Dr. Rolf Kaese, chief executive of Berlin Heart (Berlin), is resigning from the company, citing strategy differences with Syscore (London), which acquired the company in October 2006.

Kaese led Berlin Heart through the friendly acquisition by the investment fund, controlled by the Stroeher family.

Ulrich Stroeher, chairman of the advisory board, said that board member Dr. Johannes Mueller will provisionally serve as the company's general manager, while he and another advisory board member, Dr. Mathias Herter, will provide support.

Berlin Heart specializes in the manufacturing of ventricular assist devices, offering a line of products adapted to the full range of age and body size for acutely ill patients. In addition to the InCor, ExCor and ExCor Pediatric heart pumps, the company manufactures pumps, cannulas and external components for internal and external use to stabilize cardiac activity.