Unwavering Faith

Unwavering Faith

As CEO and co-founder of Aytu BioScience Inc. (NASDAQ: AYTU), an Englewood-based pharmaceutical company focusing on the commercialization of novel prescription and consumer health products; Valor Dad Josh Disbrow lives out his faith with honesty, humility, and humor.

A self-effacing, North Carolina State University graduate, Josh shared his story of success at Valor’s Business Network monthly meeting on September 30.  Comparing Denver with his hometown of Raleigh; Josh joked that Colorado’s Patagonia-clad citizens, blue skies, and Rocky Mountains trump the overcast days and NCSU Wolfpack of his college years. 

He packed up his family, almost a decade ago, moving to Colorado when Eliza (‘22) was in third grade.  After working in the medical device and pharma field for various companies, he launched Aytu in 2015.  Then, the pandemic hit and his start-up became front and center in the fight against the novel virus — COVID-19.

In March 2020, Josh formalized a global agreement that allowed Aytu to distribute a two-to-five minute rapid antibody. In less than five months, Josh’s boutique company entered the COVID-19 fray as one of only a few companies distributing these rapid tests. 

With the world shutting down, Josh saw how his company might be able to help. In April, Aytu reached an agreement with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Sterling Medical Devices to finalize the development of its Healight platform technology — a product that emits ultraviolet light via an endotracheal catheter — which has been considered a potential treatment for severely ill COVID-19 patients. 

As he adjusts, like the rest of the world, to the pandemic and his company’s newfound notoriety, Josh offers this piece of advice:

“Everything doesn’t always work out.  There will be tough days where you second guess yourself a lot.  However, vulnerability with people is important, as well as showing your weaknesses, and being able to share openly with a group of people you trust.”

Each month, the Valor Business Network will offer an opportunity for Valor parents to connect with one another and hear from a speaker about their experience in the business world. Future Valor Business Network gatherings times below:

• October 21, 8:30 a.m. Business Office
• November 18, Zoom Call (look for link in Weekly)
• January 20, 2021
• February 24, 2021