MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge Presents Session on Achieving Success in the Medical Device Marketplace

Market Wire, December, 2007

What: On December 12, the MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge will host experts on developing and executing on a successful business plan within the medical device marketplace.

The program will feature a keynote address by Robert J. Palmisano, director of Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (AMO) and former president, CEO and director of IntraLase Corp., a pioneer in laser eye surgery. Palmisano led IntraLase to its successful acquisition by AMO.

Following Palmisano's presentation, Bernard Haffey, president and CEO of NDO Surgical Inc., will present a case study on his firm, which is a leader in flexible endoscopic surgical technologies. Haffey will outline the challenges of a medical device start-up as well as strategies for overcoming the hurdles leading up to successful market adoption and commercialization.

Maren D. Anderson of MDA Consulting and Susan Posner of Health Advances will join Palmisano and Haffey on a panel to discuss steps in defining and achieving the corporate vision, including critical path planning and execution necessary to achieve fair reimbursement for novel procedures and devices.

Keynote Speaker:

Robert Palmisano joined IntraLase Corp. in 2003 and served as president, CEO and director until the company was acquired by AMO for $808 million earlier this year. Prior to the company's successful acquisition, IntraLase designed, developed and manufactured an ultra-fast laser that revolutionized refractive and corneal surgery by creating safer and more precise corneal incisions. Previously, Palmisano was president, CEO and a director of Summit Autonomous, Inc., a global medical products company acquired by Alcon, Inc. Additionally, Robert was president, CEO and a director at MacroChem Corp., a development stage pharmaceutical corporation.

Other Speakers:

Bernard Haffey joined NDO in April 2007 as president and CEO. Haffey was previously executive vice president and chief commercial officer at IntraLase Corp. Haffey held a similar position at Summit Technology, Inc., which was sold to Alcon Laboratories for $972 million in 2000. In addition, Haffey previously held various executive management positions at Mentor Corp. and Hewlett Packard Co.

Maren D. Anderson is the founder, president and CEO of MDA Consulting. MDA specializes in market research and reimbursement planning and provides consulting services to early stage drug, biotechnology, diagnostic and device companies. Previously, Anderson was founder of Health Technology Associates, acquired by Covance in 1996.

Susan Posner is a vice president at Health Advances, a strategic advisory group focused on healthcare. Posner has extensive experience in the device sector, including minimally invasive and interventional products, and clinical areas focusing on women's health, anesthesiology and pain management.

When: Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Networking: 5:30 p.m.
Program: 6:15-8:00 p.m.
Reception: 8:00-9:00 p.m.

Where: Stata Center (Bldg. 32), Kirsch Auditorium, 32 Vassar St., Cambridge

Sponsor: Edwards, Angell, Palmer and Dodge, LLP

Registration and information: http://www.mitforumcambridge.org/dec07.html

Forum members: $20; Non-members: $30; Students from all universities, free with college ID.

MIT ENTERPRISE FORUM OF CAMBRIDGE CONTACT: Rob Butler MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge 617-253-2568 Email Contact PRESS CONTACT : Brad Baker (for MIT Enterprise Forum) CHEN PR, Inc. 781-672-3118 Email Contact