Health Tech: Dr. Stella Vnook Of Likarda Biotech On How Their Technology Can Make An Important Impact On Our Overall Wellness

An Interview With David Leichner

Research and Collaboration: Partnering with dental researchers and healthcare providers ensures that our treatments meet real-world needs and integrate seamlessly into clinical practice.

In recent years, Big Tech has gotten a bad rep. But of course many tech companies are doing important work making monumental positive changes to society, health, and the environment. To highlight these, we started a new interview series about “Technology Making An Important Positive Social Impact”. We are interviewing leaders of tech companies who are creating or have created a tech product that is helping to make a positive change in people’s lives or the environment. As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Stella Vnook.

Dr. Vnook is a biopharmaceutical executive with 25+ years of leading innovative improvements to global clinical product portfolios from development through commercialization. She is an innovative leader and serial entrepreneur who has co-founded multiple biotechnology companies and a strategic consulting firm that advises companies and Universities on how to build a successful biotech company. Dr. Vnook is the CEO of Likarda Biotech and a Founder of OralBioLife, Dialysis Biosciences, and ACG Group. Stella also represents numerous organizations as an Advisor or a Corporate Board Member. Vnook serves as a Business Advisor to Rutgers University, UPenn, Penn State Invent, Georgetown University, OSU School of Medicine Innovation, and Christiana Healthcare as well as a Strategic Advisor for multiple Venture Firms. Before becoming a founder and CEO, Stella mastered numerous leadership roles within Pharma, including Merck & Co., Jazz Pharma, and Catalent. She launched numerous groundbreaking drugs, managed diverse teams, and transformed numerous companies to improve profitability, optimize ROI, and enhance sales performance.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit more about you. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory and how you grew up?

I grew up in Belarus during a challenging time, shaped by the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster and the restrictions of a communist regime. These early experiences instilled in me a drive for resilience and a deep appreciation for freedom and opportunity. My parents, particularly my mother, sacrificed greatly to bring us to the United States as refugees, seeking a better life. These formative years taught me the value of perseverance and the importance of pursuing meaningful work that can make a difference in people’s lives.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

One of the most compelling stories in Oral BioLife’s journey involves our innovative approach to treating periodontal disease (PD) and promoting bone growth through technologies like Ambrilux Dental Gel. This treatment is particularly significant for individuals predisposed to PD, such as those exposed to radiation therapy or those with conditions like diabetes, which can exacerbate oral health issues. By enhancing bone regeneration directly at the site of infection, we’ve seen firsthand how our technology not only improves oral health outcomes but also enhances the quality of life for many affected individuals. The ability to restore bone and gum tissue in these vulnerable populations underscores the transformative potential of our treatments in addressing complex healthcare challenges.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” This quote is often attributed to Winston Churchill and has been a guiding principle throughout my journey. It reminds me to persist through challenges, learn from setbacks, and maintain a relentless focus on achieving our goals in healthcare innovation. Every obstacle we face is an opportunity to learn and grow stronger.

You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

• Vision: Having a clear vision has been instrumental in guiding OBL’s initiatives toward groundbreaking advancements in cell therapy delivery.
• Adaptability: The ability to adapt to industry shifts and technological advancements has allowed us to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
• Empathy: Understanding the needs of patients and healthcare providers has been crucial in developing solutions that truly address unmet medical needs, ensuring our innovations have a meaningful impact on health outcomes

Ok super. Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion about the technology or medical devices that you are helping to create that can make a positive impact on our wellness. To begin, which particular problems are you aiming to solve?

At Oral BioLife, our focus lies in pioneering treatments for periodontal disease using advanced biotechnology. Our innovative solutions aim to regenerate bone and gum tissue directly at the site of infection, thereby improving oral health outcomes and reducing the need for invasive surgical procedures.

How do you think your technology can address this?

Our technology addresses the significant challenge of treating periodontal disease effectively. By developing treatments like AmbriLux Dental Gel, which promotes tissue regeneration, we aim to offer patients non-surgical alternatives that enhance treatment accessibility and efficacy compared to traditional methods.

Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause?

The inspiration behind Oral BioLife’s mission stems from recognizing the severe impact of periodontal disease on global health. Witnessing the limitations of existing treatments motivated us to innovate solutions that not only address the root causes of oral infections but also contribute to overall healthcare advancement.

How do you think this might change the world?

Our technology can revolutionize oral healthcare globally by providing effective, non-invasive treatments for periodontal disease. By improving oral health outcomes, reducing systemic health risks associated with untreated periodontitis, and enhancing patient quality of life, we aim to alleviate the global burden of this prevalent condition.

Keeping “Black Mirror” and the “Law of Unintended Consequences” in mind, can you see any potential drawbacks about this technology that people should think more deeply about?

While Ambrilux Dental Gell offers substantial benefits in periodontal treatment, we must navigate challenges such as regulatory compliance, scalability of production, and ensuring long-term safety and efficacy. Addressing these considerations ensures our innovations meet rigorous standards and maintain patient safety and confidence.

Based on your experience and success, can you please share “Five things you need to know to successfully create technology that can make a positive social impact”?

Research and Collaboration: Partnering with dental researchers and healthcare providers ensures that our treatments meet real-world needs and integrate seamlessly into clinical practice.

Ethical Responsibility: Upholding ethical standards throughout development ensures patient welfare remains paramount, contributing positively to healthcare outcomes.

Accessibility: Ensuring affordability and global accessibility of Ambrilux Dental Gel promotes equitable oral healthcare access, benefiting diverse patient populations worldwide.

If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?

I encourage young people to pursue careers in healthcare innovation because of the profound impact they can make on society. By harnessing their passion and creativity, they can drive meaningful advancements that address global health challenges and improve the quality of life for millions.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

I would love to have a private lunch with Dr. Jennifer Doudna, a Nobel Prize-winning biochemist who co-discovered CRISPR-Cas9, a revolutionary technology for genetic engineering. Dr. Doudna’s work has had profound implications for medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. A private meal with her would provide an opportunity to discuss the future of genome editing, ethical considerations in biotechnology, and the potential of CRISPR technology to address global health challenges.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

Readers can follow our journey and stay updated on OBL’s innovations through our company’s website and social media channels. We regularly share insights, breakthroughs, and updates on how our technology positively impacts periodontal treatments and patient outcomes.

Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational, and we wish you continued success in your important work.

About The Interviewer: David Leichner is a veteran of the Israeli high-tech industry with significant experience in the areas of cyber and security, enterprise software and communications. At Cybellum, a leading provider of Product Security Lifecycle Management, David is responsible for creating and executing the marketing strategy and managing the global marketing team that forms the foundation for Cybellum’s product and market penetration. Prior to Cybellum, David was CMO at SQream and VP Sales and Marketing at endpoint protection vendor, Cynet. David is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Jerusalem Technology College. He holds a BA in Information Systems Management and an MBA in International Business from the City University of New York.