Dr. Prashant Kumar Jha | Nahush Pharmaceuticals
The medical field is constantly innovating, with new technologies emerging to improve patient care. The battlefield surgeon. The emergency room physician. The paramedic racing against time. These are the heroes who fight to save lives every single day. One crucial area of focus is blood loss control. Hemostatic agents, like bandages and clotting materials, play a vital role in emergency situations and surgeries, often determining a patient’s outcome. The hemostatic agent market has established players and new ventures vying to create the most effective and efficient solutions. But what if there was a better way? Nahush Pharmaceuticals Private Limited, a company on the verge of revolutionizing blood loss control. Led by the distinguished Dr. Prashant Kumar Jha, a material science and engineering Ph.D.,
Nahush Pharmaceuticals is driven by a mission to create lifesaving medical solutions. Founded in 2023, Nahush Pharmaceuticals is built upon Dr. Jha’s groundbreaking invention, Chloro-Chitosan. This innovative material is the cornerstone of their flagship product, InstaStop, a hemostatic bandage poised to become a game-changer in the medical field.
Dr. Jha’s background is as multifaceted as his approach to business. His academic foundation, with a Ph.D. from Stony Brook University and an engineering degree from the National Institute of Technology, Raipur, fuels his passion for innovation. Recognized by the National Academy of Inventors (USA), Dr. Jha doesn’t limit his expertise to the lab; he leverages his knowledge for social good.
We are bringing you an exclusive interview with Dr. Prashant Kumar Jha, featured in our prestigious “Most Innovative Business Leader of the Year 2024” edition, sharing his insights and the story behind ‘Nahush Pharmaceuticals’ revolutionary hemostatic bandage, InstaStop. We’ll delve into the science behind the product, its potential impact, and the journey of a passionate entrepreneur who dared to think outside the box. Stay tuned for an exclusive interview filled with valuable lessons for aspiring business leaders and a glimpse into the future of blood loss control.
Tycoon Insights: Brief us on the inception story of the company.
The inception story of Nahush Pharmaceuticals really began during my Ph.D. studies. I was researching material interactions for environmental applications, but then I had this breakthrough with Chloro-Chitosan Seeing its potential to save lives in the medical field, I knew I had to take it further. That’s when the idea of Nahush Pharmaceuticals was born in 2012, with the mission of developing a hemostatic bandage using this innovative material. But making a molecule in laboratory setting and on industrial scale is quite different. It’s been a journey of relentless research and development into various aspects of production, but incredibly rewarding. We have reached a stage where we can make as much Chloro-Chitosan as needed. The company was incorporated in 2023. We’re now on the cusp of bringing InstaStop, our hemostatic bandage, to the world, and I’m truly excited about the impact it can have.
Tycoon Insights: Being a business leader, is your story of struggle any different from others?
In terms of struggle, every entrepreneur’s journey is unique, but there are certainly common threads. Building a business from the ground up requires immense dedication. In my case, navigating the world of material science research and then translating that into a medical product demanded a vast skillset. There were times when the science itself was challenging, and then there were the regulatory hurdles and the need to understand the intricacies of the medical device market. Wearing many hats—researcher, inventor, businessman— definitely had its moments!
But the potential impact of InstaStop kept me going. Knowing this technology could save lives fueled my perseverance. So, while the specifics of my struggle might differ, the core challenges—the long hours, the moments of doubt, and the need for constant adaptation—are probably familiar to most business leaders.
Tycoon Insights: What kind of clients do you serve? Any special mentions?
InstaStop is designed for medical professionals on the frontlines. This includes first responders, surgeons, and emergency medical personnel. They need a hemostatic bandage that works quickly and effectively in all kinds of situations, from battlefields to emergency rooms to accident sites. Our goal is to get InstaStop into their hands so they can save lives.
The second group comprises of people with severe diabetes, people on blood thinners and other clotting issues. They have to endure blood oozing out from even small puncture for many minutes. This is unacceptable and needs to change. For them we will being InstaSTOP with adhesive. This will also be useful for general population as part of first aid kit specially in household with kids. We believe every drop of blood is precious and should be saved.
Tycoon Insights: How do you keep up with the changing market trends?
The field of medicine is constantly evolving, and so are our competitors. To stay ahead, we prioritize staying informed about new research and market needs. This allows us to refine InstaStop and ensure it remains at the forefront of hemostatic technology.
Tycoon Insights: Do you believe R&D is essential for the growth of the company?
Absolutely. Innovation is at the core of Nahush Pharmaceuticals.Our hemostatic technology needs to stay ahead of the curve, and that requires continuous R&D. It’s not just about developing InstaStop but also exploring its potential applications and improvements. This focus on research is what fuels our growth and ensures we can deliver the best possible blood-loss control solutions. For example we are exploring modified cellulose for blood-stopping application as well as for burn cases.
Tycoon Insights: How necessary do you feel it is to keep your employees content? How do you ensure it?
A happy and motivated team is essential for success. We foster a collaborative environment that values open communication and celebrates achievements. We also invest in professional development opportunities to keep our employees engaged and growing with the company.
Tycoon Insights: Who do you look up to, and what do you convey further to the ones who look up to you?
I draw inspiration from innovators who dared to push boundaries. But for those looking at me, the message is this: Don’t be afraid to pursue your ideas, even if they seem unconventional. Challenges are inevitable, but with perseverance and a focus on realworld impact, your innovation can become a life-saving reality.
Tycoon Insights: What message do you want to give to those leaders who give up on their dreams because of stereotypes?
Don’t be discouraged by stereotypes. Focus on the potential impact of your vision and the lives it can improve Perseverance and a commitment to your idea can overcome any obstacle.
Also if you keep slogging, eventually you will also find support. Like I found support from AIC-BV foundation and StartUP-India programme.
Tycoon Insights: What does the company hold for it in the future (plans)?
The future of Nahush Pharmaceuticals is all about bringing InstaStop to the world. Right now, we’re finalizing preclinical trials and securing CDSCO approval Here we will like to thank ICMR, Niti Ayog, CDSCO and everyone else associated with MedTech Mitra initiative, they are helping us in approval process. It’s an exciting time! Once we have that green light, we can focus on wider production and getting InstaStop into the hands of medical professionals. This technology has the potential to revolutionize blood loss control, and I can’t wait to see the impact it has on saving lives.
Tycoon Insights: What milestones and achievements does the company boast of?
We’ve definitely had some key milestones at Nahush Pharmaceuticals. First and foremost, our trials on rabbits showed a very promising 80% reduction in blood loss—a testament to the potential of InstaStop. This success allowed us to initiate trials at the Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ), a major step towards real-world application.
But scientific achievement is only half the story. We’ve also made significant progress in scaling up the production of Chloro-Chitosan, the innovative material powering InstaStop. This ensures we’ll be able to meet the future demand for this life-saving technology. Finally, securing the patent for the Chloro-Chitosan formulation protects our intellectual property and allows us to keep innovating in this field These milestones give us a strong foundation for the future, and we’re excited to keep pushing the boundaries of hemostatic technolog.
