Can Strategic Partnerships Save Diagnostics Innovation? Robert Carlson

In this episode of Diagnosing Dx, David Filby is joined by Robert Carlson, Founder and President of Life Science Dx Consulting.

Robert brings 30 years of experience across diagnostics and life sciences, spanning scientific, commercial, corporate development and executive leadership roles.

He explains why early-stage diagnostics companies should think about partnerships much earlier, not only as a source of funding but as a way to build credibility, strengthen commercial strategy and create new routes to market.

The conversation also covers reimbursement, market access, investor expectations and why strong science alone is rarely enough to build a successful diagnostics company.

Key takeaways:
🔹 Why diagnostics founders should consider partnerships before they urgently need them
🔹 How strategic partnerships can strengthen a future fundraising story
🔹 Why fear around IP, dilution and losing control can hold founders back
🔹 The importance of understanding reimbursement and market access early
🔹 Why commercial strategy should develop alongside the science

Chapters:
00:56 Introduction and Robert Carlson’s background
05:40 Why partnerships matter in early-stage diagnostics
12:19 Using partnerships to strengthen fundraising
14:51 Why founders hesitate to partner early
19:29 IP, control and the fear of being locked in
25:29 Why great science alone isn’t enough
28:43 Reimbursement, regulatory strategy and investor expectations
35:18 Building the right commercial strategy from the start

Guest: Robert Carlson
Founder and President, Life Science Dx Consulting
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertwcarlsonsr/

Host: David Filby
Founder and CEO of Elevra Consulting
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidfilby/

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