Brain health is one of the most complex and urgent frontiers in medicine. With neurological and psychiatric disorders on the rise, there’s growing demand for diagnostics that can deliver real-time insights to clinicians. That’s where MDisrupt connected with Circular Genomics — an early-stage company developing blood tests based on brain-derived circular RNA biomarkers.
Following a successful proof of concept, Circular Genomics entered a phase of rapid commercial growth, supported by a Series A round in 2024 and an investment from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation in 2025. To scale, the company needed specialized leadership that could bridge science, commercialization, and investor readiness. Through MDisrupt’s expert network, they hired a Head of Business Development whose impact accelerated partnerships, outreach, and Series B preparation.
Advancing from early discovery into commercialization, Circular Genomics encountered a common startup challenge: rapid momentum, limited resources, and no time to build a full team. To keep pace, they needed experts to lead commercialization, forge partnerships, and prepare for Series B.
Key gaps included:
The absence of external support threatened the company’s ability to hit critical milestones and maintain momentum.
“Developing cutting-edge diagnostics is only part of the challenge. Bringing them into clinical use requires the right strategy, the right talent, and the right timing.”
— Sami Shihabi, Chief Commercial Officer, Circular Genomics
Circular Genomics used the MDisrupt marketplace to identify and secure the right candidate quickly and confidently. Within two weeks, they hired a Head of Business Development with the experience to operate in a complex clinical and commercial environment. This hire gave the company the leadership it needed to move from strategy to execution and keep commercialization on track.
Circular Genomics’ experience demonstrates that securing the right talent at the right time is essential, especially in a complex space like brain health. By hiring a leader through MDisrupt’s expert network, the company gained the immediate commercial and strategic support needed to accelerate partnerships, strengthen investor confidence, and stay positioned for long-term success.
