From Researcher to CEO: Upma Sharma Is Transforming Arsenal Medical

Upma Sharma joins us for this episode of Let's Talk Medtech to discuss how Arsenal Medical is developing biomaterials that are changing the way medicine is practiced. Sharma also discusses her evolution from a researcher to CEO of a medtech company.

Here is the transcript of the episode.

Well, good afternoon, Upma, and welcome to Let's Talk Medtech.

Sharma: Thank you, Omar. I’m very excited to join you for this conversation.

Great! I want to dive into the work Arsenal has been doing recently. But before that, let’s talk about your career and how you became involved in healthcare and the medical device industry.

Sharma: Sure. I’m an engineer by training, and I’ve always been interested in creating something new. As a chemical engineer, I found myself particularly drawn to chemistry. During my junior year in college, while working on a class project involving pipe sizing, I began to question my path in chemical engineering because I wasn’t enjoying it. That same week, a professor gave a lecture about his research into new materials for medicine. He was exploring ways to deliver insulin orally by creating materials that responded to the varying pH levels in the stomach and intestines. I found that incredibly fascinating. I started researching with him, and that experience really shaped my career. It combined my passion for innovation with a mission-driven approach, and I’ve always loved working at the intersection of medicine and engineering.

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That’s amazing. Now, let’s focus on your transition from a research scientist to a CEO. I can relate to that shift, although I’m not a research scientist or CEO. I started as an editor and now serve as Editor-in-Chief at MDDI, so I’ve experienced a leadership transition myself. It’s quite different when you move from being part of the team to leading it. How was that transition for you at Arsenal?

Sharma: I feel very fortunate to have had great mentors and supporters during that transition. I was probably one of the last to realize I would end up in a leadership role. Several people recognized my potential as a leader long before I did. For me, it was always about identifying what needed to be done and learning from it. I didn’t initially set out to be a CEO, but in a startup environment, you often have to take on various roles and responsibilities. My interest in learning and my background in teaching helped me in this transition. I always enjoyed helping others realize their potential, and that aspect of leadership resonated with me. Even though I didn’t see myself as a CEO initially, it turned out to be a role that allowed me to harness the strengths of a team while continuing to learn and grow.

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That’s a great perspective. Many great leaders don’t set out to be CEOs but are shaped into the role through their experiences. Speaking of shaping, let’s discuss the impactful work Arsenal has been doing. One of your foundational products is the ResQFoam. Can you tell us more about its development?

Sharma: Certainly. When Arsenal was founded, our team had experience with companies like Moderna and Genzyme, which harnessed materials and chemistry to improve vaccines and biologics. We realized that medical devices often repurpose household materials. For example, the first artificial heart was made from a woman's girdle, which wasn’t ideal. Our goal at Arsenal is to design products with the patient and clinician in mind from the start.

The ResQFoam addresses trauma, a leading cause of death, especially in patients under 40. Think of it like a temporary fix for a flat tire. In a car accident, if your tire goes flat, you use a fix-a-flat product to get you to a gas station. Similarly, in the case of a severe abdominal injury, ResQFoam can be administered into the abdominal cavity to slow bleeding, buying time for the patient to reach a surgeon. The foam, which is injected as a two-part system, expands and applies pressure to the bleeding site, allowing for treatment. This product has been designated as a breakthrough device by FDA, and we've conducted extensive preclinical evaluations.

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 That’s fascinating. Now, let’s talk about Neocast. What’s going on with that, and how does it fit into your product line?

Sharma: When we started showing ResQFoam to different medical professionals, there was significant interest in using a similar material for brain surgeries. Brain tumors are highly vascular and can cause severe symptoms, requiring surgical removal. The idea behind Neocast is to use a material that fills the tumor and stops blood flow before the surgical procedure, making it less invasive. The material can reach deep into the tumor, reducing bleeding and potentially lowering the chance of tumor recurrence. Our recent first-in-human data showed promising results, such as reduced surgery times and less blood loss.

Data is crucial, and it’s great to hear you have some positive results. How has the data been received so far?

Sharma: The data has been very well received. While the concept of filling tumors with material isn’t new, previous materials often contained toxic solvents. We aimed to create a material that we would be comfortable using for ourselves or our loved ones. Our material’s performance and safety have been well received by the medical community, and we’ve seen strong interest from both physicians and other companies.

Incredible. What trends are you seeing in the biomaterial space? What’s catching your eye that might not be widely reported?

Sharma: The field is evolving from mechanical materials to ones that mimic native tissues and incorporate advanced chemistry. There’s a growing focus on regenerative medicine and 3D printing to create large, vascularized structures that resemble tissues and organs. These innovations represent the future of biomaterials and could significantly impact medical treatments.

That’s very insightful. Finally, what career advice would you give to someone just starting out in healthcare and the medical device industry?

Sharma: One key piece of advice is to prioritize learning and passion for what you’re doing. Early on, it’s easy to focus on titles, salaries, and career speed. However, if you’re genuinely excited about learning and growing, those other factors will fall into place. Additionally, for engineers and technical professionals, don’t neglect soft skills like self-awareness and empathy. These skills will enhance your career satisfaction and effectiveness.

Awesome advice. Upma, thank you for joining us on Let's Talk Medtech. I really appreciate your time.

Sharma: It was my pleasure. Thank you for having me.