Build for the User, Not the Spec Sheet: Interview with Phagenesis CEO Reinhard Krickl

In this episode of Medsider Radio, we had an engaging chat with Reinhard Krickl, CEO of Phagenesis, a startup commercializing a neurostimulation system designed to treat dysphagia, a condition that impairs a patient's ability to swallow.An Austrian engineer with over 25 years of experience in medtech, Reinhard specializes in neurology-based medical devices. After beginning his career in academia, he got his industry start with Medtronic in 2000, where he would eventually lead the company’s efforts with deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy across Europe. He is also an INSEAD-certified director and serves on several boards, chairing two of them. In this interview, Reinhard shares insights on the importance of simplicity in design, what thorough market understanding truly means, and how he engages with stakeholders effectively. He also reveals the “market access checklist” he uses before entering the commercialization stage.Before we dive into the discussion, I wanted to mention a few things:First, if you’re into learning from medical device and health technology founders and CEOs, and want to know when new interviews are live, head over to Medsider.com and sign up for our free newsletter.Second, if you want to peek behind the curtain of the world's most successful startups, you should consider a Medsider premium membership. You’ll learn the strategies and tactics that founders and CEOs use to build and grow companies like Silk Road Medical, AliveCor, Shockwave Medical, and hundreds more!We recently introduced some fantastic additions exclusively for Medsider premium members, including playbooks, which are curated collections of our top Medsider interviews on key topics like capital fundraising and risk mitigation, and a curated investor database to help you discover your next medical device or health technology investor!In addition to the entire back catalog of Medsider interviews over the past decade, premium members also get a copy of every volume of Medsider Mentors at no additional cost, including the latest Medsider Mentors Volume VI. If you’re interested, go to medsider.com/subscribe to learn more.Lastly, if you'd rather read than listen, here's a link to the full interview with Reinhard Krickl.