#466: Leaving the Ivory Tower - How Notified Body Engagement Unlocks Startup Growth

Global Medical Device Podcast · 27 Jul 2026 · 31m · Episode 466

What this episode covers

Malte Knowles Schmidt, Global Portfolio Lead for Medical Device Software, AI, and Cybersecurity at TÜV SÜD, explains how early-stage medtech startups can demonstrate regulatory maturity to investors before achieving full certification. He advocates for 'leaving the ivory tower' by engaging notified bodies early, implementing an enterprise Quality Management System (eQMS), and pursuing partial ISO 13485 certification for core design processes. Schmidt warns against 'Pyrrhic certifications' where commercial viability is sacrificed for regulatory approval and suggests using external testing as strategic evidence of progress.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Let's Combinate · 21m

    216 - How UAE and Singapore Are Redefining Regulatory Innovation with Stephen O'Rourke

    Stephen O'Rourke, founder of the consultancy Clarifi, discusses regulatory strategy for MedTech, biotech, and novel food startups navigating EU and US pathways. He highlights the hidden costs of regulatory failure, emphasizing the need for early engagement with agencies and the importance of UDI compliance across all departments. O'Rourke also explores emerging regulatory models in the UAE and Singapore, explaining how regulatory sandboxes and national initiatives are accelerating innovation, and shares insights from his run for the European Parliament on how policy is made.

  • Being an Engineer · 51m

    S6E19 Stuart Grant | MedTech Innovation

    Dr. Stuart Grant, founder of Archetype MedTech, discusses his 25-year career at Johnson & Johnson and DePuy Synthes before launching his consultancy to help startups navigate medical device development. He details the challenges of securing funding, managing regulatory differences between the EU's MDR and the US FDA, and the strategic importance of narrow clinical indications. Grant also explores future trends in surgical robotics and AI, emphasizing the need for modular platforms and the value of accumulated engineering knowledge.

  • Being an Engineer · 50m

    Etienne Nichols | How to Become a MedTech Engineer

    Etienne Nichols, Community Manager at Greenlight Guru, shares his transition from aerospace and steel manufacturing to MedTech, offering five key suggestions for engineers making a similar switch. He emphasizes reading regulations like ISO 13485 and 21 CFR Part 820 first, falling in love with the problem rather than the solution, and maintaining cross-functional relationships. Nichols also discusses the value of hands-on machining experience, the importance of curiosity in overcoming imposter syndrome, and his personal experiences with high-risk activities like skydiving.

  • Being an Engineer · 51m

    S1E13 A Holistic View on Product Development | Devon Campbell

    Devon Campbell, founder of Prodct LLC, discusses his advisory practice for early-stage biotech and medical device companies, drawing on his experience at Ventana Medical Systems, Quanterix, and Novartis. He explains how his background in machine shop operations and holistic product development—from design to field service—enabled his rapid rise to senior leadership roles. Campbell advocates for dual-career tracks in engineering, allowing brilliant technical contributors to become 'fellows' without becoming managers, and emphasizes the importance of integrating regulatory strategy (FDA, ISO 13485) from the earliest stages of product development to avoid costly rework.

  • Let's Combinate · 1h 07m

    017 - "Feet First" with Ahmed Zobi

    Ahmed Zobi, Founder and CEO of Syntr Health Technologies, explains how he bootstrapped his company from a university project to FDA 510(k) clearance for the SyntrFuge System, a device that automates the microsizing of adipose tissue for body contouring and wound care. Zobi details the strategic decision to target aesthetics and orthopedics first to generate revenue while pursuing diabetic foot ulcer indications, and describes the intense personal sacrifices made during the grant submission process and the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging mentors, conducting customer discovery through the NSF iCorps program, and building a robust quality management system early to navigate regulatory requirements.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Global Medical Device Podcast. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.