From Combat Leader to Biotech CEO: Fighting to Save Millions From Blindness | Dave Esposito

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Dave Esposito is the CEO of ONL Therapeutics, a biotech company developing treatments to slow blindness from glaucoma and macular degeneration—diseases affecting 4-5 million Americans.

But his path to biotech leadership wasn't linear.

West Point grad. Combat platoon leader in the Gulf War at 22. Pharmaceutical sales. Multiple startups. And now, leading a Phase 2 clinical trial that could change millions of lives.

In this conversation, Dave shares:
→ The leadership lessons he learned leading troops in combat
→ Why having a plan matters, but adaptability matters more
→ The defining moment with his daughter that taught him about presence
→ How purpose-driven work keeps him going through the hard science and harder business of biotech
→ What he'd tell his 30-year-old self about being present

This is about more than career transitions. It's about leading with purpose, staying present for what matters, and building a life, not just a resume.

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⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
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00:00 – Intro: What Dave is working on now
01:03 – ONL Therapeutics: Fighting blindness from glaucoma and macular degeneration
02:19 – Why West Point? Growing up in Jersey and the calling to serve
04:38 – Combat leadership lessons: The importance of direction and adaptability
06:15 – "Everyone's got a plan until you get punched in the face."
07:00 – Transitioning from military to corporate America
09:30 – Getting into pharmaceutical sales and why it mattered
12:45 – The biotech journey: Cancer diagnostics and purposeful work
16:20 – Starting ONL Therapeutics: The problem they're solving
19:40 – Phase 2 clinical trials: What's at stake
22:15 – The hardest parts of building a biotech company
25:30 – Raising capital and staying mission-focused
28:45 – Leadership lessons from the military applied to business
32:10 – The importance of self-awareness and knowing where you are
35:50 – Building teams around a unifying mission
39:20 – Why purpose matters more than the product
42:30 – Looking 10 years ahead: What's next for Dave
45:10 – Back to the Future: Visiting 30-year-old Dave
47:37 – "Be present": The lesson he'd tell his younger self
50:22 – The moment with his daughter that changed everything
52:33 – Advice for anyone in transition: Know where you are and where you're going
54:00 – Final thoughts: Purpose, presence, and the journey

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🎯 ABOUT DAVE ESPOSITO:
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Dave Esposito is the CEO of ONL Therapeutics, a biotech company focused on developing treatments for eye diseases, including glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. A West Point graduate and Gulf War veteran, Dave led an infantry platoon in combat before transitioning to pharmaceutical sales and eventually biotech leadership. He's passionate about purpose-driven work and believes in solving problems that truly matter.

🔗 Connect with Dave:
LinkedIn:   / davidesposito2  
Website: www.harvesttimepartners.com

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📌 ABOUT MIDLIFE REWIRED WITH MOXIE:
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New episodes every Tuesday. Personal journeys. Expert insights. Real conversations about leadership, transition, and building a life that matters.

Hosted by Andre Moxie, helping midlife professionals navigate major transitions with strategy and purpose.

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💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS:
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"You need a plan, but you have to be able to adjust when things change rapidly"
"Be present—not just at home, but in the workplace. When you're with someone, dial in."
"Purposeful work isn't building a widget to sell a widget. It's solving problems that matter."
"Don't worry as much. Stick to your principles, have faith in the process."
Combat leadership translates to business: Mission clarity + adaptability = success

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Drop a comment: What's the leadership lesson that's stuck with you? 👇

#Leadership #Biotech #MilitaryLeadership #CareerTransition #WestPoint #Entrepreneurship #PurposeDrivenWork #BePresent #MedicalInnovation #Glaucoma #MacularDegeneration #VeteranEntrepreneur

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