Cold Call cover image

Cold Call

A New Model for Funding Healthcare Innovation

Dec 10, 2024
Duke Rohlen, Founder and CEO of Ajax Health, and Regina Herzlinger, a Harvard Business School professor, dive into healthcare innovation. They discuss Rohlen's 'Chassis and Growth Drivers' model designed to align incentives for innovation and financial success. The duo debates the $1 billion bid for Cordis and its potential impact. They explore the high stakes of funding models, the challenges of adapting technology, and the critical role of leadership in overcoming hurdles within the medical tech industry.
38:32

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Duke Rohlen's 'Chassis and Growth Drivers' model for Ajax Health emphasizes innovative product development by securing substantial private equity partnerships to boost financial returns.
  • Rohlen's strategy to revitalize Cordis through targeted innovation demonstrates how investing in growth drivers can effectively turn around stagnant medical technology companies.

Deep dives

Challenges in the MedTech Startup Landscape

Creating a successful startup is inherently challenging, with statistics showing that around 600,000 startups are launched annually in the U.S. and about 10% fail within the first year. In the medical technology industry, these challenges are heightened due to factors such as stringent regulatory requirements, the necessity of clinical trials, and issues related to capital intensity and reimbursement. As a result, fewer medtech ventures advance to late-stage development, reflecting the industry’s tough landscape. This reality underscores the need for innovative business models to facilitate survival and growth within the sector.

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