Xtalks Life Science Podcast

People in Life Sciences Series: Day-in-the-Life of a Pharmacovigilance Professional – Interview with Ashish Jain, Senior Director of Clinical Safety a...

In this featured episode of Xtalks People in Life Sciences, Ayesha spoke with Ashish Jain, Senior Director of Clinical Safety and Pharmacovigilance (PV) at Curis, a pioneering biotech company specializing in cutting-edge cancer therapies.Jain shared his journey into clinical safety and PV, highlighting key milestones along the way. Delving into his daily routine at Curis, he revealed his strategies for prioritizing tasks and staying informed of the latest developments in PV.Throughout the interview, Jain offered invaluable insights into career advancement in clinical safety and PV. He emphasized the indispensable skills and competencies vital for success in the field. Jain also discussed common challenges faced by PV professionals and suggested practical solutions.Aspiring professionals seeking to kickstart their careers in clinical safety and PV will find Jain’s insights informative. He provides actionable recommendations for gaining hands-on experience and navigating the PV landscape.Furthermore, Jain shares his expertise in establishing a PV department, particularly for emerging biotech firms. He outlines critical considerations for setting up an efficient PV system, especially in resource-limited environments.Listeners can also hear Jain’s thoughts on emerging trends in PV and his insights on how PV professionals can proactively prepare for the future.Tune in to this episode for a glimpse into the field of clinical safety and PV with Ashish Jain.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

Building Cancer Awareness and Empowering Métis Youth: Featuring Jordyn Playne, President, Métis Nation of Ontario Youth Council

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Jordyn Playne, President of the Métis Nation of Ontario Youth Council, a group of youth representatives from across Ontario who advocate on behalf of the concerns and interests of Métis youth at the provincial level.Jordyn is also a Clinical Consultant and Trainer at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, as well as an advocate for cancer prevention. Jordyn has a Master’s degree in social work and licenses/certifications in cognitive behavioral therapy. To mark Cancer Prevention Action Week, which took place during the third week of February, Jordyn also shared a personal story to help raise awareness about the importance of cancer prevention, particularly among Indigenous communities like the Métis. Cancer is a significant concern among Métis people, including women, as they face higher cancer rates than the non-Indigenous population. Jordyn describes herself as a cancer “previvor,” as she took preventative action to reduce her risk of breast cancer.Tune into the episode to learn more about Jordyn’s story and her work in helping to improve health awareness and health outcomes among Métis youth and the greater Métis Nation.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

Transforming Eye Care: Innovating New Glaucoma and Dry Eye Disease Treatments

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with H. B. Pierre Simon Jr., MBA, Vice President, Global Head of Marketing, Sight Sciences, about the evolving field of eye care. Sight Sciences is focused on developing and commercializing innovative solutions for eye diseases like glaucoma and dry eye disease to transform care and improve patients’ lives.Among some of Sight Sciences devices and technologies include the OMNI® Surgical System, a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) device indicated to reduce intraocular pressure in adult patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the world’s leading cause of irreversible blindness. The company’s other notable product is the TearCare® System, which has FDA clearance for localized heat therapy in adult patients with evaporative dry eye disease due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), the leading cause of dry eye disease.Pierre has been in the eye care industry for almost two decades. Prior to Sight Sciences, he was at Alcon for 15 years in roles with increasing responsibility, including Senior Product Manager, Global Franchise. Pierre is also a life influencer and two-time best-selling author. His latest book is entitled ‘Down Thru Love,’ a story about the journey of a young man born with Down syndrome.In the episode, Pierre discusses some important considerations in the development of innovative new treatments for eye conditions like glaucoma and dry eye, such as working with patients and doctors and having an awareness of both current and future needs. Hear more about Pierre’s work at Sight Sciences and also as an author and speaker. 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

Rare Disease Day 2024: Highlighting Patient Stories and Advancements in Rare Disease Research

In this episode, Ayesha talked about Rare Disease Day 2024, a global movement held on the last day of February each year that focuses on raising awareness about rare diseases including their impact on patients’ lives. This year, Rare Disease Day falls on February 29, the rarest day in a leap year, making it even more special.Ayesha spoke about how the Rare Disease Day campaign helps increase awareness about rare diseases, promotes research and development, supports advocacy for policies supporting patients and their families and brings together a global rare disease community.Advancements in rare disease research are leading to innovative new treatments for various rare conditions, including genetic disorders, which make up just over 70 percent of all rare diseases. Hear more about new rare disease drugs approved by the FDA in the past couple of years. Also hear about some of the latest trends in rare disease research, including innovative trial designs, patient-centric approaches, the use of cutting-edge technologies like AI and international collaborations.Read the full articles here:Rare Disease Day 2024: Highlighting Statistics and Patient StoriesNew Rare Disease Drugs and Research AdvancementsFor 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

Biologics Development in Immunology and Inflammation — Featuring Amir Reichman, CEO of Scinai Immunotherapeutics

This episode features an interview with Amir Reichman, CEO of Scinai Immunotherapeutics, a biopharma company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing cutting-edge biological treatments within the inflammation and immunology (I&I) sector, with a primary focus on addressing autoimmune and infectious diseases.Scinai Immunotherapeutics is working on developing nanosized antibodies from alpacas, known as VHH-antibodies or NanoAbs, which show promise as improved biological therapies for various illnesses. These NanoAbs are being tailored to treat conditions with significant unmet medical requirements and promising market prospects, including psoriasis and asthma.Prior to being appointed as Scinai’s CEO in 2021, Mr. Reichman recently held the position of Head of Global Vaccines Engineering Core Technologies and Asset Management at the GSK Vaccines headquarters in Belgium. Before that, he was the Senior Director of the Global GSK Vaccines Supply Chain. He became part of GSK in 2015 following its acquisition of Novartis Vaccines, where he had various leadership positions with growing responsibilities within the Global Vaccines Supply Chain Management team, based in Holly Springs, NC, USA.Tune into the episode to hear more about the development of new, cutting-edge inflammation and immunology therapies. Mr. Reichman also shares insights into the most significant trends currently shaping the inflammation and immunology sector.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

Novel Approaches in Cancer Immunotherapy — Featuring OncoC4 founder, CEO and CSO Dr. Yang Liu and CFO Abid Ansari

This episode features an interview with Yang Liu, PhD, founder, chairman, CEO and chief scientific officer; and Abid Ansari, MBA, chief financial officer at OncoC4, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for cancer. This includes first-in-class immunotherapy products such as novel antibodies and CAR T-cell treatments targeting CTLA-4.OncoC4 is a spinout of OncoImmune, which was acquired by Merck in December 2020. OncoImmune was founded in 2000 based on the scientific discoveries of the company’s founders who moved their lead product from a basic concept into clinical trials for multiple indications.Dr. Liu is recognized internationally for his research on immune recognition of cancer and activation of lymphocytes. He has received several academic and research awards including the Snyder Award for Cancer Research in 2015, and was elected to the rank of fellow at the American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 2004 for his pioneering contribution to innate immunity, T cell costimulation and cancer immunology. Prior to serving full-time as OncoC4’s CEO, Dr. Liu was a faculty member at multiple academic institutions, including New York University and the Ohio State University.Abid Ansari is a finance executive with a more 20-year track record in the life sciences industry encompassing corporate finance, fundraising, business development and investor relations experiences for public and private life science companies. Previously, he served as CFO of Artios, a UK-based DNA damage response company where he led the company’s $153 million Series C fundraising. Earlier in his career, Abid held positions at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in deal finance and portfolio management. Tune into the episode to hear more about the development of new, cutting-edge cancer treatments, including current challenges in oncology and immunotherapies. Also hear about OncoC4’s collaborations including a co-development commercialization partnership with BioNTech on its lead product and a collaboration with Merck. 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

New Targeted Treatments for Breast Cancer — Conversation with Dr. Carlos Doti, VP, US Medical Affairs Oncology, AstraZeneca

This episode features an interview with Carlos Doti, MD, Vice President, US Medical Affairs Oncology, AstraZeneca, about new breast cancer treatments.Dr. Doti is a hematologist by training and is passionate about developing treatments that have a real impact for people living with cancer across every aspect of their disease. Dr. Doti has worked in industry for the last 14 years, including seven years at AstraZeneca in various roles, and in small markets like Argentina as well as larger global markets. Since 2022, Dr. Doti has been focusing on the US market in hematology and oncology, working in breast, lung, GI and gynecological cancers among others.Dr. Doti has previously served in medical affairs roles at Novo Nordisk A/S and Pfizer. His work is supported by more than 70 congress presentations and several peer-reviewed publications. He has also served as an investigator in more than 25 clinical trials in hemostasis, onco-hematology and infectious disease.Recently, AstraZeneca won approval for the company’s AKT inhibitor Truqap (capivasertib) in combination with Faslodex (fulvestrant) for the treatment of hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer with one or more biomarker alterations (PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN). The approval of Truqap was the first-in-class approval for AstraZeneca.Tune into the episode to hear more about the milestone approval of the new combination breast cancer treatment, which has been a much-needed treatment option for the nearly 50 percent of patients with advanced HR-positive breast cancer who have PIK3CA and AKT1 mutations or PTEN alterations, and experience resistance to first-line treatments such as endocrine therapies and CDK 4/6 inhibitors. 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

Exploring the Endocannabinoid System for Drug Development, Featuring Punit Dhillon, Chairman & CEO of Skye Bioscience

This episode features an interview with Punit Dhillon, Chairman & CEO of Skye Bioscience, a pharmaceutical company developing proprietary molecules to treat diseases involving inflammatory, fibrotic and metabolic conditions. Skye Bioscience is at the forefront of exploring the endocannabinoid system for drug development.Punit brings two decades of experience as a leader and investor within the life sciences sector. During the interview, he shared his journey leading up to his role at Skye Bioscience and how his previous experiences have shaped his vision for the company.During the interview, Punit discussed Skye Bioscience’s mission and therapeutic approach. The company is aiming to unlock the medicinal possibilities of the endocannabinoid system for addressing diseases that lack adequate treatments for patients globally.At the end of the interview, Punit shared some advice for those looking to venture into the biotech and pharmaceutical industry.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

Life Science Trends for 2024

In this episode, Ayesha talked about some of the trends in the life sciences to watch out for in 2024. From the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) tools in drug development to medically accurate health wearables, hear about the trends and innovations that will be shaping the life sciences this year.Ayesha spoke to industry experts and innovators in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device spaces to learn more about these trends and more. Hear about the latest technologies and approaches that will help drive innovations in drug discovery, clinical research and medical device design this year. Read the full article here:Life Science Trends to Look Out for in 2024For 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

Revolutionizing Orthopedic Joint Replacement — Interview with Ben Sexson, Co-Founder, CEO, Monogram Orthopedics

This episode features an interview with Ben Sexson, CFA, Co-Founder, CEO, Monogram Orthopedics at Monogram Orthopedics, a company dedicated to revolutionizing orthopedic joint replacement through surgical robotics. Monogram is focused on developing patient-optimized orthopedic implants at scale by linking 3D printing and robotics with advanced pre-operative imaging. Ben is an engineer by training and prior to joining Monogram, he served as the Director of Business Development at Pro-Dex, an OEM manufacturer of Orthopedic Robotic End-Effectors. At Pro-Dex, Ben was responsible for the development, management and launch of a proprietary product solution, helping to negate a distribution agreement with a major strategic partner.Monogram is working to develop tailored orthopedic solutions that can help reduce complications associated with orthopedic procedures such as knee replacement surgery. In this episode, hear about Monogram Orthopedics’ customized implants, which facilitate minimal processing and coordination time for orthopedic joint replacements, and how the company is going up against big industry names like Stryker and its market-leading Mako robot as well as Zimmer Biomet.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