Do you get The MedTech Strategist? You should.

Here’s a free copy: http://medgroup.biz/free-strategist

Their Feb 9 issue has a 20-page article on 2016 tech innovation. These caught my eye:

• Transcatheter heart valves top their list. Edwards (50% share) is investing in clinical studies to bring transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVR) to lower-risk patients. Medtronic (34%) is too. Boston Scientific (6%) is picking up steam with its Lotus device.

• Mitral valves may be the bigger story. Its estimated potential is 2-3x the transcatheter market. “The success of TAVR devices blazed the trail… the question [is] when, not if, industry would [address] other structural heart conditions, notably mitral and tricuspid disease.”

• Leadless/wireless pacing systems may be the third generation of major advances in cardiac rhythm management (CRM) after dual chamber pacemakers and ICDs. They could grab 20% of the global pacemaker market. Will they grow the sector or cannibalize current business?

• Johnson & Johnson and Google are launching joint venture Verb Surgical to develop a surgical robot. Many new entrants address different clinical problems but the industry has seen relatively slow adoption. Will those featured in http://medgroup.biz/free-strategist increase the uptake? (P.S. Very interesting Intuitive Surgical observations in the article.)

• Expect growth in both neurostimulation markets: surgically implanted devices for intractable disease states, and noninvasive for pain and depression. In 2015, Stimwave received FDA clearance for the world’s first injectable, wireless, microtechnology neuromodulation devices for chronic back and leg pain relief.

• Three pages on partnerships and developments in the diabetes space, with a special focus on digital monitoring.

• Articles on the artificial pancreas, clinical genomics, ortho/spine innovation, and wearables.

Well worth the time. That link again: http://medgroup.biz/free-strategist

Thanks to my upcoming 10x keynoters David Cassak and Stephen Levin for this free gift for Medical Devices Group readers.

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For discussion today, what is missing in the list above? Which are the medtech stories you are watching this year?

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TWO MEDTECH START-UP CEOS NEEDED

Employers tell me about plum jobs. And I know great candidates too. This is an attempt to bring them together. I’ve posted two jobs and a candidate.

For CEO Candidates: http://medgroup.biz/matchup

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FOR MEDTECH ENTREPRENEURS
My buddy Allan Daisley runs the ZeroTo510 Medical Device Accelerator out of Memphis, Tennessee.

They are taking applications at http://medgroup.biz/zeroto510 now for their fifth year. If selected, you’ll take advantage of a proven methodology, experienced mentors, and a seed investment.

60% of the graduates received follow-on funding (averaging about $700,000 per company to date).

If you apply at http://medgroup.biz/zeroto510 and get in, let me know! I like a good success story!

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Discussions

“Seriously, what a bunch of a-holes.”
http://bit.ly/srsly-ah

Novartis signs with Aetna and Cigna for evidence-based pricing
http://bit.ly/Nov-AET-CI

Adding Bluetooth to an existing device, new 510(k)?
http://bit.ly/blue-510

FDA Approval of Wound Regeneration Matrix
http://bit.ly/FDA-wound

Inquiry on Reprocessing Sample Size Justification
http://bit.ly/repo-samples

Who is building proactive medical devices?
http://bit.ly/proactive-meddev

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Make it a great week.

Joe Hage
Medical Devices Group Leader

P.S. Come meet David Cassak and Stephen Levin at http://medgroup.biz/10x. 60% of the tickets already sold, act now.