Building on the success of last year’s standing-room-only debut, Fogarty Innovation and the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) are teaming up again to host an even more dynamic MedTech Innovation Forum at TCT (Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics) this year. The day-long interactive summit will take place on October 23 – the first day of TCT 2023 – at Moscone Center in San Francisco.
“The TCT MedTech Innovation Forum will bring together clinicians, entrepreneurs, investors, payors, and regulators for a day of learning, conversation, and connection,” said Allie Gregorian, Fogarty Innovation’s chief alliance officer and one of the key organizers of the program. “The goals are to identify clinical challenges, uncover opportunities for innovation, and cultivate a practical understanding of the complex process required to bring novel medical technologies to market.”
After last year’s forum drew more than 1,400 physicians, fellows, researchers, innovators, investors, and entrepreneurs, FI and CRF decided to expand this year’s summit. Accordingly, this year’s Forum will feature three tracks that address a broad range of stakeholder interests:
- Global Market Dynamics: Designed to explore the trends shaping the future of medtech innovation, topics in this track include global demographics and how they translate to innovation opportunities, a health check on the financial ecosystem, and a thought-provoking roundtable on medtech industry pain points, challenges, and opportunities.
- Hot Topics in Medtech Innovation: This track explores cutting-edge scientific evidence and insights around current issues in structural heart disease including digital diagnostics and therapeutics, mechanical circulatory support, and more.
- FDA University for Startups: Organized by the US Food and Drug Administration, this track provides first-time entrepreneurs with valuable insights into regulatory policy and guidance.
“Because digital health cuts across all three tracks, we’ve woven sessions with that focus across the program,” added Allie. Specific sessions include Digitalization of Healthcare and Healthcare Delivery, Digital Diagnostics & Therapeutics, and The Reimbursement Landscape in the Digital Area.
“We have an outstanding roster of speakers confirmed so far, including leaders of large strategics and payors such as Steve Hemsley, executive chairman of UnitedHealth Group; Ashley McEvoy, executive VP, worldwide chairman, Johnson & Johnson; and Mike Mahoney, chairman and CEO, Boston Scientific,” said Allie. “We have also secured the involvement of many esteemed members of our local innovation ecosystem, including Marc Galletti, managing director, Longitude Capital; Jan Garfinkle, founder and managing partner, Arboretum Ventures; Jess Mega, MD, co-founder of Verily Life Sciences and a cardiologist at Stanford Health Care, and Allan Will, chairman of EBR Systems, Fractyl Health and Setpoint Medical.”
Another addition to this year’s program is the TCT Shark Tank Innovation Competition. Celebrating its 10th year, the competition seeks to identify the most innovative device concepts and technological developments with the potential to disrupt the cardiovascular field. Participants will present to a panel of expert judges (including FI board member Dr. Fred St. Goar) and compete for an award of $200,000 provided by the Jon DeHaan Foundation.
“The TCT MedTech Innovation Forum is an opportunity to explore the needs and opportunities that will drive future medtech innovation from the perspectives of all the key stakeholders – patients, providers, regulators, and acquirors,” said Andrew Cleeland, CEO of Fogarty Innovation. “By identifying in greater detail where the problems lie and bringing people in the early-stage medtech ecosystem together to engage in a meaningful way, we can start to define and shape next generation of solutions that will improve healthcare.” He continued, “We are thrilled to partner with CRF to convene this distinctive group of stakeholders.”
Attendance at the TCT MedTech Innovation Forum is open to all in-person TCT attendees. Learn more and register now.