Medsider: Learn from Medtech and Healthtech Founders and CEOs

In this episode of Medsider Radio, we’re sitting down with Robert Kline, the Chairman of ThermoTek.

Robert left big pharma to start Medivance in 1998, which he later sold for $260 million in 2011. His next venture, ViroCyt, a spin-off from the University of Colorado, sold in 2016 for $16 million. Robert then joined startup Bolder Surgical in 2017, pivoted it, and sold the company in 2021 for $160 million. He’s now Chairman of ThermoTek.

In this episode of Medsider, Robert shares the lessons he learned from leading three medtech companies through successful acquisitions: never underestimate the importance and difficulty of fundraising, don’t assume everyone has the problem you want to solve, and don’t build your company around an exit. Before we jump into the conversation, I wanted to mention a few things:

If you’re into learning from proven medtech and healthtech leaders, and want to know when new content and interviews go live, head over to Medsider.com and sign up for our free newsletter. You’ll get access to gated articles, and lots of other interesting healthcare content.

Second, if you want even more inside info from proven experts, think about a Medsider premium membership. We talk to experienced healthcare leaders about the nuts and bolts of running a business and bringing products to market. This is your place for valuable knowledge on specific topics like seed funding, prototyping, insurance reimbursement, and positioning a medtech startup for an exit.

In addition to the entire back catalog of Medsider interviews over the past decade, Premium members get exclusive Ask Me Anything interviews and masterclasses with some of the world’s most successful medtech founders and executives. Since making the premium memberships available, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how many people have signed up. If you’re interested, go to medsider.com/subscribe to learn more.

Lastly, here's the link to the full interview with Robert if you'd rather read it instead.

A few years ago, I had the privilege of sitting down and talking with serial medtech entrepreneur Paul Buckman, who at the time, was CEO of Conventus Orthopedics.

Prior to Conventus, Paul held CEO roles at SentreHEART, Pathway Medical Technologies (which sold to Bayer HealthCare), and Devax (which sold to Biosensors International). From 2004 through 2006, Buckman served as President of the Cardiology Division of St. Jude Medical.

Before joining St. Jude, he served as Chairman and CEO of ev3, a company that Buckman co-founded and was later acquired by Covidien for $2.5 billion dollars in 2010.

Paul has worked in the medical device industry for over 35 years, including 10 years at Scimed Life Systems and Boston Scientific where he held several executive positions before becoming President of the Cardiology Division at Boston Scientific in January of 2000. Buckman received a BA degree in business administration and an MBA degree from Western Michigan University.

Here are a few of the things we’re going to learn in this interview with Paul:

Of all the medtech startups that Paul’s been a part of, the two are closest to his heart.
- Two of the many key learnings that Paul recalls during his time helping to build Scimed.
- When it comes to product development for medtech startups, why it’s critical to be ruthless about prioritization?

See more...

In this episode of Medsider Radio, we had a fun conversation with Kevin Eisenfrats, CEO of Contraline. Kevin and his team are developing ADAM, a novel, long-lasting, reversible male contraceptive.

Kevin is a first-time entrepreneur and nanomedical engineer from the University of Virginia (UVA) and has been working on contraceptive technologies since his undergrad years. He has amassed over 50 patents in contraceptive drugs, medical devices, and biomaterials. In 2017, he was honored with a place among the Forbes 30 Under 30 in Healthcare.

In this interview, Kevin offers insights on how to move swiftly through clinical trials, community-building in medtech, creative fundraising efforts, and the importance of executing thorough scientific and market research.

Before we dive into the discussion, I wanted to mention a few things:

First, if you’re into learning from medical device and health technology founders and CEOs, and want to know when new interviews are live, head over to Medsider.com and sign up for our free newsletter.

Second, if you want to peek behind the curtain of the world's most successful startups, you should consider a Medsider premium membership. You’ll learn the strategies and tactics that founders and CEOs use to build and grow companies like Silk Road Medical, AliveCor, Shockwave Medical, and hundreds more!

We recently introduced some fantastic additions exclusively for Medsider premium members, including playbooks, which are curated collections of our top Medsider interviews on key topics like capital fundraising and risk mitigation, and a curated investor database to help you discover your next medical device or health technology investor!

In addition to the entire back catalog of Medsider interviews over the past decade, premium members also get a copy of every volume of Medsider Mentors at no additional cost, including the latest Medsider Mentors Volume V. If you’re interested, go to medsider.com/subscribe to learn more.

Lastly, if you'd rather read than listen, here's a link to the full interview with Kevin Eisenfrats.

In this episode of Medsider Radio, we sat down with Parag Gad, who founded SpineX to turn cutting-edge science into life-changing devices. The FDA has granted Breakthrough Device Designation for two of SpineX's non-invasive products aimed at improving the lives of adults with neurogenic bladder conditions and children with cerebral palsy.

Parag understands both sides of the coin — the research-intensive academic world and the rigorous standards of healthcare regulation. With SpineX, he's marrying the two, aiming for a transformation in spinal healthcare. The company has raised $3.6 million in equity financing and has also secured non-dilutive funding from government agencies. With ongoing multicenter clinical trials and plans for future enrollment, Parag is steering SpineX toward a new frontier in bioelectric medicine.

In this interview, Parag delves into the intricate journey of transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship, securing non-traditional funding, and the role of regulatory milestones in building a reputable healthcare brand.

Before we dive into the discussion, I wanted to mention a few things:

First, if you’re into learning from medical device and health technology founders and CEOs, and want to know when new interviews are live, head over to Medsider.com and sign up for our free newsletter.

Second, if you want to peek behind the curtain of the world's most successful startups, you should consider a Medsider premium membership. You’ll learn the strategies and tactics that founders and CEOs use to build and grow companies like Silk Road Medical, AliveCor, Shockwave Medical, and hundreds more!

We recently introduced some fantastic additions exclusively for Medsider premium members, including playbooks, which are curated collections of our top Medsider interviews on key topics like capital fundraising and risk mitigation, and a curated investor database to help you discover your next medical device or health technology investor!

In addition to the entire back catalog of Medsider interviews over the past decade, premium members also get a copy of every volume of Medsider Mentors at no additional cost. If you’re interested, go to medsider.com/subscribe to learn more.

Lastly, if you'd rather read than listen, here's a link to the full interview with Parag Gad.

In this episode of Medsider Radio, we sat down with Steffen Hovard, CEO of Neuspera Medical, where his team is developing a novel, less invasive device that uses neuromodulation to treat conditions like overactive bladder.

Previously, Steffen spent two decades at Coloplast, where he held various senior leadership roles that contributed to the company’s growth, including the acquisition of a Minneapolis-based urology business in 2005. With deep expertise in the space, he has consistently driven growth and innovation across multiple functions, positioning himself as a leader of leaders in medtech, with board roles at Medical Alley and AdvaMed.

In this interview, Steffen talks about confirming market fit before investing, building an early network for key hires and investors, aligning development speed with each phase, engaging with regulators early, and taking a steady, relationship-driven approach to fundraising.

Before we dive into the discussion, I wanted to mention a few things:

First, if you’re into learning from medical device and health technology founders and CEOs, and want to know when new interviews are live, head over to Medsider.com and sign up for our free newsletter.

Second, if you want to peek behind the curtain of the world's most successful startups, you should consider a Medsider premium membership. You’ll learn the strategies and tactics that founders and CEOs use to build and grow companies like Silk Road Medical, AliveCor, Shockwave Medical, and hundreds more!

We recently introduced some fantastic additions exclusively for Medsider premium members, including playbooks, which are curated collections of our top Medsider interviews on key topics like capital fundraising and risk mitigation, and a curated investor database to help you discover your next medical device or health technology investor!

In addition to the entire back catalog of Medsider interviews over the past decade, premium members also get a copy of every volume of Medsider Mentors at no additional cost, including the latest Medsider Mentors Volume VI. If you’re interested, go to medsider.com/subscribe to learn more.

Lastly, if you'd rather read than listen, here's a link to the full interview with Steffen Hovard.