In an engaging conversation, Kristin Yarema, President and CEO of Poseida Therapeutics, shares her inspiring journey from pharma to biotech entrepreneurship. She discusses groundbreaking advancements in allogeneic cell therapies and their potential to transform cancer treatment. Kristin reflects on the challenges of her CEO role, the significance of company culture, and effective teamwork. She emphasizes the impact of mentorship and personal growth in careers, underscoring the human stories behind medical innovations.
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Career Journey
Kristin Yarema's career started in big pharma (Novartis and Amgen) before moving to biotech.
She launched the first allogeneic T-cell therapy at Atara Biotherapeutics, then joined Poseida after seeing their promising data.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Big Pharma to Biotech
Big Pharma provides valuable training and industry connections.
When transitioning to biotech, leverage your network and embrace diverse experiences.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Biotech Challenges
Be prepared for resource limitations and fast decision-making in biotech.
Embrace new challenges and be open to wearing multiple hats.
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The book narrates the story of Henrietta Lacks, a poor black tobacco farmer whose cervical cancer cells, known as HeLa cells, were taken without her knowledge in 1951 and have since become one of the most important tools in medicine. The cells have been used in developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and more, yet Henrietta's family remained unaware of her 'immortality' for decades and never benefited financially from the cells. The book delves into the dark history of experimentation on African Americans, the birth of bioethics, and the legal battles over body ownership. It also explores the personal story of Henrietta's family, particularly her daughter Deborah, and their struggles with the legacy of her cells[2][4][5].
Synopsis:
Host Rahul Chaturvedi leads an insightful conversation with Dr. Kristin Yarema, President and CEO of Poseida Therapeutics. Kristin shares the inspiring journey of her career, from her roots in science to leadership roles in big pharma, culminating in her move to biotech entrepreneurship. She reflects on pivotal experiences at Novartis and Amgen, her deep-seated passion for oncology and autoimmune diseases, and the exciting leap into the field of cell therapy.
Kristin unveils Poseida’s innovative genetic engineering toolkit and the company’s advancements in allogeneic cell therapies, spotlighting their potential to revolutionize treatment for conditions like multiple myeloma. She delves into the challenges and opportunities within the cell therapy space, underscoring Poseida's strategic partnerships and commitment to transformative solutions. With candid reflections on the lessons learned as a first-time CEO, Kristin offers valuable insights on fostering cohesive company culture and shares career advice for aspiring biotech professionals.
An essential listen for anyone drawn to biotech innovation, the future of cell therapy, and leadership strategies at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and patient care.
Biography:
Dr. Yarema was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Poseida and named to the Board of Directors in January 2024. She joined Poseida as President, Cell Therapy in April 2023, bringing extensive biopharmaceutical experience in oncology and allogeneic T cell immunotherapy. Prior to Poseida she served as Chief Commercial Officer at Atara Biotherapeutics, where she led the commercialization of EBVALLO™️, which became the world’s first marketed allogeneic T cell therapy after receiving regulatory approval in Europe for the treatment of a rare lymphoma. Previously Dr. Yarema held a series of U.S. and global commercial leadership roles at Amgen, including most recently Vice President & Therapeutic Area Head for Global Product Strategy & Commercial Innovation in Hematology-Oncology. Earlier in her career, Dr. Yarema worked at Novartis and McKinsey & Company. Dr. Yarema holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from University of California, Berkeley and is a graduate of Stanford University, where she earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a B.A. in English. She is an officer and member of the board of directors of the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine and serves on the board of directors of the Celiac Disease Foundation.
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