Exploring the Intersection of Technology and Healthcare to Transform Lives at Every Cure
Grant Mitchell discusses Every Cure’s mission, challenges in health tech entrepreneurship, impact assessment, future innovations, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Grant Mitchell, MD, MBA, exemplifies the essence of innovation and leadership in the dynamic fields of health technology and life sciences. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Every Cure, Dr. Mitchell has dedicated his career to transforming the landscape of drug repurposing, utilising advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to identify new therapeutic uses for existing medications. His extensive background, marked by a successful tenure as Principal in Analytics at McKinsey & Company’s QuantumBlack, highlights his ability to integrate cutting-edge technology with real-world healthcare solutions. At QuantumBlack, he led groundbreaking efforts in using machine learning algorithms and real-world evidence databases to predict health outcomes, paving the way for more personalised and effective treatments.
Dr. Mitchell’s journey into the world of rare disease research and drug repurposing is deeply personal and profoundly inspiring. His collaboration with Dr. David Fajgenbaum, a close friend and former roommate, during their medical and business school years, was a turning point. Witnessing Dr. Fajgenbaum’s battle with Castle-man disease—a rare and life-threatening disorder—highlighted the limitations of existing treatments and underscored the urgent need for innovative solutions. Dr. Fajgenbaum’s successful use of an existing drug to save his own life revealed the untapped potential of drug repurposing, igniting a shared mission that culminated in the founding of Every Cure.
Every Cure stands as a beacon of hope for patients with rare and neglected diseases, driven by a mission to harness artificial intelligence to systematically identify and fast-track the repurposing of existing medications. Dr. Mitchell’s vision is to transform drug repurposing into a swift and dependable process, ensuring that patients without current treatment options can access lifesaving therapies promptly. Under his leadership, Every Cure has made remarkable strides, repurposing 18 drugs for diseases they were not initially intended for, saving tens of thousands of lives in the process.
In this exclusive interview with Entrepreneur Prime, Dr. Mitchell delves into the inspirations, challenges, and triumphs that have defined his journey. He shares candid insights into the complexities of launching multiple health tech companies, from navigating regulatory environments to securing essential funding and integrating advanced technologies into healthcare systems. Dr. Mitchell’s story is one of resilience and strategic acumen, demonstrating how building strong partnerships with government agencies, academic institutions, and philanthropic organisations can overcome the industry’s inherent challenges.
Moreover, Dr. Mitchell discusses the profound rewards of his work, particularly the tangible impact on patients’ lives. Each success story fuels the passion and dedication of the Every Cure team, motivating them to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in drug repurposing. He also outlines the ambitious future developments for Every Cure, including plans to make their AI-platform publicly available and to integrate larger, more diverse datasets to enhance predictive accuracy.
For aspiring entrepreneurs in the health tech and life sciences sectors, Dr. Mitchell offers invaluable advice: focus on creating value through patient outcomes and scientific advancement, understand the regulatory landscape, foster adaptability and resilience, and maintain a human-centric approach to innovation. His journey underscores the transformative power of visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to improving patient lives.
Grant Mitchell’s remarkable contributions to healthcare innovation and his unwavering commitment to tackling rare diseases make him a true pioneer in the field. His work at Every Cure is not only advancing medical science but also providing hope and solutions to countless patients worldwide. This interview offers a glimpse into the mind of a visionary leader whose efforts are shaping the future of healthcare.
Can you share the inspiration behind founding Every Cure and the mission you aim to achieve with the organisation?
The creation of Every Cure was deeply influenced by my personal experiences with my close friend and former roommate, David Fajgenbaum, during our medical and business school years. David faced a life-threatening battle with Castleman disease, a rare and severe disorder that highlighted the severe limitations of existing treatments. In an inspiring turn of events, David used an existing drug in a novel way to save his own life, revealing the immense potential of repurposing already approved drugs to meet critical medical needs. Motivated by this success, we established Every Cure nearly a decade later with a focused mission. We aim to harness the power of artificial intelligence to systematically identify and fast-track the repurposing of existing medications, specifically targeting rare and neglected diseases. Our goal is to transform drug repurposing into a swift and dependable process, ensuring that patients without current treatment options can access lifesaving therapies promptly, minimising unnecessary suffering and delays.
What were the key challenges you faced while launching multiple health tech companies, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges in launching health tech companies is the complex regulatory environment that governs healthcare innovations. Additionally, securing adequate funding to sustain long-term research and development can be daunting. Another significant hurdle is the integration of advanced technology into healthcare—a field often cautious about adopting new methods. To overcome these challenges, we prioritised building strong, strategic partnerships with the federal government, leading academic institutions, and philanthropic groups. These partnerships provided us with critical resources, including access to cutting-edge research, technological tools, and regulatory guidance, enabling us to navigate the sector’s complexities more effectively.
Can you describe the most rewarding aspect of your work with Every Cure and any personal stories that have inspired you?
The profound impact on patients’ lives is undoubtedly the most rewarding aspect of our work at Every Cure. Witnessing firsthand how our efforts in repurposing drugs can save lives and improve quality of care is incredibly fulfilling. We have repurposed 18 drugs for diseases they weren’t initially intended for, saving tens of thousands of lives. Each patient success story is a testament to the potential of our work and motivates our team to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in drug repurposing.
How do you measure the success and impact of Every Cure’s initiatives on the broader healthcare and patient communities?
Success for Every Cure is measured by our ability to make a tangible difference in patients’ lives. We closely monitor the effectiveness of our repurposed drugs in clinical practice, assessing how they improve treatment protocols and patient quality of life. We also measure the speed at which these treatments become available to patients, aiming to significantly reduce the time from discovery to clinical application. Furthermore, our impact is reflected in the broader adoption and recognition of our methodologies and findings within the medical community, influencing how diseases are treated globally.
What future developments or innovations can we expect from Every Cure in the next few years, and how do you plan to achieve them?
In the next 18-24 months, Every Cure is poised to make our AI-platform which ranks all 3,000 FDA approved drugs against all 22,000 human diseases publicly available. However in the short-term our goal is to integrate larger and more diverse datasets, improving the predictive accuracy of our platform. By continuously refining our AI tools and methodologies, we aim to set new standards in how quickly and effectively new treatments can reach patients who need them. Additionally, we are planning to take our most promising drug repurposing opportunities into clinical trials.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to enter the health tech and life sciences sectors?
For entrepreneurs entering the health tech and life sciences sectors, it’s crucial to focus on creating value that is clearly defined through patient outcomes and scientific advancement. Understanding the regulatory environment is essential, as it shapes every aspect of product development and market entry strategies. Be prepared to face and overcome substantial challenges by fostering adaptability and resilience in your team. Lastly, never lose sight of the human element—your work’s ultimate success is defined by its impact on improving patient lives. This human-centric approach will not only guide your business strategy but also inspire innovation that truly makes a difference.
