We are pleased to announce that Matt Golembeski has joined the team at SmartTRAK as Director of Sales. Matt has 15+ of sales and sales management experience in the medical device industry with a concentration in spine and spine-supportive technologies.
3 min read
Meet Matt Golembeski - Director of Sales
By Thomas Wallick on 10/19/20 9:34 AM
3 min read
Meet Tim Patrick - Senior Manager of Corporate Accounts
By Thomas Wallick on 9/18/20 9:30 AM
We are pleased to announce that Tim Patrick has joined the team at SmartTRAK as Senior Manager of Corporate Accounts. Tim has 5+ years experience in Medical Device Sales and Healthcare IT. Tim had prior roles at Zimmer Biomet and Abbott Laboratories.
Meet Tim Patrick:
What is your role with SmartTRAK? I’ve joined the commercial team as a Senior Manager of Corporate Accounts.
What do you like about SmartTRAK? It’s tough to keep this question to a paragraph, but I will do my best! The space, product and people are what really intrigues me about SmartTRAK. The Medtech/Software space is ever changing and as dynamic of a space that I’ve been involved with. The product is absolutely incredible. The type of data we provide at your fingertips is a must have. Lastly, I’ve come from large Fortune 500 companies who have claimed to be a tight knit team but nothing compares to what we currently have at SmartTRAK. From the other reps, analysts, and up to the CEO it truly is the best culture I have ever been a part of.
8 min read
International MedTech News Updates: The Week in Review
By Thomas Wallick on 8/4/20 8:40 AM
In the pharmacies in Russia, commercial drug June sales increased by 0.1% in value vs May 2020. Compared to June 2019, sales increased by 2.1%. The increase in the first 6 mos in 2020 was 13.9% vs the same period in 2019.
During the lockdown in April, 27% of all consultations were teleconsultations in France. Of doctors carrying out teleconsultations, 50% were under 50 yrs old, though that age group represents only 37% of all GPs.
MedTech companies in Germany expect sales to decline an avg of 8% in 2020 due to the pandemic, including 12% in int’l business according to a survey. Almost 60% of companies expect a double-digit drop.
3 min read
SmartTRAK Analysts Featured in Cartilage.org ICRS Newsletter
By Thomas Wallick on 7/24/20 1:18 PM
SmartTRAK, the leading source of competitive intelligence used by the top global orthopedic & wound care companies, had four articles featured in the International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society Summer 2020 Issue. These articles were originally published on the SmartTRAK platform.
The ICRS is the main forum for international collaboration in cartilaginous tissue research and joint preservation whose stated mission is "Advancing Science & Education of the Prevention & Treatment of Cartilage Disease Worldwide."
Kim French, SmartTRAK's Senior Analyst, OrthoBio, had three of her articles included in the Summer 2020 issue:
8 min read
Recovery Predictions, Elective Surgery and Future Outbreaks: COVID-19 Updates
By Thomas Wallick on 7/20/20 1:40 PM
As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses and continues to affect everyday life around the world, the path that lies ahead for the MedTech industry and the search for effective therapeutics and vaccines remains hard to predict.
The following is a small sampling of the updates compiled, reviewed and posted in real time last week by our SmartTRAK analysts. We constantly monitor the worldwide MedTech industry, sifting through the noise to present to our subscribers the most relevant international news, trends, financial data and competitor developments in the global Life Sciences industry.
Based on prelim Q220 MedTech Company results, SVB Leerink expects May/June COVID recovery to exceed expectations noting elective procedure shutdowns are regionalized and halts are not expected to be as bad or prolonged as in March/April. SVBLeerink Medical Supplies and Devices
With 4 of the leading vaccine candidates expected to enter Phase 3 studies in July (Sinovac, Moderna, BioNTech/PFE, CanSino), Phase 2 data could be reported in summer/fall 2020. If +, WFS says it could be a catalyst for some medtech sectors in recovery of elective procedures.
A survey assessing public perceptions towards resuming elective surg found out of 722 people 61% were concerned w/ contracting COVID-19 during surg. Overall, 57% would have surgery at a hospital vs outpatient and 27% would undergo surg in the first mo of reopening. J Arthroplasty
The European Commission published a document about the preparedness of health systems in Europe for future COVID-19 outbreaks. Topics comprise testing, contact tracing, surveillance, accessibility of medical devices and capacity measures.
6 min read
COVID-19 Surges: The MedTech Industry Reacts
By Thomas Wallick on 7/6/20 4:35 PM
As COVID-19 surges in the United States and around the world, health officials are responding with stern warnings, more testing and cutbacks on closings. While some nations have virtually stopped the spread within their country, MedTech prepares for a post-COVID world and how the virus and the response to it will reshape the industry.
The following is a small sampling of the COVID-19 updates compiled, reviewed and posted in real-time by our SmartTRAK analysts, who are constantly monitoring the situation and sifting through the noise to present the most relevant news to our subscribers:
A statistical analysis study concluded elective procedure deferment during the COVID-19 pandemic will have a lasting impact on the US healthcare system and could result in a cumulative backlog of > 1MM ortho surgical cases at 2 years after the end of surgery deferment. JBJS
A report w/ the title of ”Getting the NHS back on track: planning for the next phase of COVID-19” was published in the UK by the NHS Confederation. The paper talks about the 7 challenges of the health care system when restarting the health care services in the UK.
Canaccord feels SNN’s Q220 preliminary results suggest better-than-expected improvements and an upside to H220 estimates. Canaccord feels US states/health systems are better positioned to handle COVID cases and doesn’t expect widespread elective procedure restrictions.
5 min read
International Medtech News Roundup: Updates from Around the Globe
By Thomas Wallick on 6/29/20 9:18 AM
As the international response to COVID-19 shifts to preparing for a potential second wave, the Medtech industry pushes forward with the development and approval of new devices. The following is just a small sampling of the past week's international updates that were curated, compiled, reviewed and posted throughout the day by the expert analysts at SmartTRAK. They sift through the noise to discover the latest international news, industry trends, financial data and competitor developments in the global Life Sciences industry.
In Germany, as a result of the past months, BVMed proposed to the Minister of Health to build stock for masks and protective equipment for 6 months to be used in pandemics.
The Odense University Hospital in Denmark built up a blended learning concept in wound care for nurses to support them in gaining confidence when carrying out wound care. E-learning modules, study visits and workshops are mixed to address the needs.
In France, The National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) published a guideline on how advertising visas should be handled for medical devices during the state of emergency (until July 10, 2020) and through the year.
Freight costs have increased dramatically during the COVID-19 outbreak. Chinese medical dressing export are mainly low cost, less advanced dressings. Manufacturers are now looking more to grow sales on their local China market, to replace imported more advanced dressings.
4 min read
Meet Joe Mish - Director of Sales
By Thomas Wallick on 6/11/20 4:19 PM
We are pleased to announce that Joe Mish has joined the team at SmartTRAK as Director of Sales. Joe has 10+ years experience in medical device sales, with concentration on Joint Replacement and Spine & Robotic Technologies. Prior to joining SmartTRAK, Joe sold and implemented analytic software to manage value-based care and bundled payment, working with Stryker, LDR/ZimmerBiomet and Stryker Performance Solutions.
Meet Joe Mish:
What is your role with SmartTRAK? I will be joining the commercial team as Director of Sales.
What do you like about SmartTRAK? I’ll give you two perspectives here. First, with regards to the technology, I love the value proposition to our current and prospective customers. With the world being so volatile and business being severely disrupted (especially for surgery and device companies) being able to offer a solution to reduce risk, improve profitability and productivity makes this a fantastic time to partner with organization’s and build strong, long-lasting relationships. This was truly a deciding factor in making a career/company change. Second, with regards to the company, I love the people. Coming from multiple large Fortune 500 companies with very specific cultures, individuals and team comradery is often and easily overlooked. I have been so impressed with the professionalism, transparency and family vibe from every person I have engaged with and I have only been on board for a week! This feels like a very special group of incredibly talented people and I am honored to be a part of it.
7 min read
COVID-19: Vaccines, Testing and the Future for MedTech
By Thomas Wallick on 5/26/20 8:00 AM
With social distancing and travel restrictions easing worldwide, and WHO warning of a possible second peak of the pandemic, the work continues on potential vaccines to prevent COVID-19 and treatments for those already affected by the virus. The following is a small sampling of the COVID-19 updates compiled, reviewed and posted in real-time by our SmartTRAK analysts, who are constantly monitoring the situation and sifting through the noise to present the most relevant news to our subscribers:
Preliminary results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of IV remdesivier in adults hospitalized w/ COVID-19 and lower respiratory tract infection showed remdesivir was superior to placebo in shortening recovery times (11 days vs 15 days; p=0.001). NEJM
This JBJS article discusses medically necessary orthopaedic surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic and recommends safe surgical practices and a classification to guide tx. JBJS
The US plans a massive testing effort involving more than 100K volunteers and ~6 of the most promising vaccine candidates in an effort to deliver a safe and effective one by YE20, compressing what is typically 10 yrs of vaccine development/testing into a matter of months. Reuters
Moderna reports preliminary data suggests its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and appears to be eliciting an immune response in test subjects. The FDA has given the Company approval to begin a Phase II study w/ ~600 volunteers. A Phase III study may begin by July. NPR
7 min read
COVID-19: Restrictions Ease as Vaccine Development Ramps Up
By Thomas Wallick on 5/18/20 3:29 PM
As restrictions begin to ease around the world, the Life Sciences industry prepares to deal with the impending ramifications. While progress is being made on vaccines and treatments as new surgery guidelines are developed, the potential long term consequences of the pandemic must be addressed. The following is a small sampling of the COVID-19 updates compiled, reviewed and posted in real-time by our SmartTRAK analysts, who are constantly monitoring the situation and sifting through the noise to present the most relevant news to our subscribers:
During a Wells Fargo call, Dr. Ashish Jah, Dir of Harvard Global Health Institute, projected the US economy will ramp up to 80% open by fall w/ an increase of elective procedures in the summer to 100% or higher. He doesn’t anticipate a fall return of COVID halting procedures.
Based on conversations with healthcare and industry professionals, SmartTRAK expects deferred spine procedures to reschedule more quickly than many other procedures due to the non-elective nature of spine cases – particularly those w/ neurological deficit or progressive pain.
Pfizer working alongside German drugmaker BioNTech injected its potential COVID-19 vaccine in first human participants last week and hopes to test up to 360 people in its clinical trial. If the vaccine is found safe and efficacious it could be available starting in Oct. CNBC.com