After more than two decades leading organisations at some of the world’s most respected medical device companies, including Hologic, SenoRx Breast Care, and BTL Industries, Joseph B. LaBruzzo is embarking on a new chapter as President & CEO of U.S. Operations and Board Member at Ark Surgical.

We sat down with Joseph to discuss what drew him to Ark Surgical, why he believes women’s surgical innovation is entering a transformative era, and what it takes to bring meaningful technologies from concept to standard of care.

You have held leadership positions at some of the biggest names in MedTech. What attracted you to Ark Surgical?

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work with organisations that developed technologies capable of changing the standard of care.

What attracted me to Ark Surgical is the opportunity to help address a meaningful unmet need in gynecologic surgery with an innovation that has the potential to improve patient outcomes while preserving the benefits of minimally invasive surgery.

Opportunities like that don’t come along very often.

FemTech World recently highlighted that many women remain unaware of gynecologic cancers and that unexpected diagnoses continue to have a profound impact on patients and families.

How has your own experience shaped the way you think about innovation in women’s health?

Earlier in my career, I witnessed many women receive life-changing cancer diagnoses.

Those experiences stayed with me and reinforced my belief that if there’s an opportunity to reduce risk through better innovation, it’s one worth pursuing.

That’s one of the reasons I was drawn to Ark Surgical.

The vast majority of minimally invasive gynecologic procedures are performed for conditions believed to be benign. Unfortunately, in rare cases, pathology later reveals an unexpected malignancy.

LapBox was designed with a proprietary dual-wall tissue containment system to help facilitate contained specimen retrieval and minimise the risk of tissue spillage during laparoscopic procedures.

I believe innovations like this can help surgeons manage the unexpected while preserving the many benefits of minimally invasive surgery for women.

Women’s health has gained significant momentum in recent years, yet surgical innovation often receives less attention than diagnostics or therapeutics. Why do you think that is?

Women’s health has historically been underfunded and underserved across many areas of medicine, and surgery is no exception.

While we’ve seen tremendous advances in diagnostics and pharmaceuticals, there are still important opportunities to improve the surgical experience for both physicians and patients.

Innovation that enhances safety, efficiency, and outcomes has the potential to make a lasting impact.

What excites you most about LapBox?

LapBox addresses a very real challenge that gynecologic surgeons face during minimally invasive procedures.

It was thoughtfully designed to integrate seamlessly into the surgical workflow while providing an added layer of confidence when tissue retrieval is required.

I believe technologies that solve real clinical challenges in a practical way have the greatest potential to become part of the standard of care.

What do you see as the biggest unmet needs in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery today?

The future of surgery isn’t simply about making procedures less invasive. It’s about making them smarter and safer.

Surgeons need technologies that integrate seamlessly into their workflow while helping them navigate increasingly complex clinical situations.

Every advancement that helps reduce risk while preserving the benefits of minimally invasive surgery has the potential to improve outcomes for both physicians and patients.

That’s where I believe the greatest opportunities for innovation exist.

As you take on this new role, what are your priorities over the next 12 months?

Our focus over the next 12 months is to build a strong foundation for growth. That means expanding physician partnerships, driving early clinical adoption, growing our team, and ensuring that more surgeons have access to technologies like LapBox.

At the same time, we’re focused on building strategic relationships with investors, healthcare systems, and industry partners that support our long-term vision.

What advice would you give entrepreneurs building the next generation of women’s health companies?

Start with a real clinical problem and never lose sight of the patient.

Great technology alone isn’t enough. You also need strong clinical evidence, physician advocates, and a clear market strategy. The companies that succeed are the ones that bring all of those pieces together while remaining focused on improving patient care.

About Joseph B. LaBruzzo

As President & CEO of U.S. Operations and Board Member, Joseph LaBruzzo is leading Ark Surgical’s U.S. growth strategy, physician partnerships, strategic investment initiatives, and organisational expansion, supporting the company’s mission to advance safer minimally invasive gynecologic surgery through innovative technologies.

A market analysis made by Moore Financial Consulting estimates the global market for Zero Candida Technologies, Inc. (TSXV: ZCT) (OTCQB: ZCTFF) (FSE: 9L2) (the “Company” or “ZCT”), a FemTech medical device company advancing next-generation solutions for women’s health, will reach over USD 2 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.25 per cent globally and 3.9 per cent in North America and 4.2 per cent in Europe.

The analysis emphasis that up to 75 per cent of women will have at least one vaginal yeast infection in their life.

Moreover, recurrent VVC (Vulvovaginal Candidiasis) affects nearly 8 per cent of women globally (for women above the ages of 15-60).

According to the data, 100 per cent of women with Recurrent VVC will purchase a combination of over-the-counter and prescription antifungal treatments, usually with the common use of oral agents.

Compared to women with non-recurrent VCC, 55.2 per cent will purchase prescription antifungal treatment, 37 per cent over-the-counter antifungal, 5.6 per cent will purchase a combination of both treatments, and the rest will not purchase any treatment.

Eli Ben Haroosh, founder & CEO, Zero Candida Technologies, said: “Moore’s market analysis matches our estimations, Zero Candida is a groundbreaking and game-changing company in the world of women’s medicine, and we look forward to be one of the leading companies offering AI-driven, tampon-like device, helping women suffering from VVC .

Zero Candida announced recently that its shares are now successfully listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE).

This listing marks a significant milestone for the Company as it expands its global presence, now cross-listed on both the TSX Venture Exchange and the FSE, providing increased visibility and access to a broader pool of international investors.

Propel Healthtech West Yorkshire has opened applications for its final 2026 healthtech cohort, offering innovators support to scale solutions for the NHS and wider healthcare system.

The accelerator is inviting healthtech innovators with ambitious solutions to join its last cohort of the year.

Propel Healthtech West Yorkshire supports small and medium-sized businesses at start-up and scale-up stages as they develop, progress and scale healthcare innovations.

The fully funded programme is delivered by Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

It provides tailored business support, NHS engagement and access to a nationally recognised innovation network.

Successful applicants will join a six-month programme designed to accelerate commercial growth and NHS adoption.

Support includes business development, regulatory guidance, one-to-one mentoring, masterclasses and direct access to NHS organisations, investors and industry partners.

Regulatory guidance helps companies understand the rules they must follow before healthcare products can be safely adopted.

Dr Neville Young, director of enterprise and innovation at Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, said: “It’s always incredibly exciting to open another round of applications for Propel.

“So far, we’ve seen outstanding examples of how this collaborative, innovation-led programme supports companies to start, scale and embed their products and solutions within our local healthcare system.

“As we launch our final cohort of 2026, we’re looking forward to welcoming another group of ambitious innovators who share our vision of improving health and care through innovation.

“The value we can offer participating SMEs continues to grow year on year, and we’re proud to deliver Propel Healthtech West Yorkshire alongside partners who help shape a programme that is truly world-leading in its ambition, quality and impact.”

The programme launched in November 2025 following £4.5m through the West Yorkshire Mayor’s Investment Zone, part of a wider £160m Investment Zone.

It aims to accelerate innovation, attract investment and strengthen the region’s health and life sciences sector.

Over four years, the programme plans to support hundreds of innovators, helping businesses grow in West Yorkshire while developing technologies intended to improve patient care, tackle healthcare challenges and create high-value jobs across the region.

The programme is delivered with a network of regional, national and international partners, giving innovators access to expertise, markets and organisations familiar with developing and scaling healthcare innovations.

Applications are open to early-stage innovators and organisations that can show evidence of NHS traction.

Applicants must already have a presence in West Yorkshire or be willing to establish one.

Each successful organisation will receive support tailored to its stage of development and growth ambitions, reflecting its individual commercial and clinical priorities.

Applications opened at 9am on Monday 20 July and close at 4pm on Friday 25 September.

Successful innovators are due to be notified on Friday 2 October, ahead of the cohort launch event on Thursday 15 October.

Programme offboarding is scheduled for March 2027.

Tim East, workstream lead for start-ups at Propel Healthtech West Yorkshire, said: “Every cohort brings together founders tackling some of healthcare’s biggest challenges with innovative ideas, technologies and solutions. What makes Propel unique is the breadth of expertise available to innovators, from NHS partners and academics to investors, experienced founders and international organisations.

“Whether you’re at the beginning of your commercial journey or preparing to scale, Propel is designed to give innovators the knowledge, connections and confidence needed to successfully navigate the healthcare system and accelerate growth.”

Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, spoke in November 2025 during the launch of the £4.5m investment as part of the Local Growth Plan.

She said: “The first priority of our Local Growth Plan is to boost our region’s fastest growing business sectors, because we know that’s how we’re going to drive investment, create jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.”

She added: “This will help with access to finance, skills and workspace to bolster collaboration with hospitals and universities, boosting growth and helping us build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire.”

Propel Healthtech West Yorkshire says it is committed to building an inclusive innovation ecosystem and is encouraging applications from underrepresented founders, including female founders, innovators from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and entrepreneurs with disabilities.