A Diagnostics & Imaging Week

Edwards Lifesciences (Irvine, California) has reported the death of Philip Neal, a member of the company's board of directors. Neal was 68.

"Phil Neal was a tremendous friend, peer and mentor, as well as a valued, trusted board member. We were shocked and deeply saddened to learn of his passing," said Michael Mussallem, Edwards CEO/chairman. "The wisdom and guidance he provided were instrumental in reaching the goals we set as a newly public company and we are grateful for his contributions. We extend our deepest sympathies to the entire Neal family."

Neal was the retired CEO/chairman of Avery Dennison, and had been a director of Edwards since 2000, when the company was spun off from Baxter International as an independent, publicly held corporation.

Edwards Lifesciences specializes in the development of heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring products.