PainChek appoints Karen Holzberger CEO to accelerate US expansion
PainChek appoints seasoned US medtech executive Karen Holzberger as CEO to spearhead growth following FDA clearance and major US contracts.
- Karen Holzberger appointed CEO from 17 August 2026
- Holzberger brings 26 years of US medtech leadership experience
- Appointment follows FDA De Novo clearance and Sabra REIT deal
- Interim CEO Andy Hoggan returns to COO role
- Annual remuneration set at US$387,000 plus incentives
New CEO to Drive US Market Growth
PainChek Ltd (ASX:PCK) has named Karen Holzberger as its new CEO, effective 17 August 2026, as the company intensifies its push into the US market. Holzberger’s appointment marks a strategic pivot following PainChek’s FDA De Novo clearance in 2025 and a significant Master Services Agreement with Nasdaq-listed Sabra Health Care REIT, which covers up to 20,000 beds in North America with initial deployments underway.
Proven MedTech Leader with Deep US Experience
Holzberger brings 26 years of healthcare leadership, having helmed both early-stage and large international medtech firms. Most recently, she was President and CEO of SpinTech MRI, leading development of an FDA-cleared MRI imaging platform aimed at improving neurosurgery workflows. Prior to that, she held senior roles at Nuance Healthcare, including Senior VP and General Manager of its Diagnostic Division, where she advanced AI-enabled tools in radiology workflows before Microsoft acquired Nuance in 2022 for about US$19.7 billion.
Earlier in her career, Holzberger was VP and GM of GE Global Radiology Workflow at GE Healthcare, overseeing mission-critical healthcare IT software. Her engineering background and extensive US medtech track record position her well to lead PainChek’s next growth phase.
Leadership Transition and Remuneration Details
Holzberger replaces interim CEO Andy Hoggan, who has led the company since 6 July 2026 following Philip Daffas’s departure. Hoggan will return to his previous role as Chief Operating Officer. Holzberger’s annual remuneration is set at US$387,000, aligned with market standards for US medtech CEOs, with eligibility for PainChek’s short- and long-term incentive plans. Specific incentive terms will be disclosed in the company’s next Remuneration Report.
Strategic Focus on Commercial Outcomes
Holzberger emphasised her commitment to expanding PainChek’s customer base across North America, Australia, and the UK, highlighting a clear commercial focus. The appointment comes as PainChek builds on momentum from its FDA clearance and the Sabra REIT agreement, which is a critical commercial milestone for US market penetration.
PainChek Chair Lil Bianchi praised Holzberger’s blend of strategic vision, operational leadership, and US healthcare expertise, noting it as key to driving the company’s growth trajectory.
Bottom Line?
Holzberger’s US medtech pedigree and leadership arrive at a pivotal moment for PainChek, with US commercialisation now front and centre.
Questions in the middle?
- How quickly can Holzberger convert the Sabra REIT agreement into meaningful US revenue?
- What will the impact of Holzberger’s leadership be on PainChek’s global expansion beyond the US?
- How will incentive structures align Holzberger’s performance with PainChek’s ambitious growth targets?
