Rare diseases require a different approach to innovation. When patients have limited time and treatment options, traditional clinical trial models aren't always enough. In his latest episode of the Med Tech Gurus podcast, Excelerant Consulting, LLC Partner Thomas Hickey sits down with Dr. Rob Freishtat to discuss how adaptive clinical trial designs, personalized medicine, mRNA therapies, and patient-centered research are transforming the future of rare disease treatment. With nearly 350 episodes, Med Tech Gurus continues to bring healthcare and medical device professionals conversations with industry leaders who are driving meaningful change. Listen to the latest episode below, and be sure to follow the podcast for new episodes each week.
Time is Lives! The Med Tech Gurus Perspective by Thomas Hickey This week's episode of Med Tech Gurus features Dr. Rob Freishtat, MD, MPH—physician, scientist, former President and Co-Founder of Uncommon Cures, and a recognized leader in rare disease clinical development and personalized medicine. Dr. Freishtat has spent his career challenging one of healthcare's biggest assumptions: What if the clinical trial—not the science—is what's slowing innovation? In our conversation, he explains why adaptive trial design, smarter collaboration, and patient-centered development are changing how therapies reach people living with rare diseases. Dr. Freishtat also makes a compelling case that commercialization should begin long before FDA approval. One statement from Rob has stayed with me: "Time isn't money. Time is lives." My Perspective I've been fortunate to interview hundreds of MedTech innovators, and one theme keeps emerging. The biggest breakthroughs rarely come from better technology alone. They come from people willing to challenge the way we've always done things. That's exactly what Dr. Freishtat and so many leaders in rare disease are doing. They're not just developing new therapies. They're redesigning the path that gets those therapies to patients. If you're a founder, investor, clinician, or anyone involved in MedTech or Biotech innovation, I think you'll find this conversation well worth your time. #MedTech #Biotech #RareDisease #ClinicalTrials #PrecisionMedicine #HealthcareInnovation #PersonalizedMedicine #DrugDevelopment #MedicalDevices #HealthTech