Irish medical device company Mainstay Medical has appointed a new chairman.

Dr Oern Stuge will take up the role at the company, which is developing a disruptive new therapy for patients with chronic low back pain that involves an implantable device that helps restore spine stability.

An experienced internal medicine physician from Norway, Dr Stuge currently heads up Orsco Life Science, a Swiss based management consulting firm that specialises in advising companies in the medtech sector. He was also vice president of Medtronic's EMEA neurological and spinal division, chairman of the board and managed the firm's operations in Europe and central Asia.

In Abbott Laboratories, he held a senior position, and was chief executive of Medinor.

Mainstay chief executive Peter Crosby welcomed Dr Stuge's appointment. "We are making great progress in advancing our products from concept to reality and are delighted to attract such expertise to our growing company," he said.

Dr Stuge said he was looking forward to working with the board of Mainstay Medical at an exciting time for the company. "Mainstay's products hold real promise for the millions of people who suffer from chronic low back pain, and who have few other options," he said.

Mainstay Medical, which recently opened new offices in Swords, Co Dublin, said it would continue to expand its team as it seeks regulatory approval in Europe and US for its therapy.