Richard Meiklejohn is an Innovation Leader at UMASS Medical Device Development Center and Biotech Incubator (M2D2), which has facilities in Lowell and Worcester. M2D2 helps small medtech companies by providing access to world-class researchers and resources at the UMass Lowell and the UMass Medical School campuses of the University of Massachusetts. Richard told MFN about some of the innovations coming from M2D2, and how he got there.
Q: How did you end up working in the medtech ecosystem?
A: I’m originally from Scotland and have been here for about four years. I joined M2D2 about two years ago. My background is in real estate, which includes running a property management company for about 10 years. I also did a lot of economic development work through management consulting projects. This led me to M2D2, where we’re heavily involved in economic development.
Q: What mission and goals drive your work at M2D2?
A: M2D2 exists to help early-stage medical device, biotech, and digital health companies. Our goal is to get their innovative products into health care as quickly as possible, assisting them from idea to market.
Q: How is medtech a unique niche?
A: Medtech is complicated—with a lot of regulation, risk, and stakeholders involved. Even after getting FDA approval, you still need to get your product into the hands of doctors. We try to partner with stakeholders as early as possible to build relationships. We’re also part of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and work with the Digital Sandbox to help early-stage companies.
Q: Could you share a success story from the companies you’re working with?
A: In the program we started two years ago, we’ve worked with 70 companies. They’ve collectively raised $60 million since finishing the program. We focus on diversity, with 74 percent diversity across our founders.
We work with all kinds of companies. One we’re working with right now is using infrared light and AI-driven software for early detection of breast cancer. It’s a really amazing technology that could change the future of breast cancer detection.
Q: What makes Massachusetts a strong hub for tech development?
A: Massachusetts has a unique combination of educational institutions, like UMASS Lowell and the entire UMASS/state university system, and passionate entrepreneurs. That combination makes it a hub for entrepreneurship.
Q: What informs your own work with M2D2 and the companies it serves?
A: I’m mission driven. This work feels personal and has the potential to impact many lives, from our annual $200K challenge to our IMPACT accelerator program. It’s great to connect these promising founders with space, resources, and funding opportunities.
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