In healthcare, the way we deliver medications can truly change lives. Innovative drug delivery systems are emerging as game-changers, aiming to make treatments more effective and accessible to those who need them most. One person making a significant impact in this field is Dikla Czaczkes Akselbrad, the CEO of PolyPid. Her passion for improving patient care drives her work every day.

Dikla’s path into the biotech industry is influenced by her family’s history—her father’s knowledge in finance and her mother’s passion for biology. This distinctive mix of influences has provided her with a new outlook on the challenges and opportunities within healthcare. At PolyPid, she and her team concentrate on creating innovative methods to administer medications precisely where they are required, especially for critical illnesses such as surgical site infections and localized cancers. In navigating crucial clinical trials, Dikla’s leadership and teamwork are essential for their success.

Let’s delve into the interview details below!

Can you briefly describe your background and what led you to your current role as a leader in innovative drug delivery?

My journey into the field of innovative drug delivery began with my parents. Growing up, my father’s expertise in finance, and my mother’s passion for biology, shaped my interests and career trajectory. Following my passion, I earned a BA in Accounting and Economics as well as an MBA from Tel Aviv University. I started my career in high-tech finance which gave me a strong foundation in strategic planning and financial management. However, I knew early on that I wanted to be part of something more impactful—companies that make a difference in people’s lives.

I had the opportunity to work on a project with BARDA, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which exposed me to the endless potential of the biotech industry to transform human health, which inspired my transition into life sciences. I utilized the skills I developed in finance—particularly in navigating the complexities of long-term capital-intensive projects—to support the success of biotech companies.

What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishments or breakthroughs in your career so far?

Maintaining a long-term outlook is critical in an industry like biotech and drug delivery, where patience and vision are foundational. Drug delivery innovations typically require years of development, rigorous testing, and significant capital investment. Successfully guiding companies through these stages requires both financial expertise and strategic foresight.

My greatest accomplishment was successfully taking PolyPid public. This move was critical for securing the resources needed to advance our innovative pipeline. The company has successfully advanced to late-stage clinical trials and is poised for top-line results in Q1 2025. This progress reflects strategic financial planning and our team’s resilience and dedication to innovation.

How has your leadership style evolved over time, and what key lessons have you learned about leading teams in this fast-paced industry?

In the early stages of my career, I was heavily focused on individual performance — my own ability to succeed, how I could deliver results, manage my responsibilities effectively and exceed expectations. However, as I transitioned into leadership roles, I realized that true success lies in helping others excel. Together, we reach new heights.

Today, my leadership philosophy revolves around empowering my team to become the best versions of themselves. I have learned that the role of a CEO extends beyond managing tasks; it’s about fostering an environment where every individual can contribute to the company’s collective success. By focusing on the big picture—ensuring that the whole company thrives—I have seen how a cohesive and motivated team can overcome even the most complex challenges.

Can you give an overview of your company’s mission and core focus areas in drug delivery innovation?

PolyPid aims to transform the way we deliver drugs by targeting diseases at their source. Over the past decade, our R&D team has developed a novel platform for prolonged local drug delivery that ensures therapeutic agents remain effective at the target site for weeks—or even months—when needed.

Our technology is designed to address critical conditions such as surgical site infections, cancers and other localized diseases. It supports a wide variety of drug types, from small molecules to peptides and proteins. By eliminating disease at the source, we aim to improve patient outcomes while reducing systemic side effects. This approach makes advanced drug delivery solutions impactful by improving the efficacy of existing drugs and reduce systemic toxicity and side effects.

What are some of the biggest challenges your company faces in bringing new drug delivery innovations to market?

One of the biggest challenges we have faced was conducting a Phase 3 clinical trial during COVID-19, which created unexpected disruptions that we never could have anticipated. The COVID setback posed challenges on all fronts, including maintaining investor confidence, securing regulatory support and navigating uncertainties just a month before releasing interim data. Despite these hurdles, we persevered, and today we are nearing the conclusion of our second Phase 3 trial, with interim data expected soon, and top-line results anticipated in the first quarter of 2025.

This progress has been a testament to the team’s determination, as well as the unwavering support of our investors. Overcoming such challenges has reinforced our belief in the transformative potential of our technology.

How is your company working to make innovative drug delivery solutions more accessible and affordable for patients?

Accessibility and affordability are key priorities, and we address them through strategic collaborations with biopharma companies which enable us to extend our platform into critical areas where local drug delivery is essential. These partnerships allow us to enhance the reach and impact of our innovations.

Notably, by establishing comprehensive in-house capabilities across clinical, regulatory, and operational stages, we maintain complete control over the entire development process. This approach not only streamlines operations but also ensures efficiency and cost-effectiveness, leading to more accessibility and affordability for patients globally.

Where do you see the most promising areas for future breakthroughs in drug delivery over the next 5-10 years?

Drug delivery as a field is reaching a level of maturity that will unlock new opportunities after years of groundwork. For example, radiotherapy once seemed rudimentary, but innovations in targeted and precision radiotherapy have revolutionized its efficacy and made it one of the most exciting areas in medicine today. Similarly, localized drug delivery has the potential to transform treatment paradigms by improving precision and reducing systemic side effects, and at PolyPid, we are committed to translating this approach to other therapeutic fields.

The future of drug delivery lies in our ability to target treatments directly at the source of disease, an area that remains relatively underdeveloped. Over the next five to 10 years, I anticipate significant advancements in intratumoral drug delivery and localized drug delivery for diseases like glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), as well as applications for metabolic diseases and inflammation.