Qualia Oto Appoints Benedict Voit as Chief Executive Officer

As an experienced executive, Voit will lead the commercialization strategy for hearing technology following the recent NIH Phase II award.

July 28, 2026 – Qualia Oto, a medical technology company developing shape-adaptive polymer technologies for cochlear implants, announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Benedict Voit as Chief Executive Officer. Voit succeeds Connie Manz, who led the company through critical phases of technology development, federal grant funding, and organizational growth; she will continue to support Qualia Oto as a Board Member and key advisor.

Voit brings a track record of strategic, financial, and operational leadership to the role. Since joining Qualia Oto in 2020, he has served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, helping to build the company's operational capabilities, strengthen its financing strategy, and advance development of its innovative cochlear implant technology platform.

The leadership transition comes as Qualia Oto advances work funded by a $1.84 million Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The award supports further development of the company’s shape-adaptive polymer technology for cochlear implants, which is designed to better conform to cochlear anatomy and address limitations in conventional implant design.

As CEO, Voit will focus on advancing Qualia Oto’s path to market, including product development, strategic partnerships, regulatory planning, manufacturing readiness, and market adoption.

"Qualia Oto has reached a pivotal moment," said Voit. "Our team has developed a compelling technology platform with the potential to meaningfully improve the future of cochlear implantation, and the recent NIH Phase II award is a strong validation of both the science and the promise of our approach. I am honored by the Board’s confidence, and I am excited to lead Qualia Oto into its next chapter. Our focus now is clear: translate our innovation into real-world impact and bring this technology to the patients who stand to benefit from it."

The Board cited Voit's leadership contributions over the past six years as a key factor in its decision. During his tenure, he has worked closely with the executive team to establish operational infrastructure, lead the company’s capital raise, secure competitive non-dilutive funding, and position Qualia Oto for future growth.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am delighted to announce Benedict's promotion to Chief Executive Officer," said Michael Seeligson, Chairman of the Board. "Benedict has consistently demonstrated the strategic judgment, operational discipline, and unwavering commitment critical to Qualia Oto’s mission and next phase of development. As the company transitions from technology development toward commercialization, the Board believes he is the right leader to guide Qualia Oto forward."

Seeligson also recognized the contributions of outgoing CEO Manz, whose leadership helped establish Qualia Oto as a promising innovator in hearing technology. Under Manz's guidance, the company achieved significant scientific and organizational milestones, including advancing its core technology platform and receiving multiple federal grants for continued research and development.

"It has been a privilege to lead Qualia Oto during such an important period in the company's history," said Manz. "Benedict has been a great partner within the company since joining in 2020, and he has earned the trust of employees, investors, collaborators, and the Board alike. I am confident that Qualia Oto is in strong hands and that Benedict is well-positioned to guide the company through its next phase of growth and commercialization."

About Qualia Oto

Qualia Oto is an innovative biomedical device company focused on improving the individual’s quality of life through better aural technologies. By integrating our proprietary shape-adaptive polymers, we are advancing the next generation of cochlear implants allowing for minimal trauma, a superior positioning of electrodes, and an increased effectiveness and stimulatory resolution for chronic, targeted microstimulation. Qualia Oto’s team of medical and scientific experts aim to reshape – literally and figuratively – cochlear implants and their capacity in overcoming debilitating hearing loss.

For additional information, please contact:

Benedict Voit, CEO

benedict.voit@qualiaoto.com