Kenneth G. Walz

CO-FOUNDER AND PARTNER

I co-founded Popper and Company more than twenty years ago to help life science companies at all stages of development and of all sizes address inefficiencies in health care. Along with my team members, I focus on helping clients develop and implement strategies that enable the application of technology and processes to improve health care in novel ways, often through the establishment of relationships with industry partners. I see the vast inefficiencies in the health care system as rich opportunities with great potential to be exploited by disruptive technologies and non-traditional business models.

I’ve spent nearly 25 years in the life science and medical device industries in business development and finance roles and have broad experience in the structuring and negotiation of collaborative arrangements, strategy development, and financial planning and analysis. I assist early-stage companies in all aspects of financial planning and business development and track the impact of new technologies and mobile medical applications on how health care is practiced.

Previously, I was employed as VP, Commercial Development at MDS Proteomics where I led the negotiation of a $50-million research collaboration with a leading biopharmaceutical company. Before that, I managed business planning and analysis for BDGene (a unit of Becton Dickinson & Company), playing a lead role in the evaluation of alliance candidates, creation of a business development strategy, deal valuation and structuring, and negotiation of agreements.

I’m a father of four and an avid fan of all sports (hockey most of all). I enjoy exercising my creative side through photography and music.

I hold a Master’s of Science in finance from Loyola College of Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.