At the time of the search, LARALAB was an approximately 20-person, VC-funded MedTech start-up based in Germany and approaching a pivotal stage in its growth.
The business had built an advanced AI powered platform designed to improve the planning of minimally invasive cardiac procedures. By combining medical imaging, decision support and rapid eligibility checks, the technology enabled physicians to work with greater precision and efficiency. With CE marking and FDA clearance already secured, the company had proven both its innovation and its regulatory credibility.
Then came the next chapter.
Only a few months after the appointment of its new Head of Quality and Regulatory Affairs, LARALAB's acquisition by Abbott was completed. The timing placed the importance of the hire into sharp context: a small MedTech start-up was appointing the person responsible for Quality and Regulatory shortly before transitioning into one of the world's largest medical device organisations.
An organisation at a turning point
LARALAB had successfully navigated the demanding regulatory landscape of both the EU and US markets. However, its next stage of growth required stronger regulatory leadership, greater structure and the ability to operate effectively through significant organisational change.
The organisation needed a Head of Quality and Regulatory Affairs who could:
- Oversee EU and US registrations across all product lines
- Lead regulatory strategy under EU MDR and FDA frameworks
- Strengthen and scale the Quality Management System
- Act as the primary contact for regulatory and notified bodies
- Guide internal teams through audits and inspections
- Provide calm, confident leadership during integration
This was not simply a technical hire. It was a business-critical appointment.
The combination of technical, operational and location requirements made this an exceptionally specific search. Once every essential criterion was applied, the genuine candidate pool became very small and was concentrated within a limited number of relevant companies around Munich.
Defining the right profile
The ideal individual needed to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery. They would inherit responsibility for EU MDR, FDA submissions and ISO compliance, while also mentoring the team and embedding stronger systems for long term scale.
We conducted a detailed needs analysis to understand:
- Extensive Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) regulatory experience
- First-hand experience of writing complete 510(k) submissions from start to finish
- Experience working in a start-up or start-up-like environment, with an understanding of the mindset and pace required
- The ability and commitment to work onsite in Munich
- Combined with the leadership, EU MDR, FDA and quality-management requirements of the role, these criteria reduced an already specialist market to a very limited group of credible candidates.
A targeted and discreet search
Given the scarcity of suitable candidates, Taylor Lyons implemented a focused, proactive headhunting strategy across the relevant SaMD market, with particular attention to companies in and around Munich.
The search could not rely on advertising alone. Approximately 270 people applied online, but none offered the combination of relevant experience required. This reinforced the need to identify and approach specialists directly rather than wait for the right person to apply.
The proactive search delivered:
- 140 potential candidates identified
- 14 profiles shared with LARALAB
- 8 candidates interviewed by LARALAB
More than 30 candidate interviews conducted by Taylor during the search
Each potential candidate was assessed against the complete brief, including SaMD expertise, end-to-end 510(k) submission experience, start-up capability, leadership maturity and the ability to work onsite in Munich.
After dozens of conversations with professionals from competitors and other relevant companies, the search narrowed towards one of LARALAB's direct competitors in the SaMD space.
The eventual successful candidate was not actively looking for a new role. When Taylor first approached her, she was clear that she was not looking and would not consider another opportunity.
Rather than accepting the initial response and moving on, Taylor continued the conversation, explored what might genuinely interest her and encouraged her to have an initial discussion with LARALAB. She agreed to be introduced, the process developed from there and she ultimately accepted the position.
The appointment
LARALAB secured a new Head of Quality and Regulatory Affairs who precisely matched the specialist requirements of the role.
The successful candidate combined extensive SaMD regulatory expertise with hands-on experience of complete 510(k) submissions, start-up experience and the ability to work onsite in Munich.
Just as importantly, this was a candidate who would not have entered the process without persistent, informed engagement. The appointment demonstrates the value of specialist headhunting: understanding the market, earning trust and creating a conversation where no active job search existed.
She has since told Aspire that she remains extremely glad Taylor encouraged her to have that first conversation.
The impact
The appointment provided LARALAB with critical Quality and Regulatory leadership at a defining point in its development. Only a few months later, the company's acquisition by Abbott was completed, transitioning the approximately 20-person, VC-funded start-up into one of the world's largest medical device organisations.
The new Head of Quality and Regulatory Affairs continues to thrive within LARALAB and Abbott. She has helped maintain regulatory continuity, strengthen the function and support the continued advancement of the company's technology, including two FDA clearances.
Her remit has also grown: she has subsequently been given the opportunity to hire two additional people into her team, building further Quality and Regulatory capability within the organisation.
Conclusion
This search was more than a recruitment assignment. It was about safeguarding regulatory integrity at a defining moment in the company’s growth.
By going beyond active applicants and sustaining a credible conversation with a specialist who initially said she was not interested, Aspire secured the leader LARALAB needed for its transition into Abbott and its next stage of growth.
Meet the consultant
If your organisation is looking to strengthen its regulatory or quality leadership, reach out to Taylor to discuss how Aspire Life Sciences can support your hiring needs.
Taylor Lyons is a specialist MedTech recruitment consultant at Aspire Life Sciences, focused on supporting innovative medical device and health technology companies as they scale. He partners with organisations across Europe to identify and secure senior talent in regulatory affairs, quality assurance and technical leadership roles. With a strong understanding of the complex regulatory landscape across EU MDR and FDA frameworks, Taylor works closely with clients to deliver candidates who can strengthen compliance, support product approvals and enable sustainable growth. His consultative approach and deep network within the MedTech sector allow him to connect exceptional professionals with companies developing technologies that improve patient outcomes worldwide.