Biotech 2050 Podcast

Rob Williamson, President and COO of Triumvira Immunologics, brings over two decades of experience in biotechnology. He discusses the unpredictable nature of capital markets and shares his cautious optimism for future trends. The conversation highlights challenges in cell therapy, particularly with CAR-T treatments, and the industry's shift toward preventative solutions. Williamson also delves into the dynamics of biotech boards, emphasizing the need for supportive relationships. He reflects on resilience in the face of industry challenges, providing valuable insights into evolving healthcare strategies.

Biotech2050 Host, Rahul Chaturvedi, engages with Gene Mack, Interim CEO and CFO of Gain Therapeutics, as he shares his journey from aspiring neurosurgeon to biotech leader. Gene reflects on his career shift from clinical research to Wall Street and eventually operational roles in biotech. He details the development of Gain's lead asset, GT02287, which targets Parkinson's disease by aiming for disease modification rather than symptom management. Gene also discusses the challenges of biotech leadership, running clinical trials, and navigating the financial landscape, highlighting the dynamic intersection of science, business, and innovation in neurodegenerative diseases.

Synopsis: Discover how Bitterroot Bio is poised to revolutionize cardiovascular health in this captivating conversation between host Rahul Chaturvedi and CEO Pavan Cheruvu. Pavan opens up about his inspiring journey from engineering to leading a biotech company at the forefront of cardio-immunology. Learn how his visionary leadership is driving innovative solutions to combat atherosclerosis—one of the world’s deadliest diseases. Delve into Bitterroot Bio's cutting-edge approach, blending scientific breakthroughs with bold strategies to create life-saving treatments while overcoming the hurdles of drug development in an ever-changing biotech landscape. Biography: Dr. Pavan K. Cheruvu is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Bitterroot Bio. Prior to joining Bitterroot, Dr. Cheruvu was an early member of the executive team at Roivant Sciences and served as President and CEO of Sio Gene Therapies. Over the course of his career, he has worked with multiple biotechnology and medical device companies, as well as in the public sector, with focus areas spanning neurology, oncology, women’s health, and cardiology. Dr. Cheruvu previously worked as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company, where he focused on R&D strategy and transformation for biopharmaceutical firms across North America, Asia, and Europe. Dr. Cheruvu holds a BS in biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, and chemistry from Duke University and an MSc in computer science from the University of Oxford, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. He went on to earn an MD from Harvard Medical School and MIT. Dr. Cheruvu completed his residency in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital and continued his training as a clinical fellow in cardiovascular medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. He currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and daughter. He serves on the Executive Leadership Team of the American Heart Association’s Research Roundtable, and the Board of Advisors of Life Sciences Cares Bay Area.

Alex Martin, CEO of Abcuro, shares his journey from aspiring actor to biotech leader. With over three decades in biopharma, he discusses his insights on managing the complexities of fundraising amidst market challenges. Alex emphasizes the importance of building mission-driven teams and fostering emotional connections with patients, particularly for Inclusion Body Myositis. He also highlights the need for diverse expertise in leadership and strategies for navigating the transition from private to public company dynamics.

Synopsis: Abe Ceesay, CEO of Rapport Therapeutics, sits down with host Rahul Chaturvedi to reveal how precision neuroscience is driving revolutionary treatments for neurological disorders. They explore Rapport’s cutting-edge lead program targeting focal epilepsy and discuss the groundbreaking advancements that are reshaping the landscape of drug development. Abe also shares his dynamic leadership journey, offering insights into the biotech industry’s future and how innovative approaches are delivering life-changing treatments. Don’t miss this powerful discussion on the future of precision medicine and the hope it brings to patients with neurological conditions. Biography: Abe brings nearly two decades of biopharmaceutical industry experience to Rapport. He served as President of Cerevel Therapeutics from May 2021 through February 2023, and was previously CEO of Tiburio Therapeutics, where he built a fully integrated company that led to the investigational new drug enablement for a rare neuroendocrine tumor. Prior to joining Tiburio, Mr. Ceesay held positions including Chief Operating Officer at scPharmaceuticals, Head of Commercial at Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Vice President of Marketing at Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, and roles of increasing responsibility at Sanofi, formerly Genzyme. Mr. Ceesay serves as Chairman of the Board for Life Science Cares and on the Board of Trustees at The Museum of Science in Boston. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College and Master of Business Administration from Suffolk University’s Sawyer School of Management.

Dr. David Bearss, a serial entrepreneur and pharmaceutical innovator, dives into Halia Therapeutics' pioneering efforts against Alzheimer’s disease. He shares personal motivations stemming from family health struggles and discusses the impressive shift in focus from cancer research to combating neuroinflammation. Bearss highlights the unique challenges biotech startups face, stressing the importance of adaptability and a strong team culture. He also reflects on strategic partnerships crucial for innovative drug development, revealing insights into the future of healthcare.

Join Sarah Boyce, President & CEO of Avidity Biosciences, as she shares her journey in advancing RNA therapeutics. She dives into overcoming the challenges of drug delivery while revealing how innovative methods are reshaping treatments for rare diseases. Sarah also discusses the role of generative AI in drug development and the importance of fostering a strong company culture. Plus, she reflects on personal growth and the need for authenticity in leadership—essential insights for anyone intrigued by the future of genetic medicine.

Fabrice Chouraqui, CEO of Cellarity and a leader in biotech innovation, shares insights on the transformative role of AI in drug discovery. He discusses the shift from isolated targets to addressing cellular dysfunctions and the importance of machine learning in overcoming traditional challenges. Fabrice emphasizes the necessity of collaboration and a strong organizational culture for fostering innovation. He also envisions a future where AI reduces drug failure rates, making groundbreaking treatments more accessible to patients.

Join John Alam, CEO of CervoMed and a pioneer in dementia treatment, as he shares his journey from medicine to biotech. He delves into groundbreaking advancements in addressing Dementia with Lewy Bodies and the shift toward disease-modifying therapies. John discusses the challenges of navigating clinical trials and the importance of resilience and strategic partnerships in the high-stakes world of biotech. His passion for innovation in neurodegenerative research shines through, offering a hopeful outlook for the future of dementia care.

Renée Aguiar-Lucander, CEO of Calliditas Therapeutics, transitioned from investment banking to biotech leadership, bringing a wealth of experience from venture capital. She discusses the challenges in developing treatments for rare diseases, including patient recruitment and trial design complexities. Renée highlights the necessity of innovative regulatory strategies for expedited market access, the importance of a cohesive corporate culture in a global company, and how curiosity fuels success in the fast-paced biotech landscape.