Industrial Design Alum Pioneering Change in Medication Delivery

In the dynamic world of pharmaceuticals, where innovation can bolster quality of life, Julia Anthony stands out as a beacon of inspiration. After graduating from Jefferson’s MS in industrial design program, Anthony founded SOLUtion Medical, a company dedicated to developing drugs that require mixing at the point of care.

Their journey is deeply rooted in personal experience, education and a desire to make a meaningful impact on healthcare.

A Personal Journey
Born with congenital adrenal hyperplasia—a rare and life-threatening condition—Anthony experienced firsthand the challenges of receiving timely and effective treatment, difficulties that many patients still face today. Rather than letting their health struggles deter them, the Class of 2017 grad harnessed this adversity to create solutions to benefit others.

“I realized I could use this difficult thing impacting my life to help people right in front of me,” they explain.

SOLUtion Medical focuses on the effective delivery of drugs that must be mixed right before injection, beginning with a program designed for adrenal crisis. When the body fails to produce cortisol, emergency treatment is required immediately. Otherwise, the consequences can be fatal.

The current treatment process requires 14 intricate steps, including time-sensitive drug mixing. In the chaos of an emergency, when every second counts, this complexity introduces dangerous delays.

Determined to change the narrative, Anthony founded SOLUtion Medical with a singular mission: to redefine drug delivery and remove unnecessary barriers patients face in moments that matter most. The company’s pioneering, intuitive, user-friendly drug delivery systems streamline point-of-care mixing, preserving medication stability and potency while eliminating the inefficiencies, risks and costs that put lives at stake.

Education at Jefferson
Anthony’s journey at Jefferson played a pivotal role in shaping their entrepreneurial aspirations. Coming from an educational background in kinesiology, healthcare and nutrition, they decided to focus on the intersection of design and healthcare.

“I saw an interesting opportunity to be part of a design program that would ultimately have access to real-world healthcare problems,” they recall.

The program equipped Anthony with vital skills, particularly working across disciplines and communicating with various stakeholders. Facing challenges and critiques in their education fostered resilience as well.

“Being told ‘no’ a lot is super important,” Anthony says. “You have to get comfortable with feedback and critique.”

This shift in mindset prepared them for the uncertainties of entrepreneurship and highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling complex problems.

Measuring Success
Anthony’s success has reached far beyond their business. They’re also a NASDAQ Milestone Makers alum, a former JLABS member and an active patient advocate. In 2024, they were named a Gaingels 100 Entrepreneur—part of a celebration of diverse, venture-backed LGBTQIA+ founders.

This honor reflects their hard work and perseverance as a founder in a challenging industry where leadership and innovation remain largely male-dominated.

“To be acknowledged among such talented individuals is both humbling and inspiring,” says Anthony, who won Jefferson’s Top Ram entrepreneurship competition in 2017. “It’s a reminder that our voices matter, and our journeys, though unique, contribute to a larger narrative of resilience and innovation within our community.”

They say this recognition serves as a personal achievement and a model of hope for others who may be navigating their paths in the business world.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For students eyeing a future in industrial design and entrepreneurship, they offer a thought-provoking perspective.

“Industrial design is more of a mindset to me,” says Anthony, emphasizing user interaction and experience at the forefront of all endeavors, transcending traditional boundaries within design.

They stress the need for open-mindedness in one’s journey as well. “When you make your own things, you’re designing, writing the playbook and teaching others how to follow the playbook—all at the same time,” Anthony explains. “It takes a level of self-awareness and being open and flexible.”

Reflecting on their journey, Anthony acknowledges the unpredictability of entrepreneurship: “The path wasn’t really written for me … everything was far from easy.” This candor serves as a reminder to future entrepreneurs that adaptability plays a key role in navigating the uncertainties of building a business.

Anthony’s story also reflects the powerful intersection of personal experience and professional purpose. They’re addressing critical gaps in healthcare while championing thoughtful design, interdisciplinary collaboration and resilient innovation.

Living with a life-threatening condition and identifying as an LGBTQIA+ founder, Anthony is committed to building inclusivity into the foundation of medical innovation, creating universally designed products that support diverse needs and identities. Through SOLUtion Medical, they help to reshape drug delivery and drive a more people-centered shift in the pharmaceutical industry.