Medsider: Learn from MedTech and HealthTech Experts

On this episode of Medsider Radio, our guest is Travis Sessions, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Biomerics, a leading mid-market interventional device contract manufacturer. He's also a Managing Partner of Med Venture Holdings, a unique medtech growth equity investor. With over 20 years of business management experience, Travis has successfully built and grown multiple medical device technology companies during his career. He got his start professionally at Dow Chemical and has held management positions at Microsoft and Parker Hannifin Corporation. Travis has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Brigham Young University and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Michigan. Interview Highlights with Travis Sessions:


Macro trends within the medtech market, including Travis’ thoughts on the future. Key differences between contract manufacturers (CMs) and large original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Critical things that OEMs should look for when identifying and working with CMs. The origin story of Med Venture Holdings. What Travis looks for when vetting early-stage medtech ideas. Critical functions that need to be in place for a medical device startup to be acquired. Travis’ favorite book, the mentor he most admires, and the advice he’d give to his 30-year-old self.


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In this episode of Medsider Radio, our guest is Matthew Amsden, the Founder and CEO of ProofPilot, a platform designed to help people design, launch and participate in clinical trials.


ProofPilot’s mission statement revolves around making it incredibly easy to run scientifically-valid research studies. They’re dedicated to making research study participation accessible, interesting, and fun.      


In this discussion with Matthew, we chatted about the importance and feasibility of virtual clinical trials, how they can potentially become a revenue driver, the origin story of ProofPilot, and why their hybrid model is so popular.


Interview Highlights with Matthew Amsden


Who is Matthew Amsden and where did the idea for ProofPilot begin?     The importance of letting early customers try product iterations. How clinical studies can become a revenue driver.  Various types of clinical trials and how they’re conducted on the ProofPilot platform. Risky and costly approaches to traditional clinical studies.      The synergy between data, compliance, and incentives. How a virtual, hybrid model can solve problems when it comes to traditional clinical trials.  Matthew’s favorite business book, the mentor he most admires, and the advice he’d give to his 30-year-old-self.


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Over the last 20 years, Dr. Tej Singh has served as the Founder and Chief of Vascular Surgery for three large, multidisciplinary vascular programs in Silicon Valley. He has vast experience with renal failure and vascular access procedures, and is acutely focused on his first company, Fist Assist Devices. Dr. Singh’s company is developing the first renal care wearable device for venous enlargement and dialysis enhancement. 


In this episode, Dr. Singh and I talk about the primary challenge that Fist Assist Devices is trying to solve, the origin story for their first product, his approach to mapping out clinical trial strategies, and much more.      


Interview Highlights with Dr. Tej Singh


Who is Dr. Tej Singh and what is his background? What is Fist Assist Devices and what challenges are they trying to solve? The origin story for their first product and the critical inflection points for the company.     How Dr. Singh evaluated the IP landscape for his first device.  Dr. Singh’s approach to mapping out clinical trial strategies. How he navigated the insurance coverage and reimbursement landscape. His unique approach to strategic patience and why it’s crucial for medtech startups. Dr. Singh’s favorite book, the leader he most admires, and the advice he’d give to his 30-year-old self.


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I recently sat down with Katherine Ward, Chief Commercial Officer and managing director for Healthy.io. She has worked in healthcare for 28 years — including 15 years with the UK National Health Service and 11 years with United Health Group where she was the Chief Executive with United Health UK and Chief Growth Officer with Optimum International. In this conversation, we cover what Healthy.io does for the broader healthcare community, lessons from the COVID-19 crisis, clinical-grade population health technology, decentralized remote diagnostic screening, and how their technology works with existing health systems. 


Interview Highlights with Katherine Ward


Who is Katherine and what is her background? What is Healthy.io and what challenges or problems do they solve for patients and clinicians? Why the time finally come for decentralized remote diagnostic screening, using urine testing as an example. Lessons on the importance of virtual testing from the COVID-19 crisis. How Healthy.io has approached the regulatory and reimbursement landscapes, including their clinical trial strategy. How their population health technology works together (with and within) existing healthcare systems. Katherine’s favorite genre of books, the leader she most admires, and the advice she’d give to her younger self.


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