Business Of Biotech Executing A Product Pivot With Vir Bio's Mark Eisner, MD
May 12, 2025
Dr. Mark Eisner, EVP and Chief Medical Officer at Vir Biotechnology with a rich background at Genentech and UCSF, shares insights on the company's shift to focus on infectious diseases and oncology post-COVID. He discusses the strategic integration of Sanofi's T-cell engager platform and the prioritization of hepatitis programs. Eisner also reflects on his journey from academic medicine to biopharma, emphasizing the importance of leadership during organizational changes and the potential of innovative partnerships in drug development.
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From Academia to Industry
- Mark Eisner transitioned from academic medicine to industry to impact more patients through novel therapeutics.
- He found working at Genentech allowed him to change medical practice on a larger scale than treating patients one-on-one.
Immune System Links Diseases
- Immune system dysfunction connects diverse diseases like asthma, hepatitis delta, and cancer.
- Vir aims to harness the immune system to treat infectious and oncologic diseases effectively.
Vir's Strategic Pivot Explained
- Vir pivoted post-COVID to focus on hepatitis delta, hepatitis B, and oncology with T-cell engagers.
- Acquisition of Sanofi's T-cell engager platform accelerated development and brought expert employees to Vir.