Integer Holdings Corp.

Tony Anzalones

Tony Anzalones is a visionary and inventive leader in the medical devices landscape and is dedicated to the development and commercialization of groundbreaking innovations.

He is currently specializing in the contract design and manufacturing of interventional medical devices, including devices for respiratory applications. Tony has also been part of the supplier side of the business for seven years and has handled multiple sales and marketing roles pertaining to medical devices and technologies.

In an interview with MedTech Outlook Magazine, Anzalone throws light on how medical device innovations for treating respiratory conditions are evolving and what the market stance is in that regard. 

What are some of the major challenges and trends impacting the respiratory devices space lately?

Competitive bidding has become a concern in the medical devices industry today, especially on the respiratory device's front. Most medical establishments implement competitive bidding strategies to reduce the cost of procuring medical products and services. However, this process pushes the price factor to a point where it suffocates or limits the potential to develop or produce progressive ideas. And we're left with a situation where low-quality or traditional treatments continue to be widely in use. As a result, the consumer base for technological advancements and innovations is shrinking.

However, a number of procedural-based alternatives are in the works that will help alleviate cost pressures brought on by competitive bidding, as clubbing medical device innovations with treatment procedures can follow a different reimbursement structure and method.

Could you mention some of the medical devices evolving in the market?

A number of standard methods that are used in other fields are now being effectively used for treating respiratory conditions and are getting a lot of momentum. For instance, the use of technologies that have been proven beneficial in cardiovascular or typical vascular situations demonstrates genuine therapeutic effectiveness in pulmonary or respiratory applications. There are also leading companies that manufacture interventional implants for COPD patients. These implants, by releasing trapped air in the lungs, assist in the control of COPD patients' breathing. 

"Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for improved respiratory devices and therapies has increased even more. From a commercial perspective, there is a huge opportunity to foster innovation and turn it into profit"

In the field of pain management and epilepsy, there's the usage of neuromodulation treatment, which is an electrical therapy that stimulates nerves, and it's been generally recognized for patients with respiratory problems who are resistant to drugs and don't react to medications. Many of these technologies are yet to be approved by the FDA, but they promise revolutionary approaches to treating respiratory conditions. And it has been a privilege for Integer to support many of these endeavors.  

The wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has further heightened the need for newer devices and treatments for respiratory conditions. From a business standpoint, there is an immense opportunity to promote innovations and translate that to profitability.

What does it take for medical device manufacturers to bring their innovations to the market?

It is critical for organizations to have a pool of physicians capable of putting newer medical devices into operation. Physicians can also facilitate clinical trials by providing referrals of patients who have failed regular therapy or who are ideal candidates for these procedures. As such, market research is required to obtain that referral, as well as in training physicians and surgeons who are capable of delivering novel treatments. 

What would be your advice to budding and evolving medical device companies and entrepreneurs?

In order to create and sustain a successful medical device/product, budding organizations must have a solid financial sponsor. When a start-up approaches us, we make sure that they have a solid strategy in place that will enable them to obtain funding. As for every aspiring entrepreneur with a brilliant business plan who wants to turn the idea into advanced medical equipment, it takes a long time and is quite expensive to produce. And to do so, you'll need a strategic sponsor, or another investor prepared to put money into the company and market the concept. Ultimately, aspiring entrepreneurs will be critical in moving the respiratory industry ahead in the future.