Business Of Biotech

We love to hear from our listeners. Send us a message. Don't be offended by the title of today's Business of Biotech podcast. Dr. Quin Wills' application of what's become known as "Wheaton's Law" (look it up) is central to the ambitious goals his company, Ochre Bio, is pursuing: pioneering the value of computational biology in large mol discovery and development, putting an end to the global liver disease epidemic, and changing the costly, high-risk approach to clinical trials. On this week's episode, Dr. Wills and I explore how those goals are being addressed despite the challenges they present, and how the company's three guiding principles, don't be a d*** being one of them, align the Ochre team with the mission at hand. 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/

Andrew Satz, expert in AI and ML in biopharma, discusses the reality of adoption and fundamentals of AI and ML in biotech. Topics include challenges in computational biology, different types of AI, applying machine learning, and data input in drug discovery.

We love to hear from our listeners. Send us a message. Orca Bio's Dan Kirby has played a hand in prepping more than a few approved biologic therapeutic candidates for commercialization. Equally important, he knows firsthand what makes or breaks post-approval commercial efforts, having played virtually every role there is to play in drug sales and marketing. He "carried the bag" for GSK in his early days, directed oncology marketing efforts at Amgen, and led marketing and U.S. commercial efforts at Juno, then Celgene after it acquired the former. Kirby joined Orca Bio in timely fashion back in 2020, as today the company ushers its first cell therapy into phase 3 clinical trials, with strategically-dispersed follow-up candidates spanning all phases back to R&D. On this week's episode of the Business of Biotech, we get a one-on-one commercialization preparation discussion with one of the best in the business, and the straight-talking veteran doesn't disappoint in the strategy and insight departments. 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/

We love to hear from our listeners. Send us a message. Core to the clinical-stage biopharma Life Bisociences belief set is that, "contrary to popular belief, aging is not caused by random wear and tear, but instead is caused by a discrete set of biological mechanisms that can be targeted therapeutically.” The fountain of youth might be a fantasy, but the biology of aging, and more specifically, the science behind the manipulation of that biology, is not only real, it’s become big business. Still, the challenge for serious and legitimate biopharmaceutical companies in the anti-aging space can sometimes have less to do with biology than it does perception. Does the biotech investment community understand and embrace the concept? Equally, if not more importantly, will the FDA and other regulatory agencies lean into the idea that aging itself might be viewed as an indication that warrants therapeutic review? And from a commercial perspective, how does a legitimate biopharmaceutical company, focused on combatting the physical deterioration marked by the advance in our years, separate and differentiate itself from the billions of dollars being poured into the consumer packaged anti-aging and cosmetic medical procedures markets? On this episode of the Business of Biotech, Matt sits down with Life Biosciences' CEO Jerry McLaughlin to address these questions and more. 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/

We love to hear from our listeners. Send us a message. Within about five minutes of conversation with Protalix CFO Eyal Rubin, I learned that he doesn’t bite his tongue about the rigors of biotech business and finance management, which is precisely why I’m eager to talk with him on today’s episode of the podcast. From commercialization deals with big pharma to being about $50 million underwater to swatting away the day trading armchair quarterbacks on Stocktwits, Rubin’s seen a few things and he’s developed more than a few opinions. On this episode of the Business of Biotech, you'll get a front-row seat to a discussion with a biotech CFO who knows how to put on the blinders, shut out distractions, right the ship and set the course to favorable financial waters. Bringing his years of experience in the CFO role at Teva Pharmaceuticals, Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics, and now, Protalix Biotherapeutics, we bring you Eyal Rubin for a story on big biopharma fiscal recoveries. 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/

We love to hear from our listeners. Send us a message. In many respects, bringing an established foreign biopharma company to the U.S. market is not unlike starting one up from scratch. In other respects, it's even harder; long-held cultural norms and management styles, region-specific market dynamics, payer system nuance, and political influence must all be re-navigated and re-negotiated without encumbrance. The job's not for the faint of heart, which might be why the Danish company LEO Pharma tapped veteran biopharma leader Brian Hilberdink to lead its U.S. operations. On this episode of the Business of Biotech, Hilberdink shares loads of biopharma-specific leadership intel and advice as we discuss the task he faces and the course he's charting. 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/

We love to hear from our listeners. Send us a message. Since we last spoke in the Spring of 2021, Nevan Charles Elam, JD has managed to advance both of small-but-mighty Rezolute Bio's candidates onto the next phases of their journey. This year, on the back of a $130 million investment, Rezolute Bio is prepping its RZ358 candidate, a monoclonal antibody for congenital hyperinsulinism, for a pivotal phase 3 trial. On this week's epsiode of the Business of Biotech, we're settling in for an interrogation of Elam on the management principles of maintaining multi-candidate clinical momentum among highly disparate candidates and raising big dollars as a small biotech. 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/

In this episode, Rohan Palekar, CEO of 89bio, discusses the challenges in the NASH therapeutics market, the importance of safety and convenience in patient recruitment, and the impact of good data on investment. The chapter also highlights how 89 Bio efficiently advanced their mission through strategic thinking, creative trial designs, and fiscal stewardship. The challenges of integrating people within a company and optimizing antibody development are also explored.

Allan Shaw, maven of biotech finance markets and management, discusses the importance of cash management in the biotech industry, the difficulties faced by emerging biotech firms, the value of collaboration, and the need for innovation in biotech organizations.

Dr. Robert Stoffel, an expert in biotech research, discusses the establishment of a research team at Horizon Therapeutics. He explains the process of setting goals, staffing, and integrating the department. Topics include R&D challenges, academic collaborations, understanding disease mechanisms, and exploring gout targets. The focus is on determination, curiosity, cohesive teams, and innovative research at Horizon Therapeutics.