Quang X. Pham is the chief executive officer of Cadrenal Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CVKD).
What is the story of Cadrenal Therapeutics and what inspired you to start it?
My latest venture, Cadrenal Therapeutics, was born from a deeply personal place. In 2000, my father passed away from a stroke. He had been taking warfarin, a common blood thinner, but it wasn’t enough to save him.
Years later, I discovered tecarfarin, a novel anticoagulant developed by a University of Florida researcher that may offer more stable metabolism for patients with rare cardiovascular conditions.
I founded Cadrenal in 2021 to bring tecarfarin and other novel drugs to patients with life-threatening immune and thrombotic (blood-clotting) conditions, and I led its Nasdaq IPO in 2023.
Tell us about your background, especially as it applies to your career.
My story began in Saigon, but the man I am today was forged on a flight deck and refined in the boardrooms of the Southeast.
I arrived in America in 1975 as a 10-year-old refugee, carrying little more than a sense of duty to honor my family’s sacrifices and a will to serve my new country. After earning my degree from UCLA, I joined the U.S. Marine Corps and eventually became a naval aviator. I flew CH-46 helicopters during the Persian Gulf War, a chapter that taught me the “underdog spirit” — the belief that effort and results (ER) are the only true equalizers.
My father was the first in our family to come to Florida. As a South Vietnamese air force pilot, he was trained at Hurlburt Field in the Panhandle in the mid-1960s. I received my training in Pensacola two decades after he did.
Are you from this area originally, or did you settle here from somewhere else?
My family and I moved to Ponte Vedra Beach in 2011 after living mostly in California, where I still spend a quarter of my time. We were drawn here by family, the incredible community spirit, safety and the outdoor lifestyle. (And no income tax!)
What do you like best about living here?
The unique “welcoming vibe” where strangers quickly become friends.
What is a typical day like for you?
My mornings usually start very early, as I balance my role as CEO with my passion for staying active.
How do you like to spend your free time?
You can usually find me on the golf course at Sawgrass Country Club, running or fishing.
What inspired you to write your newest book, “Underdog Nation?”
I wrote my newest book, “Underdog Nation,” to challenge the conventional “mindset” advice. I wanted to share a framework for success based on my journey — from war-torn Vietnam to Quantico to Wall Street. It’s about defining your own vision of success rather than chasing someone else’s, and zeroing in on the effort and results you can control.
What’s your advice for people just starting out in their careers?
For those just starting their careers, my advice is simple: Love what you do until you can do what you love. Don’t fear transitions or failure. Take responsibility for your journey, simplify your decision-making and never let precedent get in.
Anything else?
Things about me that are known and not so well-known:
