About us
What is Fulgurite?
A fulgurite [fuhl-gyuh-rahyt] is a rare, glassy structure formed when a lightning bolt carrying temperatures that can exceed 30,000 degrees Kelvin strikes silica rich sand. The intense heat melts together silicon dioxide (SiO₂) and other mineral impurities into long, hollow tubes of natural glass. These structures often retain the branching shape of the lightning path itself, capturing the exact route of the electrical discharge in solid form.
The lightning strike involves three major components:
Silica Content – High purity quartz sand provides the silicon dioxide matrix needed for vitrification.
Moisture & Mineral Impurities – Trace minerals and water in the substrate can influence color, opacity, and structural integrity.
Instantaneous Cooling – The molten glass solidifies within milliseconds, preserving a snapshot of the event.
For us, a fulgurite represents some of the most pivotal and powerful components of drug discovery and development. The parallel uniqueness and core essentials of a fulgurite are like each drug development project and the teams that drive their success. The composition of materials that are just right. The focused energy placed precisely in the optimal location. There then emerges something new, something unique, something valuable.
Fulgurite can help capture those transformative moments, aggregate the necessary components for success. Supporting your opportunity with diligence and years of expertise, Fulgurite can help turn your breakthrough science and innovative ideas into therapeutic impact.
Who is Fulgurite?
William C. Stafford
Founder & Consultant
William C. Stafford is a scientist and biotech leader with over a decade of experience in early drug development. He has served as the heard of drug discovery programs, directed developmental and translational strategies, and established effective licensing efforts on a world wide scale..
At UC Berkeley, William started his scientific career in the laboratory of Nobel Laureate Randy Schekman. He entered the biotech field with Olema Oncology, helping drive early discovery and development efforts with novel differentiation assays and “boots on the ground” resourcefulness. After moving to Sweden from the U.S. to perform his Ph.D. at the Karolinska Institutet, he lead the small-molecule oncology program at Oblique Therapeutics, and also served as Translational Director at Oxcia AB. In 2021 he founded Fulgurite to provide consultancy services for multiple companies across the US, Europe, and Asia. With Fulgruite, he established and revamped whole in-licensing campaigns and internal strategy infrastructures. He has also advised stealth companies on strategy and foundation.
William holds a Ph.D. in Medical Biochemistry & Biophysics from the Karolinska Institutet and a B.A. in Molecular & Cellular Biology with an emphasis in Neurobiology from UC Berkeley. He is an inventor on several patents, author of peer-reviewed publications, and is ICH-GCP certified. A California native, William has lived in Europe for many years and holds both United States and Swedish citizenship. He enjoys playing music, riding motorcycles, and traveling.
