Changes in Canatu’s management
The Finnish deep technology company has appointed Dr Nedal Safwat as Chief Development Officer (CDO) of Canatu Plc and President of Canatu Inc and announced the resignation of Scott Sears from the board of directors at Canatu Plc. Both changes took effect on 9 June 2025.
Effective 9 June, Dr Safwat will lead Canatu’s Medical Diagnostics business unit and serve as a member of the management team. Medical diagnostics are expected to increasingly transition from laboratory-based testing to point-of-care (POC) solutions in various parts of the care chain. The company remains strongly committed on highly sensitive, rapid POC diagnostic sensors and is developing focused applications.
Dr Safwat brings over 20 years of industry expertise in medical diagnostics and a strong track record in business development across leading global organisations. Most recently, he served as Vice President, Portfolio and Program Management Office at Cepheid (2025). Before that, he served as the Vice President, Head of Molecular Diagnostics Sales and Marketing – North America at QIAGEN (2021–2024), and Vice President, Marketing and Business Development at ChromaCode (2020–2021). He also held multiple leadership roles in product development and commercial functions at bioMérieux (2009–2020).
Juha Kokkonen, CEO of Canatu Plc, comments: "Dr Nedal Safwat’s appointment is a key milestone in establishing Canatu as a globally relevant technology company in the medical diagnostics industry. Under his leadership, we will accelerate the development of highly sensitive electrochemical biosensors for unmet needs and, crucially, generate a specific roadmap and products that vividly demonstrate the unique differentiations of Canatu’s CNT technology in medical diagnostics. This roadmap will also highlight how our technology can enable a broader range of diagnostic applications through key partnerships."
Scott Sears leaves Canatu Plc’s board of directors
Due to commitments to other executive duties, the previous CDO Scott Sears resigns from the board of directors of Canatu Plc effective 9 June. Board Chair Timo Ahopelto thanks Scott Sears for his contributions in steering Canatu’s Medical Diagnostics business unit, particularly for his insights and his role in shaping the strategy and roadmap.
Scott Sears comments: “I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to work alongside so many talented professionals. I firmly believe Canatu’s versatile platform technology holds tremendous future potential, and I wish the company continued success moving forward. I’m proud to have played a key role in building a world-class team and am particularly pleased to welcome Nedal Safwat to Canatu. With a strong foundation in place, the time is right for me to leave and focus on other executive responsibilities.“ The company will continue with seven board members until further notice.
About Canatu
Canatu is a deep technology company creating advanced carbon nanotubes (CNTs), related products, and manufacturing equipment for the semiconductor, automotive, and medical diagnostics industries. It partners with forerunner companies, transforming products for a tomorrow with nano carbon. The company operates through two business models: selling CNT products directly, as well as selling CNT reactors and licensing the related technology so that customers can produce CNT products under a limited license.
Headquartered in Finland, Canatu also operates in the US, Japan, and Taiwan. Founded in 2004 as a spin-off from Aalto University’s Nanomaterials Group, it currently has around 140 employees representing 35 nationalities, with 20 percent holding or pursuing doctorates.
Caption: Scott Sears (left) resigned to from the board of directors and his place takes Dr Nedal Safwat (right) to address the increasing demand for point-of-care diagnostic tools and new medical applications (images: Canatu).
Source: Canatu
www.canatu.com