FluidIQMedtech startup FluidIQ announced today that its COO Matt Vogelhuber will serve as interim CEO following the death of founding CEO Chris Jung.

Vogelhuber joined the Newbury, California–based company earlier this year. He’s a 30-year medical device industry veteran.

A group of doctors, engineers and patient advocates joined together in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic to start FluidIQ. The public benefit and Delaware corporation seeks to use proprietary fluidics technology to solve medical need gaps,  including ventilators. Its first product is a lipstick-sized resuscitation/ventilation device intended for providing emergency breathing assistance.

Chris Jung FluidIQ
FluidIQ Chris Jung unexpectedly passed away at age 42. [Image courtesy of FluidIQ]

FluidIQ announced on November 2 that Jung had passed away unexpectedly at the age of 42.

“The time following the loss of a visionary leader, like Chris, needs a leader with a proven track record of navigating during various stages and events and who can guide the company’s strategy forward towards realization of its short-and-longer term goals,” said Bill Niland, lead independent director for FluidIQ.

“Matt has the skills, the experience and the know-how to continue the fluidIQ mission and to execute on the commercialization of the first product, InVent, pending FDA clearance, into the U.S. emergency medical market and beyond.”

Company co-founder and President Teresa Barnes is joining the company board.

“Her role on the board will provide unique insight that will help the company remain true to the vision Chris had for fluidIQ,” Niland said.