What’s in a name? For Obatala Sciences, the answer is rooted in West African mythology.
Obatala, a deity revered predominantly in Nigeria, was tasked with sculpting the human body from clay and mud; a fitting origin for a company now focused on “sculpting” a more equitable future for biomedical research.
Founded in New Orleans in 2017, Obatala Sciences is a biotechnology company working to accelerate the development of therapies for diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer, and to advance tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
In this founder spotlight, Trivia Frazier, PhD, co-founder and President/CEO of Obatala Sciences, shares insights into her personal journey, the state of biomedical equity, the importance of networking and mentorship, and her advice for entrepreneurs.
What unique challenges do you face as an entrepreneur, and how do you overcome them?
As both an entrepreneur and a mother, I constantly make decisions that impact others. These are just two of my roles. I am also a wife, sister, daughter, mentor, and friend. We all carry multiple responsibilities; sometimes more than we realize.
Over time, I’ve learned to value presence; being fully in the moment with the people who matter most. Every day is a gift, and every second is time we won’t get back.
I came very close to burnout during a particularly challenging season, both professionally and personally. Sometimes life can feel like a flood of difficulties arriving all at once.
Such moments test us and ultimately help define who we become. During my darkest hours, I learned to lean on the resources available to me, especially my faith.
I meditate on Scripture, pour out my stressors and shortcomings to the Lord, and draw strength from the faith that keeps me grounded. That foundation has been essential for sustaining both my leadership and well-being.
➔ Follow Dr. Frazier on LinkedIn
How far does the biomedical industry still have to go to achieve equitable access to therapies, and what role does Obatala play?
The biomedical industry still has significant work ahead. Persistent disparities in access to healthcare, adequate nutrition, clean water, and livable wages directly impact whether patients can benefit from scientific advances.
Achieving equitable access to safe and effective therapies requires disrupting a nearly $2 trillion industry. This reduces the time and cost of bringing new treatments to market.
It’s encouraging to see regulatory momentum toward incorporating human-derived data alongside traditional animal studies, and a growing recognition that alternative technologies can accelerate this shift. Obatala is playing a critical role in making this vision a reality.
By enabling access to high-quality human-derived data that more accurately reflects the therapies intended to treat patients, we can help inform better decisions at the earliest stages of research, where some of the most consequential choices are made.
How has networking and mentorship helped you as an entrepreneur?
I would not be where I am today without the wisdom, encouragement, and patience of mentors, sponsors, and friends who have invested in me.
Some of my most valuable lessons have come from people who were willing to share their pain, mistakes, and hard-earned victories.
Their presence and accessibility have encouraged me at my lowest points and accelerated my personal and professional growth at every stage of my journey.
As a researcher, I didn’t initially appreciate the value of networking. That changed when I entered business school and later founded Obatala Sciences.
I quickly realized that networking is not optional but essential. This is especially true today, as technology can make us more isolated. Building genuine relationships has been one of the most important drivers of my progress as a founder.
If you could leave future entrepreneurs with a guiding principle about being a founder, what would it be?
- Trust your instincts about people
- Chart your path, knowing it will sometimes veer off course
- Be intentional in how you respond to uncertainty
Change is the only constant in entrepreneurship. Your resilience, adaptability, and discernment will ultimately determine how far and how well you go.
