Cell & Gene: The Podcast

We love to hear from our listeners. Send us a message.On the 100th episode of Cell & Gene: The Podcast, Host, Erin Harris, sits down with Audrey Greenberg, Founder and CEO of AG Capital Advisors. Audrey is the award-winning executive, board director, and strategic advisor with a proven track record of launching, scaling, and successfully exiting multi-billion-dollar ventures. They explore the biggest challenges and opportunities facing CGT biotech leaders today; the funding crisis in biotech, the evolving investment landscape, and whether the traditional VC-driven model is still sustainable. They also examine what it really takes to scale a biotech company from startup to market leader, the role of AI-driven drug discovery, and how big tech’s growing influence could reshape the industry. You'll hear their discussion on leadership challenges in biotech, the need for more diverse voices at the top, and what must change to empower the next generation of women leaders in CGT, and more.Subscribe to the podcast!Apple | Spotify | YouTube

We love to hear from our listeners. Send us a message.In this episode of Cell & Gene: The Podcast, Host Erin Harris dives into the world of retinal gene therapy with Kenji Fujita, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Atsena Therapeutics. Atsena develops treatments for inherited retinal diseases, including X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS), a rare genetic condition that currently has no FDA-approved therapy. They talk through the impact of XLRS on patients, the challenges of gene delivery to the retina, and how Atsena’s AAV vector technology is designed to overcome these hurdles. They also discuss the significance of the Fast Track designation recently granted to Atsena’s XLRS program, the role of patient advocacy in rare disease research, and the key milestones to watch for in the months ahead.Subscribe to the podcast!Apple | Spotify | YouTube

We love to hear from our listeners. Send us a message.In this episode, Host Erin Harris sits down with Dr. Simrit Parmar, Founder of Cellenkos, to explore how the company is pioneering umbilical cord blood-derived Regulatory T cell (Treg) cell therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Dr. Parmar shares the vision behind Cellenkos, the advantages of cord blood-derived Tregs over other sources, and how their CRANE technology platform enhances precision in targeting diseases. They also discuss key findings from their Phase 1b trial for CK0804, the challenges of scaling up off-the-shelf Treg therapies, and what’s next for Cellenkos in 2025.Subscribe to the podcast!Apple | Spotify | YouTube

Omkar Kawalekar, Ph.D., a Senior Manager and NextGen Therapies Manufacturing & Supply Chain Lead at Deloitte Consulting, dives into the future of cell and gene therapy manufacturing. He discusses how distributed manufacturing models can tackle capacity issues and supply chain threats. Omkar emphasizes the role of automation in minimizing variability between batches and the significance of digital technologies in optimizing production. He explores vital decisions for CGT companies regarding in-house versus CDMO partnerships, providing insights on efficiency and innovation.

We love to hear from our listeners. Send us a message.In this episode, Erin Harris sits down with Faraz Ali, CEO of Tenaya Therapeutics, to explore the cutting-edge world of gene therapies for heart diseases. As Tenaya makes significant strides in developing innovative treatments, Ali shares insights on Tenaya's gene therapy platform, their in-house manufacturing capabilities, and the potential impact of their therapies on prevalent heart conditions. They also discuss the complexities of commercializing gene therapies, industry-wide developments, and Tenaya's roadmap for 2025. This conversation offers a unique glimpse into the future of cardiac care and the transformative potential of gene therapies in treating heart diseases.Subscribe to the podcast!Apple | Spotify | YouTube

Helen Sabzevari, Ph.D., President and CEO of Precigen, shares insights on innovative adenovirus-based therapies. She discusses the promising use of gorilla adenovectors, which enhance the delivery of large genetic payloads for effective gene therapies. Sabzevari reveals exciting results from Precigen's recent BLA submission, with over 50% of patients achieving Complete Response in pivotal studies. She also highlights the company's groundbreaking work in treating recurrent respiratory papillomatosis and the potential for broad applications in immuno-oncology and beyond.

We love to hear from our listeners. Send us a message.Christopher Horan, Chief Technical Operations Officer, Artiva Biotherapeutics joins Cell & Gene: The Podcast Host, Erin Harris, to discuss the advantages natural killer (NK) cells have offer over T cells in terms of safety and efficacy for autoimmune disease. They take a deep dive into the key factors that make NK cells promising for ‘off-the-shelf’ cell therapy products. They cover Artiva's "manufacturing first" approach to enabling scalable NK cell production, and much more.Subscribe to the podcast!Apple | Spotify | YouTube

Christopher Choi, Ph.D., is an expert in cell and gene therapy manufacturing and the Director of the GMP Facility at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. In this discussion, he reveals plans for a new Cell and Gene Therapy Hub set to open in 2025, aimed at advancing cancer treatment. Choi emphasizes the critical role of automation in manufacturing and shares valuable advice for emerging biotech firms on quality management, project coordination, and the importance of a quality by design approach to improve market readiness.

We love to hear from our listeners. Send us a message.Cell & Gene: The Podcast Host Erin Harris talks to Lothar Roessig, M.D., SVP, Integrated Product Team Lead, Congestive Heart Failure at Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio) about the biggest challenges in developing gene therapies for cardiovascular diseases, specifically congestive heart failure (CHF). They discuss AB-1002, the gene therapy the company is developing for the treatment of CHF and why a gene therapy approach is significantly different from traditional therapies.Subscribe to the podcast!Apple | Spotify | YouTube

Dr. Amit Rhakit is the Chief Medical Officer at BlueRock Therapeutics, where he focuses on cutting-edge cell therapies for Parkinson's disease. He delves into how their therapy, bemdaneprocel, restores dopamine-producing neurons, contrasting it with conventional treatments. The discussion highlights the significant benefits these advancements could have on patient quality of life. Rhakit also shares insights on the personal stories of those living with Parkinson's, emphasizing the transformative potential of innovative therapies in managing symptoms.