How did the idea to start your startup come about? When and how did you establish your company? Why did you turn to this field, what was your motivation about it? Can you briefly share your establishment story?

As a biochemistry specialist, I have 28 years of experience in R&D and pharmaceutical industry. I still continue my research in the Technopark Istanbul Biocube laboratory. In addition to my research experiences, my work in the pharmaceutical industry; It helped me gain experience in matters such as the regulations I would follow for the use of the formulas I developed in the laboratory, the financial analysis of the products, and their positioning in the market.

Very painful mouth and skin sores occur in patients due to cancer treatment. This situation, which I have observed in the market as a need for wound prevention or healing, also brings additional costs in treatment. Currently, there is no product that prevents or heals these wounds at the global level. By proving that we have found a solution to this problem in our clinical studies, we made a study presentation at international congresses.

As might be expected, drug development requires rigorous scientific studies and regulatory compliance processes. We did not establish a company at the beginning because I was doing pharmaceutical R&D work, but after completing the studies on the formulas I developed and seeing the market need, we established our company.

Each of us is successful in his field, I do the research, Gülbin Müftüoğlu, who does the market studies, and Prof. Dr. Together with Füsun Tokatlı, we founded three women entrepreneurs at the beginning of this year.

We have patented the extract and related formulas that I obtained with an innovative method from the molecules of a resin accepted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in wound treatment.
Two products that I have already developed with this extract are ready for the use of patients and for commercialization by trademark registration.

In addition to the scientific effectiveness of the products, market plan and cost analyzes were also carried out. Our supplier network has been prepared in order to produce under good production conditions in accordance with the legislation. While the scientific efficiency, market plan and cost analyzes of the products were made, an agreement was reached with Elit Medicine company for production.

The market size of mouth sores in the world is reported to be 2-3 billion dollars. The radiodermatitis market is expressed as 1 billion dollars.

I started my work on the invention in 2013 after seeing that patients who received chemotherapy and radiotherapy were very helpless. First of all, R&D and formulation laboratory studies, then formula tests, ethics committee-approved and double-blind comparative clinical study on its preventive – curative efficacy and congress presentations were carried out by us, three women, with our own resources and knowledge.

We have worked very hard to carry out these works together with the works we work in order to meticulously carry out every stage of our lives and at the same time to continue our lives. Patient comments at every stage increased our belief in the project. I leave my university in 2021 and continue on my way to concentrate entirely on this project. Thanks to the Teknopark Istanbul management, I met the Medical Park Hospitals Group. When the effectiveness of the products was seen in the oncology departments, we decided to produce in April.

Did you have any difficulties in accessing finance when you started your business? How did you benefit from the support?

Our company Umayana was established at the beginning of this year. Until this time, we covered the costs such as R&D, test analysis and pilot production ourselves. However, at the point we have reached, our financial needs have increased in terms of raw materials, production, packaging, design and human resources, especially when entering the market. We are currently preparing to produce our products in small quantities and to export them to the domestic and European market.

What kind of development trend has your company followed since its establishment? How much did you grow, at what stage did you take your turnover?

We cannot talk about a turnover yet, but we prefer to walk firmly with small steps. Our products began to be requested by the Medical Park, Medicana and Liv Hospital Radiation Oncology Departments.

How many people were working when you established your company, how many people do you employ now? Do you have a goal of increasing your employment? What is your female employment rate?

Our first step, our clinical study, Prof. Dr. We went with Füsun Tokatlı. In the short term, we will employ 2 people responsible for marketing manager and logistics services.

If you are exporting, when did you start and to which countries do you export? What is your target in export?

We are preparing to export to Belgium for use in Leuven Hook and Antwerp hospitals.

What challenges does your industry have? How do you tackle these challenges?

The pharmaceutical industry is an area that is both very beneficial and challenging. Everything from raw materials to production must comply with the legislation. In addition, it is imperative that you produce your patented formula professionally. The process of reaching the patient after production also needs to be considered in detail. That’s why we plan every step step by step.

Of course, these are not insurmountable issues. It takes a lot of work, but we progressed by doing what needed to be done. In the process, we continued to progress, albeit slowly, step by step. Even though financial difficulties required us to make sacrifices, we never gave up.

Have you benefited from Halkbank’s different financial supports so far?

I have been a retired customer of Halkbank since 2017. I took credit twice for testing costs of these products. Halkbank and its employees, who always offer the best opportunities, have never turned me down. I participated in the Producing Women Competition in order to receive the initial investment costs required for the products that we have proven to be effective in a very difficult field, to be offered to the market first in Turkey and then in the world, and to announce our products through Halkbank.

When I opened the commercial account of Umayana company at Halkbank, the branch manager and experts encouraged me to enter the competition. I believe in the power of Halkbank, the State Bank. I firmly believe that with Halkbank, my firm will be successful not only in Turkey but also globally. I am still very pleased to work with Halkbank. I think the friendliness and helpful approach of the team is very important.

How will the awards you win at the Halkbank Producing Women Contest contribute to you and your business?

Since this award was given just in time, during the production phase, it contributed to our initial production costs.

Can you talk about your future goals?

Our patented molecules can be used in many fields from cosmetics to medicine. Our goal is to enter the world markets by producing primarily in our country. All kinds of infrastructures of our two existing products are ready. For this reason, we aim to spread it all over the world by making an agreement with a sales and marketing firm. Our negotiations have now begun. Our goal is to advance by setting up the system correctly and planning production as well as distribution.

How did the idea to start your startup come about? When and how did you establish your company? Why did you turn to this field, what was your motivation about it? Can you briefly share your establishment story?

As a biochemistry specialist, I have 28 years of experience in R&D and pharmaceutical industry. I still continue my research in the Technopark Istanbul Biocube laboratory. In addition to my research experiences, my work in the pharmaceutical industry; It helped me gain experience in matters such as the regulations I would follow for the use of the formulas I developed in the laboratory, the financial analysis of the products, and their positioning in the market.

Very painful mouth and skin sores occur in patients due to cancer treatment. This situation, which I have observed in the market as a need for wound prevention or healing, also brings additional costs in treatment. Currently, there is no product that prevents or heals these wounds at the global level. By proving that we have found a solution to this problem in our clinical studies, we made a study presentation at international congresses.

As might be expected, drug development requires rigorous scientific studies and regulatory compliance processes. We did not establish a company at the beginning because I was doing pharmaceutical R&D work, but after completing the studies on the formulas I developed and seeing the market need, we established our company.

Each of us is successful in his field, I do the research, Gülbin Müftüoğlu, who does the market studies, and Prof. Dr. Together with Füsun Tokatlı, we founded three women entrepreneurs at the beginning of this year.

We have patented the extract and related formulas that I obtained with an innovative method from the molecules of a resin accepted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in wound treatment.
Two products that I have already developed with this extract are ready for the use of patients and for commercialization by trademark registration.

In addition to the scientific effectiveness of the products, market plan and cost analyzes were also carried out. Our supplier network has been prepared in order to produce under good production conditions in accordance with the legislation. While the scientific efficiency, market plan and cost analyzes of the products were made, an agreement was reached with Elit Medicine company for production.

The market size of mouth sores in the world is reported to be 2-3 billion dollars. The radiodermatitis market is expressed as 1 billion dollars.

I started my work on the invention in 2013 after seeing that patients who received chemotherapy and radiotherapy were very helpless. First of all, R&D and formulation laboratory studies, then formula tests, ethics committee-approved and double-blind comparative clinical study on its preventive – curative efficacy and congress presentations were carried out by us, three women, with our own resources and knowledge.

We have worked very hard to carry out these works together with the works we work in order to meticulously carry out every stage of our lives and at the same time to continue our lives. Patient comments at every stage increased our belief in the project. I leave my university in 2021 and continue on my way to concentrate entirely on this project. Thanks to the Teknopark Istanbul management, I met the Medical Park Hospitals Group. When the effectiveness of the products was seen in the oncology departments, we decided to produce in April.

Did you have any difficulties in accessing finance when you started your business? How did you benefit from the support?

Our company Umayana was established at the beginning of this year. Until this time, we covered the costs such as R&D, test analysis and pilot production ourselves. However, at the point we have reached, our financial needs have increased in terms of raw materials, production, packaging, design and human resources, especially when entering the market. We are currently preparing to produce our products in small quantities and to export them to the domestic and European market.

What kind of development trend has your company followed since its establishment? How much did you grow, at what stage did you take your turnover?

We cannot talk about a turnover yet, but we prefer to walk firmly with small steps. Our products began to be requested by the Medical Park, Medicana and Liv Hospital Radiation Oncology Departments.

How many people were working when you established your company, how many people do you employ now? Do you have a goal of increasing your employment? What is your female employment rate?

Our first step, our clinical study, Prof. Dr. We went with Füsun Tokatlı. In the short term, we will employ 2 people responsible for marketing manager and logistics services.

If you are exporting, when did you start and to which countries do you export? What is your target in export?

We are preparing to export to Belgium for use in Leuven Hook and Antwerp hospitals.

What challenges does your industry have? How do you tackle these challenges?

The pharmaceutical industry is an area that is both very beneficial and challenging. Everything from raw materials to production must comply with the legislation. In addition, it is imperative that you produce your patented formula professionally. The process of reaching the patient after production also needs to be considered in detail. That’s why we plan every step step by step.

Of course, these are not insurmountable issues. It takes a lot of work, but we progressed by doing what needed to be done. In the process, we continued to progress, albeit slowly, step by step. Even though financial difficulties required us to make sacrifices, we never gave up.

Have you benefited from Halkbank’s different financial supports so far?

I have been a retired customer of Halkbank since 2017. I took credit twice for testing costs of these products. Halkbank and its employees, who always offer the best opportunities, have never turned me down. I participated in the Producing Women Competition in order to receive the initial investment costs required for the products that we have proven to be effective in a very difficult field, to be offered to the market first in Turkey and then in the world, and to announce our products through Halkbank.

When I opened the commercial account of Umayana company at Halkbank, the branch manager and experts encouraged me to enter the competition. I believe in the power of Halkbank, the State Bank. I firmly believe that with Halkbank, my firm will be successful not only in Turkey but also globally. I am still very pleased to work with Halkbank. I think the friendliness and helpful approach of the team is very important.

How will the awards you win at the Halkbank Producing Women Contest contribute to you and your business?

Since this award was given just in time, during the production phase, it contributed to our initial production costs.

Can you talk about your future goals?

Our patented molecules can be used in many fields from cosmetics to medicine. Our goal is to enter the world markets by producing primarily in our country. All kinds of infrastructures of our two existing products are ready. For this reason, we aim to spread it all over the world by making an agreement with a sales and marketing firm. Our negotiations have now begun. Our goal is to advance by setting up the system correctly and planning production as well as distribution.