DCB Innovation Challenge 2023: Meet This Year’s Mentors!

Derek Brandt
DCB, CEO

Strong Pharma-, Biotech and Medical Device know-how, T1D for the past 35 years. Derek’s mentoring focus is on vision, strategy, positioning & R&D of medical devices.

Maren Schinz
DCB, Innovation Manager

Ph.D. in molecular medicine, T1D for more than 15 years, patient entrepreneur. Specialized in product launches, branding strategies, co-creation and patient networks.

Greta Ehlers
DCB, Business Scout

T1D for 20 years. Strong connection & insights into the user perspective/patient community and strong experience in digital communication, branding and marketing.

Simon Schwaighofer
DCB, Business Development

Medical device launches in start-ups/scale-ups – from late prototype stage to launch plan; business development and B2C/B2B sales.

Stefanie Hossmann
DCB, Clinical Research Scientist

Background in neurobiology, strong experience in clinical evaluation planning and conduct, regulatory affairs and quality managment.

Martina Rothenbühler
DCB, Project Leader Data Sciences

Strong experience in clinical development, trial design, clinical evaluation for health authorities (MDR, FDA) and clinical validation of machine-learning algorithms.

Stefanie Hofer
DCB, Clinical Research Physician

Medical Doctor, Diabetes Specialist and T1D. Stefanie’s mentoring focus lies in Clinical Research, Clinical Trial Strategy and reaching target patients & HCPs.

Cordelia Trümpy
DCB, Innovation & Communication

Business economist and nutrition specialist with more than 20 years of experience in the HealthTech market, at the intersection between science, technology and customer/patient.

Myriam Tinner
DCB, Product Manager

Background in Marketing, several years of experience in medical device product development, requirements definition, validation and global roll-outs and launches.

Ema Grabenweger
DCB, Innovation Manager

M.A. in Business Consultancy Int., 10+ years in MedTech industry corporates & start-ups, go-to-market strategies, regulatory affairs, product launch ex-cellence, global marketing.

Michael Schoemaker
Medical Devices Industry Expert

20+ years experience in MD industry on development of CGM devices, covering all aspects from early research to manufacturing, clinical studies and launch activities.

Valentin Splett
Life Sciences Innovation Consultant

13+ years experience in consulting in life sciences innovation. Valentin’s mentoring focus lies on commercialisation, reimburse-ment, sales, business model and funding.

Paul Senn
Pharma & MedTech Consultant

Pharma and MedTech Consultant. In the industry for 30 years. Strong experience in developing and launching drug products, drug/device combinations and devices in major markets.

George Stark
MedTech Specialist

MedTech specialist, sales manager and business developer for insulin pump and CGM technology. T1D for 14 years, specialized in team management, strategic goal planning & sales effectiveness.

Aurelie Moser
Life Sciences Innovation Consultant

Deep expertise in business model, commercial, access & pricing strategy. Enabling start-ups to reduce time between technology or idea discovery & significant investments or first paying customers.

Walter Esser
Strategy Consultant & Coach

Founder of EuSoftSkills, T1D Dad, Mentor & Trainer. Specialising in Vision, Strategy, Positioning, People & Team, Decision Making and Pitch Optimisation. 

Sabine Nieba
Regulatory Expert

20 years experience in medical device and software, IVD and regulatory affairs quality management. Supporting start-ups in implementing regulatory strategies, QMS and writing submission dossiers.

Lee Leichter
Medical Device & Pharma Consultant

50 years experience in health care industry; 30 years consulting business, scientific, regulatory and quality issues relating to drug delivery & combination products for marketing in the USA/EU/CAN.

Mark Duman
Market Access & Patient Engagement

30+ years experience in combining a management consultant, clinical, & patient background; supporting organisations in market access, patient engagement & digital therapeutics.

Sanjay Gohil
Market Access 

20+ years in diabetes in Pharma, MedTech & Digital health industry working with start-ups/SMEs. Utilising experience, & network to enable market access to improve system and patient outcomes.

Heinz Müller
Patent Expert

20+ years as patent expert at Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property; regular lecturer in biochemistry (University of Basel) and intellectual property law at several Swiss universities.

Hanna Boëthius
Community & Diabetes Expert

T1D for 38 years, international speaker, patient leader, consultant and mentor with a MSc in Diabetes.

Hanne Ballhausen
Project & Community Expert

6+ years project management experience in NGO, science and research, healthcare, communication and media. Project manager of the OPEN project.

Laura Burlando
Community & Diabetes Expert

Patient Advocate, living with type 1 diabetes, deeply involved in the Diabetes Online Community, and passionate about co-creation and representation of the patient voice at every step.

Leon Tribe
Technology & Diabetes Expert

Technology Solutions Advisor & diabetes blogger/researcher. T1D for 6+ years, first class honours degree in quantum physics, MBA in strategy and leadership; participant of the DCB Innovation Challenge 22.