Episode 12: Global health bonus: Product + non-profit development

How do you turn research into a global health solution—and build both a company and a non-profit along the way?

In this episode, we meet Lobke Gierman, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Picterus, and Sarah Rose Jones, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Picterus Newborn Health. They share their passion for tackling neonatal jaundice—a condition that, if untreated, can lead to severe and irreversible health challenges. This is a critical issue in low-resource settings, and Picterus is a truly global company.

We explore their journey from a research company to a commercial venture and, finally, developing also a non-profit organization working globally to make knowledge, screening and treatment accessible.

Lobke and Sarah talk about the power of building a small yet highly diverse team, and reveal why their easy-to-use solution is far more technical than it looks—using spectral printing and carrying a surprising production cost for what seems like “just a piece of paper.”

Tune in to hear how they’re driving change across borders—and why purpose-driven innovation matters.

----

Follow Helseskift for more stories about change-makers in healthcare!
The podcast Helseskift focuses on small and large (desired) changes in the healthcare sector – and the people behind them. Healthcare professionals can create major changes, and we cheer them on! Most often the episodes will be recorded in Norwegian, but some bonus episodes will be released in English.

Podcast hosts Thea Eng Brenden and Gunn-Berit Neergård are nurses and business developers. In each episode, they invite experts who have created something new in healthcare or who can share tips and tricks for developing your own ideas.

The podcast is edited by Peter Nystøyl. Music by Ol'BurgerBeats. This podcast is developed and produced by SFU Engage at NTNU.