Ali Samiian - The Hidden Barrier That Kills Neurotech Startups
About this episode
Ali Samiian discusses the critical role of reimbursement in the success of neurotech startups.
In this episode of the Neural Implant Podcast, host Dr. Ladan Jiracek speaks with Ali Samiian , founder of Poplar Access Advisors , about one of the most overlooked challenges in neurotechnology and medical devices: reimbursement. Ali has spent over 20 years working across pharma, medical devices, and neuromodulation, including leadership roles at Abbott, Novartis, and Cala Health, where he helped secure reimbursement for a first-in-class wearable neuromodulation therapy for essential tremor. In this conversation, Ali explains why FDA approval alone is often not enough for a company to succeed, and why coding, coverage, and payment strategy must be considered from the earliest stages of device development. The discussion covers reimbursement strategy for neurotech startups, how clinical trial design impacts commercialization, lessons learned from Cala Health, home-use neuromodulation, CMS and Medicare pathways, and why many promising neurotechnology companies fail despite having strong science and working products. Key Takeaways 1. FDA approval does not guarantee commercial success. Many neurotech startups mistakenly believe FDA clearance is the finish line, when reimbursement is…
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