The Stem Cell Podcast

Ep. 60: “Stemcentrx” Featuring Scott Dylla

Dec 22, 2015
Guest
Scott Dylla
Scott Dylla, co-founder and CSO of StemCentrx, shares his journey from academia to biotech, motivated by his grandmother's battle with leukemia. He discusses the innovative approach of targeting cancer stem cells using antibody-drug conjugates, highlighting the discovery of DLL3 in small cell lung cancer. Dylla also contrasts the dynamics of research in industry versus academia, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in biotech innovation. With a focus on curing cancer, he outlines StemCentrx's mission and therapeutic advancements.
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ANECDOTE

Personal Motivation From Family Illness

  • Scott Dylla recounts his childhood connection to Mayo Clinic and his grandmother's leukemia, which motivated his interest in cancer research.
  • That early experience guided his academic path into leukemia, stem and progenitor cell research and eventually a PhD focusing on cancer biology.
ANECDOTE

Early Industry Lab Experience Shaped Career

  • Scott describes joining Oncomed as an early employee to work on cancer stem cells and to learn industry drug development.
  • That experience taught him practical translational skills and set the stage for founding Stemcentrx in 2008.
INSIGHT

Stem Cells As Likely Origins Of Cancer

  • Only long-lived stem cells can accrue the multiple mutations required to become cancer.
  • Therefore cancers often originate from normal stem cells, making cancer stem cells logical targets to prevent recurrence.
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