In part 2 of a critical two-part series, Etienne Nichols and regulatory affairs expert Mike Drues explore the nuanced pathway of switching a medical device from prescription (Rx) to over-the-counter (OTC). This episode dives deep into what triggers a new submission, how usability testing and human factors play an expanded role for lay users, and the regulatory logic that guides these transitions. The conversation highlights the importance of aligning regulatory strategy with business goals, and ...
May 12, 2025•52 min•Ep. 406
In Part 1 of this two-part series, Etienne Nichols sits down with regulatory strategist Dr. Mike Drues to explore the nuanced differences between prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC) medical devices. They demystify key terms, regulatory classifications, and the growing trend of label expansions from Rx to OTC—highlighting real-world examples like CPAP machines and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). This episode unpacks how intended users, environments, and risk tolerances shape device c...
May 05, 2025•40 min•Ep. 405
Are you new to the medical device industry—or mentoring someone who is? In this foundational episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, host Etienne Nichols sits down with Sara Adams and Chris Rush from Greenlight Guru to deliver a MedTech 101 masterclass. They unpack the roles, regulations, and realities of medical device development in a heavily regulated space. From defining what actually counts as a medical device to navigating FDA classifications and global regulations, the trio offers p...
May 01, 2025•58 min•Ep. 404
In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast , Etienne Nichols speaks with renowned regulatory and reimbursement expert Karandeep Singh Badwal to uncover the complexities of medical device reimbursement across the US, EU, and Asian markets. From the influence of governmental systems to the nuances of coding, coverage, and payments, Karandeep shares real-world insights for MedTech companies developing their global market strategies. Learn why early planning for reimbursement is just as cr...
Apr 24, 2025•37 min•Ep. 403
Episode Summary: In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, host Etienne Nichols sits down with Kirk Petyo, Managing Partner at Talent Factory Recruiting, to explore the art and science of hiring in MedTech. Kirk shares strategies for building magnetic employer brands, explains the difference between competencies and capabilities in candidates, and warns about the hidden costs of bad hires or delayed recruitment. They also discuss how to attract top talent from outside traditional Med...
Apr 17, 2025•41 min•Ep. 402
In this compelling episode, Etienne Nichols chats with regulatory powerhouse Sarah Moeller about the crucial intersection between the FDA's regulatory oversight and international ISO standards development. They uncover the profound impact of FDA's participation—or absence—in shaping global standards, especially ISO 14155 and ISO 18969 updates. The conversation also tackles the shifting landscape caused by administrative changes in the U.S., the effects on clinical trials, AI-driven digital evide...
Apr 10, 2025•49 min•Ep. 401
In our 400th episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, host Etienne Nichols is joined by Greenlight Guru’s Sara Adams to unpack the findings of the 2025 Medical Device Industry Benchmark Report . From the rise of family office investments to QMS upgrades and the impact of regulatory uncertainty, this episode delivers a candid and comprehensive look at the current MedTech landscape. Sara brings her quality expertise and industry anecdotes to life, while Etienne adds sharp insights on strategi...
Apr 03, 2025•54 min•Ep. 400
In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast , host Etienne Nichols sits down with Olga Chashchina, a MedTech startup founder with extensive international experience. They explore how cultural differences affect communication in the medical device industry and the importance of understanding intercultural nuances. Drawing from the book The Culture Map by Erin Meyer, Olga shares practical insights on managing global teams, the role of context in communication styles, and how cultural awar...
Feb 20, 2025•23 min•Ep. 399
In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast , host Etienne Nichols sits down with Scott Pantel, CEO and founder of Life Science Intelligence (LSI), to explore how LSI bridges the gap between medtech innovation and commercialization. Scott shares LSI’s origin story, the evolution of its events, and the importance of cultivating meaningful relationships within the medtech ecosystem. Learn how LSI’s global meetings—from Dana Point to Portugal, London, and Singapore—create spaces where deal...
Feb 13, 2025•36 min•Ep. 398
In this episode, Etienne Nichols sits down with Tiffany Ryder—healthcare advocate, physician assistant, and founder of Red Flag Hero—to discuss the complexities of product adoption in healthcare. Tiffany shares her journey from rural Louisiana to the NFL cheerleading squad and into emergency medicine, highlighting how personal experience shapes her patient advocacy. The conversation dives deep into why healthcare professionals are skeptical of new devices, how authenticity and storytelling impro...
Feb 06, 2025•33 min•Ep. 397
In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast , Etienne Nichols and regulatory consultant Mike Drues delve into the often-overlooked yet critical topic of device descriptions in FDA submissions. Discover why this foundational element can determine the success of your regulatory pathway, influence classification, and impact the required testing for your device. With actionable tips and real-world examples, this discussion highlights how to craft effective, clear, and concise device descrip...
Dec 19, 2024•51 min•Ep. 396
In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, Etienne Nichols sits down with Leo Eisner, founder of Eisner Safety Consultants and a leading voice in IEC 60601 standards development. They unpack the upcoming revisions to the fourth edition of IEC 60601, focusing on the rationale behind these changes, their impact on medical device design, and how MedTech professionals can prepare for the future. Leo provides insights into the intricate process of updating global standards, shares practica...
Dec 12, 2024•42 min•Ep. 395
In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, Etienne Nichols sits down with regulatory expert Dr. Mike Drues to demystify the pre-market approval (PMA) process for medical devices. They delve into the key differences between PMAs, 510(k)s, and de novos, bust common myths, and explore strategic advantages for companies willing to pursue the rigorous PMA pathway. Mike explains the nuances of the “six-year rule,” alternatives like the humanitarian device exemption (HDE), and the evolving r...
Dec 06, 2024•51 min•Ep. 394
In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, Etienne Nichols talks with Justin Bushko, president of Concise Engineering and founder of MedTech Man. Justin shares his extensive experience in MedTech, guiding startups and major players alike through complex engineering challenges. From simplifying prototypes to pivoting product strategies, Justin emphasizes the importance of clear user needs, iterative testing, and knowing when to focus or adapt. Whether you’re an early-stage founder or a...
Nov 29, 2024•34 min•Ep. 393
In this engaging episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, Etienne Nichols and Devon Campbell dive into the complexities of verification and validation (V&V) in medical device development. Whether you’re a medtech startup founder or an industry veteran, this conversation offers essential insights on creating robust V&V processes. Devon shares practical advice on defining user needs, writing strong design inputs, conducting pre-verification testing, and ensuring that verification prot...
Nov 22, 2024•59 min•Ep. 392
In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, Etienne Nichols sits down with Adnan Ashfaq, a seasoned quality, regulatory, and validation specialist, to explore the critical role of developing a regulatory roadmap for medical device companies. Adnan breaks down the differences between a regulatory strategy and a regulatory roadmap, highlighting how a well-designed roadmap serves as a guiding document for market access and investor confidence. The conversation delves into how to navigate ...
Nov 14, 2024•36 min•Ep. 391
In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, host Etienne Nichols is joined by quality and regulatory expert Ashkon Rasooli to explore the essentials of creating a high-impact, non-burdensome Quality Management System (QMS). Ashkon shares his four guiding principles for building an effective QMS—emphasizing quality over proceduralism, culture over mandate, redundancy over duplication, and conciseness over verbosity. This conversation dives into strategies for optimizing QMS implementati...
Nov 07, 2024•37 min•Ep. 390
In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, Etienne Nichols and regulatory expert Mike Drues discuss FDA's new framework, the Predetermined Change Control Plan (PCCP), designed to streamline change approvals for medical devices. Originally developed for AI-based devices, the PCCP framework is now available for all types of medical devices, providing a way for manufacturers to get pre-approval for certain future device changes. Etienne and Mike explore the origins of PCCPs, the intricac...
Oct 31, 2024•44 min•Ep. 389
In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, Etienne Nichols hosts Georg Digel, a seasoned expert in Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) systems. Georg shares insights into setting up an effective CAPA program, discussing essential topics like identifying CAPA triggers, executing root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions that not only ensure compliance but also drive meaningful improvement within medical device companies. With over a decade of experience, Georg brings...
Oct 24, 2024•39 min•Ep. 388
In this insightful episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, host Etienne Nichols is joined by Simon Mason, President of NEST (National Evaluation System for Health Technology), to explore how real-world evidence (RWE) is shaping the future of medical device regulation. Simon breaks down NEST's critical role in catalyzing the use of RWE to streamline submissions, accelerate time-to-market, and lower costs for MedTech companies. With a focus on post-market data, off-label use, and pivotal tes...
Oct 17, 2024•29 min•Ep. 387
In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast , host Etienne Nichols continues his conversation with regulatory expert Mike Drues in part two of their series on home use medical devices. The discussion centers on critical topics such as labeling, usability challenges, and the future of medical devices in home settings. They explore how these devices, increasingly used by non-healthcare professionals, face unique hurdles such as user training, environmental factors, and technological conce...
Oct 10, 2024•53 min•Ep. 386
In this episode, Etienne Nichols hosts regulatory expert Mike Drues to discuss the evolving landscape of home use medical devices. The conversation covers critical topics such as regulatory definitions, safety challenges, and compliance hurdles for devices intended for use outside traditional clinical settings. They explore how home use devices, such as CPAP machines and infusion pumps, can differ significantly from hospital-based devices in terms of design, post-market surveillance, and user in...
Oct 04, 2024•36 min•Ep. 385
In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast , host Etienne Nichols sits down with Vincent Cafiso, Director of Quality and Regulatory Services at Creo Consulting and former FDA investigator. Vincent brings 30 years of life sciences and regulatory expertise, offering a unique perspective on navigating FDA inspections, building robust quality systems, and managing innovation within the MedTech industry. They dive deep into the challenges faced by MedTech companies, particularly small start...
Sep 26, 2024•44 min•Ep. 384
In this episode, Etienne Nichols talks with Leo Eisner, renowned as the "IEC 60601 Guy" and founder of Eisner Safety Consultants, about the importance of selecting the right standards in medical device development. Leo shares his journey into the world of medical device standards, offering a detailed look into the role that standards play in ensuring product safety and regulatory compliance. They dive deep into IEC 60601, ISO 15223, and the regulatory landscape across global markets. Leo also sh...
Sep 19, 2024•52 min•Ep. 383
In this episode, Etienne Nichols interviews Perry Parendo, an expert in Design of Experiments (DOE), about the practical application of DOE in medical device development. They discuss how DOE can be used to better understand systems, reduce risk, and solve complex problems, especially in R&D and manufacturing processes. Perry shares insights from his extensive career, offering actionable strategies to simplify complex variables, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure a more effective and efficien...
Sep 12, 2024•42 min•Ep. 382
In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, host Etienne Nichols speaks with Dr. Asha Parekh, CEO and co-founder of Frontline Medical Technologies, about her path from a biomedical engineer to an "accidental entrepreneur." Dr. Parekh shares how her desire to create impactful medical devices led to the development of the COBRA-OS, a life-saving tool used in trauma care, including military and postpartum hemorrhage situations. The conversation touches on the challenges and victories of s...
Sep 05, 2024•43 min•Ep. 381
In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, Etienne Nichols sits down with Subhi Saadeh, host of the Combinate Podcast and an expert in the field of combination products. They explore the complexities of combination products—those that integrate drugs, devices, and biologics—highlighting the regulatory challenges and industry growth. Subhi shares his personal journey in podcasting, the impact of consistent content production, and the importance of lifelong learning. They also dive into...
Aug 30, 2024•39 min•Ep. 380
In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, host Etienne Nichols speaks with Vernon Baker, a medical device guru, about key strategies for early-stage MedTech companies, particularly around implementing Quality Management Systems (QMS), supplier management, and compliance. Vernon shares his experience of transitioning from engineering to quality and regulatory roles, emphasizing the importance of being a "jack of all trades" when hiring early quality managers. They discuss how small co...
Aug 15, 2024•36 min•Ep. 379
In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, Etienne Nichols hosts Laura Maher to discuss the critical role of design assurance in medical device development. They explore the importance of ownership in design and development documentation, delve into the complexities of design controls, and share practical insights on how to ensure compliance and streamline product development. Laura shares her unique journey from quality control to product development, emphasizing the need for a multi...
Aug 08, 2024•35 min•Ep. 378
In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, Etienne Nichols sits down with Dr. Matthew Wettergreen, Director of the Global Medical Innovation Master of Bioengineering program at Rice University. Dr. Wettergreen shares his extensive experience in developing client-based engineering design courses and discusses the importance of global and contextual perspectives in medical device innovation. They delve into the unique approaches of the Global Medical Innovation program, highlighting the...
Jul 25, 2024•44 min•Ep. 377
