Admission: Non-Member= $99     SoCalBio Member= $50   Academic/Gov./Nonprofit= $50

Obesity is a growing problem and an increasing danger to public health. Here are some facts:

• The CDC estimates that almost one-third of all American adults are obese

• Approximately 10 million Americans are morbidly obese

• The CDC estimates that 300,000 Americans die each year from causes linked to obesity

• The NIDDKD estimates that 80% of Type II Diabetes cases are related to obesity

• It is estimated that the cost of obesity on the health care system has been more than $63 billion since 1999. 

As the medical need for obesity treatment has become so acute, numerous approaches have been pursued to target obesity. Many of these approaches have been developed in the "uber" image-conscious Southern California market. Examples include ultrasonic liposuction devices by Mentor Corporation of Santa Barbara, the LapBand by Bioenterics of Carpinteria which was absorbed by Inamed (now part of Allergan Medical), and an implantable and removable sleeve that mimics the mechanisms of gastric bypass surgery without the risks associated with that procedure, a device now under development by ValeTx of Carpinteria. 

This SoCalBio forum will showcase another device-based approach under development by a Southern California company: Reshape Medical (San Clemente). Reshape is providing a minimally-invasive treatment of morbid obesity by developing a balloon to be inserted in the stomach to give a sense of fullness, reduce food intake and, consequently, trigger weight loss over a period of time. This device is undergoing clinical studies. 

Reshape Medical's presentation will be followed by a lively panel discussion. Panelists will explore the business development, regulatory, reimbursement, and competitiveness issues surrounding device-based approaches (surgical and non-surgical) for managing obesity, particularly in the current environment where emphasis is placed on cost containment and increasing the efficiency of healthcare delivery. This forum promises to deliver a very interesting and informative discussion.

Fred Cahn, Ph.D., CEO, Biomedical Strategies LLC

Neal Kaufman, M.D., M.P.H., Founder and CEO, DPS Health

Tom Kinder, CEO, Bariatric Advantage, Inc.

Monica Welling, Atheln, Inc.

Roger Zickfeld, Managing Director, Zickfeld Advisors