1. EachPod

This Founder Started A Company To Save His Son's Life | David Apple (Dad of 2, Shark Tooth Biotech)

Author
Adam Fishman
Published
Thu 05 Jun 2025
Episode Link
https://share.transistor.fm/s/d2e84a8d


David Apple is the Founder of Shark Tooth Biotech, a company focused on developing treatments for CMT 1A, a rare genetic disease affecting his oldest son. Previously an executive at Typeform, Notion, and Zingtree, David stepped away from startup life to become his son’s full-time advocate. 

He’s also a father of two, a board member of the CMTA, and a first-time children’s book author. We talked about:

  • Leaving tech to prioritize advocacy: Why David chose to walk away from a successful career to support his son through a difficult diagnostic journey.
  • Facing resistance in the medical system: What it took to push past early dismissals from doctors and finally get answers through genetic testing.
  • Shifting expectations of fatherhood: How caring for a child with CMT changed David’s perception of strength, patience, and what it means to be a parent.
  • Building a purpose-led biotech company: What inspired David to launch Shark Tooth and how he’s working to fill a critical research gap for CMT 1A.
  • Protecting presence over legacy: Why David believes being present with his kids outweighs any long-term pursuit of recognition or success.
  • Frameworks for family and marriage: From structured “me time” to clear communication tools, David shares the systems that help him stay grounded.

Where to find David Apple

Where to find Adam Fishman

In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Introducing David Apple
(03:58) Leaving a CRO role to advocate full-time
(06:13) Getting real answers through genetic testing
(11:20) Misconceptions about being a stay-at-home parent
(14:27) How CMT shaped Ari’s creative side
(16:39) Using AI tools and finding support
(22:50) Why CMT research remains underfunded today
(27:12) Creating Shark Tooth Biotech with real purpose
(32:14) Advocacy matters more than expert opinions
(39:55) Letting go of legacy, focusing now
(44:04) Turning life’s obstacles into personal growth

(46:35) Lightning round


Show references:

CMT 1A: https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/1245/charcot-marie-tooth-disease-type-1a

Typeform: https://www.typeform.com/

Notion: https://www.notion.com/

Zing Tree: https://zingtree.com/

UCSF: https://www.ucsf.edu/

Stanford: https://www.stanford.edu/

https://chatgpt.com/

CMTA: https://www.cmtausa.org/

Animal Yoga by Flowerpot Press, Brian Fitzgerald (Illustrator): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/animal-yoga-flowerpot-press/1143842943

Cystic Fibrosis: https://www.cff.org/

https://www.tiktok.com/en/

Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, Neil deGrasse Tyson:  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2395695/

Paul Campillo: https://paulcampillo.com/

Munchkin Warm Glow Wipe Warmer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CNOIQ2

Momcozy Convertible Double Stroller: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJXX76MN

Marine Layer: https://www.marinelayer.com/

Coco Melon: https://www.cocomelon.com/

Bluey: https://www.bluey.tv/

Les Visiteurs: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108500/


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