EPISODE 033
The board at Ulthera, an aesthetics device company, faced an attractive dilemma. Take the company public? Or accept a lucrative buyout? Hear from the CEO how the company’s culture and approach led to that favorable outcome.
Podcast Guest
Matthew Likens
President and CEO
Ulthera, Division of Merz Pharma GmbH
After graduating from Kent State University, Matt spent time with J&J, Baxter International(23 years) and one failed start-up before achieving success as CEO of Ulthera, Inc., a medical device start-up company located in Mesa, AZ. Ulthera filed to go public in January, 2014, before being acquired by Merz Pharma, out of Frankfurt Germany in July, 2014, for $600M, representing 6.6X trailing twelve months sales. Benefiting from exposure to many positive business practices at J&J and Baxter and adjusting to the entrepreneurial environment of the failed start-up, enabled Matt to adopt “best practices” as the second Ulthera employee in July, 2006. With a “Servant Leader” management philosophy, he was able to establish a BHAG(Big, Hairy Audacious Goal), seven Operating Principles and a broader Purpose for the organization while attracting a top-notch management team.His two-year retention with Merz ends on June 30th, 2016.
Meet Our Host
Geoff Pardo
Geoff has been in medtech for over two decades in both operational and investment roles. He is passionate about the industry potential and sharing stories from the front lines of innovation.