66. Challenges of Building a Medical Device Startup for Underserved Populations w/ Sona Shah
In the latest episode of our podcast, I had the pleasure of hosting Sona Shah, an inspiring entrepreneur dedicated to transforming healthcare access in low and middle-income countries through her venture, Neopenda. As a pioneer in designing medical devices tailored for resource-constrained environments, Sona's journey is a testament to passion and perseverance in the face of overwhelming challenges. We kicked off our conversation by diving back into Sona's formative years at Columbia University, where she crossed paths with Tess Cohen, her co-founder, during a biodesign course. It was there that the seeds for Neopenda were sown, motivated by the staggering rates of newborn mortality in low-income regions. Their mission was clear: to develop medical devices that could withstand the unique constraints of these communities, such as unreliable electricity and challenging climates.
The road to developing Neoguard, Neopenda's flagship product, was anything but smooth. Sona shared the myriad complexities that come with launching a medical device, including the rigorous regulatory requirements and the critical need for a robust product market fit. Her journey underscores the importance of investing in a strong quality management system early on, even when resources are sparse.
Sona's perseverance and the adaptability of her team were further tested during the COVID-19 pandemic, which opened unexpected avenues as well as challenging hurdles. It was a period marked by a near-death experience for Neopenda due to funding pressures but also by the significant opportunity to adapt and prove their technology's relevance.
To aspiring social entrepreneurs, Sona's advice is clear: identify a problem worth solving and commit to it wholeheartedly. Her story exemplifies the dedication needed to forge a path in uncharted territories, inspiring others to join the mission of making healthcare more equitable across the globe. As Sona and Neopenda continue to expand their impact, their journey remains a powerful narrative of innovation, resilience, and a deep-seated commitment to societal change.
For those interested in supporting Neopenda or learning more about Sona and her work, visit their website at neopenda.com and subscribe to their newsletter for the latest updates.
Sona’s path to global health entrepreneurship began when she earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Tech (2011), and subsequently worked as an engineer in Bioprocess Research and Development at Eli Lilly and Company. She followed her passion for service to Kenya, spending time as a teacher and an Engineering Without Borders volunteer. Sona’s interest in aiding under-resourced communities continued during her research involvement with mChip, a point-of-care diagnostic device for HIV and syphilis developed at Columbia University. She also worked at the TB Alliance, both in community engagement and drug discovery for medications that treat tuberculosis. Sona completed a master’s in biomedical engineering at Columbia University (2016) before launching Neopenda, where she works to develop impactful healthcare solutions, and sustainably deliver them to the world’s most vulnerable populations.
