The most quotable quotes from medtech CEOs in 2013

This has been a rough year for medtech companies, with the device tax, the venture capital drying up and biotech flaunting its IPO muscles just for show. But, there have been many bright spots, often in the form of acquisitions, innovation and even just plain old humor. Here are the most quotable quotes from medtech’s CEOs in 2013. They’re brief, to the point and right on pulse.

Funniest

“You have basically a little watermelon covered in grease.”

–Dr. Peter Coelho, CEO of MedicalCue, on why a new kind of sensor (rather than the standard adhesive sensor) is needed to monitor asphyxia in newborns

With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?

Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.

Read more here about NeoCue, the startup’s decision-guiding device for docs that’s modeled after The Checklist Manifesto. Its aim: to standardize neonatal resuscitation.

Most Frank

“If you were going to start up a medical company, you were making an investment looking for profitability, would you start it somewhere where you have to pay 2.3 percent of your revenue?”

–AngioDynamics CEO Joe DeVivo, on how the medical device tax affects U.S. innovation

Most Likely to Succeed

“You know, when you have the 95 percent of the market share and you introduce new technology all the time you continue to maintain your market share.”

–Given Imaging CEO Homi Shamir, on his company’s hold on the capsule endoscopy market. Good call, Shamir. Covidien recently announced it will buy the company for $860 million, with the deal wrapping up by March 31, 2014.

To read more about the PillCam, click here.

To read more about Covidien’s acquisition, click here.

Edgiest

“We’ve been pushed to some limits when we got various letters from the state of California, and New York and Maryland and the FDA. Are we going to have to take on that fight and how are we going to work with these agencies? . . . I’m happy to take on the fight, but I don’t want to disappoint a customer.”

–23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki told Fast Company this summer. Hindsight’s 20/20 as ever, and looking back, this quote is loaded.

Read these smart takes on the company’s battle with the FDA.

Best Advice

“It’s very hard to create a therapy that works every time to a very similar degree in everybody. The tendency is to talk about a huge market opportunity. But at the end of the day, if you have a $500 or $700 million market that’s genuine. . . you’re far better off doing that.”

–Kevin Larkin, CEO of Theranova, which is a 15-year-old company that’s still venture backed, on how to fund a medical device

Click here for more of his advice on attracting and maintaining funding for high-risk medical devices. It’s some of the smartest I’ve heard.

Game-Changer

“The acquisition of Cardiocom is one step we are taking toward providing a combination of products and solutions that can help address those challenges. . . . This combination will strengthen our ability to partner with providers and payers to help them reduce cost and improve quality.”

—CEO Omar Ishrak, on Medtronic’s (MDT) Cardiocom acquisition

With this quote, Medtronic moved into the disease management space and took a larger bite out of the healthcare continuum. It was quite an innovative business move for an often sluggish and traditional industry.