March 9, 2024

Revolutionizing Drug Development: Toban Zolman's Journey from Electronic Submissions Pioneer to CEO of Kivo

In the interview, Don Davis PhD, MBA talks to Toban Zolman about his company, Kivo. Zolman takes us through his impressive journey of over 20 years in life sciences and the transformation he has witnessed in the industry. He further details the...

In the interview, Don Davis PhD, MBA talks to Toban Zolman about his company, Kivo. Zolman takes us through his impressive journey of over 20 years in life sciences and the transformation he has witnessed in the industry. He further details the services of Kivo, stating that the company helps businesses involved in life sciences, specifically those developing clinical trials for pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotech companies, to streamline and optimize their processes. 

He specifically speaks about the significant shift in the industry from large pharmaceutical companies running drug trials to now being dominated by smaller companies without a product in the market yet. Regarding emerging trends, Zolman anticipates artificial intelligence will have a transformational impact on the industry. He also highlights the importance of knowing when to say "no" and making definitive decisions based on customer's needs, aligning company focus to customer growth, and maintaining transparency in their operations.

 

5 Key Points: 

  • Toban Zolman is the CEO of Kivo, with over 20 years of leadership experience in developing, deploying, and validating computerized systems for clinical trials.
  • Zolman's career began in the early 2000s at an electronic submission company, pioneering the transition from paper to electronic submissions for pharmaceutical companies globally, impacting 47 out of the top 50 Pharma companies in 16 countries.
  • At Kivo, Zolman leverages his extensive background to innovate in life sciences by integrating technology and regulatory best practices to support emerging companies in developing and marketing new drugs efficiently.
  • Kivo stands out in the life sciences space by blending deep clinical and regulatory experience with enterprise SaaS expertise, offering a unique approach to accelerating drug development and approval processes.
  • Zolman emphasizes the importance of adaptability, saying no to maintain focus, and the potential transformative impact of AI on drug development, viewing it as both an intimidating and exciting challenge for the future.

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