From Kerala to Pittsburgh: Manush Saydmohammed’s Journey in Wound Healing Innovation

In this episode of The Uprising Show, host Vivek sits down with Manush Saydmohammed, Ph.D., MBA, co-founder and CEO of ZEGENEX Inc., a Pittsburgh-based startup developing innovative wound healing solutions. Manush shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings in Kerala, India, through a career in biomedical research across India, Japan, and the US, to becoming an entrepreneur driven by the desire to translate cutting-edge science into real-world medical solutions.

The conversation dives into how the COVID-19 pandemic inspired Manush to transition from academic research to the world of startups, and explores the science behind ZEGENEX’s groundbreaking small-molecule cream designed to accelerate healing in chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers. Manush candidly discusses the challenges of moving novel therapies from the lab to the clinic, the importance of patents and collaboration, and the regulatory hurdles unique to new drug entities.

They also touch on the exciting future of health tech, from AI-accelerated drug discovery to gene editing and personalized medicine. Manush closes by sharing personal insights on entrepreneurship, including the importance of mindset, adaptability, and the inspiration he draws from innovators like Mark Cuban. Whether you’re passionate about science, startups, or healthcare innovation, this episode offers an inspiring look into the entrepreneurial journey and the potential to make a real impact in patient care.

Timestamps:

00:00 From Kerala to the US: Research Journey

04:24 Navigating Transitional Unlearning

07:08 Pioneering Treatment for Chronic Wounds

11:44 Product Success: Feasibility and Viability

16:04 Zebrafish: Ideal Heart Regeneration Model

19:45 Patents Ensure Product Credibility

22:43 New Drug Device Regulatory Pathway

26:46 AI in Drug Discovery

30:27 Stem Cell Industry Exploration

31:33 Diabetic Foot Ulcer Study Phases

36:50 Change Habits, Mark Cuban Inspiration

38:30 "Challenging Fundraising, Hopeful Future"

Innovating Wound Healing: Insights from Manush Sayyid Mohammed, CEO of ZEGENEX

Biomedical innovation is rapidly reshaping patient care, and this episode of "The Uprising Show," host Vivek sits down with Manush Saydmohammed, CEO and co-founder of ZEGENEX. Based in Pittsburgh, Manush shares his inspiring journey from academic research in Kerala, India, to pioneering a wound healing startup in the United States. The episode delivers actionable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, health tech enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of science and business.

From Researcher to Entrepreneur

Manush’s story begins in the southern Indian town of Kollam, where academic excellence was the main path to success. After earning his PhD in Mumbai and conducting postdoctoral research in Japan, he moved to the U.S. in 2008. For years, Manush rode the high of academic achievement, publishing in top-tier journals like Nature, but by 2019, he experienced a mindset shift.

"Many scientific discoveries in universities do not add value to patients if they're not commercialized," Manush explains.

The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst, highlighting the real-world impact scientific innovation can make - IF it reaches patients. To bridge his scientific background with business acumen, Manush pursued an Executive MBA in Healthcare at the University of Pittsburgh, setting a textbook example of reskilling to meet entrepreneurial challenges.

ZEGENEX: Transforming Wound Healing

ZEGENEX, a University of Pittsburgh spin-off, targets a pressing problem: non-healing wounds like diabetic foot ulcers. According to Manush, current advanced therapies are expensive, often limiting patient access to just 6% of those in need. ZEGENEX is developing a topical cream with proprietary small molecules that accelerate the body’s healing by stimulating growth factors, potentially slashing treatment costs and boosting accessibility.

The startup’s pre-clinical studies are promising, showing faster wound healing in animal models. The path to market, however, isn’t simple: strict FDA regulations and the challenge of raising capital for lengthy clinical trials remain ever-present.

"The biggest challenge is the long cycle of raising capital and regulatory approval," he shares.

Nevertheless, Manush remains optimistic that technological advancements, especially in AI, will help streamline drug development and regulatory processes in the coming years.

The Impact and Vision

The stakes are high: every year in the U.S., 150,000 diabetic amputations occur, with dismal five-year survival rates post-surgery. ZEGENEX’s innovation could dramatically shift these outcomes by promoting faster and more effective wound healing for a large, underserved population.

Looking ahead, Manush envisions applications beyond diabetic wounds, such as burns, lacerations, and even post-surgical recovery. The versatile nature of their small-molecule treatment makes scalability feasible, opening doors to broader tissue regeneration advances.

Broader Trends in Health Tech

Throughout the episode, the conversation broadens to cover pivotal trends in healthcare:

• AI-Driven Drug Discovery: Manush highlights the use of AI for rapid molecule screening, expediting early-stage drug identification.

• Personalized Medicine: With tools like CRISPR and organ regeneration techniques, treatment paradigms are shifting to tailor therapies for individual patients.

• Telehealth and Robotics: These technologies, accelerated by the pandemic, are here to stay, offering better access and operational efficiency in healthcare delivery.

Final Thoughts: Advice for Entrepreneurs

For aspiring founders, Manush underscores the need for a mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur and recommends building habits that promote organizational change. Good advice from someone who’s navigated both worlds!

"You have to forcefully inculcate that change for seven days: then it becomes a habit," he says, referencing lessons from the book “The Power of Habit.”

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