Episodes

  • 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.

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  • 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).


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  • 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/

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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 Stories
    New Rare Disease Drugs and Research Advancements

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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 2024

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  • 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.

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  • This episode features an interview with Adam Kaplin, MD, PhD, Cofounder, President and Chief Scientific Officer at MIRA Pharmaceuticals, a preclinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of new molecular synthetic cannabinoid analogs for the treatment of anxiety and cognitive decline typically associated with early-stage dementia.

    Dr. Kaplin is a neuropsychiatrist whose research focuses on the investigation of the biological basis of immune-mediated depression and cognitive impairment by using multiple sclerosis as the model. Dr. Kaplin transitioned into industry by joining MIRA Pharmaceuticals to help lead drug development in the space.

    Prior to joining MIRA Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Kaplin served in a number of positions at Johns Hopkins University, including Principal Neuro-Psychiatric Consultant to the Johns Hopkins Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence, among others. He also served as Co-Founder of numerous healthcare related startups, including, from 2018 to present, REWARD Pathways, a company devoted to addiction treatment focused on a combined eHealth and medicine approach.

    Dr. Kaplin’s original research has been published over 70 times in peer-reviewed publications in key areas in neuroscience and immunology, with a particular focus on the intersection of neurology and psychiatry.

    In this episode, hear about drug development for conditions like dementia, cognitive decline and anxiety, and how MIRA Pharmaceuticals’ synthetic cannabinoid-based drug candidate could serve as a significant treatment advancement for these conditions.

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  • This episode features an interview with vaccine scientists and executives from Vaccines Global Clinical Development at Merck, Dr. Heather Platt, MD, Distinguished Scientist and Pneumococcal Vaccine Lead; and Dr. Ulrike Buchwald, MD, Scientific Associate Vice President, Global Clinical Research and Pneumococcal Vaccine Section Head.

    Over the past ten years, Dr. Platt has worked across both infectious disease and vaccines products in both early- and late-stage clinical research. In her current role at Merck, she leads the product development team for V116, an investigational pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Dr. Platt completed her training in Internal Medicine at Rutgers/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and Infectious Diseases Fellowship at New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center.

    Dr. Buchwald applies her experience in public health and basic science research to expand Merck’s pneumococcal vaccine franchise and the development of next generation adult and pediatric pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. Since 2017, Dr. Buchwald has focused on pneumococcal disease prevention in various roles at Merck. Dr. Buchwald received her MD and Dr. med degree from the Freie University in Berlin, Germany, and completed her Internal Medicine residency and Infectious Diseases fellowship at New York University. She continues to see patients at Johns Hopkins University.

    Merck recently announced results from STRIDE-3, a Phase III trial evaluating the immunogenicity, tolerability and safety of V116, the company’s investigational 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, which is specifically designed for the protection of adults against pneumococcal infection.

    In this episode, hear more about V116, pneumococcal infection, Merck’s vaccine development program and the company’s approach to addressing the specific needs of different populations, including infants and children, adults and at-risk subgroups.

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  • This episode features an interview with Fady Boctor, MBA, President and Chief Commercial Officer at Petros Pharmaceuticals, a Men’s Health pharmaceutical company that aims to develop complementary therapeutics designed for a man’s journey. The company focuses on therapeutics that promote medication adherence, tolerability and preservation of male organic function.

    Fady has over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, and has worked for companies such as Novartis, Forest Pharmaceuticals, Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Endo Pharmaceuticals and Adapt Pharmaceuticals (Emergent Biosolutions).

    In the episode, Fady discussed Petros Pharma’s lead ED therapeutic and its potential to be transitioned to OTC status. He also discussed the overarching challenges in men’s health today and how Petros is positioned to tackle them.

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  • This episode features an interview with Wa'el Hashad, CEO of Longeveron.

    Hashad discussed Longeveron’s mission and the therapeutic areas the company is investigating. He discussed the mechanism of action of the company’s lead program, Lomecel-B.

    Lomecel-B is an “allogeneic” (donor-derived) cell therapy product. Lomecel-B is a cellular therapy currently under clinical investigation as a potential treatment for various aging-related chronic diseases and life-threatening conditions. These studies are conducted under the approval of the FDA’s Investigational New Drug (IND) Applications.

    Lomecel-B is under clinical investigation for pediatric hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), Alzheimer’s disease and aging frailty.

    Longeveron is based in Miami, Florida, with its corporate headquarters and manufacturing operations situated in the Converge Miami Building.

    Hashad also shared the next steps for Longeveron’s programs.

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  • This episode features an interview with Attorney Temitope (Tope) Leyimu, a toxic exposure attorney at Motley Rice who is leading a lawsuit over hair relaxing products that contain harmful chemicals.

    Hair relaxing products are used for straightening/smoothening hair and many contain harmful formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing and other toxic chemicals. The FDA recently issued a recommendation for the recall of chemical hair relaxers containing harmful chemicals. While the agency has initiated its rule-making process, a ban hasn’t been implemented yet.

    The products, which have historically been targeted primarily at black and brown women of African descent, have drawn major concern due to their links with reproductive-related cancers such as ovarian, cervical and uterine cancer. An October 2022 study by the National Institutes of Health, revealed that women using chemical straighteners face a 150 percent increased risk of uterine cancer.

    Attorneys leading the hair relaxer lawsuit including Leyimu say the FDA proposal is a significant step in advancing public health for women, particularly black and brown women, who are disproportionately impacted by many of these products that are alleged to be harmful.

    Tune into the episode to learn more about the litigation, including the historic racialized marketing of harmful hair relaxing products to women of African descent in the US.

    If you or anyone you know may have been affected by these products, you can complete the webform to contact Motley Rice if you would like to talk to someone about the lawsuit.

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