How to Use Checks and Balances in Your Medtech Start-Up

On this episode of Medsider Radio, I had the chance to sit down with Michael Tozzi, President and CEO of TAS Medical. Mike and his team are aiming to eliminate surgical mesh by converting hernia procedures to minimally invasive repairs.

Mike has over 20 years of commercial medical device experience and specializes in investor relations, sales & marketing readiness, and improving the execution of early-stage medical device companies.

Previous to TAS Medical, Mike served as Chief Commercial Officer at Carevoyance, where he and his team created groundbreaking analytics tools designed to help medical device companies better understand their markets and execute their commercial goals.

Prior to this, Mike helped to build Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. (or CSI) from the ground floor, taking the company from early stage to over $1.3 billion in market capitalization in just seven years. At CSI, Mike held various executive roles in sales and marketing.

Joining me on this episode is special guest host, Norbert Juist, who runs Sales Performance Resources, which specializes in recruiting for medtech marketing and sales positions. Prior to this, he was a sales rep at Cordis Endovascular, a spine consultant at Synthes, and a sales rep at Ethicon.

Interview Highlights with Mike Tozzi

• The origin story of TAS Medical and how Mike got involved.

• The strategies that TAS Medical is following to go from initial product concept to eventual commercialization.

• The regulatory and clinical paths that Mike and his team considered.

• How much the insurance coverage and reimbursement landscape factored into Mike’s early decision-making process.

• Mike’s approach to raising capital for CSI and TAS Medical.

• Common mistakes that early-stage medtech companies make and how to avoid them.

• Mike’s favorite book, the business leader he most admires, and the advice he’d give to his 30-year old self.