From Lab to Launch: Leading Innovation and Technical Execution in Complex Product Development

Ways of Working

Sreeram Balasubramanian

Senior Director- Ceramics R&D

Glidewell Dental Laboratories

About the Presentation

In today's fast-paced, regulated industries, project managers must do more than track progress—they must lead innovation to execution. This session equips PMs with tools and strategies to manage complex R&D programs in medical device development, where technical rigor, compliance, and cross-functional alignment are critical. Drawing on over 25 years of technical leadership, the presenter shares how PMs can build trust across functions, coach technical teams, and navigate the balance between innovation and execution. Learn how to structure phase-gate governance, integrate regulatory planning early, and balance speed, quality, and cost across the development lifecycle. You’ll walk away with practical frameworks—execution checklists, decision tools, and stakeholder maps—that empower you to drive outcomes in high-stakes environments. Perfect for PMs ready to lead confidently at the intersection of innovation and real-world delivery.

Learning Objectives:

·         Define structured execution paths that align technical, regulatory, and business requirements.

·         Coach and influence technical teams to collaborate with stakeholders and deliver on customer-focused innovation.

·         Apply real-world strategies to navigate R&D, IP creation, regulatory planning, and process scale-up.

·         Balance speed, quality, and compliance using structured planning and risk management strategies

About Sreeram Balasubramanian

Sreeram Balasubramanian, PhD, PMP, is a seasoned Technical Leader with over 25 years of experience driving R&D strategy, technical program management, and cross-functional execution in the medical device and advanced materials industries. In his role as Senior Director-R&D at Glidewell Laboratories, he has led teams in developing novel materials, creating intellectual property, optimizing manufacturing processes, and navigating regulatory pathways for new product launches of Bruxzir®, the most prescribed brand of dental zirconia,. Known for his ability to bridge the gap between engineering and business, Sreeram excels in guiding diverse teams through complex challenges, mentoring emerging leaders, and delivering innovative, market-ready solutions. His technical background spans ceramic processing, analytical characterization, process control and equipment validation—making him a unique voice at the intersection of science and leadership.