Establishing Hydrogels In Lab Robotics

In this episode of Few and Far Between, host Chris O’Brien sits down with Sinan Golhan, the young CEO and founder of Geltech Labs, to discuss a significant technological gap in biotech: the lack of specialized lab robotics for hydrogels. While automation has mastered liquids and solids, hydrogels—3D structures used in everything from life-saving drug delivery to contact lenses—often remain stuck in a "manual testing trap" due to their unique material properties.

Golhan shares his journey to develop sophisticated automation that streamlines repetitive lab tasks. By replacing manual labor with high-throughput robotics, Geltech aims to provide:

• Speed: Running tests 24/7, far exceeding human capacity.
• Consistency: Eliminating human error for more repeatable data.
• Cost Efficiency: Reducing the billion-dollar price tag of biotech R&D.

The conversation also covers the realities of the startup lifecycle, including the shift toward predictive AI models for hydrogel behavior and the logistical hurdles of scaling a hardware company. Golhan offers candid advice on fundraising, market validation through the NSF I-Corps program, and the importance of a clear commercialization roadmap.