Why not start now?

Tackling a big challenge - conquering PD in this case - is achievable with operational discipline. Making progress builds credibility and justifies investments.

I’m not convinced that visualizing success leads to success. I believe in visualizing and implementing an operational plan. That starts with breaking down the big, complex, difficult goal into a series of small, more easily achievable steps.

A couple of months ago, I realized I needed to reevaluate my operational plan, even though it had worked quite well to move Right Brain Bio and RB-190 towards launch of the initial clinical trials. The plan included attention on manufacturing, patents, clinical trials, regulatory affairs, drug safety, clinical investigators, management of our Australian subsidiary and of course, fund raising. But the investments seemed harder to secure. And I realized that in response, I shifted more time and energy to the pursuit of investments. While struggling to identify investors, we were also falling behind on our operational plan.

So I asked myself, why not start over? I could focus on tactical progress and assume that with progress, investments will be secured. I did a bit of visualizing – imagining the day when RB-190 is approved as a treatment for PD. Then I shifted to the nearest major milestone – of starting the first trial. Doing so warranted reevaluation and updating of the operational plan and not focusing on fundraising. We need to control what is within our control.

The impact?

A ton of progress. This week we activated the electronic backbone for the trial that allows us to run the trial as well as collect, monitor and analyze the data. Customizing the platform takes weeks and we are fortunate to have an incredible person leading that work. It will be completed in parallel with the review of our proposed clinical trial by the authorities in Australia.

And the unexpected impact?

Several more people committed to investing. We don’t have all we need, but we’re getting there. And we’ll continue to take the small steps along our operational plan that will get us where we need: first, to approval to start the trial in early 2027 and as soon as manageable after that, proving RB-190 is justified as standard of care for PD.