Medtronic’s Kowal on remote tech’s rebirth, SVB’s Norris delivers good news for VCs, CEOs

Dr. Robert Kowal, CMO of Medtronic’s cardiac rhythm and heart failure business and vice president of medical affairs, explains how new tech, savvy patients, eager physicians and, yes, COVID-19, has fueled a renaissance for remote technology, once seen as a mature, staid business. Dr. Kowal also shares an amazing story of a patient who may owe his life to a timely conversation between his pacemaker and cellphone. Jon Norris, managing director of healthcare at Silicon Valley Bank, delivers three big takeaways from his report on 2020 fundraising. Medtech venture capitalists and start-ups didn’t let the lockdown slow their fund-raising efforts, and their efforts were buoyed by surprising strong exiting opportunities through IPOs and M&A. Co-hosts Chris Newmarker and Tom Salemi review the medtech industry’s response to the riot and occupation of the Capitol building. This week’s #NewmarkersNewsmakers includes news from Smith & Nephew, Stryker, and the disappearing Haven.