Kenneth Charhut, Orqis Medical Corporation on Entrepreneurship

Featuring Kenneth Charhut
President and CEO
Orqis Medical Corporation

Location: McDonnell Douglas Engineering Auditorium
Free and open to the public

The Entrepreneurship Seminar Series provides a real-world introduction to the theory and practice of entrepreneurship.  Through a series of presentations by prestigious entrepreneurs and industry leaders, participants will explore the various organizational, strategic and financial challenges facing successful and unsuccessful entrepreneurs.  Topics include start-up strategies, business idea evaluation, business plan writing, and introduction to venture capital.

For a complete listing of Entrepreneurship Seminar Series guest speakers, please visit http://www.eng.uci.edu/events/entseminars.

About the Speaker
Kenneth Charhut is one of the founding members of the Orqis Medical Corporation executive team, playing an integral role in the company’s first financing in 1999.  Charhut led the company’s flagship PMA product development from a concept to approved clinical trials in 18 months. He secured $85 million in start-up capital, developed all corporate infrastructure programs, and formed the company’s scientific advisory board, comprised of world-renowned heart failure cardiologists, heart failure surgeons, and interventional cardiologists.  Charhut has two decades of senior management experience in medical device and biotechnology industries. Prior to joining Orqis Medical, he spent over 16 years contributing to the growth and success of Baxter Healthcare Corporation. While at Baxter, Charhut served as president of the Bentley Division, directed new business initiatives for the company’s Cardiovascular Surgery Division, and spent four years in Japan as managing director of the company’s Cardiovascular Division. While in Japan, Charhut also served as the chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan’s Medical Device section. Prior to his duties in Japan, he held positions managing Baxter’s pharmacy automation business and with the General Electric Company. Charhut earned a B.S.M.E. degree from Cornell University and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago. He currently is a board member of the Southern California Biomedical Council and is associated with many local and national medical device organizations.