Catapult Product Development, a full-service medical device development firm, and Smithwise, a medical device developer, join hands in order to deliver prolonged medical device development capabilities to their current clients. In addition, Eric Sugalski, the Founder & President of Smithwise claims that an announcement regarding the joint firm name will be forthcoming.

Talking about the partnership, Sugalski, says, “I've long described us as partner organizations. We share the same values and mission, we serve the same customers, and we offer complementary strengths to device innovators. We'd like our customers and strategic partners to understand this merger is a meeting of the minds, not a case of one firm being absorbed by the other. We also want them to share our confidence that this relationship is already tried and tested—we've worked closely together for years across many different projects. In many ways, we're acknowledging a reality that's existed for some time and now we're formalizing it. There will be some new questions to resolve in the coming months but, overall, we're simplifying things for ourselves and our customers”.

The new firm will combine Boston area offices with no changes in the staff for the Boston or Philadelphia teams. Sugalski will serve as the CEO for the joint enterprise, whereas Andy Ziegler, the current President of Catapult will handle the COO and CTO roles. Even though, Smithwise and Catapult are into medtech industry, they focus on different areas, where Smithwise concentrates on mechanical engineering and industrial design, and Catapult’s expertise lies in deeper electrical and software. Waltham-based Catapult was founded in 2012 and it specializes in console-based diagnostic and therapeutic systems. Known for quickly delivering progressive yet practical technologies, Catapult creates flexible partnerships with clients with an objective to strengthen their teams and enjoy working with visionaries.

“Together, we'll be able to better serve our clients. Instead of regularly bringing the other team in as a subcontractor to supplement existing capabilities, we'll be able to make immediate decisions on project resourcing and expedite our response for clients. Eric and I began discussions last year after realizing that our clients will appreciate being able to directly leverage our combined expertise”, comments, Ziegler.

Founded in 2009, Smithwise team comprises of engineers, designers and strategists, helping innovators transform new medical technologies into real products. The company follows a phased product development process to commercialize new technologies with a focus on building value, risk reduction, design for manufacture and more