Szela brings nearly 30 years of progressive leadership experience to Surefire building global billion-dollar brands, advancing pipeline products in the biotechnology, medical products, and pharmaceutical industries, while creating value for stakeholders.
Surefire Medical develops infusion technologies that help physicians deliver therapy deeper into liver tumours while protecting healthy tissue, giving patients greater confidence in their cancer care.
Szela succeeds James Chomas, Surefire’s founder, who has served as CEO and president since 2009. Chomas will remain a director on the company’s board and an active member of the senior management team. In the operations of the company, Chomas will also serve as chief technology and oncology strategy officer with a focus on the discovery and application of oncology drug delivery technologies.
“Immune therapies are reshaping the battle against cancer. The innovative application of technology at Surefire positions the company to become a leading medical device provider in the treatment of cancer,” said Mats Wahlström, Surefire’s chairman of the Board. “Mary brings the leadership capabilities necessary to fulfil the full potential of what Surefire’s technology can do to transform cancer care on a global scale. Her proven commercial track record, coupled with her passion and commitment to patients, aligns with the company’s mission to better deliver quality of life for cancer patients.
Szela previously served as chief executive officer of Novelion Therapeutics, a rare disease company, where she orchestrated the merger of Aegerion Pharmaceuticals and QLT Therapeutics. Additionally, she secured the approval, registration and launch of lomitapide in Japan, oversaw the European filing for metreleptin, and built a clinical development platform to treat multiple diseases using leptin hormone replacement therapy.
