Xtalks Life Science Podcast

In this episode, Vera spoke with Tim Culp, PhD, Vice President of Research and Development at Interius BioTherapeutics, a Philadelphia-based biotech company.
Their lead program focuses on an intravenous CAR therapy for B cell lymphomas. Additionally, the company is advancing a second program aimed at treating autoimmune diseases.
Dr. Culp joined Interius following a distinguished 14-year career with Merck Research Laboratories where he supported vaccine and oncolytic virus program development as a Senior Principal Scientist. His experience includes leadership of both early and late-stage development teams responsible for all Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) deliverables needed for clinical programs.
Dr. Culp completed a PhD from the Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine for his research on human papillomaviruses. He then completed post-doctoral studies at Penn State developing chimeric papillomavirus vaccines. Dr. Culp holds a BS in Biology/Secondary Education from Christian Heritage College and had a 15-year high school teaching career prior to his graduate studies.
Tune into the episode to learn more about the promise of in vivo CAR T therapy and novel advancements in the field.
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In this episode, Ayesha spoke with James E. Brown, DVM, co-founder, President and CEO of DURECT.
DURECT is pioneering a therapeutic strategy by leveraging the potential of epigenetic modulation to alter the trajectory of severe and life-threatening conditions like acute organ injury and cancer.
The company is specifically focused on the development of an epigenetic modulator, larsucosterol (DUR-928) for the treatment of alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH). The therapeutic has shown promising results in human studies, including a Phase IIb trial in AH patients.
Dr. Brown co-founded DURECT in February 1998 and has served as President, CEO and a Director since June 1998. Dr. Brown has worked in various leadership positions, including as Vice President of Biopharmaceutical and Implant Research and Development at ALZA Corporation from 1995 to 1998 and various leadership roles at Syntex Corporation, now Roche. Dr. Brown holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of California, Davis, where he also conducted postgraduate work in pharmacology and toxicology.
Tune into the episode to learn more about the promise of next generation epigenic modulators, including DURECT’s innovative epigenetic therapeutic approach.
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In this episode, Vera spoke with Carsten Rudolph, PhD, CEO of Ethris.
Ethris was founded by Dr. Rudolph and Professor Christian Plank with the goal of establishing messenger RNA (mRNA) as a novel drug modality for lung diseases such as asthma and rare pulmonary conditions like primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.
Ethris leverages its proprietary SNIM® RNA platform and lipidoid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery technology for versatile, multi-route therapeutic applications.
As mRNA therapies gain global traction, Dr. Rudolph sees opportunities for Ethris to make an impact.
Tune into the episode to explore the promise of nasal delivery of mRNA therapeutics as an innovative approach to treating lung diseases like asthma and beyond.
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In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Kirk Brown, PhD, Vice President of Research at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals.
Alnylam is focused on developing RNAi medicines to transform the way diseases like cardiovascular and neurological diseases are treated.
Dr. Brown’s preclinical work combining stable siRNA designs with alternative conjugation strategies has enabled potent, long-lasting silencing across the CNS following a single intrathecal administration. 
In addition to driving RNAi platform innovations, Dr. Brown leads a team of CNS target biologists at Alnylam and serves as the research lead for ALN-APP, the first clinical CNS RNAi program.
In this episode, Dr. Brown discusses the promise and evolving landscape of RNAi therapeutics across various therapeutic areas and Alnylam’s approach to developing innovative RNAi medicines.
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In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Jennifer Gudeman, Pharm D, Senior Vice President, Medical and Clinical Affairs, Avadel Pharmaceuticals plc, a biopharmaceutical company working on innovative solutions to the development of medications that disrupt treatment paradigms and address unmet needs. The company is currently focused on developing treatments for narcolepsy, a complex chronic neurological sleep disorder.
Dr. Gudeman joined Avadel in 2020. This was a critical time for the company as the team had submitted an NDA for a treatment that had the potential to improve the standard of care in narcolepsy. Dr. Gudeman helped continue the clinical development of Lumryz (sodium oxybate) through to its approval, which was approved last May and is the first and only FDA approved once-at-bedtime oxybate for individuals living with narcolepsy.
Narcolepsy affects the brain’s ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles. People with narcolepsy experience excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and sudden episodes of falling asleep during the day, which can be uncontrollable and occur at inappropriate times.
Tune into the episode to learn more about the unmet needs in narcolepsy, the clinical development and approval of Lumryz and where the science is heading in the sleep disorder space.
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In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Steffen-Sebastian Bolz, MD, PhD, a scientist, physician and entrepreneur. He is a Co-Founder of Aphaia Pharma AG and Founder and Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at Qanatpharma AG. Dr. Bolz holds a full professorship at the University of Toronto, is a Principal Investigator at the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research and Director of the Toronto Centre for Microvascular Medicine.
Aphaia Pharma is developing innovative, non-hormonal treatments for metabolic conditions like diabetes and obesity. The company is focused on restoring a normal metabolic food response through natural and safe treatment alternatives that can be applied to broad populations and enable long-term use.
To learn more about Aphaia’s innovative approach to treating metabolic conditions like obesity by turning to the body’s natural physiology, tune into the episode with Dr. Bolz.
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In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Alessio Travaglia, PhD, neuroscientist and Director Neuroscience at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) and Suzanne Schindler, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Neurology at Washington University.
Results from a head-to-head study led by the FNIH Biomarkers Consortium, with data analysis led by Dr. Schindler, have shown that some commercial diagnostic blood tests are accurate enough for clinical use and could replace cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests and PET scans in the near future for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. This would save patients the cost and pain associated with these traditional diagnostic approaches. The findings were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Philadelphia recently.
The findings could improve clinical diagnosis and speed future drug development by helping researchers select optimal clinical trial participants.
Tune into the episode to hear from Dr. Schindler and Dr. Travaglia about the promise of the blood tests for Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
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In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Matthew Martinez, MD, a board-certified cardiologist and nationally recognized expert in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). He serves as director of Atlantic Health System Sports Cardiology and the director of the Chanin T. Mast Center for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
Dr. Martinez is the Chair of ACC online “LEARNHCM” platform, which educates clinicians about HCM patient care. Dr. Martinez also serves as a cardiology consultant for elite and professional athletes including acting as the League cardiologist for Major League Soccer, team cardiologist for the New York Jets and cardiac consultant for the NFL and NHL.
The American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology (ACC) Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines recently published a new clinical guideline for the evaluation and management of people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which Dr. Martinez co-authored.
The guidelines now recommend CAMZYOS (mavacamten), the first and only FDA approved cardiac myosin inhibitor, as a Class 1 Level B-R therapy for the treatment of adults with obstructive HCM who have persistent symptoms after first-line therapy.
Tune into the episode to hear Dr. Martinez’s expert insights on the significance of the updated guidelines, the firsthand and real-world application of CAMZYOS in clinical practice and HCM care for everyday individuals to high level athletes.
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In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Lawreen Asuncion, a patient advocate who works to raise awareness for the rare disease Usher syndrome.
Lawreen has worked professionally in the biotech and life science markets for over 25 years. She provides input and perspectives for rare genetic disease programs and clinical trials sponsored by biotech and pharma companies.
Lawreen is a dedicated patient advocate for Usher syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes both hearing and vision loss in most individuals, and also balance for some. As someone living with Usher syndrome type 2c, Lawreen brings a deeply personal perspective to her advocacy work, sharing her experiences and challenges to raise awareness and educate others about the condition. Her advocacy extends to supporting research initiatives and promoting accessibility and inclusion for individuals with sensory impairments.
Tune into the episode to hear Lawreen’s perspectives as both a life sciences professional and rare disease patient advocate.
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In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Moreno Perugini, President of Active & Medical Nutrition, US & President of Global Pharmaceutical Therapies at Nestlé Health Science US.
As President of Global Pharmaceutical Therapies, Moreno and his team actively shape the healthcare system through innovative approaches and a strong commitment to delivering pharmaceutical products with a human-centered focus.
Throughout his career spanning over two decades, he has held leadership positions at pharmaceutical companies like AbbVie and Novartis. Notably, he has been instrumental in bringing multiple pharmaceutical technologies to market, across different therapeutic areas guided by his unwavering commitment to prioritizing patients and expanding access to treatment.
Moreno holds a master's degree in Pharmacoeconomics/Pharmaceutical Economics from Universität Pompeu Fabra – IDEC and an MBA from Bocconi.
Last year, Nestlé Health Science won FDA approval for Vowst (Ser-109) for the prevention of recurrent C. difficile infections. Moreno discusses the significance of the approval given the difficulty of treating the recurrent infections, which are usually acquired during hospital stays.
Tune into the episode to hear more about the work Moreno is leading at Nestlé Health Science, which includes both nutrition- and pharmaceutical-based treatments for GI conditions and gut health.
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