Ruben is the VP of Development at Corium International. He has more than 15 years of industry and leadership experience in several successful high-risk projects; first in energy services and then in drug delivery. He co-founded StrataGent Life Sciences where he helped developed a needle free, wearable infusion pump that was honored with a 2010 Edison Award for Best New Product. StrataGent was acquired by Corium International in 2007. Prior to StrataGent, Ruben was a Senior Fellow in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan, where he helped solve key issues in the commercialization of implantable, micro-machined neural drug delivery devices. This resulted in the first successful clinical trial of its kind and the creation of two startup medical technology companies. Previously, at Schlumberger, he led a team in investigating the real-time control of producing hydrocarbons, and transferred the resulting technology from research to operations, leading to an immediate recovery enhancement for two major energy companies. Ruben has a M.Eng. from Imperial College, London University, and a M.Sc. and Ph.D. from MIT.
The commercial success of a new drug delivery technology depends on a series of technical, clinical, regulatory, management and market factors. This presentation will illustrate examples of drug delivery products that were developed and launched in a startup environment with mixed development and commercial outcomes. They include implanted Class III devices and minimally invasive combination products. The journey from ideation to concept to fundraising and product scale-up will be presented and the (often painful) lessons learned discussed.
