Technology, trust, and doing the work when no one is watching

BLPN Series | Episode 3 of 4

As JPM Healthcare Conference week approaches, this episode of the BLPN Series shifts the focus from headlines and hype to what it really takes to move science forward: durable technology, patient outcomes, and teams willing to do the hard, unglamorous work.

In this conversation, Deborah and Karim are joined by Alex Herzlinger of Highland Instruments to explore what it means to build neurotechnology that actually delivers impact. Alex walks through Highland’s non-invasive brain stimulation platform, the long road of NIH-backed clinical validation, and why Parkinson’s disease became their go-to-market focus. The discussion moves beyond pitch decks into clinical reality—what patients experience, how functional improvement restores independence, and why rigor matters more than novelty.

Drawing on Alex’s background in the military, medtech commercialization, and entrepreneurship, the episode highlights a recurring BLPN theme: progress comes from consistency, humility, and collaboration—not shortcuts. We talk about earning trust with data, aligning technology with real clinical workflows, and how communities like BLPN help founders sharpen execution rather than posture for attention.

This episode is about substance over shine, building for patients first, and showing up prepared when it’s finally time to step onto the JPM stage.