Upma Sharma, PhD

Upma Sharma, PhD is the President and CEO of Arsenal Medical, a clinical-stage company focused on developing innovative biomaterials and medical devices.12 She has dedicated her career to transforming medicine through materials science and has played a crucial role in establishing Arsenal Medical's platform of purpose-built biomaterials.1

Career Highlights

Upma joined Arsenal Medical as a research scientist, but her role quickly expanded.1 She led the company's ResQFoam foundational program from concept to clinical trials, overseeing various aspects of product development, manufacturing, regulatory processes, and clinical trial design.1 Under her leadership, Arsenal Medical has:

• Achieved FDA breakthrough device status and IDE approval for ResQFoam™
• Secured over $65 million in non-dilutive funding from diverse partners, including the Department of Defense, DARPA, and NIH
• Expanded its biomaterial platform for strategic growth across high-value clinical indications12

Previous Experience

Before joining Arsenal Medical, Upma was a key member of the Lyra Therapeutics team, where she:

• Contributed to the creation of a novel bioresorbable scaffold
• Oversaw the development of technology for treating chronic sinusitis
• Led a Phase I clinical study, which resulted in subsequent venture funding and the eventual IPO of Lyra Therapeutics1

Education and Expertise

Upma Sharma has a strong educational background in engineering and bioengineering, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering.4 Her expertise spans material science, chemical engineering, and biomedical engineering.2

Recognition and Impact

Upma's work has been recognized in numerous peer-reviewed papers, national meeting presentations, and issued patents.2 She is known as a natural leader who has had a profoundly positive impact on the culture and internal workings of Arsenal Medical.3 Her journey from researcher to CEO has been noted in the medical technology industry, as she continues to drive innovation in biomaterials and medical devices.56