BD names former Bard exec as new head of R&D

BD has promoted an executive to executive vice president and chief technology officer, it announced Friday.

The company, also known as Becton, Dickinson & Co., said John A. DeFord, senior vice president of research and development for the Interventional Segment, will now be responsible for leading all R&D activities for the Franklin Lakes-based company, including product portfolio development.

“John is a recognized leader with more than 25 years of experience in the medical device industry, with expertise overseeing innovative R&D and technology-based initiatives that have made significant efforts on saving and improving lives for patients around the world,” BD President Tom Polen said in a prepared statement. “He will drive organizational culture, capabilities, products and technology-enabled services to further strengthen the BD innovation funnel, while advancing the world of health through new innovations and solutions for our customers and patients.”

DeFord was an SVP with C.R. Bard Inc. before that company was taken over by BD in 2017. After the acquisition, he assumed his current role with BD.