Longeviti: Creating a window into the brain through ultrasound - Jesse Christopher : 19

MedTech Speed to Data

Each year, millions of people in the U.S. require some sort of neurosurgery due to injury, disease, or genetic condition. They often undergo multiple procedures and face long, painful recoveries. This inspired Jesse Christopher to start tinkering with his kid’s toys in his garage, which was the beginning of Longeviti Neuro Solutions.

Starting from this humble beginning, Longeviti pioneered the development of a low-profile intracranial device platform in 2016, in partnership with Johns Hopkins: the first customizable platform to address a growing need for patients undergoing complex brain surgeries. Today the company is pioneering new solutions for brain surgeries and has brought several FDA-cleared implants to market.

In Episode 19, Andy Rogers talks with Longeviti Founder and CEO, Jesse Christopher, about the journey from garage to CEO’s office, and the data that helped along the way.

Need to know:

• Advocacy groups can guide innovation. Listen to physicians and patients to keep the user front-of-mind during development.
• Embrace the grind. Founding and operating a startup takes fortitude and trust.
• “Lean in” to the FDA. They’re receptive to questions, and can provide great insights, and resources. Also, check out FDA preceptorship programs.
• Plan. Plan. And plan some more. Set a calendar each year so that planning is visible to all, while being mindful of this wisdom from heavyweight Mike Tyson, “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.”

The Nitty Gritty

Longeviti’s Clearfit® disc implants are designed to reconstruct the skull’s natural contour after surgery, and allow for post-operative imaging using ultrasound, instead of more costly MRI or CAT scan procedures. Their InvisiShunt™ supports location and orientation while restoring the natural contour of the cranium for patients with conditions such as hydrocephalus. InvisiShunt is a single-use, sterile implant made to fit different areas of the skull.

These devices are “windows into the brain” that allow doctors to monitor tumors, observe fluid drain, and to use ultrasound instead of more costly MRI or CAT scans for diagnosis and easy access monitoring (ultrasound imaging is not possible on an adult because of the attenuation abilities of the skull).

Of course, a lot of hard data went into the engineering and manufacture of these devices, including material selection, contour, and manufacturing specs. But the secret to Longeviti’s success so far lies in how the company has been able to manage” soft” data.

Market knowledge – before starting Longeviti, Jesse had 20 years’ experience in the field with a Fortune 300 company.

Company culture – in any start-up, you’re flying by the seat of your pants. But establishing a culture that fosters creativity, accountability, and open communication helps build a strong cohesive team. Humility helps.

Education – as with any new technology, real success lies in the ability to educate people about the use and the advantages of your device. Longeviti relies on several pillars:

• On-brand initiatives
• Physician courses, society meetings, and conferences
• Working with hospitals to “follow the dollars”
• Patient advocacy groups, whose feedback can guide innovation

It’s a marathon run, gathering data to hit critical mass. But these grassroots efforts pay off in real-world terms: research that points to statistical significance, achieving standards, and getting all-important reimbursement codes.

Investor relations – a start-up can’t survive without regular infusions of capital. So keeping investors happy–and focused on a success that may be years in the making–is critical. Communication and transparency are the rules. It’s just as important to understand their need for revenue. Show them a path to profitability. Create multiple plans for success. Tell them where you see opportunities for growth. And toot your horn when you find pockets of success.

Longeviti is a great story that truly captures the med-tech entrepreneurial spirit. And the discussion is chock-full of great info.

Helpful Links:

www.longeviti.com

www.hydroassoc.org/hydrocephalus/