LIMITLESS Leaders Toolkit: Financial & Practice Strategy-Product Development and Industry Partnerships

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This episode of the Limitless Leaders podcast, hosted by Dr. Donna Tepper, explores how women in plastic surgery and industry turn clinical insight into innovation. Guests include Dr. Ann Pallid, Dr. Aldona Spiegel, and Keri Strom of AbbVie/Allergan Aesthetics.<br /><br />Dr. Pallid describes how her own breast cancer diagnosis led her to develop sensation-preserving mastectomy techniques with nerve preservation and allograft reconstruction, emphasizing patient quality of life, education, and team-based training with breast and plastic surgeons. She discusses the challenges of protecting a technique rather than a device and why she chose widespread teaching over strict commercialization.<br /><br />Dr. Spiegel shares her path from autologous breast reconstruction to developing patented shaped ADM products and other devices, including work inspired by her desire for better outcomes in implant-based reconstruction. She highlights the importance of intellectual property protection, institutional support, and learning innovation through trial and error.<br /><br />Keri Strom explains how AbbVie evaluates new products: unmet need, scientific validity, differentiation, regulatory pathway, and strategic fit. She outlines company pathways such as acquisitions, licensing, investment, and early-stage support programs like the Golden Passport.<br /><br />The conversation underscores collaboration between surgeons and industry to improve patient care and advance the future of plastic surgery.

Keywords

plastic surgery innovation

breast reconstruction

sensation-preserving mastectomy

nerve preservation

allograft reconstruction

intellectual property

medical device development

AbbVie Allergan Aesthetics

surgeon-industry collaboration

plastic surgery

women innovators

innovation

patient care

surgical education

clinical insight