Podcast Summary

Podcast: Full Measure After Hours
Episode: Breaking Brad: He Healed Himself and Could Help Millions
Host: Sharyl Attkisson
Guest: Bradley Burnham (Founder & CEO, Turn Therapeutics)
Date: October 9, 2025

Episode Overview

In this compelling episode, Sharyl Attkisson talks with Bradley Burnham, who recounts his battle with a devastating, antibiotic-resistant infection and how that ordeal inspired him to invent a groundbreaking wound-care product in his garage. The episode not only details Burnham’s personal health journey and innovation but highlights the critical gaps in America's drug approval process and the challenges faced by healthcare innovators.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Health Crisis (00:34 – 03:33)

• Burnham's Background: Former medical device rep, constantly exposed to hospital-borne bacteria.
• The Infection: In late 2009, Burnham contracted a deadly, antibiotic-resistant bacteria (CRE) with a 70% fatality rate in the bloodstream.
  • "I woke up the next morning and this whole side of my head was black and my ear was like twice its normal size and hot because it was infected." - Bradley Burnham (01:52)
• Medical Limitations: Despite numerous surgeries and intensive antibiotic treatments, his infection kept recurring over a four-to-five-year period.
  • "I don't blame the physicians... They just didn't have the tools to stop this." – Burnham (03:33)

The Decision to Innovate (03:33 – 06:08)

• Inspiration from Europe: Burnham notes that Europe often has advanced medical devices and treatments years before the US.
• Desperation Breeds Ingenuity:
  • "When you're that desperate, you go off script. Maybe I can get this ingredient. Maybe I could do something with it." – Burnham (04:16)
• DIY Chemistry: Utilized Alibaba, chemical suppliers, and household equipment to develop a prototype in his garage—earning the nickname 'Breaking Brad.'
  • "I got a barrel of petrolatum... my neighbors probably thought I was working on something else..." – Burnham (05:13)
• Technical Discovery: Developed a way to integrate polyhexanide (PHMB), a safe and effective antiseptic popular in Europe, into petrolatum without an emulsifier.
  • "You just mixed oil and water together and made it stay." – Burnham quoting a patent attorney friend (06:10)

The Garage Compound that Worked (07:10 – 08:35)

• The Secret Ingredient: Polyhexanide (PHMB), widely used in the UK for resistant wounds but virtually unknown in the US.
• Self-Experimentation: With lab confirmation, Burnham’s doctors began using the product. Healing occurred in weeks instead of months.
  • "And the wound started to close... It was quick." – Burnham (08:01, 08:26)

Bringing the Product to Market (08:53 – 13:13)

• The Drive to Share: Burnham discovers Neosporin was never FDA-approved and performs poorly, motivating him to pursue official clearance for his product.
  • "...Neosporin had never been FDA approved. 75 years old, doesn't work. I wanted other people to have this Neosporin consistency product that actually worked..." – Burnham (08:58)
• Regulatory Challenges:
  • "The process is so analog in a digital era and so nuanced and so convoluted..." – Burnham (10:18)
• Cost & Time: Achieved FDA clearance for $24,000—highlighting how the real costs often go to consultants and inefficiencies.
  • "I did it for $24,000." – Burnham (12:27)
• Wide Application: Now cleared for wounds, burns, diabetic ulcers, radiation dermatitis, severe eczema, and toenail fungus.
  • "In fact, it was as much of a shock to me that it worked so well on the chronic wounds as it was to anyone." – Burnham (12:39)

Scaling Up and Impact (13:13 – 16:01)

• Grassroots Growth: Burnham personally distributed 20,000 samples, secured a major distribution deal, and built a company (Turn Therapeutics) with multiple cleared products and ongoing drug trials.
  • "I was a one man salesman. I flew 500,000 miles in two years..." – Burnham (13:18)
• Main Product: The product, called Hexagen, is currently prescription-only due to marketplace constraints but aims for broader consumer access.
  • "It's easier to start in the prescription market, get the doctor's blessing, and then move to OTC..." – Burnham (14:37)
• Financial Growth: Significant venture capital, and a $70M licensing deal.
  • "The company's in really good shape at this point." – Burnham (15:37)

Personal Aftermath and Lessons Learned (16:01 – 17:52)

• Recovery: Burnham underwent about 21 surgeries, including major reconstructive work.
• Mission-Driven:
  • "My product cured myself and I felt it was my duty... I had to get it to other people..." – Burnham (16:01)
• Systemic Reflections:
  • "There are things out there that we can't have in this country because they're too hard for the innovators to bring here. And I find that distressing." – Burnham (17:00)
  • "It's time for Congress to let the FDA modernize a bit to join us in the modern age." – Burnham (17:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Impact of Regulations:
  "It's an analog process in a digital world which we have no excuse for. We have AI now. They shouldn't make every product, no matter what it is, go through the same 10 year steps." – Burnham (17:00)
• On Motivation:
  "Never give up. Don't accept an answer that doesn't solve your problem." – Attkisson (16:47)
• On the State of US Healthcare Innovation:
  "Europe is three to five years ahead of us because they partner with innovators and invest in the future of healthcare." – Burnham (17:00)

Key Timestamps

• Burnham’s Initial Infection and Surgeries: (01:24 – 03:33)
• DIY Garage R&D—The 'Breaking Brad' Story: (05:11 – 06:08)
• First Success with PHMB Compound: (08:01 – 08:35)
• FDA Clearance and Regulatory Process: (09:56 – 12:27)
• Indications for the Product and Current Status: (12:31 – 15:15)
• Reflections and Systemic Critique: (16:45 – 17:52)

Conclusion

Bradley Burnham’s extraordinary personal journey spotlights both the resilience of individual innovators and the critical shortcomings of the American medical regulatory system. His invention, born of necessity in his own garage, not only saved his life but now provides hope and healing to countless others—all while prompting urgent questions about access, modernity, and innovation in US healthcare.

For more information:

• Learn more about Turn Therapeutics and Hexagen via your medical provider or online.
• For more with Brad Burnham, check out Full Measure on TV or FullMeasure.News.