Rao Bezwada

An accomplished scientist and entrepreneur, Rao S. Bezwada, Ph.D. established Bezwada Biomedical, an innovation based and technology driven Research Company. The company is focused on developing a wide range of novel absorbable polymeric biomaterials that represent platform technologies capable of enhancing the quality of life by producing next generation bioabsorbable medical devices with therapeutic applications. Dr. Bezwada is the inventor of numerous absorbable technologies including absorbable polyurethanes, absorbable amino acid polymers, absorbable polyester amides, absorbable polyoxaesters and controlled release polymers.

Dr. Bezwada earned a doctorate in chemistry from the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey and has been regarded as a leading expert in the field of bioabsorbable polymers for medical devices. He has over 40 years of research experience in the medical device industry, including 20 years of service at Ethicon, Inc. (a Johnson & Johnson Company) prior to establishing Bezwada Biomedical in 2003.

Dr. Bezwada’s commitment toward medical research is attested to by his original research contributions with critical applications in health care. Specifically, while at Ethicon his research and development efforts led to the launch of a number of products including Monocryl®, a new ultra pliable synthetic absorbable monofilament suture. This product has represented worldwide sales of more than two (2) billion dollars since its launch in 1993 and current annual sales of over 100 million dollars. In recognition of this invention, along with its development, Johnson & Johnson, Inc. awarded Dr. Bezwada the prestigious Johnson Medal in 1996. Moreover, in 2020, Dr Bezwada was awarded the NSF Phase 1 SBIR grant to develop absorbable tissue adhesive.

Furthermore, Dr. Bezwada has been a prolific inventor and has been issued more than 135 U.S. patents. Part of his patent portfolio covering absorbable polyurethane technology platform has been exclusively licensed by Abyrx Inc. towards developing products for wound healing and bone applications. His absorbable polyurethane technology has been used in Montage, a bone hemostat which was approved by US FDA and commercialized by Abyrx. Moreover, he has authored several scholarly articles and has been published in international scientific journals, along with numerous presentations at both national and international meetings including the American Chemical Society and the Society for Biomaterials.

In addition to his passion for science and technical accomplishments, Dr. Bezwada also possesses a deep commitment for his community and has established a non-profit organization named the “Society for Basic Needs” in India.