Business Of Biotech

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.

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.