About Ascent Medical Corporation

Ascent Medical Corporation (AMC) is the marketing and sales subsidiary of Salalah Medical Device Manufacturing Company, SAOC, (SMDM) which is a contract manufacturer, located in Salalah, Oman. SMDM was created in May of 2007 as a joint venture between the
Ascent Medical Technology Fund II, L. P., & Salalah Medical Supplies Manufacturing Company
Company, LLC. Our company brings to the world’s markets exceptionally high quality and
cost effective medical device components.

The Ascent Medical Technology Fund II, L.P. is dedicated to advancing medical innovation through investment in late stage development and early stage commercialization companies that have technologies sufficiently innovative to effect dramatic changes in the treatment of serious global health issues. In addition to the Salalah facility the Ascent Medical Technology Fund has invested in the Ascent Medical Product Development Centre, a world class preclinical
and clinical research centre, located in Jordan.

Ascent Medical Corporation operates as Salalah Medical Device Manufacturing Company, SAOC (SMDM) from a state of the art and fully integrated manufacturing facility located in Salalah, Oman. The company plays a vital role in manufacturing and supplying safe, effective and high-quality access and interventional guidewires to the leading global medical technology companies. We also offer our customers the capability to create working guidewire prototypes in a timely cost effective manner.

Drawing upon the medical and engineering talent available in the region, AMC will expand its capabilities within the next several years. Our long term goal is to become one of the medical industry's leading manufacturing centers, providing value-added medical device products for markets throughout the world.

AMC offers an experienced and professional management team, a high level of manufacturing capability and quality systems approved by international standard organizations. In addition AMC has the commitment and energy to grow plus creativity, innovation and access to the global markets - making us the first and best choice for fulfilling our customers’ needs.

At Salalah Medical Device Manufacturing Company and Ascent Medical Corporation, we provide our customers with high quality, value added outsourcing solutions through development of effective partnerships and customer relationships.

We are committed to growth and product excellence through investment in personnel, technology, innovation, process control and continuous operational improvement.

To provide exceptional value to our customers.

Ascent Medical Corporation is the result of a joint venture formed in May of 2007 between
the Ascent Medical Technology Fund II, LP and Salalah Medical Supplies Manufacturing
Company, LLC, located in the Middle East. The joint venture operates under the name,
Salalah Medical Device Manufacturing Company, SAOC, (SMDM). The two organizations
combine their dedication to innovation with rigorous adherence to the highest international
standards of manufacturing. After its formation, the company acquired the manufacturing
and regulatory guidewire assets of Teleflex Medical Inc. which had previously decided to
exit this market.

Prior to its market exit the Teleflex Medical guidewire operation had established a 20 year
plus proven track record for providing well designed, high quality products from its location in
Lurgan, Northern Ireland, to many of the largest medical device manufacturers in the world.

Following the acquisition, Ascent Medical Corporation implemented a program to refurbish the manufacturing equipment to its original factory performance specifications and has built a state of the art manufacturing facility. All of the original procedures, raw material suppliers and product designs will also be utilized to insure that the integrity and performance of the original Teleflex guidewires is retained from the onset. Several key members of the original Teleflex operation have also been tapped for the Ascent Medical Corporation Management team providing unequaled product knowledge and operational support for the reintroduction of this product to the market.

Click here to learn more about Oman

Leadership Biographies:

Founders:

Karl E. Groth, Ph.D.
Dr. Groth is Co-Chairman of the Ascent Group, is a co-founder of the Ascent Medical Technology Funds and a Managing Director of their General Partner. Dr. Groth has over 30 years of experience in the health care industry. He previously served as President and CEO of First Circle Medical Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of medical devices used in the treatment of patients with chronic intractable diseases. He also served as President and CEO of Browne Medical Systems, which he guided to a successful sale. Prior to joining Browne Medical Systems, Dr. Groth was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of InStent, Inc.; Chief Operating Officer and Director, International Business, for Heart Technology, Inc.; and, Vice President of Marketing for Clarus Medical, all start-ups that were harvested with great success. He also worked with Medtronic Inc. for a decade in a variety of business development and executive positions, including product planning, product development, and long range planning for the neuro division. For three years, he served Medtronic in Paris, as Director of Non-Pacing Business for Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Director of Business Development. Prior to entering the private sector, Dr. Groth served as Senior Scientist in the Department of Infectious Disease at the University of Minnesota. His research work focused on the development of antiviral drugs and vaccines. He has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles in professional journals. Dr. Groth received his B.S. from the State University of New York in biology, his M.S. in plant physiology from New York University and his Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Minnesota. In addition, Dr. Groth continues to publish and present on topics including stem cell based therapies, personalized medicine, vascular disease and endovascular intervention.

Ahmed Bin Aqeel Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim

Mr. Aqeel has been Managing Director of Salalah Medical Supplies Manufacturing Co LLC since its inception in 1998. As such, he has grown the company to be a leader in the Middle East in the medical supply sector, modernizing its manufacturing capability on an ongoing basis to outshine any competitors globally. He has established the highest of quality systems for the company, meeting ISO standards, and is himself ISO qualified as an auditor. Prior experience has included TV engineering and transactions in telecommunications and broadcasting. His training has included industrial production, computer technology, human resources, and corporate management. He also serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Dhofar Tourism Company SAOG. Ahmed Aqeel received his Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronics) from Miami University (USA).

Peggy A. Farley

Ms. Farley is co-Chairman of the Ascent Group, President and CEO of Ascent Capital Management and a Managing Director of the General Partner and co-founder of the Ascent Medical Technology Funds. From 1984, Ms. Farley was Chief Executive Officer of a set of firms that she developed as the locus for investment in the U.S. for non-US investors, engaging in venture capital investments, identifying and conducting acquisition transactions in the U.S. and South Asia as well as directing the management of private and corporate assets. She has a top-tier record of investment, is well known for expertise in the IPO markets, and has been very successful with private equity. From 1978 to 1984, she was with Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, in the International Group of the Corporate Finance Division. During her tenure with Morgan Stanley, she was advisor to the People’s Republic of China, working with Bank of China and other government ministries to better deploy foreign exchange and gold holdings. She also advised the country on approaching the principal capital markets to finance development programs. In addition, she conducted business with many of the top-ranking European and Japanese commercial banks and other foreign corporations, advising them on strategies for extending their reach into the U.S. markets, through both business combinations and tapping the capital markets. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Ms. Farley served as consultant to U.S. corporations, including Avon, Ingersoll-Rand, Citibank, and Morgan Stanley. Her career in business began in the mid-1970s in Citibank’s Athens-based Middle East and North Africa Regional Office, where she participated in the bank’s successful reach into those regional markets. She received her A.B. from Barnard College in 1970 and completed her graduate work at Columbia University.

Ahmed Bin Salem Abdulluh Al-Ibrahim

Mr. Salem has also been Managing Director of Salalah Medical Supplies Manufacturing Company, LLC since its inception, sharing management with Ahmed Aqeel. His training has included quality management, computer technology and general management. He served as a Director with Oman’s Ministry of Manpower and Social Affairs from 1986-1997. An entrepreneur, he has started up and financed a number of companies operating in Salalah in the luxury and consumer goods arena. Ahmed Salem received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Qatar University.

The founders are all members of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Other Directors:

Zeyad Almajed

Presently, Zeyad is a consultant to important development projects in the United Arab Emirates. Formerly Economic Policy Development Manager for the Dubai Development and Investment Authority. Zeyad initiated development of the Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai Media City, and Dubai Internet City. He formulated strategy for the OECD-MENA investment program. Before returning to Dubai, Zeyad had extensive experience in the US as a high level technology professional. His expertise includes the automotive, energy, and alternative energy, computer technology, and manufacturing arenas. His university education began with Patrick Lumumba University in Moscow and was completed at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Fadi Ghosaini

Mr. Ghosaini has had an extensive career in investment banking, having served premier institutions in the Middle East and in Europe. At Shuaa Capital in Dubai, Fadi was Managing Director and head of sales; he served Abraaj Capital in Dubai as Senior Vice President, directing Business Development. As Dubai’s regional markets were being organized, Fadi served in a key role to develop the market both conceptually and, once plans were formalized, to bring the plans to fruition. He was responsible for 90% of the revenue generation for the Exchange and was a member of the Senior Management Committee and responsible for the Corporate Finance, Product Development and Membership Services Departments. Fadi laid down the framewok for indices and derivatives. Prior to his time in Dubai, Mr. Ghosaini was a Director of Deutsche Bank, responsible for sales and marketing of all Global Equity Derivative products in the Middle East. Earlier experience included responsibility for ABN/AMRO’s equity product distribution in the Middle East and North Africa; in London, institutional sales for Jordan International Bank, and coverage of institutions for Lehman Brothers International in London. Fadi holds a MS in Business Finance from Brunel University

Najam Us Saqib

Najam is a qualified accountant offering more than 25 years of financial management and control experience within financial, manufacturing, and service industries. Currently, Najam is Chief Financial Officer with Dolphin International, LLC, a private investment company and a major promoter of various prestigious projects in the Sultanate. Prior experience includes several years with Oman National Engineering & Investment Co. SAOG, a public company engaged in the operation and maintenance of power generation, the supply and installation of power generating equipment, and debt securitization, where he was Financial Controller. ONEIC has over 70 branches spread throughout the Sultanate. He has also worked with Corporate Express Canada as General Accountant/Tax Associate/Consultant. Earlier on, Najam was Finance Manager with Oman Investment and Finance Co., SAOG, a public limited company engaged in debt securitization on behalf of Government agencies with annual debt securitization of up to RO20 million. OIFC has 45 branches spread over the whole Sultanate. His career has also included CFO work with Continental Biscuits and ICI in Pakistan, and with Salalah Enterprises. Najam’s initial qualification as an accountant came through his work with KPMG, Oman. There, he was Senior Auditor. He is a Chartered Accountant, FCA, in Pakistan and Canada. His Bachelor of Commerce was earned at the University of Karachi.

Abdullah Bin Aqeel Ahmed Al-Ibrahim

Abdullah is currently Advisor to the Ministry of State and Governor of Dhofar Province. Prior government service has included chairing Dhofar Municipality, serving as Director General of Rural Areas in Dhofar, acting as Director of Public Affairs in the Ministry of State of Dhofar Province, and serving as Director of Finance and Administration for Dhofar Municipality. He has established his own trading company to engage in the import and distribution of consumer goods.

European Authorised Representative:

Hans Meulenbrug

In 2003, Mr. Meulenbrug founded COMED BV as a medical consultancy company that utilizes proprietary methodology and processes to manage pre-clinical and clinical strategies. He has participated with the development of multiple stage companies running the full spectrum of research and development, pre-clinical and clinical validation, management of regulatory approval processes (region specific), distribution facilitation, and operational management to introduce new devices into the marketplace. With over 20 years' in the medical device field, Hans offers extensive experience and expertise in relation to the design, implementation and development of medical devices. He is experienced with equipment, process and product validation, as well as product registrations including CE Marking and Pre-Market Notifications (510K's) for invasive and non-invasive medical devices.

Our Company has within our manufacturing facility an extensive and well qualified staff including:

Mildred Hechanova, Quality Manager

Mildred plays a critical role, rigorously investigating for defects in manufacturing and measurement systems to facilitate the continuous improvement of product, process and the overarching quality system, working closely with Hans Meulenbrug. Prior to joining SMDM, Mildred spent over 15 years working for an OEM electronics manufacturing company and has a range of experience with various processes including metal stamping, plastic injection molding, machining, plating, motor assembly and LED/SMD. Throughout her career she has held various positions of increasing responsibility in production, supplier quality engineering, quality control/quality assurance and eventually quality management. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Technological Institute of the Philippines in 1992.

Alexander Bravos, Engineering and Operations Manager

Alex manages our Engineering Division , covering both product and process maintenance and development. Having been involved in the design of tooling and processes through the years Alex brings a wealth of experience specific to the guidewire product line. An alumnus of Teleflex, Alex has led or participated in several successful automation projects and has extensive experience with equipment design, product development and automation plus process and product validation. He has over 9 years of continuous experience in medical manufacturing. Prior to his time with Teleflex, he was with Westmed Medical . Alex’s product experience includes guidewire assembly, Ventilarm pressure monitors, tracheotomy tubes, surgical gloves, external catheters and implantable clips to name a few. During his career he has held various positions of responsibility including development leader and engineering supervisor. Alex received his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad Autonoma de Baja California (UABC)