Apr 2, 2026
From Clinical Need to Market: How Medical Devices Are Built w/ Stuart Broyles of MDM2
- AZ TRT S07 EP06 (288) 3-29-2026
What We Learned This Week:
Medical devices can take a decade to reach patients
Bringing a medical device to market isn’t quick.
Phoenix is quietly becoming a major MedTech hub
The Valley has a growing cluster of medical technology companies including:
The biggest risk in medical innovation is building something doctors don’t need
One of the most common failures in MedTech is creating technology without validating the clinical problem first.
Universities often invent the technology—but companies bring it to life
Many medical device ideas originate in research labs.
The future of healthcare innovation depends on collaboration
Successful medical device innovation requires an ecosystem
Guest: Stuart Broyles, PhD
LKIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-broyles-phd/
Stuart builds connections that move ideas forward—from university research to real-world MedTech solutions. He was at WL Gore & Assoc. for nearly 3 decades working in MedTech at various levels and helped bring 13 devices to market. Also includes, university advisory roles, early-stage venture coaching, and innovation ecosystem development.
Organization: MDM2
(Medical Device Manufacturing Multiplier)
Summary:
Medical devices can take a decade to reach patients
Bringing a medical device to market isn’t quick.
While some devices can launch in six months to a year, many take five to ten years once clinical trials and regulatory approvals are involved.
That’s why early testing and feedback are critical.
Phoenix is quietly becoming a major MedTech hub
The Valley has a growing cluster of medical technology companies including:
· Medtronic
· Abbott Laboratories
· Dexcom
· West Pharmaceutical Services
Add in research from Arizona State University and University of Arizona and the region is building a strong bioscience ecosystem.
The biggest risk in medical innovation is building something doctors don’t need
One of the most common failures in MedTech is creating technology without validating the clinical problem first.
Organizations like MDM2 (Medical Device Manufacturing Multiplier) are working to connect startups directly with clinicians early in the process so companies can refine their products before investing millions.
Universities often invent the technology—but companies bring it to life
Many medical device ideas originate in research labs.
Universities typically own the patents and license the technology to startups or companies that can develop and commercialize the product.
Programs like the ASU Skysong Innovation Center and Tech Launch Arizona help bridge the gap between research and business.
The future of healthcare innovation depends on collaboration
Successful medical device innovation requires an ecosystem:
• clinicians
who identify real problems
• engineers who build solutions
• investors who fund development
• manufacturers who scale production
Arizona is
building that ecosystem through groups like
MDM2 (Medical Device Manufacturing
Multiplier) and the Phoenix
Bioscience Core.
Podcast Show Notes
Guest: Stuart Broyles, PhD
LKIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-broyles-phd/
Stuart builds connections that move ideas forward—from university research to real-world MedTech solutions. He was at WL Gore & Assoc. for nearly 3 decades working in MedTech at various levels and helped bring 13 devices to market. Also includes, university advisory roles, early-stage venture coaching, and innovation ecosystem development.
Organization: MDM2
(Medical Device Manufacturing Multiplier)
Episode Topic: How Medical Devices Move from
Clinical Need to Market
Interview recorded: March 2026
Segment 1 – The Medical Device Industry
What Are Medical Devices?
Medical devices include a wide range of technologies used to diagnose, monitor, or treat patients.
Common examples include:
· Coronary stents used to treat blocked arteries in the heart
· Artificial limbs and prosthetics
· Implantable devices used in cardiology
· Monitoring technologies such as glucose sensors
A well-known
example is the glucose monitoring technology produced by
Dexcom, which operates in
the Mesa, Arizona area.
Medical devices also include technologies used to treat circulation issues in arms and legs, along with remote monitoring tools used in modern healthcare.
History of the Industry
Medical devices began emerging in the 1950s, but the real acceleration occurred between the late 1970s and the 1980s.
This era introduced breakthroughs such as:
· Coronary stents
· Artificial hearts
· Prosthetic limbs
Over time, the technologies have become:
· safer
· more durable
· more precise
Phoenix as a MedTech Hub
The Phoenix metro area has developed into a significant medical device and bioscience ecosystem.
Major companies with a presence in the region include:
· Medtronic
· Abbott Laboratories
· Dexcom
· West Pharmaceutical Services
This sector is particularly important in the Phoenix Valley, which has a rapidly aging population, increasing demand for medical technology and healthcare innovation.
Importance of Clinical Partnerships
Successful medical device development requires close collaboration with clinicians and hospitals.
In the Phoenix ecosystem, companies often partner with:
· HonorHealth
· Mayo Clinic
Universities also play a major role in research and collaboration, including:
· Arizona State University
· University of Arizona
Clinicians provide feedback during development, helping companies ensure devices actually solve real-world clinical problems.
How Long It Takes to Bring a Device to Market
Development timelines vary widely:
Typical timelines:
· 6 months – fastest case observed
· 1 year – simple device pathways
· Up to 10 years – complex devices requiring clinical trials
Segment 2 – Stuart Broyles’ Career
Stuart Broyles
spent nearly
30 years at
W. L. Gore & Associates
(1995–2024).
During that time he worked on multiple divisions developing cardiovascular and medical technologies.
Key accomplishments include:
· Participating in the commercialization of 13 medical devices
· Working at the team member and leadership levels
· Bringing complex devices through development and into the market
Transition to Mentoring and Innovation
After retiring in 2024, Broyles:
· Did consulting and investing
· Returned to the startup ecosystem
·
Became an
Entrepreneur-in-Residence at
Arizona State
University
He now works
with startups through
MDM2 (Medical Device Manufacturing
Multiplier) helping early-stage companies navigate the
development and commercialization process.
Many of the companies he works with range from:
· very early-stage startups
· teams of just two or three founders
· companies developing new medical manufacturing technologies
MDM2 also partners with HonorHealth to help startups engage with clinical partners.
Phoenix Innovation Infrastructure
Several organizations contribute to the Valley’s health technology ecosystem:
Research and innovation hubs
· Phoenix Bioscience Core
· Flinn Foundation
Startup programs
· WearTech Center
· ASU Skysong Innovation Center
Medical device and engineering companies
· PADT (3D printing and product development)
· BD (Becton Dickinson)
Wearable Technology Innovation
The
WearTech Center in central
Phoenix supports startups building wearable medical
technologies.
Examples include companies such as:
· Gravitrex
· Hemasense
One demonstration project includes a mock apartment designed to test monitoring systems for independent living seniors, helping companies validate technology in real-world environments.
WearTech also hosts quarterly demo days where startups present their technologies to investors and industry partners.
Segment 3 – Clinical Trials and Product Development
The Need for a “Clinical Innovation Sandbox”
A major challenge for startups is access to clinicians who can provide meaningful feedback during early development.
MDM2 is working to create a system where:
· startups can regularly meet clinicians
· products can be demonstrated in person
· real clinical feedback is gathered early
This helps companies determine whether a product actually solves a meaningful healthcare problem.
Continuing Medical Education (CME) Forums
MDM2 is developing CME forums that allow clinicians to:
· learn about emerging medical technologies
· discuss product concepts
· provide guidance during early development
These sessions also create opportunities for honest feedback before expensive trials begin.
One of the first sessions included collaboration with:
· HonorHealth
· Hemasense
Clinical Trials Outside the United States
Clinical trials in the U.S. can be complex and slow due to regulatory requirements.
As a result:
· many companies run trials in Europe or Asia
· approval processes may be faster
· testing costs may be lower
Improving regulatory efficiency in the U.S. remains a challenge for medical device innovators.
Intellectual Property and Universities
Many medical technologies originate in universities.
In these cases:
· the university typically owns the intellectual property
· companies license the technology to commercialize it
Technology transfer organizations help bridge the gap between research and commercialization.
Programs supporting this in Arizona include:
· ASU Skysong Innovation Center
· Tech Launch Arizona
These programs help connect professors with entrepreneurs who have experience bringing products to market.
Segment 4 – The Future of Medical Device Innovation in Phoenix
Phoenix and Arizona are increasingly positioned as a national hub for bioscience and medical device innovation.
Key advantages include:
· strong manufacturing capabilities across the state
· major university research centers
· growing healthcare systems
· startup accelerators and incubators
New startups frequently spin out of larger companies like:
· W. L. Gore & Associates
· Medtronic
These larger companies sometimes help fund and mentor new ventures.
Building a Strong Innovation Ecosystem
A successful innovation ecosystem requires collaboration among:
· universities
· hospitals
· manufacturers
· investors
· startups
Arizona is actively building this network to support long-term growth in the medical technology sector.
Advice for Entrepreneurs
For founders looking to build a medical device startup:
1. Work with clinicians early in development
2. Validate the problem you are solving
3. Understand the regulatory pathway
4. Build partnerships with universities and hospitals
5. De-risk the concept before large investments
Ultimately, success depends on proving value to three key stakeholders:
· clinicians
· investors
· patients
Organizations Mentioned
Medical Device Manufacturing Multiplier
MDM2 (Medical Device
Manufacturing Multiplier)
https://www.mdm2.org/
MDM2 works to strengthen Arizona’s medical device manufacturing ecosystem through partnerships with universities, hospitals, and startups.
WearTech Center
WearTech
Center
https://www.azweartech.org/projects
Focus areas include:
· wearable health technologies
· remote monitoring systems
· aging-in-place innovations
If you want to learn more about the growing medical device ecosystem in Arizona, visit the website for the MDM2 (Medical Device Manufacturing Multiplier) and explore how they’re helping startups move innovations from the lab to the patient.
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