Revolutionizing Drug Delivery: The Portal Instruments Story
Patrick begins by sharing his journey, starting as a native of France who found his passion and entrepreneurial spirit in the United States. Now a proud American, he’s been particularly drawn to the vibrant innovation landscape in the Boston area, home to prestigious institutions like MIT, where he completed his PhD. He then takes us through the fascinating origins of Portal Instruments’ groundbreaking technology, which was born out of the pioneering work of his PhD advisor at MIT.
Overcoming Needle Phobia: A Look at Needle-Free Technology
The key insight was understanding why mosquito bites are relatively painless – it’s because their proboscis is extremely thin, about the size of a human hair. The team at MIT explored ways to create micro-needles that would be small enough to be virtually painless but found the materials science challenge too difficult. They ultimately realized that eliminating the needle altogether and using high-pressure jets to deliver the drug would be a better approach, creating a “virtual needle” that is so thin the patient barely feels it.
Patrick explains that while the pediatric market with kids needing injections for vaccines or growth hormones is an obvious use, the team at Portal Instruments recognized that the real opportunity lies in chronic diseases requiring frequent injections of expensive biologic drugs, such as for conditions like Crohn’s, colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. These patients and the pharmaceutical companies producing the drugs have a strong incentive to find a better drug delivery solution.
The Science Behind Pain-Free Injections
Patrick highlights the key challenges faced in bringing a new medical device to market, focusing on the lengthy and rigorous regulatory process, as well as the pharmaceutical industry’s cautious and slow adoption of new technologies. However, he points out that successfully navigating these hurdles creates a significant barrier to entry for competitors.
He also credits his prior experience, particularly his time working under the mentorship of industry legend Stan Lapidus, as invaluable preparation for his role as CEO of Portal Instruments. Patrick describes Lapidus as a tough but fair leader who provided a formative learning experience that shaped his approach to leadership.
A Day in the Life of a MedTech CEO
Patrick describes a typical day as CEO as a dynamic blend of setting the company’s strategic direction, rallying investors and the team around that vision, and continuously fundraising to drive growth. He likens the fundraising process to dating, emphasizing the need for perfect alignment between the company and potential investors to ensure success.
Making a Difference: The Mission of Portal Instruments
Looking ahead, Patrick is fully focused on the mission of bringing Portal Instruments’ first product to market, rather than dwelling on what might come next. His greatest pride comes from working on a meaningful problem that has the potential to make a real difference in people’s lives, which he views as the ultimate source of satisfaction and purpose in his career.
Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-anquetil-780787/
https://www.portalinstruments.com/
Topics discussed:
1. Revolutionizing Drug Delivery: The Portal Instruments Story
2. Overcoming Needle Phobia: A Look at Needle-Free Technology
3. The Science Behind Pain-Free Injections
4. Changing the Game for Chronic Disease Treatment
5. Navigating the Regulatory Landscape in Medical Device Innovation
6. Lessons Learned from Industry Legend Stan Lapidus
7. A Day in the Life of a MedTech CEO
8. The Challenges and Joys of Startup Fundraising
9. Making a Difference: The Mission of Portal Instruments
10. Connecting with Patrick Anquetil: Insights from a Healthcare Innovator