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Synopsis
| EZ Guard is a new medical
device for use in vascular operations to prevent loosened
debris from blocking small distal blood vessels in the brain
and the heart. When a surgeon deploys a stent in a clogged
artery in the patient, plaque debris can be released into
the blood stream leading to stroke or heart attack. The market
for protection devices like EZ Guard is large and current
competiting devices are flawed and difficult to use, by physician
standards. As well, there are numerous applications aside
from saphenous vein graph revascularization and carotid stenting
in which EZ Guard would prove to be useful. The EZ Guard business
plan presents a sound opportunity in the interventional cardiology
device market and includes detailed financial and marketing
plans. |
Discussion
questions
1. Research the FDA approval process for
medical devices online. What has made EZ Guard more attractive
as a business opportunity in terms of overcoming regulatory
hurdles? What precedents have paved the way for EZ Guard?
2. Analyze the team, the opportunity, the context and deal
for EZ Guard using Sahlman's model in Figure . In your opinion,
what is the greatest risk for EZ Guard? Why and how should
this risk be mitigated?
3. What markets is EZ Guard focused on? Who is their initial
target customer? What are the strengths and weaknesses of
their marketing strategy?
4. Flesh out the business plan. Who do you anticipate will
be critical partners for EZ Guard? Will they manufacture and
distribute their devices in house or outsource this expertise?
What will the role of major medical device companies such
as Medtronic (producer of Percusurg) and Guidant in the success
of EZ Guard?
5. EZ Guard anticipates the need for $5M to start and then
$10M in FY2 in funding. What type of investors should they
approach for this funding? Put yourself in the shoes of a
potential investor. If EZ Guard came to you with their business
plan, what are the main questions you will ask?
6. Who would you like to see on the Board of Directors of
EZ Guard? Who would you like to seen on the Board of Advisors
of EZ Guard? |
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