MedTech 101

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This episode takes MedTech 101 to Nairobi for the first time. I sit down with Derek Ngokonyo, managing director of ThatcherX, the Kenyan drone operator using hybrid VTOL aircraft to move blood samples and medical supplies across some of the country's hardest to reach regions. What started as on the ground blood donation advocacy through the Kenyan by Blood Foundation grew into a partnership with Arizona based Good Drone Company and a fleet of ten Malaika drones covering up to 1,000 kilometers on a single flight. We get into the real cost of running a drone program, the two year fight for a Kenya Civil Aviation Authority license, and why ThatcherX draws a hard line between humanitarian cargo and anything that looks like a security threat. If you want to understand how Africa is building its own answer to Zipline, this one is for you.

Timestamps

00:00 Cold open: the vision behind ThatcherX
00:37 Welcome back to MedTech 101, first episode recorded in Africa
01:01 Meet Derek Ngokonyo and ThatcherX
03:46 From an IT degree to the Kenyan by Blood Foundation
05:39 The access problem: floods, insecurity and 100km gaps
07:08 The case that sparked the pivot to drones
09:56 Zipline's $600M raise and what it means for the region
10:45 Inside Malaika: five rotors, VTOL and hybrid propulsion
13:08 Range, payload and reverse logistics
16:01 The Good Drone Company partnership and deal structure
20:14 What one drone actually costs
22:56 Training Kenya's first drone pilots
25:51 Funding, adoption and the two year licensing gauntlet
29:39 Ten drones, a new raise and local manufacturing plans
32:00 Weather, terrain and scaling payload to 150kg
34:50 The future of medical drone delivery in Kenya
41:06 Beyond healthcare: tea, radiopharma and e-commerce
42:32 Drawing the line: humanitarian use only
45:26 Closing thoughts

Website: https://thatcherx.com/

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What if you could monitor your blood glucose levels in 10 seconds, no needles, no blood, just a simple saliva test that looks like a lipstick? In this episode, Rod sits down with Luc Pierart, co-founder of LipsTech and a 30-year veteran of medical technology with over 50 patents to his name. Luc shares how his team has cracked a problem that scientists have been trying to solve since 1941, achieving 98% accuracy in a clinical trial of 180 type 2 diabetic patients using a combination of nanocarbon sensors and AI. We cover the competitive landscape, why big players like Apple and Samsung have failed at non-invasive glucose monitoring, how LipsTech is priced to reach patients in Africa and beyond, and what the regulatory road to market looks like. If you think painless, affordable glucose monitoring is still in the future, this episode will change your mind.

Timestamped Summary

[00:00] Luc opens with the headline clinical result, 98% accuracy across 180 type 2 diabetic patients, two 10-second daily tests, weekly A1C scoring and meal education feedback.

[01:39] Rod introduces the episode from Paris and frames the concept: glucose monitoring via saliva.

[03:06] Luc's background: 30+ years in product development, 50+ patents, 12 products launched, early Airpod-like tech, PK Vitality wearable CGM acquired by Withings. LipsTech born from unmet T2D need.

[05:32] IP and technology carryover, patents sold with PK Vitality; standard biochemical CGM sensor tech adapted into a novel saliva format.

[06:53] What LipsTech is in plain English, lipstick-shaped device, rub inner lips, result in 30 seconds.

[08:01] Competitive landscape: BGM finger prick (63% market share), CGM patch (€100+/month), implantables, and failed non-invasive attempts by Apple, Samsung and Google.

[11:07] Pricing: reader $49, consumable $49 for 60 reuses, roughly 4x cheaper than CGM. Reusability was the key engineering breakthrough.

[12:32] Africa distribution: strong clinician interest at SFD Lyon, blood handling concerns and CGM cost make LipsTech a natural fit for African markets.

[14:12] Fundraising: seed round targeting $2M, lab prototype to commercial product, 2027 launch target, angels over VCs, round open until end of 2025.

[17:20] Manufacturing: reader in Eastern Europe, sensor pre-series in UK then internalised to France.

[18:01] Regulatory pathway: 2027 wellness launch first, IVD Class B/Class 2 medical certification ~2 years later, FDA Q-Sub meeting planned.

[20:54] How the science works: nanocarbon sensors plus AI to overcome the ~100x lower glucose concentration in saliva vs. blood. Problem attempted since 1941, 10 patents filed.

[23:49] Future vision: multi-sensor lipstick covering glucose, cholesterol, hormones and oral cancer markers. Full home health checkup in one device within 10 years.

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What if diagnosing depression was as simple as a 15-minute brain scan, no questionnaires, no guesswork, just objective data?

That's exactly what Lucas Scherdel and his team at Connectome Health are building.

In this episode, Lucas breaks down how their TD-fNIRS technology reads brain activity non-invasively using near-infrared light, how AI turns that raw signal into stable biomarkers, and why the absence of any objective brain test for mental health conditions is one of the most under-discussed problems in medicine today.

We also get into the regulatory and investor catch-22 that slows MedTech innovationand Lucas's vision for a world where brain health checks are as routine as visiting the optician.

If you work in MedTech, digital health, neuroscience, or you're just curious about where mental healthcare is headed, this one is worth your time.

Timestamp:

00:00 – Opening hook: Lucas's vision for mainstream brain sensing

01:33 – Rod's intro and welcome

02:29 – What is Connectome Health?

02:58 – Lucas's background: biomedical sciences, Bayer, WHO

06:48 – How Lucas ended up founding Connectome

10:34 – What does "Connectome" mean?

11:00 – TD-fNIRS explained in layman's terms

12:50 – Why scalable brain measurement has been so hard

16:14 – What does the hardware actually look like?

17:38 – Brain-computer interfaces and the future of prosthetics

19:08 – Challenges: regulatory, manufacturing, scaling

19:37 – Connectome as a software company (platform dependency risk)

22:24 – The inference application layer

23:20 – Business model explained: B2B research tools → future B2C

24:48 – Regulatory landscape and reception from the scientific community

25:17 – Imperial College London healthy population study

26:16 – The investor-regulator catch-22 in MedTech

27:44 – First product: functional brain performance testing

29:34 – Where is mental health tracking headed in 10–15 years?

31:57 – Wrap-up and how to find Lucas (connectome.health / LinkedIn)

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What if you never had to drive to physio again? Dr. Ashok Gupta is making that a reality - using AI to measure your joints to the tenth of a degree, from your phone.

00:00 Intro & accessibility hook
00:18 Welcome & guest introduction
01:47 Origin story - the "why not PT?" moment
02:44 The 10 - 20% touch insight that made telehealth PT possible
03:39 Early struggles, pivots & the COVID tailwind
06:06 What devices do patients need?
07:23 How computer vision AI measures movement in sessions
09:19 Tracking patient progress over time with objective data
10:43 Patient compliance & the "home as clinic" effect
13:56 Will AI replace clinicians? The TheraNow thesis
16:47 The omnichannel care model (clinic + virtual)
19:38 Regulatory compliance & Joint Commission accreditation
22:52 Real licensed therapists, not bots - 350+ clinician network
26:08 International expansion plans
28:04 The future of virtual physical therapy
30:57 Where to find Ashok & wrap-up

Company Website:
https://www.theranow.com

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Ever applied for a job and heard nothing back? You're not alone. 1 in 4 applications right now is a bot, and most companies don't have time to go through 500 applicants. In this episode, medtech recruitment specialist Chay Carter breaks down why the system is broken, what top companies are actually looking for, and how platforms like Reccy Neuro are trying to fix it. Whether you're a student, early career, or looking to break into neurotech or medtech this one's for you.

Timestamp:

00:00 Introduction 

03:03 Che Carter's background – psychology to banking to neurotech 

04:50 Building the Reki Neuro ecosystem – newsletter to job platform 

11:01 The neurotech spectrum – implantables, wearables, BCIs 

13:15 The bot problem – 1 in 4 applications may be automated 

14:20 Newsletter and job board integration 

15:24 Candidate matching platform – 70%+ score filtering 

19:19 Funding challenges limiting medtech hiring 

20:50 Geographic talent hubs – Bay Area, Austin, New York 

21:28 Career advice – start at large firms before startups 

27:00 The niche ecosystem vision – rebuilding early LinkedIn for medtech 

27:20 LinkedIn's decline for focused recruitment 

29:28 AI's role in recruitment – helps recruiters, not candidates 

31:00 Open access and community growth strategy

Links: 

Reccy Neuro: https://www.reccy.dev/

Newsletter: https://theneurotechnewsletter.substack.com/

Heres the specific article:
https://theneurotechnewsletter.substack.com/p/the-reemergence-of-eeg-why-the-brain

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In this first MedTech 101 episode of the year, Rodney Moses explores where MedTech is heading in 2026 and beyond. Drawing from industry history, market data, and real-world regulatory experience, he identifies three key growth pillars shaping the future of healthcare: telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and personalised medicine.

Using Intuitive Surgical as a case study, Rodney explains how patents, monopolies, and regulation influence innovation and market expansion. He then breaks down why telemedicine is accelerating rapidly, how AI is enhancing (not replacing) clinicians, and why personalised medicine is set to become a trillion-dollar market.

This episode offers a clear investment, innovation, and career lens on where MedTech is moving—and where attention should be focused over the next five years.

⏱️ Episode Time-Step Summary (Chapters)

(0:00–0:20) High-Growth MedTech Thesis
MedTech companies operating in telemedicine, AI, and personalised medicine are positioned for strong long-term growth.

(0:20–1:55) Welcome & Podcast Update
Rodney Moses welcomes listeners to the first episode of the year, reflects on fewer episodes in 2025, and shares updates on starting postgraduate studies in Munich and expanding the podcast’s scope.

(1:55–2:23) Framing the Future of MedTech
To predict the future of MedTech, we must first understand the present and recent history of the industry.

(2:23–4:08) Intuitive Surgical & Market Evolution
Intuitive Surgical’s early patents created a long-lasting monopoly in surgical robotics. Patent expiry enabled competitors, lowered regulatory barriers, and expanded the market.

(4:08–4:59) Innovation, Patents & Regulation
Discussion on balancing patent protection, innovation incentives, affordability, and the role of regulation in MedTech markets.

(4:59–6:35) Telemedicine: Market Growth & Impact
Telemedicine as a key future pillar of MedTech, driven by wearables and remote monitoring.

• Market size: $141B (2024) → $380B (2030)
• Benefits include hospital decongestion and improved access to care.

(6:35–10:00) Artificial Intelligence in MedTech
AI as an enabler rather than a replacement for doctors. Use cases include diagnostics, imaging, mental health analysis, and decision support.

• Market size: $14B (2024) → $255B (2033)
  Regulatory catch-up remains a challenge, but momentum is strong.

(10:06–11:22) Personalised Medicine & Data-Driven Care
Shift from generalized treatments to tailored therapies based on individual patient data, improving efficacy and outcomes.

(11:22–11:54) Personalised Medicine Market Outlook
One of the fastest-growing healthcare markets globally.

• Market size: $567B (2024) → $1.2T (2033)

(11:54–12:57) Where to Focus in MedTech
The three strongest growth areas for the next 1–5 years:

1. Telemedicine
2. Artificial Intelligence
3. Personalised Medicine
   Surgical robotics remains important but secondary in near-term growth.

(12:57–13:11) Closing Remarks
Rodney thanks listeners, marks his return to the podcast, and invites guest and topic suggestions.

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In this compelling episode of MedTech 101, host Rodney Moses sits down with RenovoRx CEO Shaun Bagai to explore the latest breakthroughs in cancer treatment. The conversation opens with a clear-eyed look at the challenges pancreatic cancer patients face, before diving into Shaun’s remarkable journey—from aspiring pre-med student to seasoned medtech leader—and the pivotal role engineering plays in redefining cancer care.

Rodney underscores the importance of pairing technological innovation with true patient-centric thinking, setting the tone for an insightful discussion on medtech’s ability to transform lives.

Shaun explains how RenovoRx is changing the treatment landscape through its patented localized therapy platform, designed to deliver chemotherapy directly to the tumor while reducing life-limiting systemic side effects. Their discussion highlights the development and impact of the RenovoCath catheter and the Trans-Arterial Micro-Perfusion (TAMP) system, technologies that enable precise, targeted drug delivery and bring renewed hope for improved outcomes.

Rodney and Shaun also touch on the contrast between the agility of startups and the slower pace of traditional medtech companies—using RenovoRx’s journey to a NASDAQ listing, without being acquired by a larger player, as a powerful example of strategic independence. The episode wraps with optimism about the future of oncology and the transformative potential of smarter drug-delivery systems.

Timestamp Summary

00:00 | Innovative Approach to Treating Pancreatic Cancer Locally
01:50 | Renovo Rx's Innovative Approach to Localized Chemotherapy Delivery
02:31 | From Medtronic to CEO: A Journey in Medical Innovation
05:28 | Leveraging Technology in Medicine for Widespread Impact
06:47 | RenovoRx's Unique Path in the Medtech Industry
12:39 | Innovative Localized Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
19:22 | Expanding Life-Saving Technology Beyond the US Market
21:02 | Innovative Delivery Systems for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

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Viral Thakkar, COO of LungPacer Medical, joins Rodney on the MedTech 101 Podcast to discuss how cutting-edge innovation is reshaping ventilator technology. They unpack the limitations of traditional mechanical ventilation and its often-overlooked effects on the diaphragm. Viral shares insights into AeroPace, LungPacer’s breakthrough system that uses phrenic nerve stimulation to help patients breathe and recover more effectively.

The discussion dives into the real-world challenges of clinical adoption, the significance of FDA Breakthrough Designation, and what the future holds for ventilation care. Tune in to learn how this technology could redefine outcomes for ICU patients by reducing complications and accelerating recovery.

Timestamp
00:00 The Impact of Mechanical Ventilation on Diaphragm Health
02:02 From R&D to COO: Viral Thakkar's Medtech Journey
03:20 A Journey from Personal Tragedy to Medical Device Innovation
05:56 Ventilator-Induced Diaphragm Dysfunction and Its Consequences
11:38 Innovative Diaphragm Stimulation Technology for Improved Ventilation
15:45 Breakthrough Medical Device Designation and Market Challenges
19:27 Innovative Ventilation Technology Aims to Improve ICU Patient Outcomes

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Ben Tasker, is an AI expert who has transitioned from academia to the utilities sector, focusing on upskilling and reskilling the workforce for the AI era. He discusses his experience developing AI systems for student success prediction in education and cancer risk identification in healthcare.

The core themes are:

The importance of responsible and ethical AI practices as the technology rapidly advances
The challenges of getting buy-in from end-users (students, patients, employees) and integrating AI into existing workflows
The potential of AI to enable more personalized services, especially in healthcare and mental health
The need to balance the benefits of AI-powered personalization with concerns around privacy, transparency, and the risk of reinforcing biases

Overall, Ben emphasizes the critical role of human-centered design and stakeholder engagement in ensuring AI is implemented effectively and ethically across different industries.

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Dr Kevin Tracey is a renowned neurosurgeon and the president of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. With over three decades of experience focused on understanding and controlling inflammation. Dr Tracey has pioneered research that led to advancements in bioelectronic medicine. His work explores the potential of the vagus nerve to regulate inflammation, paving the way for innovative treatments for chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Kevin is also a co-founder of SetPoint Medical, which recently received FDA approval for an implant device aimed at treating inflammation.

Timestamp

00:00 Bioelectronic Devices Revolutionize Inflammation Treatment
04:28 Exploring Bioelectronic Medicine and Innovative Medical Research
09:09 Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Breakthrough in Inflammation Treatment
13:07 Implant Revolutionizes Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
15:56 Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Its Role in Inflammation Control
20:25 SetPoint Medical's FDA Approval and Future Distribution Challenges
24:08 The Promise of Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Rheumatoid Arthritis
27:29 Understanding Present Data to Predict Future Technological Advancements
29:48 Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Future Inflammation Treatment
32:16 Podcast Interview with Author Kevin Tracey

Book: The Great Nerve: The New Science of the Vagus Nerve and How to Harness Its Healing Reflexes 

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