Ep 290 - Axoft is building a BCI success story in Massachusetts; MassMEDIC's Johnson on MedTech’s future

In this episode of DeviceTalks Weekly, Host Tom Salemi speaks with Axoft CEO and co-founder Paul Le Floch about the future of brain-computer interfaces and the material science breakthroughs powering the next generation of neural implants. Le Floch shares how his background in materials science led to the development of “Fleuron,” Axoft’s soft, flexible implant material designed to better match the brain’s delicate tissue and reduce long-term damage caused by traditional rigid implants. The conversation explores the challenges facing the BCI industry, including device durability, signal stability, and the difficulty of commercializing implantable neurotechnology. Le Floch also discusses Axoft’s focus on treating disorders of consciousness, its collaboration with Mass General Hospital, the company’s recent $55 million Series A financing, and why Massachusetts remains both an ideal — and expensive — place to build a deep-tech MedTech startup. In our FOMO Studio, Salemi sits down with MassMEDIC President Brian Johnson and Holly Scott of The Mullings Group to preview DeviceTalks Boston and explore the state of the Massachusetts MedTech ecosystem. Johnson reflects on MassMEDIC’s 30th anniversary, the evolution of DeviceTalks, and why Massachusetts remains one of the world’s leading hubs for medical technology innovation. The conversation covers the region’s deep strengths in robotics, orthopedics, organ transplantation, and cardiovascular technology, along with the challenges startups face in securing early-stage funding and navigating tariffs and manufacturing shifts. And of course we start of with MassDevice Editor Chris Newmarker's top news from the pages of MassDevice - Cagent Vascular, BD, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Endologix, Surmodics and Boston Scientific. Join us May 27-28th at DeviceTalks Boston. Visit Boston.DeviceTalks.com for the full agenda and speakers. *** Enjoy the show? Follow DeviceTalks Weekly on all major podcast players + Follow us on YouTube.com/@DeviceTalks to ensure you never miss an episode. Want access to the complete DeviceTalks Podcast Network (DTPN)? Follow us today at https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe Chapters (00:04:41) - Cagent Vascular reports first-in-human IVL cases, closes $41M Series D(00:06:31) - BD taps former J&J leader as new president of Interventional(00:10:09) - Endologix acquires Pounce thrombectomy system from Surmodics(00:11:32) - Medtronic to acquire peripheral nerve stim developer SPR Therapeutics(00:13:30) - Boston Scientific invests $1.5B in TAVR developer MiRus, enters $2B share repurchase agreement(00:18:15) - FOMO Studio – Brian Johnson, President, MassMEDIC and Holly Scott, Senior Partner, The Mullings Group(00:33:03) - Keynote Converation – Paul Le Floch, CEO, Axoft