Business Of Biotech

We love to hear from our listeners. Send us a message. Andrey Doronichev, known to many simply as Dobry, is perhaps best known for taking YouTube mobile. You heard that right. If it weren't for him and the teams he led, YouTube might still be a desktop experience. He went on to lead product strategy at Google before launching the startup Optic in 2022. What's that got to do with biotech, you ask? Well, it's Optic where he feels his greatest contributions are to come, and his sights are set squarely on disrupting the way we discover therapeutic targets. On this episode of the Business of Biotech, Dobry, Life Science Leader Chief Editor Ben Comer, and I explore the intersection of AI and biotech, discuss Bioptic's beginnings and its approach to leveraging advanced screening technologies for drug discovery, and address Bioptic's biggest challenges -- data access and industry skepticism. Access this and hundreds of episodes of the Business of Biotech videocast under the Business of Biotech tab at lifescienceleader.com. Subscribe to our monthly Business of Biotech newsletter. Get in touch with guest and topic suggestions: ben.comer@lifescienceleader.comFind Ben Comer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bencomer/

Jeff Coller, Ph.D., a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of RNA Biology at Johns Hopkins, and Michelle Kim, Ph.D., Managing Director of the Johns Hopkins RNA Innovation Center, share insights into the rapid growth of RNA therapeutics. They discuss the Center's role in supporting RNA innovators, the collaborative approach to improve access to cheaper RNA materials, and the transformative potential of mRNA technology in healthcare. The conversation also touches on the evolving partnerships between academia and industry, emphasizing the importance of addressing challenges in RNA technology.

Dr. Tal Zaks, CEO of Exsilio Therapeutics and former CMO at Moderna, shares insights on navigating the biotech landscape, including his transition from the COVID-19 crisis to launching his mRNA startup. He discusses the integration of cutting-edge gene therapy technologies and the challenges of moving from academic concepts to therapeutic applications. Zaks emphasizes the importance of public education on mRNA safety, the dual role of medicine in healing and wellness, and the future potential of AI in biotech innovation.

Zandy Forbes, Ph.D., is the President & CEO of Meira GTx, blending her expertise in molecular genetics and healthcare investing. She shares insights on risk mitigation in biotech, drawing from her dynamic transition from investment banking to leading a gene therapy company. Forbes discusses the challenges of managing personal fears while navigating investment decisions, the significance of strategic planning, and her company’s advancements in innovative treatments for conditions like blindness. Her unique experiences blend science and finance in the high-stakes biotech landscape.

We love to hear from our listeners. Send us a message. Tal Zaks, M.D. was Chief Medical Officer at Moderna before, during, and immediately following the company's headline role during the COVID pandemic. If that doesn't pique your interest about the stories he can tell, this episode of the Business of Biotech surely will. Tal is now leading a new mRNA-centric startup called Exsilio Therapeutics, which Advancing RNA's Anna Rose Welch and I dig into in part two of our talk with Tal, slated for release in early January. Yep, Story Time With Tal is so good, we doubled up the episodes with him. Tune in for insight from the early days of mRNA that you probably haven't heard before, and stay for a glimpse of its future role in therapeutics at Exsilio with one of the foremost thinkers in the space. Access this and hundreds of episodes of the Business of Biotech videocast under the Business of Biotech tab at lifescienceleader.com. Subscribe to our monthly Business of Biotech newsletter. Get in touch with guest and topic suggestions: ben.comer@lifescienceleader.comFind Ben Comer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bencomer/

Vik Bajaj, Managing Director at Foresite Capital, is a savvy leader at the intersection of biotech and AI. In this discussion, he shares the remarkable launch of Xaira Therapeutics with $1 billion in funding. The conversation delves into how advanced computing is transforming drug development, the challenges of cancer screening tests, and the evolving regulatory landscape. Bajaj emphasizes the critical role of data in innovating healthcare solutions and the importance of collaboration across diverse disciplines in the biotech sector.

Jerry McLaughlin, CEO of Life Biosciences, and John Maslowski, newly appointed CEO of Forge Biologics, delve into groundbreaking topics in biotech. They discuss advancements in partial epigenetic reprogramming therapies and their collaboration on clinical trials. The conversation also highlights strategic growth and leadership changes at Forge after its acquisition. Insights into the thriving biotech environment in Columbus are shared, emphasizing the importance of trust and communication in successful partnerships within the sector.

Woody Bryan, Ph.D., President and CEO of Revolo Biotherapeutics, dives into the innovative realm of peptide therapeutic delivery. He shares his transition to CEO and the bold strategic decision to shift the administration method for peptide candidates targeting allergies and autoimmune diseases. The discussion highlights the evolution of drug delivery methods, focusing on subcutaneous administration and the patient-centric approach. Bryan also outlines the importance of collaboration, early research data, and the upcoming clinical trials set to redefine their therapeutic landscape.

Allan Shaw, a Renaissance man of biotech, sheds light on the intertwining of politics and the biopharma industry. He discusses the looming impact of U.S. elections on biotech, emphasizing the need for bipartisan support amid eroding public trust in scientific agencies. Shaw delves into the Biosecure Act's potential ramifications and reexamines the future of the Affordable Care Act under new tax policies. The conversation also touches on the relevance of direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising and the imperative for reform in the life sciences sector.

Adrian Rawcliffe, CEO of Adaptimmune and former finance executive, shares his insights on the groundbreaking FDA approval of the first TCR cell therapy for synovial sarcoma. He discusses the dynamic shift from traditional therapies to innovative cell-based treatments and the unique challenges this poses in manufacturing and logistics. Rawcliffe emphasizes the importance of blending financial expertise with scientific innovation. He also highlights the future of T-cell therapies and the industry's push towards generics and biosimilars, paving the way for enhanced patient access.