Life Science Success

Send us a text• Susan Stipa, with a diverse background in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and financial services, discusses the evolution of her career and her transition into marketing, emphasizing her passion for blending scientific understanding with creative communication. • She highlights the rapid and transformative advancements in biopharmaceuticals, touching on the challenges and excitement surrounding emerging therapies like cell and gene therapy and expressing concern about ensuring access to these innovations. • Susan mentions the importance of effective communication within the biotech industry, especially when engaging with journalists to accurately relay complex scientific concepts, showcasing CG Life’s role as a mediator to foster better understanding. • She reflects on valuable leadership advice received from her father about making a strong initial impression and the importance of human connection, opposing a rigid corporate mentality, to foster creativity and meaningful relationships. • Both Susan and the host, Don, share an appreciation for the relentless drive within the biotech industry and its potential to address global health challenges, emphasizing the fulfillment derived from their roles in this dynamic field.

Send us a textToday on the Life Science Success Podcast, we have a very special guest with us—David Hibbard, the Vice President of Engineering at Sunrise Labs. With over 25 years of experience in medical device development, David has been at the forefront of innovation in areas ranging from Stress Echocardiography to Robotics.   The interview features David Hibbard, VP of Engineering at Sunrise Labs, who has over 25 years of experience in medical device development. He holds a biomedical engineering degree from Boston University. Sunrise Labs specializes in Class II and Class III medical devices and focuses on end-to-end service, from software to hardware. The team size is just under 100 people, with approximately 70 to 80 engineers. David discusses the importance of strong project management, emphasizing the need to understand regulatory strategy and timelines, and advises that good client relationships are formed through transparency and integration, even in daily scrums. On the topic of leadership, David mentions the importance of good integrity and communication for long-term partnerships. He emphasizes that understanding the end user's needs is crucial for successful medical device development. Hibbard also talks about the use of AI to improve code robustness and mentions some of the challenges they are facing with remote work and maintaining a work-life balance in the current environment.

Send us a textIn this episode of the Life Science Success Podcast my guest is Dr. Vibhor Gupta.  Dr. Gupta is the Director and Founder at PangaeaData.AI. He trained in oncology research and has a breadth of experience in life sciences through his work in industry and academia over the last two decades.   Dr. Vibhor Gupta is the Director and Founder of PangaeaData.AI. He has a background in oncology research and a breadth of experience in life sciences. Dr. Gupta's journey in the Life Sciences industry began when he realized the importance of combining scientific knowledge with computer programming skills to make sense of medical data, especially in the context of improving patient outcomes and advancing scientific research. He emphasized the importance of motivation in pursuing a career in life sciences and how it helps individuals weather challenges and stay focused on their goals. Dr. Gupta discussed his experience working in Silicon Valley with Quantum Secure, where he gained valuable insights into product development, customer behavior, and innovation in the tech industry. Pangaea Data's focus is on leveraging artificial intelligence to connect undiagnosed patients with appropriate treatments and clinical trials, benefiting patients, clinicians, and pharmaceutical companies. They have demonstrated success in finding previously undiagnosed patients and reducing treatment costs.

Send us a textIn this episode of the Life Science Success Podcast, we're honored to have Dr. Alan Trounson, the CEO of Cartherics Pty Ltd, a company at the forefront of redefining cancer treatment through immunotherapy. Tune in as we discuss the future of cancer treatment, and much more!"   Dr. Alan Trounson, CEO of Cartherics Pty Ltd, has a rich background in reproductive sciences and stem cell research. He has been instrumental in the development of human IVF and embryonic stem cells, and has also led the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine with a $3 billion budget. Cartherics aims to redefine cancer treatment through immunotherapy. The company is working on off-the-shelf CAR-T therapies that are designed to be low-cost and widely accessible, aiming to make cancer a manageable condition rather than a terminal one. The company differentiates itself by focusing on overcoming immune inhibitors in solid tumors and recruiting the patient's own immune system for a more effective treatment. They are also involved in gene editing to extend the life of CAR-T cells and make them more effective. Cartherics is in discussions with the FDA and plans to enter clinical trials by 2025. They are also collaborating with various international partners, including companies in Korea, China, Malaysia, and Australia, to bring in innovative ideas and technologies. Dr. Trounson is enthusiastic about the science and the potential impact of their work. He believes that getting the science right is crucial for achieving the expected outcomes and is excited about the broader scientific developments in the field.

Send us a textIn this episode of Life Science Success, my guest is Gaurav Kapoor.  Gaurav is a co-founder of Indegene, a digital-first life sciences commercialization company with 19 of the world's top 20 biopharma companies as clients. Gaurav is an expert in life sciences commercialization, having pioneered the co-commercialization model at Indegene. He has close to 25 years of experience in the technology-led healthcare solutions space.   Part 1: Introduction and Background Don Davis: Host of the Life Science Success Podcast, focuses on strategy, people, process, and technology in life sciences. He also has a weekly series on LinkedIn Live about scaling organizations. Gaurav Kapoor: Co-founder of Indegene, a digital-first life sciences commercialization company. They work with 19 of the world's top 20 biopharma companies. Part 2: Journey and Motivation Gaurav Kapoor: Shares his 25-year journey with Indegene. Initially focused on bridging the knowledge gap between doctors and the pharma industry using data and technology. They digitized thousands of hours of content from medical conferences. Part 3: Business Model and Shifts Indegene initially focused on B2C but shifted to a B2B model. They also moved their focus to the U.S. market due to its innovation and concentration of pharma companies. Part 4: Industry Changes and Adaptation Significant industry changes around 2010 due to the patent cliff led to a focus on centralization and compliance. Indegene started reimagining the sales and marketing model around 2015, predicting a shift towards an omni-channel approach. Part 5: Co-Commercialization Indegene pioneered co-commercialization, focusing on an omni-channel sales model and a "launch in a box" platform for mid-pharma and biotech companies. This allows for leaner, more efficient launches and operations. Part 6: Future Outlook Both Don and Gaurav discuss the need for the industry to continue evolving, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. They express hope that the new efficiencies and approaches adopted during the pandemic will become the new normal.

Send us a textIn this episode of Life Science Success, my guest is Brian DeDecker.  Brian is the CEO and co-founder of Seedling Biosystems in Boulder, Colorado. The planet’s ecosystems strain from current chemical and protein manufacturing methods and Brian co-founded Seedling to help solve this crisis.  🔑 Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Empathy in Communication: Whether talking to students or venture capitalists, understanding your audience's mindset is crucial. Brian shares how teaching has honed his skills in this area. 2️⃣ Sustainable Biomanufacturing: Seedling Biosystems aims to revolutionize industries by shifting processes to farming, particularly focusing on soybeans as a sustainable alternative. 3️⃣ Innovative Products: From baby formula proteins to squalene for vaccines, Seedling is working on products that not only meet market needs but do so in an eco-friendly manner. 4️⃣ Leadership Philosophy: "Do what you can with what you got, where you are." This Teddy Roosevelt quote serves as Brian's guiding principle, emphasizing resourcefulness. 5️⃣ Climate Change: Both a concern and a motivator, Brian believes that the challenges posed by climate change will bring out the best in humanity, driving us toward innovative solutions.

Send us a textToday on the Life Science Success podcast, my guest is Oksana Bovt.  Oksana is the founder of Theoria Creative, an agency that develops unique fundraising materials that enable biotech and life sciences clients to clearly and succinctly articulate their unique message and value when raising funds, soliciting partnerships, pitching at roadshows, or presenting to prospective buyers. Oksana was a previous guest, and we covered her company and, more broadly, the things Theoria Creative is working on. Today we are going to spend some time on scientific mechanisms of action.   Theoria Creative's Role: Oksana explains that her agency helps companies build a compelling story to attract investment. They work closely with venture capitalists and investment bankers. Challenges and Milestones: Oksana shares her journey and the importance of pivoting and sensing industry needs. Feedback from clients helps them stay relevant. Client Focus: Theoria Creative mainly focuses on late preclinical and early clinical companies that are in constant need of fundraising. Mechanisms of Action (MOA): Oksana discusses the importance of clearly explaining the scientific mechanisms of action (MOA) to differentiate one company from another. Communication Strategies: Oksana outlines three steps for companies to clearly communicate their MOA: Outline the step-by-step process. Write a descriptive paragraph for each step. Compare the mechanism with the healthy and unhealthy state. Materials and Outputs: Theoria Creative produces pitch decks and animations, depending on the client's budget and stage. Closing Remarks: Both Don and Oksana emphasize the importance of clear communication in the life sciences sector for successful fundraising and partnerships. This episode provides valuable insights into the importance of clear communication and storytelling in the life sciences sector, especially when it comes to explaining complex scientific mechanisms. Oksana's expertise in this area offers a roadmap for companies looking to articulate their value proposition effectively.

Send us a textIn this episode of Life Science Success, my guest is Dr. Jim Woody, CEO of 180 Life Sciences.Dr. Woody leads a pioneering team of scientific innovators at 180 Life Sciences, a clinical stage biotechnology company with three families of novel biologic drugs that address separate areas of inflammation, fibrosis and pain. Background and Career: Dr. Jim Woody is a pediatric immunologist with a diverse career, including military service and venture capital experience. He was instrumental in the development of anti-TNF drugs, a class of biologics with a market value of about $40 billion per year. Focus on Patient-Centricity: Dr. Woody emphasizes the importance of patient benefit in drug development. He served on the board of Stanford Children's Hospital and aims to develop therapies that significantly improve patients' lives. Current Work at 180 Life Sciences: The company is focused on finding new indications for anti-TNF drugs. They are working on conditions like Dupuytren's contracture, frozen shoulder, and post-operative dementia, aiming to prevent disability and improve quality of life. Challenges and Future Plans: Regulatory hurdles and clinical trials are the next steps for 180 Life Sciences. Dr. Woody estimates that drug approvals could take a couple of years, depending on feedback from agencies like the FDA. Personal Insights: Dr. Woody advises aspiring professionals to seize new opportunities and emphasizes the role of luck in biotechnology. He is excited about the next generation of anti-inflammatory agents that could offer more targeted treatments.

Send us a textIn this episode of Life Science Success, my guest is Mike Martin, the CEO of CAI. CAI is a global professional services firm focused on engineering and quality consulting, Mike Martin guides a team of 800 individuals across the U.S., Europe, and APAC.   Mike Martin shares his journey from being an engineering student at Purdue University to becoming the CEO of CAI. He emphasizes that his career was shaped by a series of choices based on guiding principles rather than a predetermined path to leadership. CAI focuses on areas like operational readiness, regulatory plans, and human performance but deliberately avoids facility and system design. They leverage their expertise in testing to guide clients through the complexities of launching new products. CAI has a global presence, allowing them to tap into a diverse pool of expertise and offer more comprehensive solutions to their clients. Being globally connected also helps them understand regional nuances in the life sciences industry. The company operates on an "owner's mindset," emphasizing that the growth of an owner's value is directly tied to the growth of the client's value. This philosophy is central to CAI's company culture.

Send us a textIn this episode of Life Science Success, my guest is Ravi Samavedam, the Chief Innovation Officer of Azzur Group. With over two decades of experience in the biotech and pharma industries, Ravi is a seasoned Biochemical Engineer who has worn many hats throughout his career. Prior to his current role, he served as the President of Azzur Cleanrooms on Demand™ and was also the General Manager of Azzur Boston. He's an expert in areas such as phase-appropriate cGMP implementation, process validation, and supplier management.   Ravi Samavedam is the Chief Innovation Officer at Azzur Group, with over two decades of experience in the biotech and pharma industries. He transitioned from a biochemical engineer to his current role, having worked at companies like Baxter, Shire, and Amgen. His role at Azzur Group involves exploring potential growth areas for the company, such as their "Clean Rooms on Demand" business. This service aims to provide a flexible, cost-effective solution for companies in the biopharma sector, bridging the gap between traditional manufacturing options. Samavedam emphasizes the importance of innovation and impact in the healthcare industry. He believes that smaller, agile companies like Azzur can make a more significant impact compared to larger organizations where individual contributions may get diluted. One of the challenges he faces is educating the industry about new, more efficient models of operation. Traditional methods are often deeply ingrained, making it difficult for companies to see the value in innovative solutions like Azzur's. His leadership philosophy is "Don't let perfect get in the way of good," emphasizing the importance of practicality and risk mitigation in the pursuit of excellence. He is excited about the future of personalized medicine and believes that technology will continue to reduce inherent risks in biopharma processes.