#United States #Austin #VersaWrap #Alafair Biosciences #Sarah Mayes

Alafair Biosciences' Sarah Mayes, Ph.D., Shines in Inc.'s 2025 Female Founders 500 List

In a significant acknowledgment of female entrepreneurial talent, Inc. magazine has unveiled its 2025 Female Founders 500 list, showcasing an inspiring group of women transforming their industries. Among these remarkable innovators is Sarah Mayes, Ph.D., the Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder of Alafair Biosciences. This recognition is a testament to the tremendous impact and brilliant strides she has made in the medical device sector, particularly with her groundbreaking work on the VersaWrap® Hydrogel Sheet.

Dr. Mayes expressed her gratitude upon hearing the news, stating, "Being named to the Inc. 2025 Female Founders 500 List is an incredible honor and a testament to the unwavering dedication of our team at Alafair." This statement reflects her deep commitment to improving patient outcomes through innovative solutions. With a focus on elevating surgical care, VersaWrap is now gaining significant traction within the healthcare community.

A record of performance backs her inclusion in this prestigious list. Last year, women entrepreneurs on this list collectively attracted nearly $10.6 billion in funding, demonstrating a powerful influence on the market and showcasing their essential roles in economic innovation. Alafair Biosciences, under Dr. Mayes's leadership, contributed to approximately $9 billion in revenue, highlighting the booming success of female-led enterprises.

A Journey of Innovation and Leadership

Dr. Mayes’s journey is embedded in the essence of innovation. While a graduate student at The University of Texas at Austin, she pioneered the development of VersaWrap technology, inherently designed to revolutionize surgical care. By steering the product development, manufacturing, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, clinical studies, and intellectual property strategy, she meticulously translated a conceptual idea into a commercial success. Over her career, Dr. Mayes has successfully achieved seven FDA clearances for various applications of the VersaWrap Hydrogel Sheet, including its roles as a tendon and nerve protector. This innovation allows soft tissues to remain free, reducing complications and improving patient recovery times.

Across the industry, Dr. Mayes's leadership is not only marked by technological accomplishments but also by her knack for managing significant year-over-year growth. Recently, her work has led to a 51% increase in sales from VersaWrap Hydrogel Sheet, showcasing her ability to steer Alafair towards growing prominence in a competitive field. Impressively, over 24,000 VersaWrap implants have been completed across the nation, positively impacting many patients and healthcare providers.

A Vision for the Future

Highlighting the innovative spirit within female founders, Diana Ransom, the executive editor at Inc., noted, "Female founders know what struggle is, but they're also experts of improvisation, adaptability, and creativity." Dr. Mayes exemplifies these qualities, demonstrating resilience and leadership amid uncertainties. Her recognition is not solely hers but reflects the entire team at Alafair Biosciences, including scientists, engineers, and healthcare professionals who believe in improving surgical outcomes.

Sarah Mayes’s story is not just about personal achievements but also about paving the way for future female innovators in science and technology. As she continues to push boundaries in healthcare innovation, her vision for Alafair Biosciences remains clear: to enhance the quality of care through effective and reliable medical technologies.

With her inclusion in the 2025 Female Founders 500 list, Dr. Mayes stands as a powerful example of what it means to lead with purpose and vision. The special edition of Inc. magazine featuring these phenomenal women will hit the stands on March 18, 2025, offering more insights into their inspiring journeys and contributions to their respective fields.