Xtalks Life Science Podcast

Exploring Next-Gen Antivirals ft. Sam Lee, PhD, Co-CEO & President, Cocrystal Pharma

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Sam Lee, PhD, Co-Chief Executive Officer and President of Cocrystal Pharma, a company developing novel antiviral therapeutics against COVID-19 and other coronaviruses, influenza viruses and noroviruses.Cocrystal Pharma leverages a unique structure-based drug discovery platform, complemented by Nobel Prize-winning expertise, to develop leading-edge antiviral drugs that are both first-in-class and best-in-class. Their antivirals specifically target the viral replication process and are designed for safety, broad-spectrum effectiveness, resistance management and ease of administration.Dr. Lee brings over 25 years of experience in anti-infective drug discovery research to his role. Before joining Cocrystal, he spent eight years overseeing anti-infective drug discovery initiatives at Icos Corporation. During his tenure at Icos, Dr. Lee integrated protein crystallography and structural screening technologies into the company's research programs and was instrumental in the development of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) delta inhibitors, leading to an FDA-approved product. Dr. Lee earned his PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Notre Dame and completed his postdoctoral training in viral biochemistry at Stanford University. While at Stanford, he also established Viral Assays in Cupertino, CA, where he served as CEO.Tune in to the episode to learn about Cocrystal Pharma’s structure-based drug discovery approach to developing next-gen antiviral treatments. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/  Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: https://twitter.com/Xtalks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

Gene Editing Innovations with Programmable Gene Insertion (PGI) Technology ft. Dr. John Finn, Tome Biosciences

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with John Finn, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Tome Biosciences, a company developing programmable gene insertion (PGI) technology.PGI is a cutting-edge gene editing technology that allows for the insertion of large sequences of DNA with site-specific precision. PGI is a revolutionary approach for the development of potentially curative cell and integrative gene therapies. The technology underlies Tome’s investigational candidate therapeutics for autoimmune diseases and the rare metabolic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) among other conditions.Dr. Finn has over 20 years of experience in the gene therapy space with a focus on genome editing and delivery technologies. He was most recently Vice President of Discovery Research at Codiak Biosciences, where he led the development of a new class of therapeutics based on engineered exosomes. Prior to Codiak, Dr. Finn was Executive Director of Platform Biology and Liver Discovery at Intellia Therapeutics, where he was responsible for the development of viral and non-viral delivery systems and demonstrated the first in vivo systemic administration of CRISPR-based therapeutics. He has served as an American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) Committee Member for multiple committees. Dr. Finn trained with Pieter Cullis and Ian MacLachlan and received his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of British Columbia.Tune in to the episode to learn about Tome Biosciences’ innovative gene editing technology and lead therapeutic assets. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/  Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: https://twitter.com/Xtalks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

New Frontiers in Epilepsy and Seizure Treatments ft. Dr. Jeremy Levin and Meg Alexander, Ovid Therapeutics

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Jeremy Levin, D. Phil, MB BChir, CEO and Chairman of Ovid Therapeutics Inc., and Meg Alexander, Chief Strategy Officer at Ovid.Ovid Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of medicines for epilepsies and seizure-related neurological disorders.Prior to founding Ovid, Dr. Levin was president and CEO of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and a member of the executive committee at Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) Company where he was the architect, lead and implementer of the String of Pearls Strategy, which transformed BMS and facilitated the initiation and massive growth of the immuno-oncology revolution in the biopharmaceutical industry. Dr. Levin also serves on the board and executive committee of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) as the immediate past chairman. Dr. Levin was voted as one of the 25 most influential biotechnology leaders by Fierce Biotech, one of the top three biotechnology CEOs by The Healthcare Technology Report and one of the PharmaVoice100 CEOs in 2020 and 2021. He was selected by Endpoints in 2021 as one of the 60 living pioneers of the industry, and has received several awards throughout his career. Dr. Levin has practiced medicine at university hospitals in England, South Africa and Switzerland. Meg Alexander serves as Ovid’s chief strategy officer, a role in which she oversees and supports the company’s corporate strategy and planning, performance measurement and risk mitigation. She also oversees the company’s corporate affairs function with a focus on engaging Ovid’s stakeholders across patient and caregiver communities, policymakers, press and investors.Ms. Alexander has worked in the biopharmaceutical industry for two decades and has played a key role in launching more than 25 new medicines for many conditions including rare epilepsies, ALS, HIV, multiple sclerosis, Batten’s disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer. She has advised and led campaigns for large healthcare organizations, including Pfizer, Novartis, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Nestle and Coca-Cola among many others. Prior to Ovid, she founded and led the Reputation & Risk Management Group, a consultancy within Syneos Health, one of the world’s largest clinical research organizations. Ms. Alexander was named a “Disruptor” and a “Rising Star” in her industry by PM360 and the Healthcare Business Women’s Association, respectively.This year, OVID is expecting several CNS data readouts, including one for its lead product candidate soticlestat, which is currently in Phase III trials for the treatment of refractory seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, a rare epilepsy with high unmet need.Tune in to the episode to learn more about Ovid Therapeutics’ developmental pipeline featuring treatments for epilepsies and seizures associated with rare brain conditions.  For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/  Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: https://twitter.com/Xtalks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

The State of Infectious Diseases and New Trivalent Flu Vaccine ft. Infectious Disease Experts Dr. William Schaffner and Dr. Kelly Moore

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with William Schaffner, MD, Professor of Preventive Medicine Health Policy and Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University; and Kelly Moore, MD, MPH, President and CEO at Immunize.org and Associate Professor of Health Policy at Vanderbilt University.Dr. Schaffner and Dr. Moore discussed the FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) recommendation of a trivalent influenza vaccine strain selection, as opposed to a typical quadrivalent vaccine, with the 2024/2025 influenza season reflecting the removal of the B/Yamagata strain. A renowned infectious disease expert, having appeared on numerous media outlets including CNN particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Schaffner’s primary interest has been the prevention of infectious diseases domestically and globally in both pediatric and adult populations. After residency training and a fellowship in infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University, Dr. Schaffner served in the US Public Health Service as an epidemic intelligence service officer with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. After that tour of duty, Dr. Schaffner joined the faculty at Vanderbilt, establishing a long collaboration with the Tennessee Department of Health. Dr. Schaffner has been a member of numerous expert advisory committees that established national vaccine policy. Dr. Schaffner is also the current medical director and past president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and has served on the executive board for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Prominent infectious disease expert Dr. Moore served for 14 years as the director of the Tennessee Immunization Program and later founded her own consulting company, The Vaccine Advisor, to advise public health and industry before her current role as president and CEO of immunize.org, a leading nonprofit organization focused on national and global vaccine policy and immunization program implementation. Dr. Moore has served in a variety of immunization policy advisory roles with the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2016, including as chair of its Immunization Practices Advisory Committee. Dr. Moore is a graduate of the Vanderbilt School of Medicine and the Harvard School of Public Health. She completed her public health leadership training as an epidemic intelligence service and preventive me

Psychedelic-Based Therapeutics for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – Interview with Robert Barrow, CEO, MindMed

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Robert Barrow, CEO and Board Director at MindMed, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel product candidates to treat brain health disorders. The company is developing innovative psychedelic-based product candidates, with and without acute perceptual effects, targeting neurotransmitter pathways that play key roles in brain health disorders.Mr. Barrow is an accomplished pharmaceutical executive and clinical pharmacologist with over a decade of experience leading drug development programs in a variety of disease areas. After joining MindMed as Chief Development Officer in January 2021, he was named CEO in June 2021. Mr. Barrow has a Masters degree in Pharmacology from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Wake Forest University, where he graduated summa cum laude and is a CFA charterholder.Last month, MindMed received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for its MM120 (lysergide d-tartrate) program for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).The company also announced that a Phase IIb study of MM120 in GAD met its key secondary endpoint, and 12-week topline data demonstrated clinically and statistically significant durability of activity. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/  Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: https://twitter.com/Xtalks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

Developing Conditionally Active Antibodies: Interview with John K. Celebi, President & CEO, Sensei Bio.

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with John K. Celebi, MBA, President & Chief Executive Officer, Sensei Bio, a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company focused on the discovery and development of next-generation therapeutics for cancer patients.Sensei Biotherapeutics specializes in creating conditionally active antibodies. These are engineered to operate specifically within the tumor microenvironment, enhancing the immune system's ability to combat cancer.John Celebi, MBA, has over 25 years of experience building innovative entrepreneurial biotechnology companies. Mr. Celebi currently serves on the Board of Directors of Egle Therapeutics SAS, a biotechnology company developing first-in-class immunotherapies targeting immune suppressor regulatory T cells (Tregs) for oncology and autoimmune diseases. Mr. Celebi received an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and a BS in biophysics from the University of California, San Diego.Tune into the episode to learn more about Sensei Bio’s mission and therapeutic approach.   For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: https://twitter.com/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

Treg Cell Therapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases – Interview with Dr. Howard Berman, CEO, Coya Therapeutics

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Howard Berman, PhD, Founder and CEO of Coya Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech company developing regulatory T cell (Treg) therapies targeting neurodegenerative, autoimmune and metabolic diseases. Dr. Berman founded Coya Therapeutics in 2021. Dr. Berman has over 18 years of entrepreneurial and industry experience working at the interplay of science and business. His experience offers him a unique combination of business acumen and scientific credibility with the ability to assess, quantify and bridge both disciplines.Dr. Berman gained corporate experience with increasing responsibilities and positions as a Medical Science Liaison at AbbVie where he spent 7.5 years launching Venetoclax in CLL and later, supporting numerous solid tumor assets. He also served in leadership roles at Novartis Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly.Dr. Berman received a Bachelor in Biology from the University of Michigan and a Masters and PhD in Neuroscience and Pharmacology from Weill Cornell Medical School.Tune into the episode to learn more about Coya Therapeutics and its Treg-targeted therapies program. The company’s current pipeline includes its lead candidate product COYA 302, which is currently being evaluated in a clinical study for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/  Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: https://twitter.com/Xtalks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

Improving Cancer Screening Among Métis Communities: Interview with Margaret Froh, President, Métis Nation of Ontario

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Margaret Froh, President of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO). Margaret is also a lawyer by training.  The Métis are a distinct Indigenous people recognized in s.35 of Canada’s Constitution. Métis communities have their own shared customs, traditions and collective identities that are rooted in kinship, their special aboriginal relationship to the land and a distinctive Indigenous culture and way of life that persists to the present day.  Cancer is a significant concern among Métis people in Ontario and across the Métis Nation Homeland, including women, as they experience higher cancer rates and lower cancer screening uptake than the non-Indigenous population.  Cancer Prevention Action Week, which took place during the third week of February, focuses on supporting and empowering people to make changes to their lifestyle and promoting routine cancer screening to reduce the risk of preventable cancers.  To help uncover and address cancer disparities among the Métis, Margaret has helped lead Métis-specific health research in collaboration with organizations like Ontario Health (formerly Cancer Care Ontario) and the Sunnybrook Research Institute.  Margaret is also a recent breast cancer survivor and by sharing her personal cancer story, is helping raise awareness about the importance of routine cancer screening among the Métis.  Tune into the episode to learn about the disproportionate impact of cancer on Métis communities and how Margaret’s leadership at the MNO is helping to drive changes to help improve cancer screening rates and better health outcomes.  For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/  Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: https://twitter.com/Xtalks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

Cell Therapies for Chronic Kidney Disease: Featuring Bruce Culleton, CEO, ProKidney

This episode features an interview with Bruce Culleton, MD, CEO, ProKidney, a late clinical-stage biotech company focused on the development of a pioneering cell therapy candidate that aims to transform the treatment landscape for chronic kidney disease.Prior to joining ProKidney in 2023, Dr. Culleton served as Vice President and General Manager at CVS Kidney Care and also worked in leadership roles at Becton Dickinson and Baxter healthcare. Before beginning his career in industry in 2007, Dr. Culleton was a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Calgary.ProKidney’s lead product candidate, REACT, is an investigational cell therapy designed to stabilize or improve kidney function in patients with chronic kidney disease with diabetes as the primary cause. The candidate is currently being evaluated in Phase II and Phase III clinical trials. To hear more about ProKidney’s cell therapy for chronic kidney disease, including developmental, manufacturing and regulatory considerations, tune into the episode.For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: https://twitter.com/Xtalks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

Tackling Diabetic Kidney Disease: Featuring Robert Perkins, VP, US Medical Affairs (Renal), Bayer

In marking National Kidney Month, this episode features an interview with Robert Perkins, MD, Vice President, US Medical Affairs (Renal) at Bayer who spoke about kidney health and diabetes-inflicted chronic kidney disease.National Kidney Month is observed every March in the US to raise awareness about kidney health and promote preventive action. It aims to educate the public about the importance of kidneys to overall health and the risk factors for kidney disease, a major one being diabetes. At Bayer, Dr. Perkins is the strategic lead for a team of 8 HQ-based medical directors and a 40-member field medical team. He is responsible for evidence portfolio across two therapeutic indications, chronic kidney disease and heart failure, encompassing seven active trials and studies and more than 3,000 US patients. Dr. Perkins has also led the development and implementation of innovative digital educational outreach campaigns for primary care physicians. In previous roles, Dr. Perkins helped build and develop medical teams at Novartis and AstraZeneca. Last year, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) updated their standards of care guidelines for 2024, which outline strategies for diagnosing and treating diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) and outline methods of preventing and delaying type 2 diabetes as well as associated comorbidities like cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease.Tune into the episode to hear Dr. Perkins’ insights about current advancements and challenges in tackling chronic kidney disease, the updated ADA guidelines and how a comprehensive approach to treating diabetes is necessary for reducing the risk of kidney complications.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