This week on The Genetics Podcast, Patrick is joined for a special recording at the Flagship Pioneering studio during JPM 2026 by Michelle Werner, CEO of Alltrna, and Mike Severino, CEO of Tessera Therapeutics. They discuss the molecular mechanisms behind Alltrna’s engineered tRNA and Tessera’s gene-writing platforms, why 2026 marks a major inflection point as both programs enter the clinic, and considerations around trial design, patient needs, and delivering therapies at scale.
Show Notes:
0:00 Intro to The Genetics Podcast
00:59 Welcome to Michelle and Mike
01:26 Overview of Alltrna’s therapeutic approach to rare genetic diseases using engineered tRNAs
03:19 Overview of Tessera Therapeutics’ gene writing approach
04:51 Preclinical evidence supporting first-in-human testing of Alltrna’s lead candidate
07:50 Why Tessera’s preclinical models are predictive of clinical success
10:40 Key features that differentiate Tessera’s RNA-based gene writing
14:02 Advantages of using basket trials for engineered tRNAs
18:00 Clinical trial design and early efficacy signals for gene writing in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
21:59 Genetic testing, patient identification, and patient advocacy in Alltrna trials
24:18 Differentiating Tessera’s gene writing approach for patients and investigators
26:35 Site readiness and expertise required for genetic medicine trials
28:32 Scaling Alltrna’s platform across mutations, tissues, and diseases
32:34 Expanding Tessera’s gene writing platform beyond alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
35:57 Perspectives on biotech funding, pharma partnerships, and rare disease investment
39:08 The data pharma looks for when partnering on novel genetic therapies
42:49 Emerging technologies Michelle and Mike are watching beyond their own platforms
47:19 Closing remarks
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