The Medventions 2023 Fall Lecture Series is a hybrid (in-person and virtual) educational series designed to equip the next generation of medtech innovators with the knowledge and skills they need to transform healthcare. The Lecture Series offers an excellent opportunity to learn about health technology innovation, how to validate healthcare needs, invent new medical technology products, and plan for their implementation into patient care. There are thirteen (13) lectures in the Medventions 2023 Fall Lecture Series. Each lecture is 1 hour. Select lectures will include an accompanying networking and workshopping portion. The networking portion is 30 minutes. The workshopping portion is 1.5 hours. Attendees who attend in-person will be able to attend the networking and workshop portion. Lectures with a supporting workshop will include a light meal for in-person attendees. Virtual attendees will only be able to attend the lecture portion.
Medventions Lecture Series attendees can earn a Certificate in Medical Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship by attending eleven (11) or more lectures. Attendees interested in enrolling in the certificate program must indicate upon registration through Eventbrite. Attendees interested in obtaining a certificate must attend the lectures in-person. Certificates will be awarded at the end of the Lecture Series to eligible attendees.
DATE: September 6, 2023 | 6:00pm – 7:00pm EDT
SPEAKER: Dr. Brian Courtney
LOCATION: M6-502 – Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON (Available on Zoom)
ABOUT THE SESSION
In this lecture, Dr. Courtney will discuss industry insights and strategic trends that are shaping the medical technology industry in Canada. Brian will share his views of the health technology innovation and commercialization landscape including current opportunities and enduring complexities in the regulatory, reimbursement, and commercialization processes for health technologies and devices, drawing reference to his experience in co-founding three medical technology companies over the past 20 years.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. Brian Courtney is an interventional cardiologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, clinician-scientist at Sunnybrook Research Institute, and Director of the Sunnybrook Medventions Program. Brian is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Conavi Medical Inc. Brian is a co-inventor on over fifteen (15) issued US patents and a co-author on eighteen (18) peer-reviewed publications. His clinical activities are focused on coronary interventions and acute cardiac care. His areas of research relate to minimally-invasive imaging, medical device design, and medical innovation. He is also the Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Rotation for University of Toronto cardiology residents at the Sunnybrook.
DATE: September 14, 2023 | 4:00pm – 6:30pm EDT
SPEAKERS: Dr. Nardin Samuel and Dr. Abubaker Khalifa
LOCATION: M6-502 – Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON (Available on Zoom)
ABOUT THE SESSIONS
In the first session (4:00pm – 5:00pm EDT), Dr. Nardin Samuel will discuss key points in starting up a health care technology company, drawing reference to her experience in co-founding Cove Neurosciences, a Toronto-based start-up developing the next generation of brain mapping software. Nardin will address the basic skills and knowledge needed to build new ventures and develop medical device ideas from concept to reality. Other topics will include team-formation, idea generation, patenting, fundraising, challenges, and rewards.’
In the second session (5:30pm – 6:30pm EDT), Dr. Khalifa will discuss the process of clinical needs finding and value exploration in the healthcare field. Key learning objectives of this session include: understanding the types of problems that are likely to result in significant opportunities, learning how to perform effective research, observations, and interviews, and appreciating the importance of value exploration in complex healthcare environments.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Dr. Nardin Samuel is a Resident Physician and Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Toronto with a clinical and academic interest in neuroscience and oncology. She has led numerous clinical and translational research studies and has published over 50 peer-reviewed papers in high-impact journals. Most recently, Dr. Samuel’s work focuses on non-invasive brain stimulation for various neurological indications. Dr. Samuel is the CEO & Co-Founder of Cove Neurosciences Inc., a software enterprise developing advanced analytics for brain data processing and interpretation. Prior to her current role, Dr. Samuel completed a degree in pharmacy, followed by the combined MD/PhD Program at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Abubaker Khalifa is a Co-founder of Moonrise Medical, developing a therapeutic guidance/diagnostic system in PAD/CLTI. Abubaker Khalifa is an Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) at McMaster University and an Intensivist at Joseph Brant Hospital. He completed a biomedical innovation and biodesign fellowship at Stanford Byers Center for Biodesign. Abubaker is a Medical Director with NXT Biomedical Incubator in Irvine, California, delivering innovative breakthrough medical technologies in largely unmet clinical need areas. Abubaker consults for early stage medtech startups and is involved in various medtech education programs in the US and Canada.
DATE: September 21, 2023 | 4:00pm – 7:00pm EDT
SPEAKER: Leon Wahler
LOCATION: M6-502 – Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON (Available on Zoom)
ABOUT THE SESSION
This lecture and workshop is designed to provide aspiring healthcare innovators and entrepreneurs with a practical introduction to market research and the fundamentals of market analysis. Participants will be able to utilize methodologies and strategies to assess whether a potential technology is associated with a commercially viable market. Key learning objectives of this session include:
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Leon Wahler is an independent marketing researcher working exclusively in the healthcare market. He has been working as a marketing researcher since 1987 and established his own successful company in 1998. Leon has extensive experience in designing and implementing marketing research studies across a broad range of subjects employing a variety of research technologies and techniques. His work has touched on almost every major therapeutic category. He has conducted studies in both North America and Europe with physicians from a wide selection of specialties, pharmacists, nurses, hospital purchasing departments, and other members of the healthcare community. Given the changing dynamics of the healthcare market, he has also led studies that included patients and their family members and/or care providers as well as third-party payer organizations.
Study subjects have included pharmaceuticals, biotech products and medical devices. Product studies may begin as early as the predevelopment conceptual stage all the way through to post-marketing evaluation. Leon has a B.Sc. from McGill University and an MBA from Concordia University.
DATE: September 28, 2023 | 4:00pm – 7:00pm EDT
SPEAKER: Kasey Dunn
LOCATION: M6-502 – Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON (Available on Zoom)
ABOUT THE SESSION
In this session, Kasey Dunn will explore the guiding principles of design thinking and creativity, and discuss the diverse ideation and brainstorming methods that are typically utilized by entrepreneurs and innovators. Participants will learn how to embrace a human-centred perspective when pursuing innovation in healthcare, and will learn how to actively apply a creative mindset to designing novel solutions in healthcare.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Kasey Dunn is an accomplished educator and entrepreneur, currently serving as Professor of Creativity and Innovation at Sheridan College. With a wealth of experience leading innovation and entrepreneurship programs in various contexts, including women’s accelerators, arts incubators, and major universities, Kasey is passionate about empowering others through innovation and entrepreneurship. As a PhD student at the University of Toronto, Kasey’s research is focused on the role of higher education institutions in the innovation ecosystem. Kasey holds a Master of Management Innovation and Entrepreneurship degree from Queens University and has co-founded a number of social enterprises, including HOPE Pet Foods.
DATE: October 5, 2023 | 4:00pm – 6:30pm EDT
SPEAKER: Nick Kuryluk
LOCATION: M6-502 – Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON (Available on Zoom)
ABOUT THE SESSION
The Business Models and Fundamentals of Medical Device Finance and Fundraising Lecture and Workshop will begin with an overview of the current global market in the medtech space, including the changing dynamics and market stressors. With these changing dynamics, there is a higher hurdle placed on early-stage companies to differentiate themselves in order to position successfully for VC engagement and other funding pathways, which is mission critical in today’s climate. One of the major differentiators of successful start-up organizations is to choose the right business model and how to convey that model as part of a winning strategy. This seminar will examine the different business models that apply to medtech companies and how this ties into your proposed revenue streams and financial projections. A workshop will follow where the participants will develop a business model for their respective technologies.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Nick Kuryluk is the Principal at Virtus Insights Inc., a strategic management services company specializing in life sciences. Nick is also the past CEO and Current Chairman of the Board at ColdBlock Technologies, a laboratory instrument manufacturing company. His 26-year career in biopharmaceuticals includes 23 years at Amgen. Nick possesses expertise in strategic planning, new product commercialization, program management and change management. He is focused on human therapeutics and medical devices. Nick has been a guest speaker at RIC, istarthub, I-CUBE, BioLINC and OBIO. Lastly, Nick has served nine years on the Governing Council at the University of Toronto.
DATE: October 12, 2023 | 4:00pm – 6:30pm EDT
SPEAKER: Yolande Dufresne
LOCATION: M6-502 – Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON (Available on Zoom)
ABOUT THE SESSION
In this session, attendees will learn about the various types of intellectual property (“IP”) and why IP is an important and valuable asset. We will focus on patents and the patenting process in the context of commercialization of IP and discuss common pitfalls and ways to avoid them.
In the second part of this session, Yolande Dufresne will discuss the process of prior art search and FTO analysis. The session will include a hands-on exercise, which will enable participants develop familiarity with the patent search process as well as recognize issues surrounding invention and ownership.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
With an engineering background in systems design, Yolande brings scientific knowledge and intellectual property skills to help clients navigate the regulatory complexities of the life sciences and technology sectors. Yolande advises on intellectual property and related transactions, including the acquisition, enforcement and exploitation of patents, trademarks, copyrights and industrial designs. She regularly helps clients manage the risks related to their intellectual property assets and has extensive experience drafting, filing and prosecuting patent and trademark applications, as well as advising on the validity, patentability and infringement of intellectual property rights. Yolande regularly advises clients with regulated products in the medical device, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and food industries. She has in-depth knowledge across a broad range of areas, including market access, reimbursement, supply chain management, research and design, product licensing, labelling and advertising, product recalls and corrective actions, as well as privacy matters. Yolande is a registered trademark agent in Canada.
While this lecture is cancelled, we encourage you to watch previous year’s lectures for Medical Device Regulation.
We have included the link to a previous year’s lecture to the right.
If you are completing the certificate program and you had intended attending this lecture, we ask you to watch this previous year’s version of the lecture. Once you have watched it, please email me confirming that you have watched the lecture and we will count it towards your certificate. This is the only lecture that will permit this exception.
DATE: October 26, 2023 | 4:00pm – 7:00pm EDT
SPEAKER: Mark Smithyes
LOCATION: M6-502 – Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON (Available on Zoom)
ABOUT THE SESSION
Medical device reimbursement is critical for successful medical device commercialization. This session discusses the reimbursement landscape in Canada, provides a basic overview of the pathways to successful reimbursement, and presents a medical device reimbursement framework that can be applied when seeking medical device reimbursement. This session involves a lecture and reimbursement hands-on exercise workshop. In the first part of this session (lecture), various aspects of the pathway to reimbursement will be presented and discussed including regulatory, health economics, stakeholder mapping and management. It aims to help innovators:
During the second part of this session (workshop), teams will conduct a reimbursement assessment and discuss a reimbursement plan for real-world medical device reimbursement. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will have gained a basic understanding of the medical device reimbursement environment and processes in Canada.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Mark is known as a transformational leader drawing on his experience from a 30+ year career in Life Sciences. His extensive career includes various senior leadership positions in pharmaceutical and medical device multinationals like Novartis and Alcon as well as founding, running, and exiting a successful life sciences start-up venture. In 2017, Mark founded Janus Life Sciences Consulting to help other entrepreneurs drive their business success, focusing on seed and early-stage fundraising, strategy, and commercialization.
Mark serves on the Expert Review Panels for both Genome Quebec’s Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) and the Ontario Centre of Innovation’s (OCI) Life Sciences Innovation Fund (LSIF). He also leads the Life Sciences Practice at Delphic Research. He is on faculty at the University of Toronto’s Master of Biotechnology program and Toronto Metropolitan University’s Life Sciences Talent Accelerator. Mark is on the Board of Directors and is former Chair of Life Sciences Ontario. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and the Schulich School of Business.
DATE: November 2, 2023 | 4:00pm – 5:00pm EDT
SPEAKER: Harold Wodlinger
LOCATION: M6-502 – Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON (Available on Zoom)
ABOUT THE SESSION
The process of raising funds and getting support from different healthcare stakeholders for your medical device technology can be frustrating and stressful. Knowing how to put together a strong funding or business case proposal for your technology is key to your success.
In this session, Dr. Harold Wodlinger will discuss the essential elements required in a good business case or early stage pitch for a medical device innovation drawing on his experience in the medical technology sector.
Key learning objectives include:
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Harold Wodlinger is a consultant to the medical device industry. He has more than forty years of experience in product development, operations, sales, and management, and a proven track record in strategic planning, business development, and due diligence.
Harold is Chairman of the Board of Exact Imaging (prostate cancer imaging). Five previous board positions resulted in successful exits. He is a mentor with the Creative Destruction Lab and with the Health Technology Exchange, a member of the strategic advisory board of iGan Partners and was formerly an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto where he taught a graduate course in medical product development. He has performed more than thirty due diligence studies for venture capitalist and angel investors. He directed product development at ViTAA Medical (aortic aneurysm diagnosis and therapy), SoundBite Medical Solutions (device to penetrate chronic total occlusions in cardiac and peripheral arteries), CardioInsight Technologies (non-invasive cardiac mapping), and MyndTec Inc (stroke rehabilitation).
Prior to becoming a consultant, Harold founded Biomedical Instrumentation Inc, a company that developed and manufactured equipment in the field of cardiac electrophysiology. The company sold more than 500 systems in 20 countries and was acquired by the Quinton Instrument Company of Seattle.
Harold holds a BASc in Electrical Engineering and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto.
DATE: November 9, 2023 | 4:00pm – 5:00pm EST
SPEAKER: Neil Godara
LOCATION: M6-502 – Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON (Available on Zoom)
ABOUT THE SESSION
The goal of this session is to help aspiring entrepreneurs obtain a high-level understanding on the importance of developing an R&D strategy in the medical technology space, shedding light on some of the following topics: (i) developing an effective R&D strategy for novel health technologies, (ii) defining strategic goals, constraints, activities, and milestones, (iii) different phases of the R&D process including feasibility, concept, prototyping, and process design, and (iv) identifying and tackling challenges associated with the process of R&D.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Neil Godara is Vice-President and General Manager at Baylis Medtech, a leading supplier of high-technology spine, end-vascular, and spine products.
Neil has been with Baylis Medical for over 20 years. During this time he has overseen the development of more than 100 products in the fields of spinal surgery, pain management, interventional radiology, and cardiology. In addition to several leadership roles in research and development, Neil has extensive experience in business leadership, corporate development, international regulatory submissions, and medical device manufacturing. Neil has overseen multiple divestitures, including divestitures of the OsteoCool RF Ablation System in 2015, and the Accurian RF Ablation System in 2019, both to Medtronic Inc. Neil led Baylis Medical’s efforts to rapidly supply 10,000 ventilators to the Public Health Agency of Canada in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Neil is an active member of the medical devices start-up community, a founding member of the Canadian Medical Manufacturers Association (CMMA), and a board member for several organizations. Neil holds a biomedical engineering degree from University of Toronto’s Department of Engineering Science.
DATE: November 16, 2023 | 4:00pm – 7:00pm EST
SPEAKER: Stefano Picone
LOCATION: M6-502 – Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON (Available on Zoom)
ABOUT THE SESSION
In this session, Stefano will cover the different funding options available for early-stage medical technology companies, the stage at which they might be most appropriate, and how they will likely affect the company and its investors at its exit. The discussion will focus on medical device exits and how entrepreneurs can work towards an exit from the very early stages of company formation.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Stefano Picone is the Vice President of Finance & Business Development at Conavi Medical. He oversees the company’s day-to-day financial activities and is actively involved in fundraising and business development. Stefano also serves as the President of Conavi Medical US, which is the company’s wholly-owned US operation. Stefano has extensive experience with life science venture finance and has been an invited presenter at the Sunnybrook Medventions lecture series as well as to the Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization. Stefano has a Bachelor of Commerce from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants on Ontario.
DATE: November 30, 2023 | 4:00pm – 5:00pm EST
SPEAKER: Shyra Khosla
LOCATION: M6-502 – Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON (Available on Zoom)
ABOUT THE SESSION
The key learning objectives of this lecture include:
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Shyra Khosla, M.Eng. is a consultant at Khosavi Pivotal Solutions and helps companies scale their operations as they transition to manufacturing and commercialization. She’s previously held roles in manufacturing, quality, and leadership at medical device companies in Toronto, including Conavi Medical, Perimeter Medical Imaging AI, and Sentinelle Medical. She combines her understanding of medical device quality requirements with her lean background to implement processes that improve operations and allow her clients to efficiently deliver products in a compliant manner. Shyra holds an undergraduate in Mechanical Engineering (Minor: Biomedical Engineering) and a masters in Industrial Engineering from the University of Toronto. She is currently completing her Executive MBA from Columbia University and London Business School
DATE: December 7, 2023 | 4:00pm – 5:00pm EST
SPEAKER: Peter Tomashewski
LOCATION: M6-502 – Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON (Available on Zoom)
ABOUT THE SESSION
This session will provide an introduction to critical strategic considerations when thinking about commercializing innovative medical technology. The presentation is designed for entrepreneurs who wish to better understand the importance of market orientation early in the life cycle of product or innovation development. Using some real-world examples, we will explore how customer dynamics, competitive influences, and company limitations can impact your sales objectives and shape expectations for future revenue. This session will focus on the pre-market approval timeframe vs. sales strategy post-launch.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Peter Tomashewski is a Sales and Marketing Executive with over 30 years of experience leading major international and national businesses in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries. He recently established Accelegy Commercial Healthcare Solutions to help small and medium-sized medical technology ventures develop their market focus and achieve their desired business objectives. Peter is a strategic business advisor to Noviscend, helping internationally-based medical device companies wishing to establish themselves in Canada and supports Toronto-based clients for Peak Performance 2.
Previously, Peter held various senior leadership roles for 18 years with Medtronic where he was globally recognized for successfully launching the first commercially available transcatheter heart valve in Canada. He has commercial expertise in the Cardiac and Vascular markets as well as Spine, Neuro, Navigation, Imaging, and Robotics. Peter also has sales and marketing leadership experience with WorldHeart Corporation, Pharmacia, Pfizer, and Amgen.
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Commercialization Professional Research Mentor
Ahmed managers the Sunnybrook Medventions training program. He also manages the networking, outreach, and training programs at INOVAIT, a Sunnybrook-led pan-Canadian network in image-guided therapy and artificial intelligence. Ahmed is an enthusiastic clinical entrepreneur who brings more than 11 years of lived experience in healthcare innovation, health science research, and technology commercialization. Ahmed holds an Adjunct Lecturer appointment at the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto. Ahmed earned his MD degree from Cairo, Egypt and holds an MBA in healthcare management and technology innovation from Schulich School of Business, York University.
Technology Innovation Industry Leader
Ahmed managers the Sunnybrook Medventions training program. He also manages the networking, outreach, and training programs at INOVAIT, a Sunnybrook-led pan-Canadian network in image-guided therapy and artificial intelligence. Ahmed is an enthusiastic clinical entrepreneur who brings more than 11 years of lived experience in healthcare innovation, health science research, and technology commercialization. Ahmed holds an Adjunct Lecturer appointment at the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto. Ahmed earned his MD degree from Cairo, Egypt and holds an MBA in healthcare management and technology innovation from Schulich School of Business, York University.
Program Lead, Sunnybrook Medventions
Ahmed managers the Sunnybrook Medventions training program. He also manages the networking, outreach, and training programs at INOVAIT, a Sunnybrook-led pan-Canadian network in image-guided therapy and artificial intelligence. Ahmed is an enthusiastic clinical entrepreneur who brings more than 11 years of lived experience in healthcare innovation, health science research, and technology commercialization. Ahmed holds an Adjunct Lecturer appointment at the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto. Ahmed earned his MD degree from Cairo, Egypt and holds an MBA in healthcare management and technology innovation from Schulich School of Business, York University.
