Between the Biotech Waves

I am thrilled to welcome Steve Paul to Between the Biotech Waves.With nearly 50 years of experience as a physician-scientist, Steve has made significant contributions to the fields of neuroscience, molecular neuropharmacology, and CNS drug discovery and development. He is the scientific co-founder of Sage Therapeutics, where he played a key role as the interim head of Research and Development during its formative stages which ultimately led to the approval of the first drug for postpartum depression. Additionally, he co-founded Voyager Therapeutics, a pioneering company in CNS gene therapy, and served as its president and CEO.Steve’s leadership extends to Karuna Pharmaceuticals, where he served as CEO and chairman, developing groundbreaking treatments for schizophrenia and dementia-related psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease. This innovative work culminated in the company’s sale to Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2023 for an impressive $14 billion.Previously, Steve directed the Appel Alzheimer Disease Research Institute at Weill Cornell Medical College and is currently a professor of psychiatry and neurology at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. His distinguished career also includes 17 years at Eli Lilly, where he held multiple leadership roles, including Executive Vice President for Science and Technology and President of Lilly Research Laboratories. Before his time at Lilly, he spent 18 years at the National Institutes of Health, serving as the scientific director of the National Institute of Mental Health.Steve's remarkable contributions have earned him numerous prestigious awards, and he has actively participated in many committees and advisory boards throughout his career. He is the author or co-author of over 550 scientific papers and book chapters, solidifying his impact on the field.Currently, Steve serves as a Venture Partner at Third Rock Ventures and is the recent founder of Seaport Therapeutics.Join me as we explore Steve’s extraordinary journey and gain insights into the future of neuroscience and drug development. 

Today, I are excited to welcome Kent Rogers, the Chief Executive Officer of EveryONE Medicines. Kent brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having held executive leadership positions at renowned pharmaceutical companies as well as emerging biotech firms. With over 30 years of expertise in brand and generic pharmaceuticals, specialty pharmacy, and healthcare supply chain management, Kent has been at the forefront of developing disruptive solutions that enhance access to new medicines targeting critical disease states.His leadership at EveryONE Medicines focuses on the research, development, and commercialization of individualized precision therapeutics, particularly for children facing rare and ultra-rare diseases. In addition to his role at EveryONE Medicines, Kent is a Venture Partner at ARCH Venture Partners and serves on the board of SlateRx, highlighting his commitment to advancing healthcare initiatives.Join us as we discuss Kent's extensive career, his vision for EveryONE Medicines, and the innovative strategies he employs to create pathways for access to life-changing therapies. Whether you're a professional in the biotech field or just interested in the future of medicine, this episode promises to be insightful and inspiring. 

Sound Bite with Bill Hicks looking at the market and financing in real time.

Welcome to a Between the Biotech Waves sound bite, a short podcast to provide insight into the rapidly changing biotech environment - I am pleased to welcome Paul Matteis Managing Director, Head of Therapeutics Equity Research in Biotech at Stifel to discuss the current market dynamics affecting our biotech industry. RECORDED April 7th 2025

In this episode, I am thrilled to welcome Dan Lynch, an Executive Venture Partner at Google Ventures and a seasoned leader in the biotechnology sector.Since joining GV in 2021, Dan has partnered with life sciences CEOs and executives, providing invaluable guidance as a trusted advisor and coach. His commitment to fostering long-term relationships underscores his belief that collaboration is essential in an industry filled with talented people.Dan brings a wealth of experience, having worked with numerous biopharmaceutical companies, including notable names like ImClone, where he served as CEO and CFO. Under his leadership, ImClone achieved a remarkable turnaround and secured FDA approval for the groundbreaking cancer treatment ERBITUX®.With a focus on placing patients at the center of every initiative, Dan emphasizes the importance of impact and community in the biotech landscape. He currently serves on the boards of several innovative companies and has a rich history of successful investments and partnerships.Join us as we dive into Dan’s insights into the world of biotechnology, the importance of collaboration, his experience turning around ImClone and what it truly means to prioritize patient impact in this ever-evolving field.

In today's episode, I am honored to welcome Stanley Crooke, the founder and CEO of Ionis Pharmaceuticals the first and leading antisense oligonucleotide biotech and founder, CEO and Chair of N-Lorem, a not for profit entity developing ASOs for ultra rare diseases. Stan is THE pioneer in the field of antisense oligonucleotide based RNA-targeted therapies. With a deep passion for science and innovation, Stan has dedicated his career to transforming the landscape of drug discovery and development, resulting in groundbreaking therapies that address some of the most challenging diseases.Stan's journey in biotechnology is truly inspiring, he comes from a humble beginning in Indianapolis, he was the first in his family to graduate high school, following which he studied pharmacy and ultimately went on to obtain an MD and PhD, following which he embarked on a path that united his clinical expertise with cutting-edge research. Under his leadership, Ionis has become a leader in the development of antisense oligonucleotide technology, paving the way for new treatments for genetic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and many others.Throughout his career, Stan has emphasized the importance of collaboration and scientific rigor, and he has been instrumental in fostering partnerships that drive innovation in the industry. Join us as we explore Stan Crooke’s remarkable journey, his vision for the future of biotechnology, and the impact of Ionis Pharmaceuticals on patients worldwide.

Welcome to ‘Between the Biotech Waves,’ the podcast where we navigate the dynamic world of biotechnology and explore the minds driving its innovation. I’m your host, Nessan Bermingham, and today, we have a true visionary in the field, Peter Barrett.Peter is a partner at Atlas Venture, where he has been a key player in the creation of numerous novel therapeutic and drug discovery platform companies. With an unyielding passion for advancing healthcare, Peter has been directly involved in co-founding, building, investing and supporting numerous companies including Celera Genomics, Alynlam Therapeutics and Momenta, to name just a few.Known for his entrepreneurial spirit, Peter co-founded Celera Genomics, where he led groundbreaking work that culminated in the first successful sequencing of the human genome in 2001. His strategic insights propelled Celera into the public arena, and his leadership has shaped the trajectory of many biotech companies over the years.In addition to his roles in the biotech sector, Peter is an Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School and serves as the faculty chair of the advisory board for the prestigious Blavatnik Fellowship Program, helping to cultivate the next generation of leaders in science and business.Join me as we engage in a fascinating conversation with Peter Barrett, delving into his remarkable journey, the evolution of biotechnology, and the innovative spirit that drives his work.

Now that JPM '25 is behind us, where the weather was great but the mood was somber, back to podcasting!Welcome back to 'Between the Biotech Waves,' the podcast where we explore the frontiers of biotechnology and the remarkable individuals driving innovation. I’m your host, Nessan Bermingham, and today, we are honored to have Dr. Matt Porteus with us, a true pioneer in the field of genome editing.Dr. Porteus is making headlines for his role in the development of Lyfgenia, the groundbreaking CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing drug from Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics, designed to treat sickle cell disease. He recently founded Kamau Therapeutics, a company I am involved with, to develop a next gen curative therapy for sickle cell disease. Raised in California, Matt's academic journey began at Harvard University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a focus on the ethics of recombinant DNA technology—a testament to his deep understanding of the intersection between science and society.He later completed his combined MD and PhD at Stanford Medical School, focusing on mammalian fore brain development. His postdoctoral research under Dr. David Baltimore at MIT and CalTech solidified his path toward developing innovative therapies using homologous recombination for genetic disorders, particularly in children.Returning to Stanford in 2010 as an Associate Professor, Dr. Porteus has led the way in demonstrating efficient gene correction in human cells, paving a path for curative treatments in pediatrics. His expertise extends beyond genetic diseases to include the dynamics of various pediatric conditions, with a hands-on role at the Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital, where he cares for young patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.Currently Matt is Sutardja Chuk professor of definitive and curative medicine.In today's episode, we’ll dive into Dr. Porteus's inspiring journey, the significance of Lyfgenia, and his vision for the future of gene editing in transforming the treatment of sickle cell disease and beyond.

Welcome back to Between the Biotech Waves. I am sorry for the lack of episodes over the past few months, unfortunately life threw me a curve ball that I have been taking care of but now back and ready to go!Today it gives me great pleasure to introduce Mike Curtis, President and CEO of eGenesis. You may recall seeing eGenesis on the front cover of the New York Times recently following the first successful xenotransplantation of a genetically modified porcine kidney. This followed years of work within eGenesis to develop porcine donors for human tissue transplant.Mike has a 25 year plus history in biotech from Infinity to Cadent where he played a critical role in the merger of Ataxion Therapeutics with Luc to Catabasis where he led product development and regulatory affairs to his current role as CEO and President at eGenesis. Mike earned his Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the State University of New York Upstate Medical University.His story is fascinating. Please join me in welcoming Mike Curtis.

Today I am talking to Eliot Forster xCEO of F-star Therapeutics.Eliot was at helm of the company as they reversed merged into Springbank Pharmaceuticals & through the recently announced acquisition by Sino Biopharma, a transaction that generated a lot of interest given the very public interactions with CFIUS.Prior to F-star, Eliot was CEO of Immunocore, Creabilis and Solace Pharmaceuticals following his multiple roles at Pfizer which included head of development and operations, European Union. He was the founding chair of Medcity and is an honorary visiting professor of molecular and clinical cancer medicine at the University of Liverpool, to name just a few roles he has had. Eliot is a member of the board of directors of Immatics and is chair of the boards of Ochre Biosciences and Avacta.