Cleveland, OH — December 16, 2025 — Lazurite, a pioneering medical-technology company best known for its wireless ArthroFree® surgical camera system, today announced the appointment of Mario Franco as Chief Financial and Development Officer (CFDO), effective immediately. In this role, Mr. Franco will lead Lazurite’s financial strategy, capital planning, and operational scaling to support the company’s next phase of growth.
“We are thrilled to bring Mario on board as CFDO,” said Mark Froimson, CEO and Board chair of Lazurite. “His deep expertise in financial leadership and strategic growth planning will help us expand our impact in surgical innovation. As we accelerate toward commercialization and broader adoption of the ArthroFree platform, Mario’s leadership will be pivotal in optimizing our capital deployment, operational efficiency, and long-term financial sustainability.”
Mario Franco Joins at a Pivotal Time
Mr. Franco joins Lazurite following a distinguished career in finance and operational leadership. Over his career, he has held senior roles managing financial planning and analysis, fundraising, budgeting, and oversight of finance teams in growth-stage companies. He brings a strong track record of scaling financial systems, optimizing working capital, and guiding companies through critical growth inflection points.
In his new role at Lazurite, Mr. Franco will be responsible for:
- Leading all financial functions, including accounting, financial planning & analysis, forecasting, and treasury
- Driving capital allocation and investor engagement strategy
- Partnering with leadership across R&D, operations, and commercial teams to ensure financial alignment with business goals
- Building scalable financial infrastructure to support growth across U.S. and international markets
“Lazurite’s vision to revolutionize minimally invasive surgery through wireless camera technology is both compelling and consequential,” said Mario Franco. “I’m honored to join at this stage and look forward to working with the team to build the financial rigor needed to support innovation and market expansion.”
Supporting Lazurite’s Mission and Growth Trajectory
Lazurite’s signature ArthroFree® System, the first FDA-cleared wireless surgical camera for arthroscopy and general endoscopy, has gained momentum through clinical adoption, distributor agreements, and medical partnerships. The company has continued to expand its footprint through strategic distributor additions and medical collaborations.
With a seasoned CFDO in place, Lazurite is better equipped to navigate the complex regulatory, capital, and operational demands inherent in scaling high-impact medical technologies. Mr. Franco will serve as a key member of the executive team driving business performance and strategic growth.
About Lazurite
Lazurite is a medical device and technology company based in Cleveland, Ohio. Its signature product, the ArthroFree® Wireless Camera System, is the first FDA-cleared wireless camera designed for minimally invasive surgery – removing traditional camera cables from the sterile field to improve dexterity, safety, and workflow efficiency. Lazurite’s intellectual property portfolio includes innovations in wireless camera technology, low-heat lighting (Meridiem®), and related medical instrumentation. Lazurite is committed to driving the future of surgery with cutting-edge technology that improves outcomes for patients, surgeons, and healthcare systems worldwide. The company is backed by physician investors, venture capital, and industry partnerships. For more information, visit www.lazurite.co.