Libsyn Directory

David McMullen of NIH on Blueprint Medtech, the program to help neurotech companies grow

Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions

Release Date: 08/30/2021

Chad Andresen on Lunosa’s Injectable Neurostimulator and Lessons from Stimwave

Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions

In this episode, we sit down with , Chief Business Officer of , to explore a groundbreaking approach to treating obstructive sleep apnea. Lunosa is developing a self-expanding, injectable neurostimulator that aims to replace invasive facial surgeries with a minimally invasive, high-impact solution — tapping into a $10 billion market. Chad also reflects on his time at , a pioneering neuromodulation company that saw both innovation and controversy. He shares insights from testifying against Stimwave’s former CEO, lessons learned from the company’s collapse, and how those experiences shape...

Frederik Ceyssens and the ReVision Implant Team: Building a Visual Cortical Prosthesis to Restore Sight

Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions

In this special on-location episode recorded in Leuven, Belgium, we sit down with the co-founders and technical leaders of — (CEO), (CTO), and (CSO). The team shares their journey developing a high-density, intracortical visual prosthesis aimed at restoring vision for the blind. From developing reliable insertion technology to achieving long-term biocompatibility in nonhuman primate models, ReVision Implant is at the forefront of neurotech innovation. Tune in to hear about their challenges, breakthroughs, and what’s next in the race to cure blindness through brain stimulation. This...

Julio Martinez-Clark: Accelerating Clinical Trials Through Latin America with Bioaccess

Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions

In this episode, we speak with , CEO and co-founder of , a contract research organization helping Medtech and Biopharma startups slash months off their clinical timelines. With a focus on Latin America, Bioaccess enables early feasibility and first-in-human trials to be conducted faster, more affordably, and with high-quality data suitable for FDA and EU submissions. Julio shares how their global site network—built over 20 years—helps startups navigate regulatory hurdles, reduce costs, and de-risk innovation, all while improving patient lives in emerging markets. This episode is sponsored...

Nathan Piland of Nunex: From Medtech Concept to Commercialization

Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions

In this episode of the Neural Implant Podcast, we’re joined by , CEO of , a consulting firm that specializes in helping MedTech companies navigate the complex journey from concept to commercialization. With over two decades of experience across regulatory strategy, product development, and market access, Nathan shares invaluable insights into the critical steps for MedTech startups and established companies looking to succeed in today’s competitive landscape. Tune in as we discuss the unique challenges of the neurotech industry, strategic consulting for MedTech ventures, and how Nunex is...

Eugene Daneshvar: Navigating Neurotech IP with Fairer Pricing and Entrepreneurial Spirit

Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions

In this episode of the Neural Implant Podcast, we welcome Dr. Eugene Daneshvar, founder of Black Swan Intellectual Property (BSIP), a boutique law firm specializing in intellectual property for neurotech and medtech innovations. With a background in biomedical engineering and law, Eugene has a unique perspective on protecting the cutting-edge ideas that drive the future of healthcare technology. After years of working at a larger firm, Eugene founded BSIP to provide more accessible, fair, and transparent pricing for IP services, moving away from the traditional hourly billing model. In...

Maurits Ortmanns: Advancements in ASIC Design for Neurotech Implants

Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions

In this episode, we welcome , a leading expert in ASIC design and professor at the , Germany. With a distinguished career in microelectronics, Dr. Ortmanns has contributed extensively to the development of integrated circuits for biomedical applications. He shares insights into the critical role of ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) design in advancing neurotech implants, focusing on low-power, high-speed circuits that are essential for optimizing the performance and reliability of these devices. Dr. Ortmanns also discusses the challenges and future of circuit integration in...

Expanding Horizons in Neuroprosthetics: A Conversation with Andreas Forsland

Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions

In this episode of the Neural Implant Podcast, host Ladan Jiracek engages in an insightful dialogue with , founder and CEO of . The discussion covers Cognixion's pioneering augmented reality headset with EEG sensing, designed to enhance communication for individuals with speech and motor challenges. Andreas describes the journey from creating a speech augmentation device to developing a versatile platform, the Axon-R, which is now being utilized by health systems and researchers for various clinical applications. They explore the platform's form factor, capabilities, and its role in empowering...

Exploring the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis with David McMillan

Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions

In this episode of the Neural Implant Podcast, host Ladan speaks with , the Director of Education Outreach for the and a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Miami. They discuss the Miami Project's work, particularly in spinal cord injury research and neuroprosthetics. Topics include clinical trials, combining therapies, regulatory challenges, and the importance of rehabilitation in conjunction with therapeutic technologies. 00:00 Introduction to the Neural Implant Podcast 00:16 Meet David McMillan: Director of Education...

Exploring Contract Engineering in Neurotechnology with Javier Schandy and Nicolas Barabino

Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions

I n this episode of the Neural Implant Podcast, host Ladan welcomes and from , an engineering services company based in Uruguay. They discuss their work in firmware, hardware, and software development for medical devices, emphasizing their specialization in wireless communications and test automation. They also explain the benefits of contract engineering, the challenges they face, and highlight an exciting project involving an injectable neurostimulator. The conversation covers the history of neurotechnology development in Uruguay, the process and dynamics of working with clients, and...

Stephen Ho: Exploring Neurotech in Cinema with the Neurratives Podcast

Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions

Today's guest is from Blackrock Microsystems. While we've featured Blackrock guests before, Stephen's appearance today is driven by his podcast, , where neurotech-inspired movies are reviewed and discussed. Top 3 Takeaways: "Our goal for the podcast isn't necessarily to be overly technical, requiring a neuroscience degree to understand. We're often deep in the subject matter and may get a bit jargony, but broadly, we aim to be accessible without pretending to be accomplished neuroscience researchers." “Due to the subject's nature, movies dealing with neuroscience themes...

More Episodes

David McMullen is the program officer at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in the National Institutes of Health (NIH). They are launching the NIH Blueprint Medtech (links below) which aims to help incubate growing neurotech companies go from Bench to Bedside.

Top 3 Takeaways

"We're funding individual projects and trying to help groups in the past have struggled... to get funding and to get all the way to in human trials.
The Blueprint Medtech resource is meant to derisk later investment and grants for companies
"We saw some great programs... having difficulty when they come in - Can we decrease the activation energy to getting to first-in-human? Can we compress the timeline a little bit Can we spend that money a little bit more wisely and improve some of these outcomes?"

0:45 "Do you want to introduce yourself?"

5:45 "Do you want to describe your job? What do you do and what is the program director do?"

7:45 "Do you want to talk about the Blueprint Initiative?"

9:45 "This sounds almost like a government-led VC, am I off in this?"

11:00 "Do you want to describe the project a little bit?"

13:30 What are some guidelines of the project to fund neurotech companies?

16:30 "Generally, what stage should the company be at?"

18:15 "How do the hubs work? When I think of a hub, I think of a physical, like one location but does it have to be like that?"

23:45 "Do you want to talk a little bit about the motivation for this?"

26:30 "Is there anything that we didn't talk about that you wanted to mention?"

NIH BLUEPRINT MEDTECH LINKS

https://neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov/neurotherapeutics/blueprint-medtech/blueprint-medtech

-Home website for the Blueprint MedTech program. Overall figure explaining the program on the front page. The site links to the webinars and funding opportunities.

[email protected]

Please reach out if you have any questions!

INDIVIDUAL PROJECT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES:

October 20, 2021 First receipt date. Multiple receipt dates.

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-21-315.html

Blueprint MedTech Translator (UG3/UH3 - Clinical Trial Optional)

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-21-282.html

Funding Opportunity TitleBlueprint Medtech: Small Business Translator (U44 - Clinical Trial Optional)

INCUBATOR HUBS:

Only 1 receipt date! October 20, 2021

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-21-314.html

Blueprint MedTech: Incubator Hubs (U54 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)