The Healthtech Podcast

Hannah Madan joins us to share a rollercoaster journey of co-founding Prima Mente— an AI-driven neuroscience company building foundations models for the brain. This episode is packed with thought-provoking insights, including:— The biological hypothesis behind Prima Mente that "No one believed was true"— How Hannah made it by doing "just enough", not by being a top student— A baptism by fire— landing her first role as Chief of Staff and flying out for a YC launch party on her 25th birthday— Prima Mente's "Ecosystem plays" and atypical competitive strategies— Hannah's unique focus on the people she works with— deep personal understanding and fostering reflective behaviour — A decentralised vision for the future of healthcareConnect with Hannah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahmadan/Learn more: https://www.primamente.com/Apply to be a guest: www.thehealthtechpodcast.comSubscribe to Healthtech Pigeon 🐦: www.healthtechpigeon.comGet in touch with James: www.jamessomauroo.comChapters:00:00:00 Welcome to the Health Tech Podcast00:01:23 Uncovering Novel Biology in the Neurodegenerative Space00:02:03 Primemente's Integrated Approach: Clinical Studies, Wet Lab, and Machine Learning00:03:22 Early Life 00:04:38 Undergraduate Studies00:08:58 PhD Research: The Link Between Diet, Diabetes, and Bowel Cancer00:12:23 Chief of Staff at Cambridge Cancer Genomics (CCG) and YC00:15:10 CCG's Mission: Liquid Biopsies for Cancer Treatment Monitoring00:19:05 The Road to Prima Mente00:22:19 Establishing Team Culture: Communication, Self-Reflection, and Growth00:27:13 Scientific Hypothesis: Cell-Free DNA and Epigenetics in Neurodegenerative Conditions00:30:03 Technical Approach: Using Transformer Architecture and Foundation Models00:33:47 The Pleiades Model and Diagnostic Accuracy00:34:56 The Sandbox Study: Pushing for Earlier Diagnosis00:37:47 Future Strategy: Focusing on Novel Clinically Actionable Targets

This week, James is joined by Dr. Declan Kelly, founder of Eolas Medical, a platform tackling one of healthcare’s most overlooked problems: knowledge management.Eolas Medical helps clinicians access the right information instantly at the point of care. Used by NHS Trusts, clinical teams, and individual practitioners, the platform consolidates essential medical knowledge from trusted sources—guidelines, protocols, and internal documents—into one simple, intuitive system.Connect with Declan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/declan-kelly-484bb7187/Learn more: https://www.eolasmedical.com/Apply to be a guest: www.thehealthtechpodcast.comSubscribe to Healthtech Pigeon 🐦: www.healthtechpigeon.comGet in touch with James: www.jamessomauroo.com

Daniel Månsson, Chief Clinical Officer and founder of Flow Neuroscience, shares insights into the world of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as an innovative therapy for major depressive disorder. He discusses the promising safety profile of tDCS, comparing its efficacy to traditional antidepressants. Månsson also highlights the rigorous trials that validated its effectiveness and the potential of Flow's treatment as a first-line option for mild to moderate depression. Additionally, he explores the future of personalized mental health interventions.

Dan Jamieson, Founder and CEO of Biorelate, shares insights on leveraging AI for drug discovery. He discusses how his PhD led to a partnership with Pfizer, boosting their target proposal success. Jamieson explains the significance of connecting disparate research to unveil new hypotheses and the evolution of Biorelate’s services into a scalable licensing model. He emphasizes the crucial role of domain expertise in tackling complex biomedical challenges, while highlighting AI's ability to complement, not replace, human scientists in this innovative field.

Mark Kendall, a leading biomedical engineer and founder of WearOptimo, shares his groundbreaking insights on microneedle technology. He discusses the evolution from rocket vaccine delivery to wearable microneedles that monitor hydration in real time. Mark explains the significance of skin as a major indicator of hydration and how his innovative sensors outperform traditional blood draws in clinical trials. He also highlights the potential applications in sports and chronic care, emphasizing the need for early detection in health management.

Dr. Sonia Schamotsky, former A&E doctor and the innovative CEO of 32Co, shares her unique path in healthcare. She dives into the challenges of clinician adoption of new treatments and highlights the importance of trust and information flow in the healthcare system. Sonia discusses her platform that connects generalists to specialists, starting with dentistry and expanding into sleep health. She emphasizes that while AI is valuable, the human connection remains irreplaceable in delivering quality care.

Tomasz George, a PhD-trained longevity researcher and CEO of Freyr Health, dives into fascinating longevity science. He discusses the surprising rejuvenating effects of young blood on aged cells and the public fads surrounding its use. Tomasz highlights the importance of lifestyle choices, exercise, and diet in healthy aging, alongside interventions like gut health and managing stress. He also emphasizes the need for individuals to control their medical data, aiming to revolutionize how health data is managed and monetized.

In this engaging discussion, Steve Roest, the co-founder and CEO of PocDoc, shares insights on revolutionizing health diagnostics with smartphone-based blood testing. He explains how PocDoc's technology can detect cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and kidney issues using a simple finger prick. Steve highlights the importance of scaling preventative health outside GP surgeries and the innovative strategies that led to high uptake rates among patients. With a focus on real-world needs and integration with NHS pathways, PocDoc aims to democratize health screening.

In this conversation with Rachel Murphy, founder of The Grafter, listeners gain insights from her extensive experience in building and exiting healthcare companies. She discusses key strategies for founders to maximize their business value before an exit. Rachel highlights the importance of preparation, including creating a detailed data room and sell pack. She also shares her experiences navigating entrepreneurial challenges in the UK, the impact of politics on startups, and strategies for identifying valuable assets in the evolving healthcare landscape.

Olivia Burns, Founder of Hypoplas, is on a mission to revolutionize hospital gowns for sustainability and dignity. She shares her journey from living with a congenital heart condition to creating patient-centric designs. The conversation dives into the importance of including patient voices in healthcare innovation and the ethical implications of treatment experiences. Olivia also highlights how empowering patients can enhance healthcare outcomes and discusses the critical role of a Chief Patient Officer in bridging patient insights with AI technologies.