Most good ideas don't fail because they are bad. It's because they never make the step into reality. This is exactly where the story of Apersys begins - and that of its CEO and co-founder Waldemar Hoffmann, our interview partner of the month.
Waldemar Hoffmann's career began in the traditional academic way: he studied bioengineering at KIT in Karlsruhe, followed by a PhD in biomedical engineering at the University of Basel with a focus on bone and cartilage regeneration. He then worked for several years in the medical technology industry, where he assumed responsibility in research and later in the management of development projects. His experience in Research & Development finally led him to a project that goes far beyond classic product development.
Liver4Life is about a fundamental question in medicine: how can organs be preserved outside the human body? For him, this question is not abstract, but very concrete. His father has already undergone two kidney transplants. The reality of waiting lists, uncertainty and hope is not a theoretical construct for him, but part of his own life.
When Waldemar Hoffmann joined the project, the technological foundation had already been laid. At the same time, everything was still within the traditional framework of research. „At some point, we asked ourselves the question: Do we continue to develop this for another ten years, or do we take it to the patients?“
The answer to this becomes a turning point. Step by step, a company emerges from a research project. Apersys is developing a platform that makes it possible to keep organs alive outside the body, check their quality and prepare them specifically for transplantation. The vision behind this is clear: more available donor organs, better treatment outcomes and new opportunities in research. Above all, however, the aim is to give patients on waiting lists a real perspective - with the chance to be better prepared and more confident for a transplant.
When the company was founded, not only did the organization change, but his role did as well. „At the beginning, I really got to grips with the new topics - from licensing negotiations to fundraising and regulatory issues. It was a real rollercoaster ride.“ What was previously primarily technological suddenly became entrepreneurial. Decisions have to be made, often under uncertainty, with limited resources and under time pressure.
At the same time, a reality that characterizes many innovations of this kind is coming to the fore: the need for capital. The development of the machines is complex, the regulatory requirements are high and the time horizons are long. Products have to be fully developed before they can even be tested in clinical trials. At the same time, such projects are in the highest risk category.
It needs partners and investors who understand that progress in medical technology takes time. Who are prepared to invest in a long-term goal and not in short-term results. At the same time, it is clear that a highly relevant field is opening up for investors who have precisely this understanding - with a major impact and corresponding potential.
Another aspect is often underestimated, but is becoming increasingly important in this phase: building the team. Apersys was founded by seven co-founders and the operational team is still small. „Very few people have the skillset for organ perfusion - so the question is all the more important: does the person fit into the team?“ New roles are created in line with the challenges facing the company. Particularly in the area of software and quality assurance, it will become clear who is capable of transferring technological innovation into a regulated environment. In the end, Waldemar Hoffmann is less interested in perfect profiles than in people who want to build something together.
Despite all the dynamism, one important counterbalance remains: his private environment. Three children ensure that his focus is always consciously brought back to the present. Time with his family, exercise and sport help him to gain distance and retain the necessary energy for the next decisions. Find out more about Waldemar Hoffmann in our interview of the month.
Mr. Hoffmann, if you had taken a different path when you were younger, what would you have become?
«Certainly a pathologist. From an early age, I was fascinated by understanding complex medical relationships and making specific causes visible. Influenced by the TV shows, I wanted to help solve special cases. I was particularly interested in applying medical expertise to the investigation of criminal offenses.»
What is your favorite way to start your day?
«With a strong coffee, a cuddle with my children and, ideally, a relaxed walk to the station. This transition is important to me, because afterwards I clearly go into work mode on the train and can concentrate fully on my work. Apersys and focus on our team.»
What does success mean to you personally?
«For me, success means having a real positive impact - on people, my environment, our customers and, above all, on patients. For me, it's not just about the result itself, but about whether we are really making a difference with what we do. That's exactly why I chose this career path and took on the role of CEO at Apersys taken over.»
What would you work for free for a week?
«As a start-up entrepreneur, the current work is obviously also part of this answer. But I would also like to support impact projects, e.g. building wells, constructing huts or other social projects.»
What was the best professional advice you ever received?
«One of the most important pieces of advice for me was to really be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses. Only when you clearly understand this can you work specifically with your own strengths and at the same time find ways to compensate for weaknesses or balance them out in a team.»
We would like to thank Mr. Hoffmann for his contribution to this article.
Batterman Consulting Basel AG
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