Alfred E. Mann holds B.A. and M.S. degrees in physics from the University of California, Los Angeles and honorary doctorate degrees from the University of Southern California, The Johns Hopkins University, Western University and the Technion Institute (Israel), as well as, Research Professor, University of Southern California, and Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles.
Alfred Mann has founded 17 companies in his career. The AIMD companies currently within his control are:
- Second Sight, which is developing a visual prosthesis to restore sight to the blind
- Quallion, which develops, manufactures and markets advanced batteries for implantable medical devices (as well as for aerospace and military applications)
- Implantable Acoustics, developing an implantable hearing aid
Additionally, Mr. Mann founded and served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MiniMed Inc. from its founding in 1993 until August 2001 when it was acquired by Medtronic, Inc. Al Mann also founded and served as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Bionics Corporation (AB), from its founding in 1993 until it was acquired by Boston Scientific Corporation (BSC) in 2004. Advanced Bionics developed neurostimulation devices for various neural deficits, including cochlear stimulators. In 2008 Mr. Mann and others acquired from BSC the portion of AB, which develops, manufactures and distributes cochlear implant devices. AB was acquired by Sonova Holding along with PercuPort, which is developing advanced hearing devices. Mr. Mann also founded and was Chairman of the Board and CEO of Pacesetter Systems, Inc., which developed, manufactured and distributed cardiac pacemakers, from 1972 until 1985 when it was acquired by Siemens, AG. From 1985 to September 1992, Mr. Mann continued to serve as Chairman and CEO of the successor company, Siemens-Pacesetter, Inc., Pacesetter is now the Cardiac Rhythm Management unit of St. Jude Medical.