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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: 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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: 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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: 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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: 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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: 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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: 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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: 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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: 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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: 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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

In this episode, Ayesha speaks with Ebrahim S. Delpassand, MD, Founder and CEO of RadioMedix, a company developing innovative radiopharmaceuticals for cancer diagnosis, monitoring and treatment. With a focus on both PET imaging and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals labeled with alpha and beta emitters, RadioMedix is helping to shape the future of precision oncology. Dr. Delpassand brings a wealth of expertise as a board-certified nuclear medicine physician and a seasoned healthcare entrepreneur. He previously served as Deputy Chair and Chief of Clinical Nuclear Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center and is the Founder and Chairman of Excel Diagnostics & Nuclear Oncology Center. In addition to leading RadioMedix, he holds adjunct professorships in Radiation Oncology at the University of Texas and in Nuclear Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. As a principal investigator and sponsor of five active INDs, Dr. Delpassand is a leader in clinical nuclear medicine research and translational drug development. He also co-founded Infinity Care and Infinity Infusion Care, successfully guiding the latter to acquisition by Curative Healthcare in 2002. Tune into the episode to hear Dr. Delpassand discuss the expanding role of radiopharmaceuticals in oncology, the challenges of developing theranostic agents and how his clinical and entrepreneurial background has shaped his vision for advancing nuclear 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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

In this episode, Ayesha speaks with Norman Putzki, MD, Senior Vice President and Global Development Head of Neuroscience and Gene Therapy at Novartis, about the complexities and real-world challenges of bringing new therapies to patients with neurological diseases. Dr. Putzki discusses the challenges and opportunities in developing treatments for complex brain disorders, and how gene therapy is being applied in neurological disease. Dr. Putzki transitioned from an academic career in clinical neurology, with a focus on diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), to the pharmaceutical industry in 2010. Since then, he has taken on leadership roles in both medical and development functions, first at Biogen and later at Novartis, where he currently leads global development efforts in neuroscience and gene therapy. During his tenure at Novartis, he has been leading teams around the globe to various new indications, approvals and launches within the neuroscience portfolio. Dr. Putzki received his PhD from Essen University in Germany and completed residency training in Internal Medicine and Neurology in Essen, University College London (Institute of Neurology Queen’s Square) and University of Berne (Switzerland). Dr. Putzki is an author/co-author of more than 50 peer reviewed publications and has authored 4 books. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. Tune into the episode to learn more about the current landscape of drug development in neuroscience and neurological diseases — from research and strategy to execution on a global scale. 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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

In this episode, Ayesha speaks with Sumita Bhatta, MD, Vice President and Global Development Therapeutic Head of Rare Disease at Amgen. In the conversation, Dr. Bhatta shares insights on how large pharmaceutical companies like Amgen are approaching innovation and patient-centricity in the rare disease space. She also discusses the unique challenges and opportunities in developing therapies for small patient populations and how cross-functional collaboration drives progress in this complex field. Dr. Bhatta is a board-certified medical oncologist with over a decade of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry serving multiple roles in research and development. Dr. Bhatta received her undergraduate degree from UCLA and received both an MA in Applied Physiology and MD from the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago, IL. She completed her internal medicine residency, hematology/oncology fellowship and a clinical pharmacology/pharmacogenomics fellowship at the University of Chicago. Tune in to hear how Dr. Bhatta and her team are advancing innovation in rare disease drug development — and why big pharma’s role in this space matters more than ever. 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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Paul Romness, MHP, chair and CEO of OS Therapies, a company developing novel immunotherapies for cancers like osteosarcoma and other solid tumors. Paul shares insights into OS Therapies’ lead program, the scientific rationale behind the company’s innovative immunotherapy approach and how the company is addressing unmet needs in osteosarcoma. Paul has over 25 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, having served in various functions within major companies like Johnson & Johnson, Amgen and Boehringer Ingelheim. He has been directly involved in the launch of nine major products in the industry covering indications from oncology to surgery, HIV, COPD and diabetes. Throughout his professional career and within his community, Paul has focused on and advocated for unmet medical need and getting treatments to patients. Paul has a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in finance from American University and a Masters of Health Policy (MHP) from George Washington University Medical Center. Tune in to learn how OS Therapies is advancing immunotherapies for osteosarcoma and other solid tumors through innovative, precision-driven 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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Dr. Shaharyar Khan, co-founder and chief scientific officer at Rivus Pharmaceuticals. Rivus is developing a new class of investigational medicines called controlled metabolic accelerators (CMAs) for cardiometabolic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, heart failure and MASH by targeting obesity. Dr. Khan is an expert in the field of mitochondrial biology and the development of mitochondrial therapeutics. He has more than two decades of experience managing multidisciplinary teams of mitochondrial biologists, computational and medicinal chemists and clinicians. Prior to his role at Rivus, Dr. Khan co-founded Gencia Biotech, where he also served as chief scientific officer and pioneered multiple drug discovery programs, including large and small molecules aimed at harnessing the unique role of mitochondria in the maintenance of cellular health. Dr. Khan has a BA in philosophy and a PhD in neuroscience from the University of Virginia. Tune in to hear about the novel mitochondrial approach to targeting cardiometabolic diseases that Dr. Khan is leading at Rivus Pharmaceuticals. 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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Marc Hedrick, MD, MBA, president and CEO of Plus Therapeutics, a company focused on developing a novel class of targeted radiotherapeutics. Prior to heading Plus Therapeutics, Dr. Hedrick served in a number of executive leadership roles including president, CEO and director at Cytori Therapeutics, and president and CEO of StemSource.  Dr. Hedrick is a trained general, vascular and plastic surgeon. He is a former Associate Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).  Dr. Hedrick also served as co-director of the Laboratory of Regenerative Bioengineering and Repair at UCLA. Dr. Hedrick obtained his MD from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas and MBA from The Anderson School at UCLA in 2005. Tune in to hear about recent advancements and innovations in the field of radiotherapeutics, featuring some of the work Dr. Hedrick is spearheading at Plus Therapeutics. 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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Carlos Martin, MBA, chief commercial operations and revenue officer at Rocket Pharmaceuticals, a company developing gene therapy cures for rare diseases through innovative science and platforms. Carlos joined Rocket in April 2021 and established the company’s early commercial strategy and infrastructure as Chief Commercial Officer. Prior to joining Rocket, Carlos was the US Commercial Head of Advanced Accelerator Applications (AAA), a Novartis Oncology Company. His responsibilities included leading commercial strategy and new product launches as well as transforming their go-to-market model. Carlos brings in-depth background and experience globally and locally in commercial strategy and operations across a wide range of modalities and disease areas, including oncology, cardiovascular, metabolism and complex therapeutics. Carlos has a bachelor’s degree in economics from ESADE & the Polytechnic University of Barcelona, Spain and an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University. Tune in to hear from Carlos about the challenges and opportunities in the commercialization of gene therapies for rare diseases. 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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Marshall Fordyce, MD, founder and CEO of Vera Therapeutics, a company focused on developing treatments for autoimmune diseases. Dr. Fordyce founded Vera in 2016 as an entrepreneur in residence at Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, took the company public in 2021 and has advanced its lead molecule through a successful Phase II trial in IgA nephropathy. The company is on track to read out its Phase III results next quarter. Along the way, Dr. Fordyce has built a world class team of drug developers and raised over $1 billion in capital. Dr. Fordyce previously worked in clinical development leadership roles at Gilead Sciences in the 2010s, driving innovation in treatments for HIV and hepatitis. Dr. Fordyce received his BA from Harvard University and MD from Harvard Medical School, trained in Internal Medicine and served as Chief Resident at NYU Bellevue. Dr. Fordyce currently serves on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer of the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation. Tune in to hear Dr. Fordyce discuss new innovations in therapies for autoimmune diseases like IgA nephropathy and the work he is leading at Vera Therapeutics. 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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Shalabh Gupta, MD, founder, chairman and CEO of Unicycive Therapeutics, a company focused on addressing unmet medical needs in renal diseases. Kidney diseases are a major global health concern. In the US, chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than one in seven individuals, and one in three adults with diabetes may have the condition. Before founding Unicycive Therapeutics in 2016, Dr. Gupta served in various roles, including founder and CEO of Biocycive, a commercial strategy role at Genentech and as an equity researcher at UBS Investment Bank and Rodman & Renshaw (currently HC Wainwright). Dr. Gupta is also the founder and CEO of Globavir, which licensed diagnostic technology from Stanford University and then partnered with global commercial diagnostic companies. Dr. Gupta also serves as an advisor to the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Innovation Center, a role he has held since 2020. Before his roles in business and finance, Dr. Gupta was an attending physician at NYU Medical Center and a clinical faculty member at the NYU School of Medicine. Dr. Gupta received his MPA in Health Care Finance and Management from NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and his MD from Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, India. Tune in to discover how Unicycive Therapeutics is tackling the most pressing unmet needs in renal diseases and driving innovation in kidney health. 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/XtalksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferencesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured