After treating thousands of complex diabetic foot wounds and performing more amputations than he could count, Dr. Christopher Otiko returned to his biochemistry roots to solve a brutal clinical reality: systemic drugs often don’t reach the foot with enough efficacy, and the skin is an exceptional barrier to localized treatment. That bedside frustration became SkinPass, ViaDerma’s patented topical delivery platform designed to move actives through the skin using FDA-approved inactive ingredients.

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey is joined by Dr. Otiko, Director of Clinical Evidence Strategy and Scientific  Communications at Vera Therapeutics, to unpack his 16-year journey to a patent, the hard lessons about mentors and partners, and the ‘engineering, not medicine’ breakthrough that reframed the problem as building a bridge.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to recognize when a clinical problem is actually a business opportunity
• The FDA monograph pathway as a strategic shortcut for biotech founders
• How Dr. Otiko has maintained motivation through 16 years of setbacks, including a $40M patent lawsuit
• Why distribution partnerships with major retailers require giving up margin

Dr. Christopher Otiko is a physician, medical entrepreneur, and founder of ViaDerma, a biotechnology company focused on transforming how medicines are delivered through the skin. Dr. Otiko’s work began at the bedside, treating complex wounds, burns, and infections, where he saw firsthand the limitations of traditional drug delivery. That clinical insight led to the creation of ViaDerma’s patented SkinPass topical delivery platform, which is now being applied across wound care, dermatology, sexual wellness, general medicine, and beyond.
Disclaimer: Pharma Sessions is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Guest opinions are their own and do not reflect the views of the host or sponsors. Use of any information provided is at the listener’s own risk and does not imply endorsement of specific products or strategies.

Episode Highlights

• [00:00] Introduction
• [02:40] From 500 Amputations to a Breakthrough in Drug Delivery
• [04:54] The Core Problem with Systemic Antibiotics
• [07:48] The Cost of the Wrong Partners
• [09:27] Advice to Innovators
• [10:08] The Christmas Eve Turning Point
• [14:13] Mid-Roll Ad
• [15:01] The FDA Monograph Pathway Explained
• [16:55] Scaling Through Distribution Partners
• [19:03] Mission Over Margin
• [19:58] What’s Next

Episode Resources:

• ViaDerma Website: https://viaderma.com/ 
• Jonathan Kaskey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/ 
• XSUNT Corporation Website: http://www.xsunt.com/

 
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