Michael Krachon – Theragenics

When Michael Krachon talks about Theragenics and its mission, his words carry both scientific precision and a sense of urgency. As president of the Georgia-based medical technology company, he knows the stakes could not be higher. Every decision the company makes, every isotope it produces, and every brachytherapy seed it delivers can alter a patient’s life. To him, the work isn’t about product lines or market share—it’s about impact.

Michael Krachon | Theragenics | President

Theragenics has spent more than four decades developing radioisotope-based therapies and precision devices that have quietly reshaped the treatment landscape for prostate cancer and other conditions. The company’s focus on palladium-103 and iodine-125, two isotopes used in low-dose-rate brachytherapy, has made it a global leader in targeted radiation solutions. Its flagship products—TheraSeed PD-103 and AgX100 I-125—are used by physicians in more than 40 countries.  A recent partnership with GT Medical Technologies to distribute Cesium-131 to offer the full range of low-dose rate brachytherapy products for prostate cancer.

But Theragenics’ identity goes beyond its technology. The company manages its entire production process—from isotope generation to seed manufacturing to worldwide distribution and logistics—from its headquarters in Buford, Georgia. With 14 cyclotrons, Theragenics has built one of the largest radioisotope production capacities in the world, giving it a flexibility that competitors relying on reactor-based systems can’t match. That vertical integration ensures consistency, safety, and precision, but it also reflects a philosophy that underpins the entire business: control what you can, and perfect it.

Leading with vision & experience 

Krachon brings a unique blend of technical and business acumen to the role. With a biomedical engineering degree from Duke University and an MBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, he embodies the intersection of science and strategy. His early years in the medical device field, including 15 years at C.R. Bard as associate director of global urological health, gave him an inside view of both the promise and the pitfalls of medical innovation.

“For years I’ve worked on the reimbursement and access side of this industry,” Krachon says. “And from that perspective, it’s really disheartening. How can a treatment that has some of the best clinical outcomes, the best patient experience, and is even cost-effective for the healthcare system, still be so invisible?”

That invisibility is what drives much of his current focus. Despite prostate cancer affecting nearly as many men as breast cancer affects women, public awareness—and by extension, patient access—lags far behind. The data are sobering: the mortality gap between the two diseases is less than 20 percent, yet prostate cancer receives only a fraction of the attention and funding. For Michael, this disparity isn’t just a communications challenge; it’s a call to action.

He knows that awareness is the linchpin of progress. A patient can only choose the right therapy if he knows it exists. So, while Theragenics continues to refine its production and supply capabilities, Krachon has been spearheading efforts to educate both physicians and patients about the life-changing potential of brachytherapy.

Life After Seeds: Awareness as a mission 

To close the awareness gap, Theragenics has launched an ambitious initiative called “Life After Seeds.” This patient-facing digital community aims to demystify brachytherapy and provide a platform where men can share their experiences and learn from one another. Built in partnership with physicians, advocacy groups, and patients who have undergone treatment, the program highlights one of Michael’s core beliefs: that the most persuasive voices in healthcare belong to those who have lived it.

“You’d be hard-pressed to know that prostate cancer affects almost as many men as breast cancer does women,” Krachon says. “But that’s the problem. Too few people are talking about it. And too many patients aren’t being told that brachytherapy is even an option.”

The Life After Seeds initiative continues to expand, with new marketing and communications efforts working together to accelerate its growth. It’s also part of a broader professional outreach strategy, in which Theragenics partners with urology and radiation oncology societies to bring brachytherapy back into the mainstream of treatment discussions. The company’s deep ties within the clinical community—many of which were cultivated by Krachon over his 25 years in the field—have been instrumental in driving that message forward.

For him, the effort is less about selling and more about storytelling.

“It’s not a product—it’s a patient,” he says. “Every seed Theragenics manufactures is made for a specific person, with a unique diagnosis and treatment plan. We don’t just ship inventory; we deliver care.”

A business built on precision & purpose 

Theragenics’ longevity in such a specialized field speaks to the strength of its foundation. Founded in the early 1980s by Georgia Tech engineers, the company was among the first to commercialize palladium-based brachytherapy. Over the years, it has weathered the economic and regulatory volatility that often defines the medical device industry, transitioning from a public company to private venture capital ownership while maintaining its independence and focus.

Krachon describes the culture as entrepreneurial but disciplined—a “startup with a 40-year history.” The 100-person operation runs lean, with roughly 85 employees dedicated to manufacturing and another 15 supporting sales, marketing, and customer service. That small scale is intentional; it allows for agility and tight coordination between departments, especially when every product must meet strict medical and regulatory standards.

“We operate differently,” he says. “We have to. You can’t just plug in a new person and expect them to understand everything we do. It’s about finding people who thrive in this kind of environment—people who are comfortable wearing multiple hats and taking ownership.”

That philosophy extends to how Krachon builds teams. Drawing inspiration from his days at Duke and the leadership style of legendary basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, he focuses on identifying and developing underappreciated talent.

“You look for people’s strengths and find ways to leverage them,” he says. “Put them in positions where they can succeed, and the organization will thrive.”

In an industry where turnover can be high and change is constant, Michael’s approach is refreshingly pragmatic. He recruits with a three- to five-year horizon in mind, seeking individuals who can make an impact now, knowing that longevity often depends on where technology and markets evolve next.

“If someone has more experience, we’ll deal with their long-term later,” he says. “Let’s focus on what they can bring to the next few years.”

The road ahead 

While Theragenics’ commitment to prostate cancer therapy remains steadfast, its future lies in expanding the potential of radioisotope technologies. Krachon and his team are exploring supporting next-generation applications that bind isotopes directly to cancer cells—a “hand grenade right on the tumor,” as he describes it. The concept builds on the precision of targeted therapy but applies it at the cellular level, promising even more targeted, less invasive treatments.

“If we can help make that happen, it’ll be remarkable,” he says. The idea encapsulates the company’s ethos: merging innovation with humanity, science with compassion.

As part of a larger family of medical and technology businesses under venture capital ownership, Theragenics operates within a results-driven framework.

When results are challenging, they tend to reach out more,” Krachon says with a smile. “When results are strong, the calls slow down.”  Yet he acknowledges that the investors have been supportive, providing the resources and autonomy needed to pursue bold ideas.

Still, the business realities are demanding. The market for prostate cancer treatments is crowded, reimbursement structures are complex, and newer therapies often compete for attention regardless of their long-term efficacy. Krachon accepts those challenges as part of the job.

“We’ve always been a bit of an underdog,” he says. “But the science speaks for itself. The outcomes are there. We just need to make sure more people know it.”

For him, leadership at Theragenics means more than guiding operations—it’s about sustaining a mission that has personal and global implications. Every isotope produced in Buford, every patient who finds hope through brachytherapy, represents a step toward a future where effective cancer care is not just advanced, but accessible.

That’s the transformation Theragenics envisions: healthcare that is both high-tech and human, with a global reach but a personal impact. And under Krachon’s steady, passionate leadership, that future feels within reach.