Life Science Success

Send us a textIn this episode of Life Science Success, Ross Jackson, the guy who wrote two books about patient recruitment, is returning to tell us about his new patient recruitment book. Ross is a specialist in patient recruitment for clinical trials, having helped deliver many thousands of patient registrations for clients in the UK, Europe, and the US.   The key highlights from the interview: Ross Jackson is a specialist in patient recruitment for clinical trials with experience in the UK, Europe, and the US. He has authored two books on the subject. His career journey began in digital marketing, where he initially recruited patients for a doctor's new treatment. Over time, he shifted his focus to healthcare and clinical trial recruitment. Patient recruitment faces challenges related to awareness and access. Many people are unaware of clinical trials, and misconceptions like being seen as "guinea pigs" persist. Lack of understanding about the importance of clinical research compounds the issue. Ross Jackson's first book focused on using Facebook ads for patient recruitment. It aimed to make it easier for research sites and others to access potential trial participants effectively. His new book takes a unique approach, featuring a fictional character named Josh Black, a puzzle solver who tackles patient recruitment challenges. The book explores various aspects of patient recruitment and aims to make the topic more accessible and engaging. Ross emphasizes the need for collaboration within the industry and the potential impact of AI, particularly natural language processing, in improving patient recruitment processes. He also mentions his excitement about attending a conference and watching his first Super Bowl in Orlando, highlighting his interest in sports and the upcoming event. The interview concludes with gratitude for sharing information about his new book and the hope that it will benefit those interested in patient recruitment. The book is available on Amazon.

Send us a textIn this episode of Life Science Success, my guest is Dr. Lishan Aklog.  Dr. Aklog is the CEO of Lucid Diagnostics he also co-founded and has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lucid’s parent company, PAVmed Inc (Nasdaq: PAVM) since its inception in 2014, and as Executive Chairman of PAVmed’s other major subsidiary, digital health company Veris Health Inc., since its inception.   Dr. Lishan Aklog's Background: Dr. Aklog, CEO of Lucid Diagnostics and executive chairman of PAVmed’s subsidiary Varys Health, was a cardiothoracic surgeon with a strong interest in technological innovation in medicine. He has an extensive background in academic cardiac surgery and was actively involved in medical device innovation. Transition to Entrepreneurship: Transitioning from a successful career in cardiac surgery, Dr. Aklog co-founded Lucid Diagnostics and PAVmed. He ventured into medical device entrepreneurship, focusing on developing and commercializing innovative technologies. He was instrumental in creating and selling medical devices, notably a device for non-surgically removing clots. Lucid Diagnostics and Focus on Cancer Detection: Under Dr. Aklog’s leadership, Lucid Diagnostics specializes in early cancer detection, particularly esophageal cancer. Dr. Aklog emphasizes the importance of pre-cancer detection and prevention, highlighting the challenges in raising awareness and adherence to screening guidelines. Challenges and Achievements: A significant challenge in Dr. Aklog's journey has been raising capital to bring innovative technologies to market. Despite these challenges, Lucid Diagnostics has made substantial progress, especially in gaining payer coverage and launching large-scale screening programs. Leadership and Vision: Dr. Aklog's leadership philosophy centers on building a culture of success, teamwork, and innovation. He stresses the importance of surrounding oneself with talented individuals and working cohesively towards a shared mission, with a particular focus on impacting patient lives through advanced medical technologies.

Send us a textIn this episode of Life Science Success my guest is Roee Hevrony. Roee is the CFO of ImmunoBrain Checkpoint. Prior to joining IBC in 2015, Roee worked for Babcock Power, Inc. in its nuclear power generation unit as a business controller and started his career as an investment banker with Merrill Lynch.   The podcast features an interview with Roee Hevrony, the CFO of ImmunoBrain Checkpoint. Roee Hevrony discusses his background, which includes growing up in Israel and working in investment banking before joining ImmunoBrain. ImmunoBrain is focused on a novel approach to treating neurodegenerative diseases by targeting the immune system rather than the brain itself. The company has been conducting research for nine years, expanding from basic research to clinical studies, with a unique therapy approach. Roee Hevrony emphasizes the importance of long-term vision and patience in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in the field of neurodegeneration.

Send us a textIn this episode of Life Science Success, my guest is Tom Hartman.  Tom is the President and CEO of the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE), Tom leads a global network of 20,000+ professionals spanning the complete pharmaceutical lifecycle.   In this edition of Life Science Success, Don Davis interviews Tom Hartman, the president and CEO of the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE). They discuss Hartman's career journey and the role of the ISPE in the life sciences industry. Hartman discusses the critical role of the society's volunteer network and emphasizes the importance of speed, quality, and solid decision-making in the industry. Concerns about industry shortages, workforce challenges, and readiness for future potential pandemics also arise. Hartman highlights several exciting incursions, such as the 'Facility of the Year Award' and ISPE's workforce of the future initiative. The interview sheds light on the ISPE's strategic goals and the overall current industry landscape and trends.

Send us a textIn this episode of the Life Science Success Podcast my guests are James Foster, CEO of Virax Labs and Nigel McCracken COO of Virax Labs.  Virax Labs is a global biotechnology company specializing in the development of innovative diagnostic solutions. They focus on T-cell testing and immune profiling, with a novel portfolio of FluoroSpot T-cell diagnostics aimed at indications associated with chronic inflammation and T-cell exhaustion.   Podcast Overview: The first "Life Science Success" podcast episode in 2024 features James Foster, CEO, and Nigel McCracken, COO, of Virax Biolabs.  James Foster's Background: James Foster, CEO of Virax Biolabs, co-founded the company about 10 years ago. Initially starting in finance, he shifted to biotech and diagnostics due to his entrepreneurial interests, particularly influenced by the 2008 financial crisis. His goal is to develop comprehensive immune profiling in-vitro diagnostics (IVDs), focusing on early diagnosis of post-viral syndromes, chronic inflammation, and T-cell exhaustion. Virax Biolabs' Mission and Technology: Virax is dedicated to creating innovative diagnostic solutions, particularly their T-cell testing platform. This platform aims to address significant health issues like long COVID, affecting millions in the US and Europe. Foster emphasizes the importance of early detection in disease progression and the role of the immune system in combating pathogens. Nigel McCracken's Role and Insights: As COO, Nigel McCracken plays a crucial role in scaling Virax from a small team to a larger organization. He discusses the importance of strategic focus, effective decision-making, and the development of companion diagnostics, which are essential for personalized medicine, especially in oncology. Future Outlook and Challenges: Both Foster and McCracken highlight the challenges in biotech, including the need for innovation, execution, and efficient leadership. They foresee an increasing burden on healthcare systems due to post-viral syndromes and chronic conditions. The podcast also touches on the potential of venture capital in fostering new ideas and innovations in the biotech sector.  

Send us a textIn this episode of Life Science Success, we are welcoming back Dr. AJ Mellott. Dr. Mellott is the CEO and Co-Founder, Ronawk manufacturer of customized tissue-mimetic technology that is advancing science.   Dr. AJ Mellott is the CEO and co-founder of Ronawk, a company that specializes in creating hydrogel substrates that mimic various tissues in the human or animal body. Ronawk's tissue mimetic technology is used in cell culture to produce high-quality, active cells that are valuable for medical and diagnostic applications. The company has recently expanded and moved to Overland Park, Kansas, and has experienced significant growth in its team and production practices. Ronawk's technology has facilitated collaborations between researchers in different fields and has lowered barriers to experimentation and innovation in the life sciences. Dr. Mellott is excited about the potential of AI and machine learning to streamline research processes and the personalized screening of therapies for patients, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes.

Send us a textIn this episode of Life Science Success, my guest is Dr Paul Song. Dr. Song has served as Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of NKGen since December 2022.   Dr. Paul Song, CEO and Vice Chairman of NKGen since December 2022, shares his background as a radiation oncologist and his journey into biotech. Dr. Song talks about the importance of natural killer cells in the body's defense against diseases and their potential in treating conditions like Alzheimer's. NKGen's phase one trial showed promising results, with 90% of patients either stabilizing or improving in Alzheimer's treatment. NKGen is also exploring the use of natural killer cells in combination with other cancer therapies to enhance their effectiveness while minimizing side effects.

Send us a textIn this episode of Life Science Success, we are talking about Securing America's Pharmaceutical Supply with David Sanders and Tony Paquin.  We are going to discuss derisking the supply chain and building resilience.   Don, is joined by guests, David Sanders and Tony Paquin. They discuss the importance and challenges of securing America's medical supply chain. David introduces himself as the Vice President of Government Affairs at Coherence Biosciences and Executive Director at Securing America's Medicine and Supply, and Tony as the CEO and co-founder of iRemedy Healthcare, an AI-driven supply chain platform. They delve into the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on these supply chains, their effort in repatriating pharmaceutical supply and manufacturing back in America, and the role of innovation in overcoming the costs and barriers involved. Tony also mentioned his book, "The End of Us," which talks about this same issue.

Send us a textMy guest today on the Life Science Success Podcast is Andrea Henderson.  Andrea is a Partner in the Life Sciences, Healthcare, Diversity, CEO & Board practices at DHR Global where she is an executive talent solutions strategist.   Andrea Henderson, an Executive Talent Solutions Strategist, and they delve into Andrea's career journey, which started with a passion for diplomacy and evolved into a focus on talent management and diversity in the corporate world. Key Takeaways: Operational Excellence: Don emphasizes the significance of operational excellence in the life sciences industry, particularly the importance of value stream mapping. Career Evolution: Andrea's career journey highlights the unpredictable nature of career paths. Her transition from diplomacy to talent management and executive search underscores the importance of adaptability and problem-solving skills. Diversity and Inclusion: Andrea discusses the role of diversity and inclusion in executive-level roles, emphasizing the need to consider a wide range of perspectives to build the best teams. Impactful Leadership: Don and Andrea touch on leadership styles, with Andrea describing her leadership style as collaborative, visionary, and empowering. They also discuss the importance of authenticity, trust-building, and clear communication in leadership. Championing Change: Andrea expresses her excitement about the various avenues available to impact the future, particularly in promoting diversity and creating a more inclusive corporate environment.

Send us a textIn this episode of Life Science Success, my guest is Sucheshna Patil.  She is the CEO and founder of MobilityZ Health. A health-focused biotech engineer, innovator, and researcher building health technology products.   Mobility Z Health's Focus: The company specializes in orthopedic care, particularly addressing the problem of delays in orthopedic appointments. Their goal is to provide early care and diagnosis for musculoskeletal injuries, reducing backlogs in orthopedic care. Transition from Humans in Space: Although the company initially operated as "Humans in Space," it later transitioned to the name "Mobility Z Health" to better align with its focus on healthcare and orthopedic solutions. Multifaceted Background: Sucheshna Patil has a background as a biotech engineer and researcher, with a passion for healthcare innovation. She drew from her experiences in healthcare, research, and engineering to develop solutions for musculoskeletal injuries. User-Friendly Approach: Mobility Z Health places a strong emphasis on user experience and user-friendliness in its products to ensure that a wide range of people, including patients and older generations, can use them. Development Stage: The company is currently in the alpha testing phase, with private access for patients and doctors who want to use the product. A beta version for broader consumer use is expected to launch in January.