Pittsburgh medical device company co-founder named in 40 under 40 list

PECA Labs, a medical device company redefining the field of vascular grafts and valves with durable, polymeric cardiovascular devices designed to fit, grow, and last, has announced that Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Arush Kalra has been named to the Pittsburgh 40 Under 40 list by Pittsburgh Magazine and PUMP.

The Pittsburgh 40 Under 40 awards honor high-performing, high-impact professionals who are driving innovation and strengthening the Pittsburgh community through leadership, professional excellence, and service.

Dr. Kalra leads PECA Labs’ scientific and engineering programs, overseeing clinical research and the development of its proprietary tunable polymeric material platform for cardiovascular implants. Inspired by his mother’s battle with cardiovascular disease, he began his career in medicine before pivoting to medical device innovation at the encouragement of a mentor.

While pursuing his Master of Science in Biomedical and Medical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), he co-founded PECA Labs with fellow CMU Tartans Doug Bernstein and Jamie Quinterno—without whom, he notes, the venture would not have been possible—to advance the field of cardiothoracic surgery. Since 2018, Dr. Kalra has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh.

“This recognition carries profound meaning, as it brings much-needed attention to the challenges faced by families confronting congenital cardiac defects and chronic adult cardiovascular diseases,” said Dr. Kalra. “Our mission is simple yet powerful: to develop innovative cardiovascular devices that provide patients with an improved quality of life and the chance to grow, thrive, and avoid repeat surgeries. It is an honour to be recognised alongside so many talented individuals who are making a meaningful impact in the Pittsburgh community—a place that has given so much to us at PECA Labs and continues to inspire our work.”

In 2024, PECA Labs opened a new polymeric processing facility near its headquarters in Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield neighborhood, adjacent to UPMC Children’s Hospital. This expansion brings critical manufacturing in-house, giving the company greater control over production, faster scalability, and the ability to meet growing demand.

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