Business Of Biotech

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.

We love to hear from our listeners. Send us a message. On this episode of the Business of Biotech, Bill and Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute's (Gates MRI) Dr. Claire Wagner joins us to share insights into her work as head of Corporate Strategy and Market Access there. She shares the development of her North Star while working with the incomparable Dr. Paul Farmer in Rwanda, and how that experience translates to the growth of a biopharmaceutical company taking big swings for grossly underserved populations. We discuss the nuances assoiated with setting strategy and enabling product access in a unique not-for-profit setting, and how, perhaps counterintutively, the Institute's work fits synergistically into an ultra-competitive for-profit biopharma landscape. 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/

Paul Romness, CEO and Chair of OS Therapies, shares his unexpected journey into biotech, sparked by his daughter's best friend's battle with osteosarcoma. He discusses how personal challenges led to the creation of a company focused on innovative cancer treatments. The podcast highlights Olivia's inspiring progression to med school while serving on the board, and examines the importance of community and strategic networking in shaping the startup's mission. Romness reflects on navigating career transitions and aspirations for advancing pediatric cancer treatment.

Bill Enright, CEO of Barinthus Biotherapeutics, has a track record of taking on leadership roles during tumultuous times. He recounts how he turned around challenges at Altimmune during the 2008 financial crisis. Joining Barinthus before the COVID-19 pandemic, he made pivotal decisions that laid the foundation for future success. The conversation dives into innovations in immunotherapy targeting hepatitis B and celiac disease, as well as the importance of recognizing strategic opportunities in the ever-evolving biotech landscape.

Punit Dhillon, Chairman and CEO of Skye Bioscience, shares insights on innovative obesity therapies targeting CB1 inhibition. He discusses the challenges faced by recent GLP-1 inhibitors and proposes a groundbreaking antibody-based approach to minimize side effects. Dhillon emphasizes the importance of combining effective treatments with lifestyle changes to tackle obesity's complex nature. With a commitment to rigorous clinical trials and a focus on metabolic health, he highlights Skye's potential to disrupt the weight-loss therapeutic market significantly.

Allan Shaw, a biotech finance guru with decades of experience in strategic hiring and leadership, shares invaluable insights on assembling effective executive teams. He emphasizes the dangers of inadequate hiring and stresses the importance of aligning talent with clinical milestones. The discussion also covers the challenges of preparing for public offerings and navigating fractional versus full-time leadership roles. Shaw reveals how careful decision-making can thrive even in volatility, ensuring that biotech companies remain agile and prepared for growth.

Mike Kelly, CEO of NervGen, leads the charge in peptide therapeutics aimed at repairing the central nervous system. He shares his transformation from a sales background to a biotech leader, emphasizing the importance of mentorship in understanding complex biopharma science. The discussion highlights NervGen's innovative strategies for tackling neurodegenerative diseases and the challenges of peptide manufacturing. Kelly also reflects on navigating startup dynamics, funding strategies, and the significance of collaboration in biopharma success.

Ali Pashazadeh, a surgeon-turned-healthcare investment banker, shares his unique insights into the biotech sector. He discusses his career shift, emphasizing the blend of medical knowledge with business acumen. Pashazadeh tackles the common challenges biotech firms face, from investor pressures to regulatory hurdles, highlighting the crucial role of internal alignment and transparency. He also addresses the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership during tough investment decisions and advocates for better clinical trial disclosure to enhance patient outcomes.

Hilary Eaton, Ph.D., is the Chief Business Officer at ProFluent Bio, where she champions open-source AI gene editing tools. Once a skeptic of AI in drug discovery, her perspective shifted after personal and professional challenges. She delves into her transformative journey from molecular biology to business, the emotional strains of parenting a child with a rare disorder, and the critical role of genetics in therapeutic innovation. Hilary also discusses the importance of collaboration in advancing biotech through AI, emphasizing resilience and support in the industry.

We love to hear from our listeners. Send us a message. SR One Capital Management CEO Simeon George, M.D. has a seemingly innate ability to pick winning biotech builders. Early on, he and his firm got behind CRISPR's Samarth Kulkarni, Ph.D., Arcellx' Rami Elghandour, and Nkarta's Paul Hastings, for example. With nearly 50 biotech leaders in SR One's portfolio, there are plenty more where those three came from. On this episode of the Business of Biotech, Dr. George, admits that despite his gifted brain he more readily follows his heart. Still, over the course of our conversation, he shares insight into the decision making processes that have contributed to his success at picking winners as an investment banker and biotech venture capitalist. 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/