EPISODE 078
AirXpanders Seeking to Disrupt Reconstruction Market
The aesthetics space runs hot and cold with venture investors. But the past year has produced some rich exits with massive acquisitions by leaders like Allergan.
It may be too early to forecast what this means for AirXpanders, but the company clearly rests in an enviable place with an FDA-approved system for improving the care of patients undergoing breast reconstruction.
Patients who have undergone mastectomies face a difficult road if they seek breast reconstruction. The gold standard currently involves an implant that’s filled with saline over the span of weeks to create a cavity where a permanent implant can be placed.
This requires the patient to undergo a weekly procedure at a reconstructive surgeon’s office. The additional saline is administered through a needle.
AirXpanders’ AeroForm Tissue Expander System replaces the saline with 10 cc of carbon dioxide from a small implanted canister. The patient can enlarge the implant and expand the tissue herself at home, using a remote control device.
In this podcast, Dodson shares the company’s origins and explains why AirXpanders decided to begin clinical trials and commercialization in Australia.
The experience guided the company’s interactions with the FDA, which ran AeroForm through an intense clinical trial.
But now, with FDA approval in hand, AirXpanders is beginning to sell a system that promises to improve care for patients and free up time for physicians.
Podcast Guest
Scott Dodson
President & CEO
AirXpanders
Scott has more than 25 years of executive management and leadership experience in the medical device industry with Boston Scientific, Orthofix Orthopedics, and BarrX Medical. Most recently, Scott was the President and CEO of Avantis Medical Systems, where he led the company through their Series C financing and two successful bridge financings. He oversaw the securing of Medicare reimbursement; the completion and publication of the largest tandem designed, randomized trial in medical device history; and the development of a next-generation imaging system for global, full-market release. Scott has a Bachelor of Science in Management from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana and has completed the Executive Management Program of both Columbia University and Babson College.
Meet Our Host
Geoff Pardo
Geoff has been in medtech for over two decades in both operational and investment roles. He is passionate about the industry potential and sharing stories from the front lines of innovation.