February 8, 2024
This podcast episode features a conversation with Mark Christopherson.
Mark Christopherson’s interview sheds light on his distinguished career in the medical device industry, from his introduction to medtech at Medtronic to his pivotal role as a co-founder of Inspire Medical Systems. Christopherson’s journey is marked by his evolution from an engineering student with no particular interest in medical devices to a key figure in medical technology innovation. His tenure at Medtronic was transformative, igniting a passion for impacting patient care through engineering solutions. This experience laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial venture with Inspire Medical Systems, where he aimed to address unmet needs in patient care.
Mark discusses the significance of risk-taking and adaptability in the fast-evolving medical device sector, particularly in the Twin Cities, known for its vibrant medtech community. His insights into the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship in this field highlight the importance of resilience and vision in bringing groundbreaking technologies to market.
Throughout the interview, Mark emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, both in startups and established companies. His commitment to improving patient outcomes through medical technology innovation is a recurring theme, reflecting his belief in the power of engineering to solve complex health issues.
About this Guest
Mark Christopherson brings over three decades of expertise to the forefront of the medical device industry, with pivotal roles at Medtronic and leadership in venture-backed startups. Mark’s track record includes foundational roles at Inspire Medical and Cryosa, where he was instrumental from the startup phase through commercialization.
Bill Betten is an experienced engineer and entrepreneur in the medtech industry, currently serving as President of Betten System Solutions and Director of Solutions – Medtech at S3 Connected Health. We met Bill at the Medical Alley Annual Summit, where he shared his journey from Redfield, South Dakota to leading product development for major medical device companies.
Dr. Neel Patel is the co founder and CEO of Zio Health, a medtech company based in London, UK. After a career of being a physician, he stated ZiO Health and worked towards a shared goal with his team: bringing hospital-grade lab testing to the point-of-use, enhancing accessibility to molecular testing and optimizing health and sickness prevention. More specifically, they have developed a point-of-care therapeutic drug monitoring device which measures medication concentration levels to improve drug treatment outcomes.
Dr. Patel is also a Partner at HealthTech Investors, an angel syndicate that invests in founders working on the best solutions in improving healthcare.
Max G. Ostermeier (MBA) is the co-founder and General Manager of Implandata Ophthalmic Products GmbH. He brings extensive experience in the commercial development of advanced technologies, building operational capabilities for rapidly growing companies, and creating businesses that attract global acquirers.
As a serial entrepreneur, Max founded and managed Odicrain GmbH, a German medical device start-up that developed a pioneering portable device for the rapid detection of intracranial bleedings, which was acquired by a US-based company in 2007. He also co-founded and served as CEO of Cranium Telemetrics GmbH, a medical technology company specializing in innovative neurosurgical products, which was acquired by a leading US medical device company four years after its founding. Additionally, Max played a key role in establishing a biotech entity for a globally leading fine chemistry company, where he served as General Manager and Vice-President until its acquisition by Sigma Aldrich.
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