BioBreakthroughs

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Frank Bedu-Addo, President and CEO at PDS Biotechnology Corporation.What you'll get out of this episode:PDS Biotechnology targets the key limitations of CAR T and cancer vaccine therapies using lipid nanoparticle-based immunotherapy.Their lead candidate, PDS0101, demonstrated over 2x improvement in survival for HPV-positive head and neck cancer.The platform technology shows consistent efficacy across multiple independent Phase 2 trials.Late-stage clinical programs focus on HPV16+ head and neck cancer, with additional trials for colorectal, prostate, and MUC1+ cancers.To Learn More About Our Guest And Their Company:Guest LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-bedu-addo-4797947/Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/pds-biotechnology-corporation/ Website https://www.pdsbiotech.com/ Our sponsor for this episode are:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Michael Demurjian, Founder & CEO at Aspargo Laboratories.What you'll get out of this episode:Aspargo tackles inefficiencies in pill-based drug delivery through innovative oral suspensions.The company’s patented technology improves absorption via buccal and GI routes.First commercial product, HisQ (oral spray sildenafil), delivers rapid ED treatment in just 10 minutes—even on a full stomach.Future products include sprays for weight loss and hair loss, launching via a telehealth platform.Upcoming smart dispenser connects with physicians and caregivers for enhanced adherence and monitoring.To Learn More About Our Guest And Their Company:Guest LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-demurjian-02868113/Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/aspargo-laboratories-inc/ Website https://aspargolabs.com/ Our sponsor for this episode are:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Michael Oleksiw, CEO at Pleio.What you'll get out of this episode:Human + AI Synergy: Pleio combines emotionally aware AI with peer-to-patient support to boost medication adherence.Overcoming Emotional Barriers: Emotions like fear, loneliness, and stigma are major challenges after diagnosis.Real-World Impact: Pleio's approach improved adherence rates by up to 28% in GLP-1 medication trials.Ethical AI in Healthcare: Patient data is de-identified and overseen by a medical board to ensure ethical use.Laser Focus on Loneliness: Pleio’s next frontier is tackling loneliness as a primary emotional barrier in healthcare.To Learn More About Our Guest And Their Company:Guest LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeloleksiw/Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/pleio-inc/Website http://www.pleio.comOur sponsor for this episode are:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Bill Peters, CEO at On Target Laboratories.What you'll get out of this episode:Innovative Imaging for Surgery – On Target Laboratories enables surgeons to see cancer at the cellular level using near-infrared imaging.Cytalux for Lung & Ovarian Cancer – Their FDA-approved drug, Cytalux, helps identify tumors in real-time, improving surgical outcomes.Surgeon-Driven Development – Continuous feedback from surgeons drives research, refining the technology for broader applications.Future of Cancer Surgery – With ongoing clinical trials, On Target Laboratories aims to expand its imaging technology to new indications.Industry Engagement – The company actively participates in key medical conferences, connecting with experts to advance cancer care.To Learn More About Our Guest And Their Company:Guest LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-peters-749a332a/Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/on-target-laboratories-inc/ Website http://www.ontargetlabs.com Our sponsor for this episode are:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Frank Watanabe, President & CEO at Arcutis Biotherapeutics.What you'll get out of this episode:Company Focus: Arcutis Biotherapeutics, under Frank Watanabe, is dedicated to treating inflammatory skin conditions, with three FDA-approved products and a fourth pending.Significant Milestones: This year, Arcutis launched two new products and partnered with a primary care company to expand its reach.Patient-Centric Approach: Arcutis prioritizes patient needs by involving dermatology practitioners and patient insights directly in decision-making.Technological Perspective: While acknowledging AI's potential in drug discovery, Arcutis is focused on tangible, current advancements without prematurely implementing AI.Expanding Accessibility: Arcutis is actively working to extend its treatments to Medicare and Medicaid markets to support a broader patient demographic.To Learn More About Our Guest And Their Company:LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-watanabe-419711/ Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/arcutis-inc/ Website https://www.arcutis.com/ Our sponsor for this episode are:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guests: Aaron Mackey, SVP of AI/Data Science at Lokavant & Jonathan Crowther, Head of Predictive Analytics at Pfizer.What you'll get out of this episode:Causal AI Explained: Aaron Mackey from Lokavant and Jonathan Crowther from Pfizer discuss the capabilities of causal AI in differentiating cause and effect in clinical trials.Comparison to Generative AI: The episode breaks down the distinctions between generative AI and causal AI, highlighting the advantages of causal approaches in clinical operations.Impact on Clinical Trial Feasibility: The experts explain how causal AI optimizes trial feasibility assessments, leading to more efficient and effective clinical processes.Forecasting Clinical Trials with AI: Insight into how causal AI improves data-driven decision-making and addresses the limitations of traditional trial forecasts.To learn more about our guests and their companies:Aaron's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronmackey/ Jonathan's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/crowtherjonathan/ Lokavant LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/lokavant/ Pfizer LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/pfizer/ Lokavant Website https://www.lokavant.com/en-us/ Pfizer Website https://www.pfizer.com/Our sponsor for this episode is:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Joerg Ahlgrimm, CEO at SK Pharmteco.What you'll get out of this episode:Joerg Ahlgrimm discusses his journey in the pharmaceutical industry and his role at SK Pharmteco.The strategic integration of companies under SK Pharmteco to enhance global CDMO capabilities.The importance of a patient-centric approach in driving company success and innovation.Challenges and strategies for ensuring operational efficiency and overcoming funding difficulties in biotech.Ahlgrimm’s advice for emerging leaders on career growth and maintaining a patient-first focus.To Learn More About Our Guest And Their Company:LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joerg-ahlgrimm-315a925/Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skpharmteco/ Website https://www.skpharmteco.com/ Our sponsor for this episode are:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Elliott Green, Co-Founder & CEO at Dandelion Health.What you'll get out of this episode:Elliot Green's transition from Oscar Health to founding Dandelion Health.Dandelion Health's innovative approach to real-world data and clinical AI.The importance of longitudinal data in advancing precision medicine.The potential of AI to accelerate drug development and improve healthcare outcomes.Upcoming events where Dandelion Health will share their advancements.To Learn More About Our Guest And Their Company:LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliott-green-98433b2/Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-health-ai/ Website https://dandelionhealth.ai/ Our sponsor for this episode are:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Nicole K. Paulk, CEO & Founder at Siren Biotechnology.What you'll get out of this episode:Nicole Paulk's early inspiration in gene therapy during her PhD at OHSU.The transition from academia to entrepreneurship amid COVID-19.Siren Biotechnology's innovative approach with AAV immunogene therapy.The challenges and successes in securing funding and navigating regulatory landscapes.The exciting transition of Siren Biotechnology from preclinical to clinical trials.To Learn More About Our Guest And Their Company:LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolepaulk/Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/siren-biotechnology-inc/ Website https://sirenbiotechnology.com/ Our sponsor for this episode are:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Sam Cooper, Co-Founder & CTO at Phenomic.What you'll get out of this episode:Sam Cooper shares his journey from Imperial College London to founding Phenomic.Phenomic's innovative approach combines AI with biological research.The company focuses on developing drugs targeting the tumor stroma.Phenomic's partnership with TileDB and Boehringer Ingelheim.Advice for budding biotech entrepreneurs from Sam Cooper.To Learn More About Our Guests and their Companies:LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-cooper-537814134/ Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/phenomic/ Website https://phenomic.ai/ Our sponsor for this episode are:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guests: Christine Senn, PhD, the SVP of Site-Sponsor Innovation at Advarra & Rohit Nambisan, Co-Founder and CEO at Lokavant.What you'll get out of this episode:Rohit Nambisan discusses Lokavant's approach to leveraging AI in clinical trial feasibility.Christine Senn highlights the importance of thorough feasibility processes in rare disease trials.The need for diverse site participation and data inputs to improve trial accuracy and efficiency.The role of AI and technology in enhancing clinical trial processes.To learn more about our guests and their companies:Christine's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinesenn/ Rohit's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohitnambisan/ Advarra LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/advarra/ Lokavant LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/lokavant/Advarra Website https://www.advarra.com/ Lokavant Website https://www.lokavant.com/en-us/Our sponsor for this episode is:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Dr. Sam Clark, Founder and CEO at Terran Biosciences.What you'll get out of this episode:Revolutionizing Treatments: Dr. Sam Clark discusses Terran Biosciences' mission to innovate treatments for neurological and psychiatric conditions.Innovative Drug Development: The company focuses on creating new mechanisms for treating depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.Smaller, Agile Teams: Terran Biosciences operates with a flat structure, utilizing highly trained experts to solve complex problems.Addressing Patent Monopolies: The company aims to break patent monopolies in pharma through innovative approaches and pro-drug strategies.Exciting Developments: Dr. Clark teases upcoming announcements, including long-acting and improved drug forms.To learn more about our guests and their companies:LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-clark-md-phd-133139199/Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/terran/Website https://terranbiosciences.com/Our sponsor for this episode are:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Dr. Michael Kyle, SVP & Chief Medical Officer at Currax Pharmaceuticals.What you'll get out of this episode:Dr. Michael Kyle's Background: Insights into his journey from medical practice to becoming SVP & Chief Medical Officer of Currax Pharmaceuticals.Understanding Obesity: A discussion on different types of obesity and the importance of tailored treatments.Global Perspectives: Comparing how the U.S. and European countries handle obesity and the lessons to be learned.Evolving Treatments: The parallel evolution of hypertension and obesity treatments.Behavioral Approaches: The importance of sustainable lifestyle changes and behavior modification in addressing obesity.To learn more about our guests and their companies:LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-l-kyle/Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/currax-pharmaceuticals-llc/Website https://www.curraxpharma.com/Our sponsor for this episode are:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Colin Weller, VP & GM of Evidence Platform at Medable.What you'll get out of this episode:Introduction of Colin Weller: Vice President and GM of Evidence Platform at Medable, Colin Weller discusses his role in advancing clinical research technology to streamline drug approvals.Challenges in Drug Development: Weller details the stagnant pace of drug development, highlighting the industry's need for innovation to improve efficiency and reduce costs.Medable's Ambitious Goals: Aiming to increase the number of drugs approved annually by tenfold through advanced SAS technology and AI, setting a new industry standard.Innovations in Clinical Trials: Medable has already cut study startup times by 50%, utilizing AI and automation to overhaul traditional processes.Future of Digital Clinical Trials: Weller predicts significant advancements in decentralized and digital trials, enhancing patient accessibility and data quality.To learn more about our guests and their companies:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-weller-294ab58/Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/medable-inc-/ Website: https://www.medable.com/Our sponsor for this episode are:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Stella K. Vnook, CEO at Likarda.What you'll get out of this episode:Stella Vnook, CEO of Likarda, discusses her transition from a science background to the business side of biotech and her journey to becoming CEO.Likarda specializes in core-shell spherification, creating beads with cells for targeted drug delivery, improving viability and efficacy.The company aims to enhance cell therapies, especially in liver cells and hormone therapy, and simplify cell transport logistics.Likarda's future goals include launching off-the-shelf products for osteoarthritis and advancing partnerships in cell therapy and regenerative medicine.Funding strategies and future plans involve a Series A funding round, non-dilutive funding, and efficient use of resources to scale up and innovate.To learn more about our guests and their companies:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vnook/Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/likarda-llc/Website: https://likarda.com/Our sponsor for this episode are:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Samantha Dale Strasser, CEO & Co-Founder at Pepper Bio.What you'll get out of this episode:Samantha Dale Strasser, co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Pepper Bio, shares her transition from academia to entrepreneurship, driven by a personal mission to change healthcare outcomes.Pepper Bio, located in Boston, leverages transomics to integrate multiple data sets for precision medicine, aiming to treat diseases that are currently untreatable.Strasser’s focus is on developing treatments for challenging diseases, with an emphasis on oncology, inflammatory diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.Pepper Bio’s approach in drug discovery combines its own pipeline development with strategic partnerships, speeding up the process of bringing new treatments to the clinic.The company has made significant strides in identifying novel targets and shelved assets, leading to a high success rate in in vivo model validations.To learn more about our guests and their companies:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-dale-strasser/Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pepperbio/Website: https://pepper.bio/Our sponsor for this episode are:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Cary Claiborne, CEO of Adial Pharmaceuticals.What you'll get out of this episode:Meet Cary Claiborne: Discover the visionary CEO behind Adial Pharmaceuticals.Understanding AD04: Dive into the science of this promising new treatment for alcohol use disorder.The Impact of Alcohol Use Disorder: A closer look at the challenges and the need for better treatments.A Glimpse into the Future: Explore how AD04 could revolutionize addiction treatment beyond alcohol use disorder.Adial's Mission and Vision: Hear directly from Claiborne about the company's path forward and commitment to innovation.To learn more about our guests and their companies:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cary-claiborne-sr-84a2217/Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adialpharma/Website: https://www.adial.com/Our sponsor for this episode are:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Marcio Souza, CEO of Praxis Precision Medicines.What you'll get out of this episode:Discussion on innovative CNS drug development on BioBreakthroughs podcast.Learn about Praxis' genetics-inspired approach to tackling complex brain diseases.Souza highlights the challenges and opportunities in CNS treatment, including the impactful EMBOLD and EMBRAVE studies.Discover Praxis Precision Medicines' future prospects and their commitment to revolutionizing patient care in the CNS field.To learn more about our guests and their companies:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcio-souza-2b02837/Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-precision-medicines-inc/Website: https://praxismedicines.com/Our sponsor for this episode are:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Steve Reed, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer Of HDT BioWhat you'll get out of this episode:Reed shares his 40-year journey in microbiology and immunology.Discussion on HDT Bio's approach to vaccine development for infectious diseases and cancer.Insight into the Amplify vaccine platform and its impact on global health.Reed's perspective on vaccine accessibility and affordability.Preview of HDT Bio's upcoming projects in oncology.To learn more about our guests and their companies:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-reed-b23b159b/Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hdt-bio/Website: https://www.hdt.bio/Our sponsor for this episode are:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Gadi Saarony, CEO of AdvarraWhat you'll get out of this episode:Discussing the challenges in clinical research and strategies for overcoming them.Exploring the role of technology in modern clinical trials.Advarra's innovative approach to streamlining clinical research processes.Insights on the future of clinical trials and healthcare innovation.Key takeaways from the discussion and implications for the industry.To learn more about our guests and their companies:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gadi-saarony/Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advarra/Website: https://www.advarra.com/Our sponsor for this episode are:Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/