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Trilogy Tidings

June 2013

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in this issue
Learning from physician panels
My no-fee offer
Will hospitals and doctors become medical-product producers?
Resources from our Archives
What does Trilogy do?

     Hosting physician panels is a bit like herding smart cats.  It can also be expensive.  But it's usually well worth the trouble and cost in gathering new-product intelligence.

 

     Check out my free, limited-time offer.

 

     Is a potential future threat to medical-device makers in the works?

 

Regards,
Joe

 

 

   Change Ahead

 

Learning from physician panels
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     In April and May of 2013 we recruited and engaged two physician panels in order to assess potential market interest in a new method for patient assessment at the point of care. Our intent was to solicit the participation of key opinion leaders (KOLs), a total of eight target clinicians and laboratorians over 2-day periods. Our efforts were successful in guiding our client in future development of their unique technology.

 

Doctor Roundtable  

 

     These important methodologies reminded me of some basic truths I've learned over the years in the recruitment and management of these in-person meetings of physician groups. I'd like to share some of my suggestions with you in the hope that they will encourage you to consider this vehicle for product-concept research and perhaps avoid some missteps in the process.

 

     As a starting point, consider my thoughts in the brief entitled "Gaining Clinical Insight: Physician Panels". Please share some of your own experiences as well.

  

My no-fee offer 

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     We've encountered a brief Spring hiatus at Trilogy Associates, from which you can benefit. I'm feeling generous enough to offer you some no-fee feedback on:

  • A business or commercialization plan
  • A new-product idea
  • A marketing message
  • A presentation
Free Advice 
     Just send it along for me to consider, including a proposed NDA if necessary. The topic should be in some way medical-related. I make no promises as to acceptance, hours invested or response time, but what do you have to lose? Be advised: Generosity is a fleeting thing.  

Will hospitals and doctors become medical-product producers? 

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     My question is a serious one. It's stimulated by a recent article by Marilyn Marchione of the Associated Press entitled "Doctors save Ohio boy by printing an airway tube."  This fascinating article describes the efforts of doctors at the University of Michigan Health System to fabricate an airway splint to repair a birth defect in a three-month-old boy. They actually "printed out" 100 tiny tubes using plastic particles and a 3-D laser printer and implanted one of them in the youngster. It worked! The child is now 19 months old and doing well.

 

3-D Printing  

     This wonderful result conjures up an interesting question: Will hospitals and physicians someday become routine producers of medical devices manufactured using

 3-D printers and implanted or otherwise applied in patient care? The prospect boggles the mind and raises many questions. How might the capabilities of these new producers and the quality of their products be assured? How will conformance with product specs be demonstrated? Will these processes be regulated by FDA, and if so how? What product volumes might be realistically achievable. Will such activities compromise the success of today's medtech manufacturers?

 

     Physicians today have substantial latitude in their choices of devices and drugs for patient treatment. Might that latitude someday include building their own devices? Your thoughts?
 
Resources from our Archives 
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     Check out our Reading Room to view my published articles, presentations and white papers on a variety of topics.
  
     And, you can examine an archive of my prior newsletters (since February 2007).

 

 

What does Trilogy do? 

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     Trilogy Associates facilitates business growth and renewal through commercialization of new products, providing the following services:
  • Opportunity assessment
  • Business planning and enterprise growth strategies
  • New-product conceptualization, commercialization and marketing
  • Market research and competitive assessment
  • Business development and partnering
  • Market and technological due diligence
  • Assessment of the therapeutic and diagnostic potential of novel technologies
  • Design of efficient and effective development strategies for early-stage biomedical products
  • Business and technical writing/publishing

     Inquiries to establish whether and how we might support your business initiatives are always welcome.  Contact us.

Contact Information
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ContactInfoJoseph J. Kalinowski, Principal
919.533.6285
LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/trilogy
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