Emma Moran, Head of CobiCure Medtech, shares insights into the pediatric medtech ecosystem and the mission of CobiCure—a nonprofit focused on bringing innovative devices to pediatric patients. With a background in biomedical engineering and strategy at Cook Medical, Emma has become a key leader in the space. She discusses the challenges the ecosystem faced prior to CobiCure, the organization’s initial and evolving strategies, and the strengths of her team. The conversation also explores persistent barriers in pediatric medtech, innovative business models, and the structural changes needed to ensure impactful solutions reach patients. Emma offers practical advice for entrepreneurs seeking funding from impact investors, including where to find them and what alternative funding opportunities exist beyond traditional venture capital.

Andre Bessette is the CEO of Eclipse Regenesis, a company developing a mechanical solution to short bowel syndrome. In this episode, Andre highlights the regulatory pathways available to solutions addressing needs in small patient populations. He also discusses clinical study site selection, payor engagement, and the current challenges of short bowel syndrome and necrotizing enterocolitis care.

In this episode, Krista dives into the essential aspects of user involvement in design, the importance of metrics, and new initiatives to advance innovation in global health.

Sofía Ferreira is an Innovation Manager at i4Kids, a pediatric innovation hub at Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Children’s Hospital. In this episode, Sofía highlights key differences between product commercialization in the United States and Europe.

Beverly Tang is the CEO of Starlight Cardiovascular, a company developing a portfolio of devices to address congenital heart defects. In this episode, Beverly discusses the synergies involved in building a multi-product company, creative methods for fundraising, and how to conduct needs finding without formal ties to a health system.

Anna Lisa Somera is the CEO of Rhaeos, a company developing the FlowSense device to assess hydrocephalus shunt flow in pediatric and adult patients. In this episode, Anna Lisa discusses how her team chose to use their platform sensor technology to meet the needs of hydrocephalus patients and clinicians. She also addresses the benefits of family involvement in clinical trials, opportunities for non-dilutive funding, and resources outside of Silicon Valley.

Eric Chehab co-invented a device called the LifeBubble for protecting and securing umbilical cord catheters in neonates. In this episode, Eric discusses how his team developed the product's value proposition and the associated clinical evidence generation strategy while staying financially lean.

Eric's company, Novonate, spun out of the Stanford Biodesign graduate student course and in 2023 was acquired by Laborie, where Eric now works as the Director of Business Development and Upstream Marketing for obstetrics, gynecology & neonatal health.

Welcome to Impact1 Voices! At Impact1, our team is working to improve children’s lives from day one through innovative health technology that solves the most impactful problems in pediatric healthcare.

Our team is based at Stanford University’s Mussallem Center for Biodesign, which teaches a repeatable need-based innovation process for developing new technologies to advance health outcomes and health equity.
In this podcast we will be bringing on leaders from around the globe to share insights on their challenges and successes in delivering new solutions to patients.