Silk Road CEO Rogers Recalls Vital Lessons Learned
With over $100 million in capital raised from well-heeled investors including Warburg Pincus, the Vertical Group, Norwest Venture Partners, and the Janus Funds, Silk Road Medical is built for the long haul.
The company’s TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) procedure promises to upend the treatment of blockages in the carotid artery by changing the direction blood flows through the critical artery, reducing the risk for debris to cause a stroke by reaching the brain.
Under the leadership of Medtech veteran Erica Rogers, Silk Road has secured strong support from clinical, regulatory, and reimbursement communities for its ENROUTE stenting and neuroprotection systems.
Now, the company is setting a clear course toward an IPO, an outcome that would be a welcome win for the Medtech sector.
In this Medtech Talk Podcast, Rogers recounts how she came to lead Silk Road Medical after overcoming her own initial reluctance to leave a post she loved at Medicines360, a non-profit pharmaceutical company.
She also gives an honest look back at her career including the outstanding successes of co-founding eye leader Visiogen and the painful, but educational experience leading a start-up sunk by disappointing clinical trials.
Rogers shares how a frank assessment of those successes and failures shaped the leadership style that has helped put Silk Road on a fast track to success.
Other topics she discusses:
- How did she get into the Medtech sector?
- How, as a co-founder of Visiogen, did she keep the faith when many experts rejected the concept?
- What lessons can be learned from failure?
- How did she help put Silk Road on course for success?
- What do investors like Norwest Venture Partners bring to the table other than capital?
Podcast Guest
Erica Rogers
CEO & President
Silk Road Medical
Erica Rogers is the President and CEO of Silk Road Medical. Prior to Silk Road Medical, Erica was the COO of Medicines360, a non-profit pharmaceutical company developing drugs and devices for women. Erica was the founder and CEO of Allux Medical, as well as the co-founder of Visiogen, which was acquired by Abbott Medical Optics in 2009. Erica spent over 12 years at Boston Scientific, in sales and marketing positions. She began her career in pharmaceutical sales after receiving a B.S. in zoology from San Diego State University. Erica holds five issued and 15 pending US patents in medical devices and nanotechnology.
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.