Episode Description: Dr. Damien Dauphinee sits down with Josh Vose, CEO of Tulavi Therapeutics, and Andrea Para, Senior Director of Medical Affairs and Strategy, to explore a breakthrough in peripheral nerve surgery. The conversation covers how the Allay Hydrogel Cap is transforming neuroma treatment with a sutureless, resorbable technology that delivers dramatic pain relief and puts advanced nerve care within reach of every surgeon.
Key Takeaways:
● The Allay Hydrogel Cap received de novo FDA classification in July 2024, representing a new category of in-situ forming nerve cap technology distinct from traditional biologic caps
● In a retrospective multicenter analysis of 23 patients, no neuroma formation was observed in either prophylactic or therapeutic groups, with an average pain score reduction of 5.5 points
● The sutureless application eliminates the need for microsurgery training, enabling general surgeons and non-fellowship-trained physicians to achieve outcomes previously limited to microsurgical specialists
● Traditional neuroma treatments like TMR show only 50% pain reduction and 25% cure rates in revision cases, while early Allay results are demonstrating superior and more consistent outcomes
● Patients are discontinuing opioids within days of surgery, a finding replicated across multiple surgical sites and a significant departure from typical post-neurectomy recovery
● The hydrogel is 90% water, remains stable for three to four months past the neuroma formation window, and fully hydrolyzes within eight months, leaving no scarring or remnants
● Surgeons should dissect back to normal, healthy nerve tissue before capping, and ensure adequate nerve length to position horizontally in the form for optimal gel application
● The "unmasking phenomenon," where resolving dominant nerve pain reveals secondary musculoskeletal or nerve issues, is common and requires careful patient counseling and precise post-op pain assessment
● Tulavi is expanding into TMR applications, pediatric use (patients over 25 kg), and has pipeline products targeting nerve repair expected in early to mid-2027
Guest Info:
Josh Vose, MD, MBA
CEO, Tulavi Therapeutics
Background: Chemical engineer (Georgia Tech) turned surgeon-operator with 25+ years building peripheral nerve and surgical device startups. MD from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta; general surgery training in Boston. Former CEO of Peak Surgical (Plasma Blade, acquired by Medtronic) and Sia (resorbable mesh for breast reconstruction, acquired by Integra). Joined Tulavi to commercialize the Allay Hydrogel Cap and scale peripheral nerve solutions beyond microsurgery-only centers.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-vose-7306661
Website: www.tulavi.com
Andrea Para, PhD
Senior Director of Medical Affairs and Strategy, Tulavi Therapeutics
Background: Medtech strategist, patient advocate, and bioengineer with 14+ years across medtech R&D, hospital and medtech consulting, and strategic planning. BS, MS, and PhD in Bioengineering from Georgia Tech, where her doctoral thesis under Dr. David Ku focused on preventing rapid platelet accumulation under very high shear stress. Previously Director of Exploration at Edwards Lifesciences, Sr. Manager for Product Development and Strategy at Accenture, Consulting Director at Vizient, and R&D Engineer II at St. Jude Medical working on next-generation heart valves. Also Principal/CEO of Medivici LLC, providing technical due diligence for medical device and IVD investors. Joined Tulavi in November 2025.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-para
Website: www.tulavi.com
Resources:
● "Saving Limbs, Saving Lives: Advanced Treatments to Prevent Amputations in Diabetic Populations" by Dr. Damien Dauphinee (Kindle): www.amazon.com
● Tulavi Therapeutics: www.tulavi.com
● Dr. Eddie Cobray's publication on first 11 patients with Allay Hydrogel Cap (published approximately four months before recording)
● American Society of Peripheral Nerve (ASPN) abstract: retrospective multicenter analysis of 23 patients
● Vizient Innovative Technology Contract: www.vizientinc.com
● Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons (AENS): www.aens.us
● Incept (medtech accelerator, parent company family of Tulavi)
● Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG): www.glg.it
Connect:
● The Pod Doctors: www.thepoddoctors.com
● The Pod Doctors on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and YouTube
● Tulavi Therapeutics: www.tulavi.com
● The Pod Doctors on Facebook and Twitter
#ThePodDoctors #Podiatry #FootAndAnkle #PodiatricMedicine #WoundCare #DiabeticFootCare #PeripheralNerve #Neuroma #FootSurgery #LimbPreservation #TulaviTherapeutics #AllayHydrogelCap #NerveCap #PeripheralNerveSurgery #NeuromaTreatment #MedicalDevices #SurgicalInnovation #PainManagement #OpioidReduction #Neurectomy
