2014 Summer Intern Matthew Thames

Published:
Matthew Thames is a 2010 alumnus of the College of William and Mary. He is currently pursuing a dual degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and the Darden School of Business.

Overview & Goal: US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval is expected for the use of MR-guided focused ultrasound treatment of essential tremor. I worked with Robert Spekman, PhD, of the Darden School of Business to analyze the current market landscape and propose a launch strategy for this new device.

We identified strategies for the successful launch of a disruptive Class III therapeutic medical device in the United States. We used the journey of InSightec as an example of which launch strategies are most likely to be effective in the U.S. medical device market.

Results/Findings/Outcome: We thoroughly analyzed how a new therapeutic device will fit into the current market, including barriers to entry, the purchase decision process, and the roles of various stakeholders.

“I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Kassel speak to the Healthcare Club at Darden last year. As an MD/MBA student, I was intrigued by both the revolutionary medical innovations, as well as the Foundation’s role in expediting these advances in the healthcare industry.” – on why he was initially interested in working with the Foundation

“This summer I am enrolled in clinical rotations to complete the medical school portion of my MD/MBA, but have been able to join the Foundation on a part-time basis to complete my research project. This flexibility has allowed me to work independently with the supervision of Dr. Spekman, who has been of great assistance in providing me guidance for the project. I have attended other Foundation events and functions as able and have greatly enjoyed learning more about both the medical technology and the collaborative efforts to facilitate its acceptance and use.” – on his experience as a FUSF intern

“The Foundation team members are very friendly and have valuable insight to share for a wide array of projects, so don’t hesitate to seek their guidance early and often.” – on advice for the 2015 summer interns