Medical Device · Fractional CPO · $8K–$25K/mo
Medical device product strategy needs an embedded CPO, not a deck.
FDA pathways, clinical workflow, design controls, reimbursement — medical device product strategy is a continuous sequence of trade-offs that requires embedded judgment, not a six-week consulting engagement.
4,000+
Clinics on platforms we built
IPO
Product leadership to listing (A'alda)
75+
Products shipped
$140M+
ARR across products built
FDA SaMD Pathway Strategy
510(k), De Novo, or breakthrough designation — each path has different timeline, cost, and post-market profiles. We make product and architecture decisions that support a clean submission, working alongside your regulatory consultant to avoid choices that accidentally close off a faster pathway.
IEC 62304 & Design Controls
Software lifecycle processes that satisfy IEC 62304 and FDA design controls (21 CFR 820) without strangling engineering velocity. We define the software classification, risk management integration, and traceability matrices that auditors expect and developers can actually work with.
Clinical Workflow Integration
Most medical device features die during clinical implementation, not engineering. A workflow that adds 30 seconds to an 8-minute visit fails at scale. We structure user research, translate clinician feedback into roadmap decisions, and catch alarm-fatigue patterns before they ship.
Reimbursement & Payer Strategy
CPT/HCPCS code strategy, prior authorization workflows, and payer relationship management baked into product decisions from day one. A clinically excellent device that no insurer reimburses is a shelf product — we make sure product and commercial don't drift apart.
Build-vs-Buy for Regulated Infrastructure
QMS (Greenlight Guru, MasterControl), e-QMS for design controls, EDC for clinical evidence, post-market surveillance tooling — every infrastructure layer has a build-it or buy-it option. We make these calls with both regulatory context and product judgment.
Regulatory Product Process
We define the product development process that satisfies both FDA expectations and engineering reality — design inputs, design outputs, verification and validation planning, DHF structure, and change control workflows that don't require a three-week review cycle for a copy change.
| Dimension | Fractional CPO | Big Consulting Firm |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $8K–$20K/month | $50K–$200K per engagement |
| Time to impact | 2 weeks to embed | 6–12 weeks to deliverable |
| Regulatory depth | Weekly trade-offs across FDA, clinical, eng | Framework and recommendations in a deck |
| What you get | Shipped product decisions | Strategy deck |
| Duration | 12–24 months embedded | 6–12 week project |
| Engagement model | In your Slack, standups, design reviews | Weekly steering committee + email |
Weeks 1–2: Product audit
Roadmap review, clinical advisory feedback synthesis, regulatory pathway alignment, GTM and reimbursement assessment, product-team capability review. Output: written report ranked by business impact.
Weeks 3–4: 90-day plan
Three measurable product outcomes for the quarter, sequenced workstreams, research priorities, team and tool requirements, success metrics. Sign-off from CEO and clinical advisory before the retainer kicks in.
Months 2–6: Embedded execution
Roadmap ownership, customer and clinician research, product-engineering coordination, regulatory submission prep coordination, GTM and pricing decisions, board prep on product progress.
Months 6–24: Sustained engagement
Roadmap evolution as clinical data emerges, post-clearance product strategy, second-product line decisions, M&A diligence support, and hiring of the eventual full-time CPO when the company is ready.
Aesthetic Record · EMR Platform
Scaled to 4,000+ US clinics
4 years of product and technology leadership — platform strategy, clinical workflow optimization, HIPAA compliance, and team build-out for the leading aesthetic medicine EMR.
Read case studyA'alda · Veterinary Healthcare
Founding through Tokyo IPO
Product leadership from founding through IPO on the Tokyo Stock Exchange — veterinary healthcare platform across Japan and Southeast Asia.
Read case studyLife Imaging · Diagnostic Imaging
AI-powered diagnostic platform
Product and technology strategy for a diagnostic imaging platform applying AI to early cancer detection — clinical workflow integration and regulatory pathway planning.
Read case studyBuilding a medical device? Let's talk product strategy.
30 minutes. Three specific recommendations on your FDA pathway, product process, and team structure — whether or not we work together. No deck, no pitch — just judgment.
Book a Free 30-Min Strategy Call →