How can a full-time academic surgeon launch not one, but two successful health tech companies? This episode features one of the leading physician innovators, Dr. Jim Daniero, who shares the real story of how he went from a traditional NIH-funded academic path to a serial entrepreneur. We uncover the "aha" moments and chance encounters that led him to found two startups while maintaining his clinical practice, tackling the core challenge of how to translate medical ideas from the lab to the bedside.
In this deep dive, Dr. Jim Daniero, a practicing laryngologist at the University of Virginia, details his incredible journey and provides a playbook for other doctors with an entrepreneurial itch. He explains how getting involved with the Cville BioHub and angel investment groups provided him with a crucial education in commercialization. We explore the origin story of RefluxRaft, a company born from identifying a gap in the market for effective, accessible non-pharmaceutical solutions to reflux. Dr. Daniero discusses how he built the company around a platform of patient education and trust, creating an over-the-counter alginate product that has resonated with consumers. This story is a masterclass in translating medical research into products with a low regulatory burden. We then shift to his second venture, SonoFx, which takes a more traditional biotech route. Dr. Daniero shares the challenges and long timelines involved in developing novel biomaterials for vocal fold injury, a project that started with university research and NIH funding. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Daniero offers invaluable advice on balancing clinical practice with entrepreneurship, emphasizing the power of building strong teams and finding alignment between his university duties and his founder roles. This is a must-watch for any physician or academic considering a leap into the startup world.
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Dr. Jim Daniero is a practicing laryngologist and faculty member at the University of Virginia. A serial entrepreneur, he is the co-founder of SonoFx, a company developing hydrogel-based devices for vocal fold injury, and RefluxRaft, which provides a non-pharmaceutical alginate solution for reflux. Dr. Daniero is also a board member of the Cville BioHub and serves as a venture advisor for UVA Innovates, guiding other faculty members through the startup process. He shares his story of how he continues to balance his full-time clinical and academic duties with his passion for innovation and entrepreneurship.
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Introduction to the Physician Innovators Series
(01:43) Dr. Daniero's Journey: From Academic Surgeon to Founder
(04:40) The "And" Not "Or": Still a Full-Time Faculty Member
(05:10) Origin of RefluxRaft: A Chance Encounter & A Market Need
(07:25) Building a Brand on Education and Trust
(11:04) The Story of SonoFx: Translating Medical Research into Products
(12:15) Developing Biomaterials for Vocal Fold Injury
(14:20) Balancing Clinical Practice with Entrepreneurship
(16:20) Final Advice for Aspiring Physician Innovators
(17:50) What is a UVA Wahoo?