Biotech 2050 Podcast

Synopsis: In this episode of Biotech2050, Praveen Tipirneni, CEO of Morphic Therapeutics, shares insights on Morphic’s strategic IPO, the rising interest in autoimmune treatments, the journey of their alpha 4 beta 7 program, and maintaining a conservative yet opportunistic approach in biotech. He also discusses the importance of building a strong team, navigating the complex biotech landscape, and the value of enjoying the journey. Biography: Praveen Tipirneni, MD, MBA is Chief Executive Officer of Morphic Therapeutic Inc. Previously, he was Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Global Strategy at Cubist Pharmaceuticals, a position in which he served from 2002 until the company’s acquisition by Merck in 2015. In his time at Cubist, he was a member of the clinical group working on the Cubicin NDA (skin and skin structure infections) and sNDA (Staph. Bacteremia and Endocarditis) teams. He was head of business development since January 2006. Prior to joining Cubist, Dr. Tipirneni worked at Sun Microsystems in corporate strategy, Covad Communications in Corporate Strategy, and Deltagen in business development. He also served time as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Dr. Tipirneni received a bachelor’s degree from MIT in mechanical engineering and an M. D. from McGill University. After completing his post-graduate residency in Internal Medicine at University of Illinois, Chicago, he received his MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business in healthcare finance.

Robert Ang, President and CEO of Vor Bio, discusses innovative cancer therapies like shielded stem cell transplants and CAR T-cell therapies targeting AML and MDS. He emphasizes core values, hiring passionate individuals, and the evolving landscape of cancer treatment. The podcast unveils insights into the challenges and advancements in next-gen cancer therapies, company culture, and reflecting on career choices.

Vik Bajaj, Co-founder and CEO of Foresite Labs, discusses the convergence of tech and biotech, hyper-growth in biotech companies, changes in finance, and lessons from global healthcare systems. He highlights the transformative potential of technology in biotech and the challenges and opportunities of rapid growth.

Ted Love, Chair of BIO, discusses sickle cell breakthroughs, transitioning to biotech, funding challenges, and advocating for patient benefits. Highlights include GBT's innovative therapies, importance of teamwork, and advice on leadership and philanthropy.

Synopsis: In this episode of the Biotech 2050 podcast, host Rahul Chaturvedi engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Ray Stevens, a prominent figure in the biotech industry who co-founded Structure Therapeutics. Ray's extensive experience and pivotal role in advancing structure-based drug discovery make him a compelling guest for biotech entrepreneurs seeking to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship and funding strategies. The episode delves into Ray's journey as a serial entrepreneur, the evolution of structure-based drug discovery, and the strategies employed by Structure Therapeutics to drive innovation and create impactful treatments for global health challenges. Ray's insights into the changing funding environment, the impact of distributed teams on value creation, and the significance of shared passion and mission in a company's success offer valuable knowledge for industry professionals and entrepreneurs. His reflections on the industry's future trends and the personal growth aspect add a relatable and human element to the discussion, making it a valuable resource for individuals at all career stages. Biography: Dr. Stevens helped pioneer the field of structure-based drug discovery. He has been involved in the discovery and development of several therapeutic molecules that have become breakthrough drugs including Palnziq™, which was developed at BioMarin Pharmaceutical and approved in 2018 to treat phenylketonuria. Dr. Stevens also founded Receptos which developed Zeposia™—a GPCR agonist targeting the S1PR1 receptor approved in 2020 for multiple sclerosis and 2021 for ulcerative colitis. Prior to Structure, Dr. Stevens founded the Bridge Institute at the University of Southern California (USC), and the iHuman Institute at ShanghaiTech University. He was previously a tenured chaired chemistry professor at Scripps Research and before that, an assistant professor of chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Stevens’ laboratory and students have launched several successful biotech startups including Syrrx (acquired by Takeda), MemRx (acquired by Chiron/Novartis), Receptos (acquired by Celgene/BMS), and RuiYi (now Bird Rock Bio). A prolific scholar, Dr. Stevens has authored more than 400 peer-reviewed publications and received several academic and industry awards. Dr. Stevens conducted postdoctoral research in structural biology at Harvard University with William Lipscomb, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1976. Dr. Stevens earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from USC with Robert Bau and George Olah, the latter of whom received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1994. He completed his undergraduate degree in chemistry from the University of Southern Maine.

Scott Megaffin, CEO of Adiso Therapeutics, discusses challenges and opportunities in biotech industry, importance of CEO versatility, collaboration with research institutions, proving differentiation value, and career journey reflections. Highlights on evolving field of inflammation research, personalized medication, drug development at Adiso, team building efforts, and strategic partnerships in biotech.

Dr. Mathai Mammen, CEO of FogPharma, discusses future trends in biotech, peptide-based therapeutics, and intracellular protein interactions. He highlights FogPharma's focus on developing helicon peptides for unmet medical needs. Dr. Mammen's strategic approach to commercial success and moonshot culture at FogPharma make this episode essential for industry executives seeking insights into innovative approaches shaping the biotech landscape.

Ken Galbraith, Chair and CEO of Zymeworks, shares insights on biotech leadership, developing treatments for challenging cancers, and the importance of resilience in the industry. He discusses empowering talent, innovative biologic structures, and seeking advice for better decision-making. A must-listen for aspiring biotech leaders and professionals.

Craig Chambliss, Co-Founder and CEO of Neurelis, discusses the strategic advancements in precision therapies for CNS diseases. He talks about the journey of launching life-changing products, the importance of a passionate team, and the significance of precision therapies in the CNS space. Chambliss shares insights into the evolving landscape of the biotech industry and the potential of Neurellis' pipeline in addressing severe epileptic encephalopathies.

Tuyen Ong, CEO at Ring Therapeutics and Flagship Pioneering, discusses his journey in gene therapy, emphasizing the intersection of genetic medicine and artificial intelligence. Topics include biotech hiring challenges, gene therapy development strategies, and fostering values-driven culture within the industry. A must-listen for insights into precision medicine advancements.