Orthofix Medical Inc. announced that Puja Leekha, Orthofix Senior Vice President, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, has been appointed as Interim Chief Legal Officer. The appointment is effective immediately and follow the decision by the Board's independent directors to terminate for cause Patrick Keran from the respective role. Puja Leekha, age 47, joined Orthofix in 2023 as Senior Vice President, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer.

In this role she is responsible for all aspects of the Company's compliance program and policies, ensuring that Orthofix's business practices and interactions with health care professionals are compliant with current legal and industry standards in all global markets. Prior to joining Orthofix, Ms. Leekha spent more than 18 years in a variety of legal and compliance roles within the medical device and pharmaceutical industries, including with Stryker and Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals, and as a litigator with the law firm now known as Faegre Drinker Biddle Reath LLP defending medical device and pharmaceutical companies in product liability actions. Her clients included Johnson Johnson companies such as DePuy Orthopaedics.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering with a Biotechnology specialization from Northwestern University and a Juris Doctor from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. She was the Managing Editor of the Washington University Global Studies Law Review and served as a law clerk for a federal court judge.

At Lundbeck, Ms. Leekha reported directly to Lundbeck?s President of North America and was responsible for the leadership, development, implementation and management of the company?s Compliance Program. She was also responsible for the negotiation, implementation and execution of Lundbeck?s Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Office of the Inspector General. Ms. Leekha was a member of Lundbeck?s North America Senior Leadership Team, Lundbeck?s Global Leadership Team, and Lundbeck?s Global Legal Leadership Team.

She was the Chair of the Compliance Committee and served as the Executive Sponsor for Lundbeck?s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council.