic and Edwards Lifesciences, giving him a panoramic view of the competitive landscape and the clinical needs of vascular and cardiac specialists. More recently, his work as CEO for several early-stage MCS companies has honed his skills in navigating the unique challenges of bringing disruptive technologies from the lab to the patient bedside.

The leadership transition is a planned evolution for Tulyp, which has been nurtured within the Sofinnova MD Start accelerator. Mano Iyer, a Partner at Sofinnova Partners who served as Tulyp’s founding CEO, will transition to the Board of Directors. This move is characteristic of the MD Start model, where experienced venture partners steer companies through their initial phases before handing the reins to a dedicated commercial leader for the next stage of growth.

“We are excited to welcome Steve to Tulyp,” said Mano Iyer. “He brings not only his wealth of experience and deep network in the MCS world, but also a proven ability to build companies in complex clinical markets. His appointment reinforces our conviction in Tulyp’s differentiated approach.”

Beyond Flow: A Fundamental Shift in Technology

At the heart of Tulyp Medical's strategy is a technology that represents a paradigm shift in how clinicians approach tissue perfusion. For decades, perfusion systems used during major surgeries have focused on maintaining a specific flow rate of blood. Tulyp’s founders argue this is a fundamental limitation, as the body’s own systems are designed to regulate oxygen delivery by maintaining pressure.

Tulyp's patented system is the first designed to measure intravascular pressure in real-time and intelligently adjust flow to maintain a stable, physiological pressure. The scientific principle is that nearly all mammals, from mice to humans, maintain a consistent vascular pressure between 80-120mmHg. By mimicking this natural state, the technology aims to ensure optimal oxygen delivery to tissues, especially when blood flow is compromised during complex vascular procedures.

The potential clinical impact is significant. Inadequate tissue oxygenation during vascular interventions can lead to severe complications, including organ damage, limb amputation, and even death. By focusing on pressure, Tulyp's system is designed to preserve tissue viability more effectively and reduce these devastating outcomes. The company’s first-in-human study provided the initial validation for this approach. While full details have not been released, the procedures, which included a routine leg artery bypass surgery, reportedly demonstrated both the safety and functionality of the device, showing it could successfully stabilize blood pressure and improve tissue oxygenation. Following this success, the company has submitted a 510(k) application to the U.S. FDA, seeking clearance for broad clinical use.

“In procedures where perfusion is compromised, maintaining pressure is critical to preserving tissue viability,” Motes explained. “The early data suggest this approach could meaningfully reduce complications and expand the standard of care in vascular interventions.”

Following a Proven Path to Success

For industry observers and investors, Tulyp Medical’s story carries a compelling sense of déjà vu. The company is the latest creation from Sofinnova Partners’ MD Start accelerator, a unique venture model that has a track record of building highly successful medtech companies. Furthermore, Tulyp was co-founded by the same core team that previously developed preCARDIA, another MD Start success story.

preCARDIA, founded by Tim Lenihan (COO of Tulyp), Dr. Navin Kapur, and Dr. Richard Karas (advisors to Tulyp), developed a novel catheter-based system for treating acute decompensated heart failure. The company successfully navigated early-stage development and clinical trials, earning an FDA Breakthrough Device Designation.

This progress culminated in 2021 when preCARDIA was acquired by Abiomed, a leader in circulatory support, which itself was later acquired by Johnson & Johnson. The acquisition validated not only the preCARDIA technology but also the Sofinnova MD Start model of identifying a critical unmet need and providing the capital, expertise, and operational support to build a company around a solution.

Tulyp Medical is now walking this well-trodden path. With a founding team that has already achieved a successful exit, the backing of a premier life sciences venture firm, and a technology that addresses a fundamental aspect of surgical care, the company is strongly positioned. The addition of a commercialization expert like Steve Motes at the helm completes the picture, suggesting that Tulyp is not just a promising startup, but a potential acquisition target for major players in the cardiovascular device market looking for their next blockbuster technology. As Motes begins to build out the U.S. team and steer the technology through regulatory and clinical pathways, the entire medtech industry will be watching closely.