Xtalks Life Science Podcast

In this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, Ayesha speaks with Michael Thurn, PhD, Managing Director & CEO, Neurizon Therapeutics, a company focused on advancing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS, with expansion efforts in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and others. With over 25 years of experience in biotech innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership and broad experience in drug discovery, development, regulation and commercialization, Dr. Thurn shares his vision for advancing next-generation therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Thurn has led a variety of FDA lnvestigational New Drug (IND) applications across a range of therapeutic areas, and the evaluation of drugs and vaccines for registration in Australia as a part of the Drug Safety Evaluation Branch (DSEB) of the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA). Dr. Thurn co-founded MARP Therapeutics and held roles at companies including Botanix, Mimetica, Spinifex, Cytopia, Xenome and Novogen. Tune in to hear Dr. Thurn discuss Neurizon’s strategic pipeline, clinical development efforts, as well as his global experience spanning drug discovery, regulatory affairs and capital markets. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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

In this episode, Vera spoke with Dr. Alessandra Maleddu, a medical oncologist and sarcoma specialist at the University of Colorado. Dr. Maleddu specializes in soft tissue and bone sarcomas, with a particular focus on desmoid tumors and advancing clinical trials in this rare disease area. Desmoid tumors are locally invasive soft tissue tumors that present unique diagnostic and treatment challenges, as they can vary significantly from patient to patient and are often misdiagnosed. Women are two to three times more likely than men to be diagnosed with a desmoid tumor. Dr. Maleddu trained in Italy and the UK, completing a sarcoma fellowship at University College London Hospital, general oncology training at the University of Bologna and earning her MD from the University of Cagliari in Italy. Tune in to hear how Dr. Maleddu is helping lead in the sarcoma space, with a focus on desmoid tumors. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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

In this episode, Vera spoke with Jay Hartenbach, President and Chief Operating Officer of Diakonos Oncology, a company developing cancer immunotherapies to address the critical and unmet medical need of late-stage and aggressive cancers like glioblastoma. Jay is a passionate advocate for wellness and innovative healthcare, bringing a unique blend of scientific knowledge, entrepreneurial enthusiasm and business strategy expertise to the Life Sciences industry. He concurrently serves as the COO of another cancer immunotherapy company, Immunocine. Before moving to biotech, Jay co-founded wellness company Medterra, where he continues to shape the company’s strategic direction as Chairman of the Board. Jay also co-founded Perland Pharmaceuticals, an early-stage biotech company actively developing therapies for arthritis conditions. Jay has a Masters in Engineering Management from Duke University and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Miami. Tune into the episode to hear how Jay is helping drive new frontiers in cancer immunotherapy at Diakonos Oncology through scientific innovation and strategic leadership. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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

In this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks.com, spoke with R. Nolan Townsend, MBA, CEO of Lexeo Therapeutics, a company developing gene therapies for cardiovascular diseases as well as CNS disorders including Alzheimer’s disease. Lexeo recently announced a partnership to advance cardiac RNA therapeutics as well as $80 million in equity financing. Mr. Townsend has been CEO of Lexeo Therapeutics since 2020. He previously held senior leadership roles at Pfizer, including President of Rare Disease for both North America and International markets, and began his career in healthcare investment banking at Lehman Brothers. He currently also serves on several boards, including Arbor Biotechnologies, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. He is also a member of the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s Life Sciences Advisory Council. Mr. Townsend received his MBA from the Harvard Business School and his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. Tune in to hear how Lexeo is shaping the future of genetic medicines under Mr. Townsend’s leadership. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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

In this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks.com, spoke with Juan Domínguez-Bendala, PhD, Director of Stem Cell and Pancreatic Regeneration Programs, Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) at the University of Miami, to discuss his research team’s new research published in Nature Communications that could redefine diabetes treatment. Dr. Domínguez-Bendala team’s study reveals how THR-123, a small peptide, can trigger the regeneration of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, effectively restoring normal blood sugar levels in preclinical models. The discovery opens the door to a potential new class of regenerative therapies for insulin-dependent diabetes, offering hope for millions of patients worldwide. Dr. Domínguez-Bendala’s scientific journey includes a PhD he earned under Dr. Jim McWhir, co-creator of Dolly the sheep, to pioneering research in human embryonic stem cells at the University of Miami’s Diabetes Research Institute, where he now leads his own lab and chairs the university’s Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight (ESCRO) Committee. Tune in to hear how Dr. Domínguez-Bendala’s team’s findings could change the way we think about diabetes and the promise of teaching the pancreas to heal itself. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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

In this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks.com, sits down with Paul Wotton, PhD, CEO of RBL LLC, a venture studio partially owned by Rice University. RBL’s mission is to transform groundbreaking research from the Rice Biotech LaunchPad into successful biotech startups. The company provides end-to-end support for early-stage ventures, from financial and business development services to clinical trial design, talent acquisition and capital sourcing. Dr. Wotton shares insights from his extensive leadership and entrepreneurship career, including his time as president and CEO of Ocata Therapeutics (acquired by Astellas), and discusses how RBL is bridging academia and industry to accelerate biotech innovation. Dr. Wotton has expertise in strategic growth, business transactions and product development, and has served on the boards of Vericel, Cynata Therapeutics, Kytopen, Combined Therapeutics and co-founded Avenge Bio. He has been recognized as a “Top 100 Innovation CEO” by World Biz Magazine and won Ernst & Young’s NJ Life Sciences Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2014. Tune in to learn how venture studio models like RBL are reshaping biotech commercialization and empowering the next generation of life science entrepreneurs. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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

In this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, Senior Life Science Journalist Ayesha Rashid speaks with Joel Latham, CEO, president and director of Incannex Healthcare, to discuss how the company is advancing cannabinoid and psychedelic therapies for chronic conditions like sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis and anxiety disorders. Joel has more than 20 years of senior management and operations experience in both public and private sectors. Under Joel’s leadership, Incannex has advanced and prioritized multiple therapeutic candidates into clinical-stage development. Previously, he was the CEO and Managing Director of Incannex Australia, where he played a key role in the company’s growth and its successful transition to Nasdaq. Joel has also held senior leadership roles in corporate strategy and global market development at Mars Foods, Tabcorp and Philip Morris International. Listen now to learn about the cutting-edge developments in cannabinoid and psychedelic medicine. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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

In this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, speaks with Jeff Glazier, CEO and founding member of General Oncology. General Oncology is focused on advancing innovative therapies that address some of the greatest unmet needs in oncology. At General Oncology, Jeff has overseen everything from corporate strategy and clinical trial site selection to IP protection and IT infrastructure. He stepped into the role of CEO in August 2024, bringing a vision for translating cutting-edge science into meaningful treatments for patients. Previously, Jeff co-founded the healthcare technology company ProviderTech LLC and worked as a private equity attorney at Ropes & Gray LLP. Jeff has a JD from Harvard Law School and an Sc.B. in neuroscience from Brown University. Tune into the episode to hear Jeff’s perspectives on leadership, innovation and shaping the future of oncology. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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

In this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, we dive into the cutting edge of cell therapy innovation with Ian Nisbet, PhD, chief operating officer (COO) and co-founder of Cartherics, an Australian biotech company developing next-generation cell therapies for difficult-to-treat diseases like cancer and endometriosis. Dr. Nisbet also acts as a director or advisor to several Australian and US biotechnology companies. With more than 35 years of leadership in biotech and experience in bringing two FDA-approved oncology drugs to market, Dr. Nisbet offers valuable insights into how the next generation of cell therapies could transform patient care. Tune in to learn about Cartherics’ proprietary platform for generating an effectively unlimited supply of CAR-NK cells, the challenges and opportunities in developing treatments for underserved diseases and what’s next for the cell therapy industry worldwide. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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

In this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Vera Kovacevic speaks with Rohan Palekar, CEO of 89bio, about one of the fastest-growing public health challenges: metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), also known as fatty liver disease. MASH is projected to affect more than 27 million Americans by 2030, yet it remains a largely “silent” epidemic. Palekar discusses what sets MASH apart from other liver diseases, the urgent need for therapies that can rapidly reverse fibrosis in advanced patients and the unique challenges drug developers face in addressing this condition. The conversation explores the drivers behind the sharp rise in MASH prevalence and what may define the future therapeutic landscape. Palekar also reflects on his leadership journey at 89bio and shares what’s next for the company as it advances new therapies for MASH and beyond. Tune in to learn how 89bio is working to transform care for patients living with MASH and why this disease represents one of the most important — yet underrecognized — health challenges of the decade. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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

In this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, Senior Life Science Journalist Ayesha Rashid connects with Bill Andriopoulos, PhD, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Galderma US, to discuss the future of patient-centered dermatology across both medical and aesthetic care. Galderma is focused on advancing science-based innovations in the dermatology space. Together, they discuss Galderma’s approach to responsible innovation, improving access and representation in research, and what it takes to advance care for every skin story. Dr. Andriopoulos explains how medical affairs drives scientific evidence and cross-functional education within dermatology, and how the integration of therapeutic and aesthetic dermatology is evolving at Galderma. Dr. Andriopoulos joined Galderma nearly a decade ago in Canada and later served in Sweden as Global Head of Medical Affairs, Aesthetics. Since 2021, he has been leading medical affairs in the US, overseeing teams that generate evidence and educational resources aligned with Galderma’s motto of “advancing dermatology for every skin story.” Tune in to learn about the role of medical affairs in driving evidence and education, the use of real-world data in shaping dermatology practice and the integration of therapeutic and aesthetic approaches in dermatology. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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

In this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, Senior Life Science Journalist Ayesha Rashid speaks with Dr. Roger Cone, PhD, founder of Courage Therapeutics, professor at the University of Michigan, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a leading authority on the neuroscience of weight regulation. Dr. Cone shares insights from over 30 years of groundbreaking research on the brain’s melanocortin system, discoveries that have revolutionized our understanding of obesity and restrictive eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and cachexia. Dr. Cone’s discoveries of the melanocortin-3 and -4 receptors (MC3R and MC4R) have helped shape our understanding of obesity and eating disorders. Backed by a $7.8 million seed investment, Courage Therapeutics is developing innovative therapies targeting the brain’s appetite-regulating circuits that aim to complement GLP-1 treatments. Tune in to learn how Dr. Cone’s work is shaping the next generation of brain-targeted therapeutics for obesity and restrictive eating disorders. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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

In this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid speaks with Rob Armstrong, PhD, CEO of Artax Biopharma, a company pioneering a novel class of oral small molecule drugs known as Nck modulators to treat autoimmune diseases. Unlike traditional therapies that suppress the immune system, Artax’s approach aims to restore immune balance by modulating T cell receptor signaling. Dr. Armstrong shares insights into the company’s recent clinical progress, including positive Phase IIa results in psoriasis and promising preclinical data in atopic dermatitis, and what these milestones mean for the broader autoimmune treatment landscape. With more than 20 years of leadership in biopharmaceutical R&D, Dr. Armstrong previously served as CEO, board member and co-founder of Boston Pharmaceuticals, led small molecule R&D at Amgen and held senior executive roles at Eli Lilly, including Vice President of Global Medicinal Chemistry. Dr. Armstrong was Chairman of the Board of Artax Biopharma until January 2024, when he was appointed as the company’s CEO. Prior to working in industry, Dr. Armstrong was a tenured Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Dr. Armstrong received his Bachelor of Science (BS) in chemistry at University of California San Diego (UCSD), PhD in chemistry at California State University (CSU) and was an NIH postdoctoral fellow at Harvard. Rob is an advisor to Gelesis and serves on the board of directors of early-stage biotechnology companies Curza Therapeutics, Cloud Pharmaceuticals and Entrega Bio. Tune into the episode to hear Dr. Armstrong discuss the promise of Nck modulators and breakthroughs in autoimmune therapies. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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

In this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, Ayesha speaks with Craig Erickson, MD, chief medical officer at Spinogenix and a leading expert in translational neurodevelopmental research. Dr. Erickson shares insights into Spinogenix’s work on restoring synapses to reverse cognitive and motor decline in conditions like Fragile X Syndrome, ALS, Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia. Dr. Erickson is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine-Affiliated and the Director of the Cincinnati Fragile X Research and Treatment Center. His work focuses on enhancing the ability to detect brain target engagement with treatment to identify meaningful functional changes in patients as early as the initial stages of human drug trials, while also determining which individuals are most likely to benefit from treatment. Dr. Erickson holds several investigator-initiated INDs and is the inventor of several patents describing new treatment approaches. His work has been extensively supported by the NIH, CDC, US Department of Defense, stakeholder foundations and biotechnology companies from around the world. Tune into the episode to hear Dr. Erickson discuss the evolving landscape of neurotherapeutics, early-stage drug trials and how precision biomarkers are shaping individualized treatment approaches. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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

In this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, Ayesha speaks with Stella Sarraf, PhD, founder, CEO and director of Spinogenix, a company pioneering neurodegenerative therapeutics designed to restore synapses with the potential to reverse cognitive and motor decline in conditions such as ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia and other neurological disorders. Dr. Sarraf shares the scientific inspiration behind Spinogenix’s novel approach and how the company is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in neuroscience. With a career spanning big pharma (Merck), venture capital (Foresite Capital, Prospect Ventures) and multiple biotech startups, Dr. Sarraf brings a unique and visionary perspective to the translational challenges of drug development. In 2013, Dr. Sarraf founded Amydis, a company developing ocular tracers for digital detection of neurodegenerative diseases. She then founded Spinogenix in 2016 to focus on developing novel neurodegenerative therapeutics. Dr. Sarraf has a PhD in organic chemistry from Columbia University and a BA in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of California, Berkeley. Tune in to hear Dr. Sarraf discuss the urgent unmet needs in neurodegeneration, what makes Spinogenix’s approach different from traditional neuroprotective therapies and how restoring synaptic function could change the trajectory of these diseases. Dr. Sarraf also reflects on her journey as a scientist-turned-entrepreneur and the importance of resilience, adaptability and patient-driven innovation in biotech. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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

In this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, Ayesha Rashid speaks with Laura Williams, MD, MPH, chief patient officer at Ardelyx, a company developing and commercializing first-in-class medicines for diseases like chronic kidney disease (CKD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Dr. Williams brings nearly 30 years of experience in clinical development, drug strategy and patient advocacy. With leadership roles across big pharma and biotech — including Abbott, Myovant and AMAG Pharmaceuticals — her impact is marked by eight FDA drug approvals and a relentless focus on improving patient outcomes. Before joining Ardelyx, Dr. Williams was SVP and head of clinical development and biostatistics at AMAG Pharmaceuticals, overseeing four investigational assets and two marketed products. She previously served as VP of clinical development at Myovant Sciences and spent 18 years at Abbott/AbbVie, where she led global clinical programs and managed the general medicine therapeutic area. Dr. Williams received a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi State University, a Doctor of Medicine degree from University of Iowa and a Master of Public Health degree in epidemiology from University of Washington, where she also completed a clinical fellowship in infectious diseases. She completed her Internal Medicine residency at University of Michigan, where she also served as Chief Resident and Junior Faculty. Tune in as Dr. Williams shares how her unique blend of scientific expertise and deep commitment to the patient voice drives innovation at Ardelyx. She discusses the evolving, up-and-coming role of chief patient officer, key lessons learned, the challenges of patient-centric drug development and what’s ahead in addressing critical unmet medical needs. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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

In this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, Vera Kovacevic speaks with Gene Mack, CEO and President of Gain Therapeutics, a company focused on AI-driven small molecule discovery for diseases with high unmet medical needs. With over 25 years of leadership across biopharma, capital markets and corporate strategy, Gene shares his unique perspective on the intersection of artificial intelligence and drug development — and how Gain Therapeutics is using it to tackle diseases with high unmet medical need. Prior to joining Gain, Gene was CFO at Imcyse SA between 2021 and 2023, and at OncoC4, which spun out of Merck’s acquisition of OncoImmune in 2020 where he had also been CFO. Gene discusses his career journey from Wall Street to the C-suite, his experience raising over $350 million in biotech funding and the exciting science behind Gain’s drug discovery platform. Gene received both his Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and MBA in finance from Fordham University. Whether you're a biotech investor, drug developer or simply curious about how AI is reshaping the future of medicine, tune into the conversation. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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

In this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid speaks with Edwin Tucker, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Jasper Therapeutics, about innovative approaches to treating chronic mast cell diseases such as asthma, food allergies and IBS. Dr. Tucker has over 30 years of clinical drug development experience, with past roles as CMO at Goldfinch Bio and Mirum Pharmaceuticals, where he led the first FDA approval for Alagille Syndrome. He also served as COO at Acerta Pharma and held leadership positions at Genentech, Janssen and Bayer. Dr. Tucker is a member of the Royal College of Physicians (UK). He received his MBA from the University of Connecticut and holds degrees in Pharmacology and Medicine from the University of Leeds, UK. Additionally, he serves as a managing director at Golden Seeds, an investment firm dedicated to pursuing early-stage investment opportunities in women-led businesses. Tune in to learn how Jasper Therapeutics’ work could reshape the landscape for patients with allergic and inflammatory conditions. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Adam Grant, PhD, Principal Scientist at CancerVax, to discuss the company’s Universal Cancer Treatment Platform. The immunotherapy tool uses AI to train the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells by modifying those cells to resemble known pathogens like measles. This innovative approach prompts a stronger and more effective immune response compared to traditional immunotherapies. Dr. Grant, a leading computational biologist and one of the inventors behind the platform, shares insights into how AI and next-generation sequencing are revolutionizing fields like cancer immunotherapy. Dr. Grant previously served as a Bioinformatician at Xenter Medical Technologies and as a Computational Scientist at RAPT Therapeutics. His innovations include software designed to improve cancer antigen detection and a gene-signature approach for selecting treatments for breast cancer. Dr. Grant earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Bioinformatics from Brigham Young University and a PhD in Cancer Biology with an emphasis in Bioinformatics from the University of Arizona. From discovering new drug targets to engineering smarter immune strategies, tune in to hear Dr. Grant discuss how bioinformatics is reshaping innovations in cancer immunotherapy. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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

In this episode, Vera spoke with Chris Ehrlich, CEO at CERo Therapeutics, a company developing next-generation T cell immunotherapies, called chimeric engulfment receptor T cells (CER T). Chris has extensive experience in biotechnology, venture capital and strategic transactions, currently serving as CEO and Chairman of the board since February 2024 and previously as CEO of PBAX. He has held leadership roles at Locust Walk Partners and InterWest Partners, where he was involved in several notable biotech acquisitions, including the sales of Xyphos Biosciences to Astellas and Thar Pharmaceuticals to Grunenthal. Chris also serves on multiple boards, including at Prostate Management Diagnostics, the Peter Michael Foundation and Northwestern University's Kellogg School. Chris has a BA in Government from Dartmouth College and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, where he is a frequent lecturer. Tune into the episode to hear Chris discuss how the company’s approach differs from traditional CAR T-cell therapies, his path from venture capital to the C-suite and what’s next in the evolving immunotherapy landscape. For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: 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