Zikria Saif arrived at Drexel University from Islamabad, Pakistan, with a
scientist’s curiosity and a deep desire to make a difference. Now, as he
graduates with a degree in materials science and engineering, he leaves not
only with academic distinction, but with a biotech startup already in
motion—and a mission to redefine how medicine approaches chronic wounds.
Saif credits Drexel’s co-op program as the experience that shaped him
most. “Co-ops don't just prepare you for the real world—they allow you to
grow in proportion to the effort you invest,” he said. For him, that growth
was exponential. Working in lab environments on defining research projects,
he learned how to break down complex problems and build practical solutions
from the ground up. It was a process, he says, that turned him into a
scientist.
That mindset led to Valfard Therapeutics, the company Saif founded as an
undergraduate and his senior design project. Focused on diabetic foot ulcers
(DFUs)—a condition he calls “one of the most devastating and overlooked” in
medicine—Valfard is developing an enzyme-responsive injectable therapy
designed to promote tissue regeneration at the wound site. The therapy
delivers a sustained release of transforming growth factor beta, or TGF-β—a
naturally occurring protein that plays a key role in tissue repair and
immune function. By targeting this molecule directly to wounds, Valfard
aims not just to manage symptoms but to enable real healing.
Saif’s work is rooted in both personal conviction and years of experience.
He began working with biomaterials at age 14 and has since contributed to
over four pending patents on novel, previously unexplored research. He sees
engineering not just as problem-solving, but as a way to serve. “I am a
firm believer that research is the biggest form of philanthropy,” he said.
“Most of my joy comes from being in service to others, and delivering
meaningful biotech solutions is my way of doing it.”
At Drexel, he found both the rigor and support to turn that philosophy into
action. He gives special thanks to Professor Zahed Subhan at the Close
School of Entrepreneurship, who guided him behind the scenes as he built
Valfard from idea to preclinical-stage company. Now part of HiveBio, a
highly selective startup accelerator, Valfard is preparing for in-vivo
trials and assembling a scientific advisory team to help scale the
platform.
After graduation, Saif will continue leading the company full time, with
goals to secure clinical data, enter early-phase trials, and ultimately
partner with major biopharma to bring Valfard’s first-in-class therapy to
market. Long-term, he envisions adapting the platform to treat a range of
chronic wounds and expanding the company’s impact beyond diabetic ulcers.
“I hope to provide a solution for the generations to come, with setting the
standard of disrupting the norm,” Saif said. “As much as I respect
conventional wisdom, it is not always right. One holds the power to make
significant change—it only draws down to how willing you are.”