Podcast Series | Building BioTech Series

When it comes to biotech, both the academic and industry settings are crucial in developing novel medicines. Dr Brent Cezairliyan has experienced both sides of biotech, first through an academic career exploring bacterial pathogenesis, and now in his administrative role at Octagon Therapeutics. The company, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focuses on autoimmune disease treatments. By developing targeted approaches to the inflammatory nature of the immune system, they hope their advances in biotech help future scientists navigate the field for years to come.

After being diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma at age 15, Dr Joshua Schiffman was driven to pursue a career in medicine, starting as a pediatric oncologist, and was later drawn to the biotech side of the industry. Dr Schiffman was fascinated with a tidbit of knowledge: elephants almost never get cancer. He met Dr Avi Schroeder at a conference in Israel, and the two wondered how they could take this research about elephants’ cancer-fighting genes and apply it to humans. Together, they co-founded PEEL Therapeutics, the organization’s name meaning elephant in Hebrew, and currently work to bring together nature, medicine, and technology for the betterment of humankind. In this episode, Dr Schiffman provides a hopeful outlook on how nature and biotech can lead scientists to harness the power of evolution and create a bright future for medicine.

While still considering himself a fundamental basic scientist, Samir Ounzain is embracing the biotech industry trend of merging academic research and biotechnological drug development. In this episode, Ounzain talks about his path from a dark theater as a kid watching Jurassic Park to the lab studying the dark matter of the human genome – and eventually to the founding of Haya Therapeutics, a biotech startup aiming to discover and develop safe and effective, tissue- and cell-selective, genome-based therapies for fibrotic diseases.

One of the harsher realities to balance in the biotechnology and life sciences industries is that success in the lab is not the same as success in business, and you have to run a successful business to keep the lab going. Kurt Gielen, co-founder and chief business officer of Medace, knew he didn’t belong in the lab but also that a career in the biotech business was his calling. Now he’s leveraging his 20 years of experience in the industry to help young companies strike that balance between business and science. Medace offers an innovative co-working environment where research and entrepreneurship meet – and grow. Kurt shares his path from the lab, across the globe, and eventually to this unique Belgium-based incubator committed to turning research into reality and discusses why he’s committed to making Medace’s resources and knowledge accessible to fledgling biotech companies all over the world.

When university and industry researchers work in tandem to conquer big challenges in medicine, they can achieve much more together than they ever could apart. Sue Fletcher, a pioneer in RNA therapeutic and Chief Scientific Officer at PYC Therapeutics, know this firsthand. She has spent decades in the field and is the co-developer of some revolutionary genetic therapies for treating rare diseases. Here, Dr. Fletcher speaks with BioPharm International about her work in this field, her incredible career, and how she’s inspiring young scientists in this complex area.

Cell and gene therapies may well be some of the most important recent advancements in modern medicine. The way they work, however, is very complex and completely different from any pill that simply addresses symptoms. So who are the pioneers in this field and what dares them to ask “what if”? In this episode of the Building Biotechs podcast series sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific, learn from Ainslie Little, senior vice president of corporate strategy at BlueRock Therapeutics, how her company’s cell & gene platform is breaking new ground in this important space.

One of the greatest unexplored spaces of the world is the microbiome, a bustling network of trillions of microorganisms living inside each of us. If we could learn more about them, the advancements we’d make in healthcare and other fields would be incredible. This line of thinking is what spurred Tom Jarvie and Mark Driscoll to found Shoreline Biome, maker of the most complete end-to-end microbiome sample prep kits on the market. Hear their incredible story in this Building Biotechs podcast.

In just a few years, MAKO Medical has become a thriving healthcare disruptor by nimbly navigating the lab diagnostics waters with creativity and heart—helping patients and bringing joy to the communities it serves. In this episode of the Building Biotech podcast series from BioPharm International (sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific), hear the inspiring story of how founders Josh Arant and Chad Price turned their dream into a reality.