On This Episode Of The Public Health Epidemiology Conversations (PHEC) Podcast
Our guest has been instrumental in developing a revolutionary non-surgical diagnostic test for endometriosis and is passionate about improving women’s health globally. In this episode, Somer Baburek, MBA joins us to share how her innovative entrepreneurial career journey overlaps with public health. Somer currently serves as President, CEO, and Co-Founder of Hera Biotech, a company focused on commercializing this non-surgical endometriosis diagnostic test. Prior to founding Hera, Somer spent seven years as the Director of Clinical Operations for Santalis Pharmaceuticals and also worked in venture capital. In this episode, she explains how her company developed a diagnostic test for endometriosis, how it works, and where it is in terms of pilot studies, funding, and FDA filings. To hear how Somer envisions the impact of this product on helping women with endometriosis globally, how she became so passionate about improving women’s health, and her advice to anyone interested in working in this industry, tune in today!
Meet Somer Baburek
Somer currently serves as the President, CEO, & Co-Founder of Hera Biotech, a women’s health company focused on commercializing a non-surgical diagnostic for early detection of endometriosis. Prior to founding Hera, Somer, spent seven years as the Director of Clinical Operations for Santalis Pharmaceuticals where she built out the clinical program at the company. During her tenure, Santalis expanded its clinical program from a single IND to four active INDs; and from 2 domestic clinical trials to over 10 clinical trials, including 2 international trials. In addition to her work at Santalis, Somer also worked for the Targeted Technology Fund (TTF), San Antonio’s largest life science venture capital fund, where she participated in due diligence on potential investments and served as a board representative, as needed. During her time with the TTF organization, Somer earned her MBA with a specialization in Data Analytics, from Louisiana State University. Prior to her work with the Targeted Technology Fund and Santalis, Somer attended the University of Texas San Antonio where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in entrepreneurship and was the winner of the prestigious C.I.T.E. (Center for Innovation Technology and Entrepreneurship) annual student competition, with a women’s health technology she invented.
Listen To This Episode Of The Public Health Epidemiology Conversations (PHEC) Podcast
Conversation Highlights
An introduction to Somer Baburek and her career background.
Why she named her company Hera.
How Somer first became interested in women’s health.
The medical device she invented, inspired by the birth of her daughter.
Somer’s passion for endometriosis and developing a non-surgical diagnostic for this condition.
How this diagnostic test works.
Insight into the approval process for this diagnostic that is currently underway.
Somer’s next goal for this product and insight into the timeline.
How Somer envisions the impact of this product on helping women with endometriosis globally.
One of Hera’s biggest challenges right now: finding a scientific advisory board member with a bioinformatics background.
How the understanding of public health helps Somer have a bigger impact.
Somer’s advice to anyone interested in working in this industry: find a passion point.
Somer's Career Advice To Public Health Students and Graduates
“Find a passion point — whether that’s a specific patient population, whether that’s a specific disease itself — and build from there.” — Somer Baburek
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