Xtalks Life Science Podcast

Interview with Asaf Zviran, CEO of Cancer Genomics Company C2i Genomics

This episode features an interview with Dr. Asaf Zviran, CEO and co-founder of C2i Genomics, a biotech company focused on improving cancer detection and monitoring using genomics- and AI-based approaches. Hear about the company’s proprietary cancer surveillance technology, how Dr. Zviran’s founded C2i Genomics, including a personal story, and how the company is focused on truly personalizing cancer treatments.For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: @Xtalks Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

UK Approves First Omicron-Targeting COVID Vaccine + National Immunization Awareness Month

In this episode, Ayesha discussed the UK’s approval of Moderna’s next generation COVID-19 vaccine that targets both the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 and the Omicron variant of concern. Hear more about the bivalent booster shot, including clinical trial data that led to its approval. Also, hear what Moderna officials have to say about the administration schedule of the new shot.Ayesha also talked about National Immunization Awareness Month, which is marked every August in the US. Health agencies like the FDA and CDC are not only on the regulatory side of vaccines, but are also committed to helping raise awareness about the importance of vaccines among the public. As part of this, the health agencies suggest healthcare providers should 'strongly recommend' vaccines. Vaccine 'catch up' campaigns are also important now since other non-COVID vaccinations, including routine childhood vaccinations, have lagged during the pandemic. Read the full articles here:  UK Approves First Omicron-Targeting COVID-19 BoosterNational Immunization Awareness Month: Vaccines Work and Catching UpFor more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social Media

New COVID-19 Testing Technology + FDA Approves First Drug for HER2-Low Breast Cancer

In this episode, Ayesha discussed a new COVID-19 test technology that Innova Medical Group, world leader in at-home COVID-19 tests, has reached a licensing deal for with the University of Birmingham where the technology was developed. The new test is as sensitive and accurate as PCR tests and faster than lateral flow (rapid antigen) tests. Hear about the innovative new technology underlying the molecular test, and how the test is also being developed for the detection of other viruses. Ayesha also talked about the FDA approval of AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) Enhertu (trastuzumab-deruxtecan) for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low breast cancer. The approval makes Enhertu the first approved drug for this indication. Find out about the trial data that led to the approval and its effectiveness in HER2-low breast cancer, which is a newer subtype of the cancer.Read the full articles here: Innova Secures Licensing Rights for U of Birmingham’s New COVID-19 Test Technology RTF-EXPARAstraZeneca’s Enhertu Gets FDA Approved as First Therapy for HER2-Low Breast CancerFor more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: @Xtalks Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

FDA Approvals for Liquid Epilepsy Drug and a Vitiligo Medication

In this episode, Ayesha discussed the FDA approval of Azurity Pharmaceutical’s Zonisade (zonisamide oral suspension) as an adjunct therapy for the treatment of seizures in adults and pediatric patients 16 years of age and older with epilepsy. The drug is the first FDA approved oral suspension form of zonisamide. Hear about how the drug could help increase accessibility and flexibility for epilepsy patients and improve treatment adherence.Ayesha also talked about biopharmaceutical company Incyte’s new vitiligo drug Opzelura that recently received FDA approval for the treatment of nonsegmental vitiligo. The topical medication is the first approved treatment for repigmentation in vitiligo and also the first approved topical JAK inhibitor in the US. Hear more about raising awareness about rare diseases like vitiligo and how it can help foster the development of new treatments. Read the full articles here: Zonisamide Liquid Form Gets FDA Approved for Epilepsy TreatmentOpzelura Vitiligo Med Wins FDA Approval as First Treatment for RepigmentationFor more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: @Xtalks Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

Towards a ’Functional Cure’ for Diabetes with Dr. Philip Toleikis, CEO, Sernova Corp

In this episode, the editorial team spoke with the President and CEO of regenerative medicine biotech Sernova Corp Dr. Philip Toleikis to learn more about how the company is developing a ‘functional cure’ for diabetes. The team heard from Dr. Toleikis about Sernova’s proprietary Cell Pouch System that is designed to house therapeutic cells. Dr. Toleikis spoke about the latest clinical trial data for the medical device, and also about the company’s new partnership with Evotec to integrate its insulin-producing cells in the Cell Pouch System.For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: @Xtalks Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

Expanded Approval for Gout Drug + Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Gets FDA Authorization

In this episode, Ayesha discussed the FDA authorization of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine, making it the fourth authorized/approved COVID vaccine in the US. It is also the first protein-based COVID-19 vaccine to be authorized in the country. While the vaccine offers an alternate option to people who may still be hesitant about mRNA vaccines, hear why some experts think it won’t have much of an impact on those who are choosing to remain unvaccinated. Ayesha also talked about the expanded label approval of Horizon Therapeutics’ gout medication Krystexxa to include its co-administration with arthritis and chemotherapy drug methotrexate. The new approved combination is indicated for the treatment of uncontrolled gout, a rare condition in which patients fail to respond to conventional treatments due to problems including drug resistance. Hear more about gout and the rare condition of uncontrolled gout in this episode.Read the full articles here: Novavax Vaccine Becomes First FDA-Authorized Protein Vaccine for COVID-19Krystexxa Chronic Gout Medication Gets Expanded FDA ApprovalFor more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: @Xtalks Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

FDA Issues Safety Warning for Blood Cancer Drug + Long COVID Risk Assessment Tool

In this episode, Ayesha talked about a safety warning issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Secura Bio’s Copiktra (duvelisib), which is a drug used to treat adults with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic leukemia (SLL). The FDA flagged the drug after evaluating long-term survival data, which showed that the drug was associated with a higher risk of serious side effects and a possibly increased risk of death. Ayesha also talked about a new nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based molecular research tool for the assessment of the risk of Long COVID, including multi-organ damage and cardiovascular disease risk. The phenomics tool is being developed by Bruker for research purposes and is based on well-characterized metabolic and proteomic biomarkers associated with Long COVID. Hear more about the tool and how it can help patients receive appropriate treatment interventions early for Long COVID.Read the full articles here: Copiktra Blood Cancer Drug Gets FDA Warning Due to Increased Risk of Serious Side Effects and DeathBruker Develops New Tool for Assessing Long COVID RiskFor more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: @Xtalks Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

BD Develops New Monkeypox Test + FDA Authorizes COVID-19 Vaccines for Infants

In this episode, Ayesha discussed a new collaboration between leading medical technology company Becton Dickinson (BD) and CerTest Biotec who will work together to develop a molecular diagnostic test for the detection of the monkeypox virus. Learn about how BD will leverage its BD MAX platform to develop and validate CerTest’s under development monkeypox test amid an anticipated growing demand for testing given increasing cases of monkeypox infection around the world.Ayesha also talked about the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s amended authorizations for Pfizer-BioNTech’s and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines to include children as young as six months old. The authorizations were based on the FDA’s analysis of efficacy and safety data in pediatric populations. Hear about the vaccine trials and parents’ attitudes towards vaccinating younger children.Read the full articles here: Monkeypox Test Kit in Development by Becton Dickinson in Partnership with CerTest BiotecFDA Authorizes Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Under Five After Unanimous Advisory Panel SupportFor more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: @Xtalks Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

Eli Lilly’s Olumiant FDA Approved for Alopecia + Alnylam’s RNAi Drug Amvuttra Approved for Rare Protein Disorder

In this episode, Ayesha and the team talked about the FDA approval of Eli Lilly’s JAK inhibitor Olumiant for the treatment of alopecia areata, also commonly just known as alopecia. The drug has become the first approved systemic treatment for the autoimmune disorder that causes patchy hair loss. Hear about how alopecia has received mainstream recognition because of a recent infamous Hollywood incident and the importance of raising awareness about rare diseases like alopecia.Ayesha also discussed the FDA approval of Alnylam’s RNAi therapeutic Amvuttra for the treatment of polyneuropathy associated with a rare protein disorder called hereditary transthyretin-mediated (ATTR) amyloidosis. Hear about how the drug is also being evaluated for another type of (ATTR cardiomyopathy) and the other big players in the ATTR space including Pfizer and AstraZeneca.Read the full articles here: Eli Lilly’s Olumiant Wins FDA Approval as First Systemic Treatment for Alopecia AreataAmvuttra RNAi Therapeutic Wins FDA Approval for Rare Genetic Protein DisorderFor more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: @Xtalks Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

More Positive Data for Tirzepatide Weight Loss Injection + Sandoz’s Global Biosimilars Awareness Campaign

In this episode, Ayesha discussed new data shared by Eli Lilly for its weight loss injection tirzepatide. The drug was recently approved (under the brand name Mounjaro) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist also has weight loss effects and recent analyses presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 82nd Scientific Sessions showed that almost 40 percent of participants lost a quarter of their body weight. Hear more about the newest data and industry predictions for tirzepatide as a rival to Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 receptor agonist weight loss injection Wegovy.The editorial team also discussed a new global biosimilars awareness campaign launched by Sandoz, Novartis’ biosimilars and generics drug division. The campaign is called Act4Biosimilars and will focus on improving the acceptability and accessibility to biosimilars, among factors, by 30 percent in over 30 countries by the year 2030. The campaign is aimed at addressing global health inequity and inequality by increasing access to advanced medicines like biosimilars. The team discussed the importance of education around biosimilars to help increase their acceptability and uptake.Read the full articles here: More Positive Data for Eli Lilly’s Diabetes and Weight Loss Injection TirzepatideNovartis’ Sandoz Launches Biosimilars Awareness Campaign to Improve Biosimilars Adoption WorldwideFor more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: @Xtalks Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured