Leading with Courage and Compassion — with David Esposito of ONL Therapeutics
What does it take to lead innovation where the stakes are nothing less than preserving human sight?
In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with David Esposito, President and CEO of ONL Therapeutics—a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran turned biotech leader—to explore how courage, humility, and purpose-driven leadership can transform both organizations and lives.
From the battlefield to the boardroom, David shares how a lifelong commitment to service has guided his leadership through global pharmaceutical companies and early-stage biotech ventures now working at the frontier of retinal disease and vision preservation.
From Combat Leadership to Biotech Innovation
David’s leadership foundation was forged early—in the U.S. Army. The lessons he carried forward were simple, but enduring: leaders set the tone, model belief in the mission, and stay prepared for the unexpected.
“Plans rarely unfold exactly as intended,” David explains. Whether navigating battlefield uncertainty or clinical trial data, adaptability and decisiveness remain critical.
Those principles became essential as he transitioned into healthcare, where complexity, risk, and long timelines demand calm leadership and unwavering focus.
Leaving Big Pharma to Chase the Edge of Innovation
After more than 15 years in large pharmaceutical organizations, David made a pivotal choice—to move into entrepreneurship.
The reason wasn’t dissatisfaction, but growth.
Large organizations, he explains, are designed to optimize and protect existing systems. Innovation, however, increasingly lives in early-stage companies born from academic research and bold ideas. David wanted to be closer to that edge—where learning is constant and impact is direct.
The move came with clarity and humility. “It’s a lot harder than it looks,” he admits. Success depends not only on science, but on the people and networks capable of carrying that science forward.
Leadership in Small Teams: No Place to Hide
Having led both global enterprises and lean startups, David highlights one defining difference: accountability.
In early-stage companies, decisions must be fast and clear. There are no layers to absorb mistakes—and no ambiguity about ownership.
That reality requires leaders to balance decisiveness with support. Accountability is non-negotiable, but so is understanding what each team member needs to succeed under pressure.
A Mission Rooted in Service
David’s sense of purpose evolved naturally from military service to healthcare innovation.
Both paths, he says, are about serving something larger than oneself.
At ONL Therapeutics, that mission centers on patients facing progressive vision loss—a deeply human challenge. For individuals slowly losing sight, fear often outweighs physical pain. Preserving vision isn’t just medical innovation; it’s protecting independence, identity, and quality of life.
That calling fuels David’s energy and leadership every day.
Inside ONL Therapeutics: Protecting Retinal Cells
ONL’s groundbreaking technology emerged from the University of Michigan, where clinician-scientist Dr. David Zacks sought a better answer for patients with retinal diseases.
Unlike skin cells, retinal cells do not regenerate. Once they die, vision loss becomes permanent.
ONL’s approach targets a specific receptor on retinal cells—the FAS receptor—that triggers cell death when activated by stress or disease. By blocking that pathway with a novel peptide therapy delivered via intraocular injection, ONL aims to prevent cell death at its source.
Simply put: more living retinal cells mean better preserved vision.
Clinical Trials: Progress, Patience, and Precision
ONL is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials, involving hundreds of patients across the U.S. and Europe.
Running trials at this scale is operationally complex—aligning regulatory requirements, protocols, and global study sites. But for David, one moment stands above all others: dosing the first patient.
“Patient number one is always special,” he says. “That person is trusting us with their future.”
That responsibility reinforces ONL’s relentless focus on quality, safety, and attention to detail.
Sustaining Teams Through Long, Uncertain Journeys
Biotech innovation is a marathon filled with uncertainty. To keep teams motivated, David returns to purpose.
ONL’s vision—helping patients see the future—is more than a slogan. It’s reinforced through constant communication and one-on-one leadership, ensuring each individual understands how their daily work contributes to the mission.
When people know they matter, resilience follows.
Redefining Success in High-Risk Science
In an industry where most innovations never reach market, David defines success differently.
Success is moving the science forward—even if the final outcome isn’t commercialized. Each step builds knowledge others can carry further.
Equally important is people.
Watching team members grow, stretch into new roles, and reach their potential is, for David, a lasting measure of impact.
The Role of Humility and Trusted Networks
Biotech leadership can be isolating. David emphasizes the importance of humility and trusted peers—people who understand the grind and can offer perspective when setbacks occur.
Building those relationships starts with generosity: showing up for others long before you need support yourself.
“No one does this alone,” he says. “It’s always a team effort.”
Compassion as a Leadership Imperative
Beyond science, ONL’s work demands compassion.
Protecting vision requires flawless execution—from product quality to trial protocols—because mistakes have permanent consequences. That seriousness carries into company culture, where empathy and care are essential in a high-pressure environment.
David’s work with Harvest Time Partners and his children’s book series, The Principles of Our World, reinforce values like courage, sacrifice, and compassion—principles he believes are just as critical in boardrooms as they are in childhood.
Advice for Leaders: Clarity and Connection
David’s guidance for leaders striving to balance courage and compassion is straightforward:
First, be clear about the mission. People rally behind purpose.
Second, help individuals see how they fit into that mission. Leadership isn’t broadcast—it’s built through conversation, presence, and trust.
“When people know they matter,” David says, “they’ll walk the hard road with you.”
🎧 Listen to the full conversation with David Esposito on Industry Ignited
👉 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2514972
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