Episode 153: Stimulating Confidence by Solving Incontinence

After 20+ years as an academic physician, Karen Noblett was presented with a new opportunity: join Axonics as the company’s CMO. Originally, she was concerned about what her peers would think, as she had established a reputation of being ethically involved with industry and did not want to compromise that. Ultimately, she decided this presented a pathway to improving patient treatments and outcomes on a broader scale, so she accepted the position and has enjoyed the experience ever since. From helping the team build the final product to overseeing clinical trials to experiencing an IPO and finally to a successful commercial launch, Karen learned a great deal about the medical device industry. In this interview with host Geoff Pardo, Karen shares informative background on the physiology of overactive bladder and the various treatments available, including Axonic’s sacral neuromodulation device (a so called “bladder pacemaker”); recounts her transition from academia to industry; and reflects on some of her most influential mentors and how they affected her own leadership style.