It’s been 23 years since Makower co-founded Stanford Biodesign alongside Dr. Paul Yock. They were instrumental in devising “The Biodesign Process” — used to teach students and industry leaders at Stanford and worldwide.
Makower is also the founder and executive chair of medical device incubator ExploraMed, which has launched 11 companies since 1995. His work has led to significant developments in the field — including the creation of NeoTract, maker of a device and procedure to treat an enlarged prostate; Acclarent, creator of devices for minimally invasive sinus surgeries; and TransVascular, which pioneered transvascular procedures. Teleflex, Johnson & Johnson, and Medtronic acquired the companies, respectively.
In addition, Makower was previously a partner at NEA’s healthcare practice. He currently holds positions on the boards of six companies and has over 300 patents and patent applications to his name.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have Josh on board. For more than 28 years, he has played a key role in the evolution of the medical devices field — and in the education of those who wish to create technology that will make patients’ lives easier,” Antoine Papiernik, chairman and managing partner at Sofinnova Partners, said in a news release.
Anne Osdoit, partner at Sofinnova Partners and a key figure in the firm’s medtech accelerator, highlighted Makower’s significant contributions to biomedical technology design. “Josh literally wrote the book on designing biomedical technology. He is a giant in the field, and will lend us a formidable presence in the United States as we expand our medical devices incubation strategy globally.”
Makower has an MBA from Columbia University, an MD from the NYU School of Medicine, and a mechanical engineering bachelor’s degree from MIT. His achievements are recognized by his membership in the National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Inventors, and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. In 2018, he was honored with the Coulter Award for Healthcare Innovation by the Biomedical Engineering Society.
