Xtalks Life Science Podcast

In this week's episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Andrea Wilkinson, Global Head of Patient Engagement & Advocacy, Epilepsy & Neuromuscular at UCB, a company dedicated to developing solutions for autoimmune and neurological conditions, including epilepsy. The company has a growing commitment to addressing unmet needs in rare neurological diseases and underserved patient populations. With fewer than 5% of clinical trials including pregnant women, major knowledge gaps persist, particularly for women with epilepsy. In this episode, we look at new research that used social media listening across several countries to uncover treatment fears, uncertainty and barriers women face during pregnancy and motherhood, and what must change to better support informed decision-making. While epilepsy is not considered a rare disease, epilepsy in pregnancy represents a small, clinically complex population that faces unique risks and persistent care gaps. Andrea is a biotech and health tech executive who has led strategic product launches for over 30 breakthrough biopharmaceutical therapies. Focused on improving outcomes for patients, particularly in rare diseases, she has worked with early- to late-stage launch teams at AstraZeneca/MedImmune, Takeda and Sanofi Pasteur. She develops platform tools, stakeholder roadmaps and patient-centered advocacy campaigns to support first-in-class medicines and address access, reimbursement, regulatory and commercial barriers. Andrea is also an angel investor with Pipeline Angels and serves on the boards of Project Open Hand and the HBA Pacific Region. She holds a BA from Louisiana Tech University. Tune in to learn more about the unmet needs, challenges and advancements in the rare disease and epilepsy spaces. 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, spoke with Joseph Sinkule, CEO, Founder and the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Klotho Neurosciences, a biogenetics company developing cell and gene therapies using a patented, secreted form of the “anti-aging” human α-Klotho gene for the treatment of neurodegenerative, age-related disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease and others. Dr. Sinkule has over 40 years of drug, biologic and medical device R&D and commercialization experience. He has managed over eight drug and biotech products successfully through FDA approval to market, as well as five medical devices and eight in vitro diagnostics. After serving in academics and then in industry, Dr. Sinkule has evolved into a successful businessman and entrepreneur. He has led teams of all sizes, managed CROs and CDMOs, serves on two company boards and regularly advises venture capital firms, investment banks and pharmaceutical and biotech companies at all stages. Tune in to learn more about targeting pathways of aging in diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS. 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, spoke with Ahmed Enayetallah, PhD, MBBCh, Chief Development Officer at Dompé Farmaceutici, a company founded as the first compounding pharmacy in Milan, Italy, which has grown into a global biopharmaceutical company over 130 years. Currently, the company has a therapeutic pipeline focused on nerve growth factor (NGF)-based therapeutics in ocular diseases, including non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Dompé has been a pioneer in translating NGF biology into medicine, building on decades of research by Nobel laureate Dr. Rita Levi-Montalcini. Dr. Enayetallah has a robust background in clinical research and deep expertise in drug development. His career has spanned several high-profile leading roles at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies such as Amgen, Biogen, Pfizer and Alexion. He has led efforts in personalized medicine and oversaw multiple successful clinical programs that brought novel therapies to patients with high unmet needs. Prior to joining Dompé, he led the development organization at BlueRock Therapeutics. Dr. Enayetallah earned his medical degree from the University of Cairo and completed his PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Connecticut. Tune in to learn more about NGF biology and how it is being leveraged therapeutically in ocular diseases with high unmet need. 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, spoke with Jason Matuszewski, chairman, CEO and co-founder of BioStem Technologies, a company developing perinatal tissue allografts for regenerative therapies. The applications of the allografts, developed using the company's proprietary processing method, include wound care, limb saving in conditions like diabetic foot ulcers and treating wounds and amputations of veterans. After beginning his career as a technical engineer at SC Johnson and later leading process and quality initiatives at companies like ATI Ladish Forging, Nemak and HUSCO International, Jason's work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation inspired his move into biotech. At BioStem, he's overseen optimized tissue sourcing, the build-out of a 6,000-square-foot, fully FDA- and AATB-compliant tissue processing facility and the growth of a high-performing team. Jason has a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mechanical Engineering Technology, is a Six Sigma Black Belt and serves on the AATB Processing and Distribution Council and BioFlorida's Government Affairs Committee. Tune in to learn more about cutting edge developments in regenerative medicine and wound care. 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, spoke with Michelle Hoffmann, PhD, Executive Director of the Chicago Biomedical Consortium (CBC). CBC is a consortium of biomedical researchers across Northwestern University, the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Chicago supported by the Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust. The CBC's mission is to stimulate collaboration among scientists to accelerate discovery that will transform biomedical research and improve human health. At the CBC, Dr. Hoffmann is reshaping the organization to train local PhD talent in early-stage commercialization and fund high-potential biopharma innovations from Chicago's universities. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President of Deep Tech at P33 and spent 15 years helping life sciences companies grow as a senior vice president at Back Bay Life Science Advisors, where she worked on major transactions including platform and asset deals with Gilead and AbbVie. Dr. Hoffmann has a PhD in molecular and cellular biology from the University of California Berkeley and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Brandeis University. 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, spoke with Stacey Adam, PhD, Vice President at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH), where she leads major public-private partnerships, including RECOVER-Treating Long COVID, the Biomarkers Consortium and several Accelerating Medicines Partnerships including the Partnership For Accelerating Cancer Therapies (PACT) and the Lung-MAP trial. Dr. Adam also helps design new collaborations in areas such as pediatric medical devices, cancer systems biology and new approach methodologies. Prior to FNIH, Dr. Adam worked in Deloitte's Federal Life Sciences and Healthcare Strategy practice. She completed an NIH- and American Cancer Society-supported postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford and earned her PhD in Pharmacology with a Certificate in Mammalian Toxicology from Duke University. Tune in to hear about FNIH's initiatives fostering public-private partnerships to accelerate biomedical research and therapeutic development. 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, spoke with Elizabeth Jeffords, CEO, Iolyx Therapeutics, which is developing targeted therapies to address inflammation in ocular disease. Elizabeth is a seasoned biotech leader with experience spanning company building, fundraising, clinical development, major product launches and a >$9 billion global P&L. Before Iolyx, she served as Chief Commercial & Strategy Officer at Alkahest and held leadership roles at Genentech and Roche. An angel investor with Portfolia, she serves on several boards, including the boards of Iolyx, Ashvattha and Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology & Management from Yale and a Masters of Business & Technology from UNSW, Australia, which she attended as a Fulbright Scholar. Tune in to learn more about addressing inflammation in ocular diseases such as dry eye disease and more. 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, spoke with Ben Hwang, PhD, Chairman and CEO of Profusa, Inc., a company developing a platform of new generation bioengineered, biointegrated sensors for the real-time, continuous monitoring of body chemistry for chronic disease management and health. The sensors detect and continuously transmit medical-grade data for personal and medical use. Dr. Hwang has served as Profusa's Chairman of the Board and CEO since January 2012. Prior to Profusa, Dr. Hwang served in a variety of leadership roles at Life Technologies Corp. (acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.), including President of the Asia Pacific Region and Head of the qPCR Division. Prior to joining Life Technology, Dr. Hwang was a consultant with McKinsey & Company. Dr. Hwang received his MA in Biology and PhD in Biology from The Johns Hopkins University. Tune in to learn more about how innovative, medical-based approaches in continuous health monitoring can help manage health and chronic diseases such as diabetes. 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, spoke with Sharon Rosenzweig-Lipson, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at Life Biosciences, a company advancing cellular rejuvenation gene therapies to treat age-related diseases. The company is targeting eye diseases like glaucoma and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Dr. Rosenzweig-Lipson has held leadership positions in both big pharma and small biotechnology companies over the course of her 30+ year career, which has included roles at American Cyanamid (now Pfizer), advancing programs from the early exploratory phase through to Phase IIB. Afterwards, she spent the next 12 years at AgeneBio where she served as Vice President of R&D. Dr. Rosenzweig-Lipson is globally recognized for her scientific and strategic leadership, having led global translational alliances. She received her BA in the biological basis of behavior from the University of Pennsylvania and her PhD in psychology (in behavioral neuroscience) from Harvard University. Tune in to hear about novel approaches designed to reverse cellular aging, including Life Bioscience's work in advancing a first-of-its kind gene therapy. 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, spoke with Andrew Menzies-Gow, MBBS, PhD, Vice President Respiratory & Immunology, Global Biopharmaceuticals Medical, AstraZeneca, about innovations in respiratory and immunology drug development. Dr. Menzies-Gow is an expert in respiratory biologics and severe asthma research with a prolific career in respiratory medicine, combining his background as a practicing clinician with strategic leadership to advance innovative therapies that address some of the greatest unmet needs in the field. Under his leadership at AstraZeneca, the company has delivered groundbreaking studies that have shaped clinical guidelines and improved standards of care globally. Dr. Menzies-Gow has a medical degree from St George's Hospital Medical School in London and a PhD in eosinophil biology from the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College. He has served as Chair of the NICE guideline development group for Asthma: Diagnosis and Monitoring, and as National Clinical Director for Respiratory Disease for NHS England. Tune in to hear about AstraZeneca's vision in the respiratory and immunology space, the innovations shaping the future of care and how global strategies are translating into real-world impact for patients. 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, spoke with Peter Vanderklish, PhD, chief scientific officer at Spinogenix, a company developing therapeutics aimed at restoring synaptic connections for conditions such as ALS, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and Fragile X syndrome. Dr. Vanderklish's decades of research, from his graduate work at UC Irvine to his roles at The Scripps Research Institute and UC Irvine, have helped shape our understanding of synaptic function, including post-synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) mechanisms and the role of integrins in stabilizing synaptic structure. His more recent work focuses on dendritic spine abnormalities in Fragile X syndrome and how these changes relate to chronic anxiety and social avoidance behaviors. Dr. Vanderklish is an Associate Professor in Neuroscience at The Scripps Research Institute and a Visiting Professor in Anatomy and Neurobiology at UC Irvine. Tune in to learn how Spinogenix is advancing novel therapies designed to rebuild synapses and transform treatment for neurological 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/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, spoke with Pol Boudes, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Rectify Pharma. Rectify Pharma is a biotechnology company pioneering a positive functional modulators (PFM) platform to address the root causes of genetic and protein folding diseases in the liver, cardio-renal-metabolic and neurodegenerative spaces. The company's lead program is in hepatobiliary diseases. Dr. Boudes has more than 30 years of R&D, clinical, medical affairs and biotech leadership experience. He is a board-certified physician in endocrinology and metabolic diseases with specialization in internal medicine and geriatric diseases. Before joining Rectify, Dr. Boudes served as Chief Medical Officer at Galectin Therapeutics and CymaBay Therapeutics, leading pipeline programs and supporting multiple financings. At Amicus Therapeutics, Dr. Boudes pioneered chaperone therapies for lysosomal storage disorders. Earlier in his career, he held senior international positions at Bayer, Wyeth-Ayerst Research (now Pfizer) and Roche, and he currently serves on the board of Protalix Biotherapeutics. Dr. Boudes received his MD from the University of Marseille, France. Tune in to hear about how innovation in hepatobiliary diseases is gaining new momentum, driven by novel approaches to correcting protein misfolding at its source. 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, spoke with Mike Denne, PharmD, Vice President of US Medical Affairs for Rare Disease and Plasma Derived Therapies at Takeda, to discuss the company's approach to advancing patient care in the area of rare diseases through medical innovation and collaboration. With over 15 years of leadership experience in medical affairs, Dr. Denne shares his insights on building effective and successful medical teams, including supporting healthcare providers and improving access to therapies for rare disease communities. His experience in the field spans senior leadership of multiple therapeutic areas, product launch, building and leading field medical teams and medical operations. Dr. Denne is passionate about advancing science and education, particularly in diseases where efforts are incrementally impactful for healthcare providers, patients and caregivers who are impacted by them. Tune in to hear how Takeda's US medical affairs team is helping shape the future of rare disease treatment innovation, access, education and patient engagement. 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, welcomes Mike Exton, PhD, CEO of Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, for a conversation about leveraging gene science to develop innovative medicines for serious chronic conditions. Dr. Exton discusses Lexicon's growing pipeline, which includes promising therapies for diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and other cardiometabolic diseases, areas where unmet need remains high despite decades of research. He also shares insights from his extensive leadership experience across the pharmaceutical industry, including his time as Cardiometabolism Therapeutic Head at Novartis, and how those experiences are shaping his vision for Lexicon's next chapter of growth. Prior to joining Novartis, Dr. Exton was director of business development with Invida Pty Ltd and spent nine years with Eli Lilly Australia, where he held a variety of research, business development and sales positions. Dr. Exton has served as CEO and a director at Lexicon Pharmaceuticals since July 2024. Dr. Exton has a BSc and a PhD in neuroscience from the University of Newcastle and a PhD in immunology from the University of Essen, Germany. Tune in to hear how Lexicon is advancing precision-driven approaches to transform treatment outcomes in diabetes, pain management and heart disease, and how gene science continues to redefine possibilities in chronic disease 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/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 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 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 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 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

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/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 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/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 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/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 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/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 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/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 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/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 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/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 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/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 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/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

Join us as we celebrate a major milestone — the 200th episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast! From groundbreaking biotech innovations to exclusive interviews with life science industry innovators and leaders, we've covered it all. Thank you for tuning in each week! We look forward to continuing to bring the latest and greatest across the pharma, biotech and medical industries! In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Arun Swaminathan, PhD, CEO of Coya Therapeutics, a company developing regulatory T cell (Treg) therapies targeting neurodegenerative, autoimmune and metabolic diseases. The company is developing a pipeline of therapies designed to enhance the function of dysregulated Tregs in various diseases, including ALS and Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Swaminathan has over 20 years of healthcare business executive experience. He began his career in clinical development, taking on commercial roles of increasing responsibility at Bristol Myers Squibb and Covance. Prior to joining Coya, Dr. Swaminathan served as chief business officer (CBO) at Actinium Pharmaceuticals and Alteogen, leading multi-billion-dollar deals. He also co-founded Lynkogen, a pre-clinical stage biotech, and served as its CEO. Dr. Swaminathan has a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Pittsburgh.   Tune into the episode to hear more about Coya Therapeutics' innovative immunotherapeutic approach from Dr. Swaminathan.   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 Ann Beliën, PhD, founder and CEO of Rejuvenate Biomed, a biotech company leveraging AI-driven platforms to develop therapies for age-related diseases and promote healthy aging. Rejuvenate Biomed is aiming to transform the treatment landscape for diseases such as sarcopenia, neuromuscular, metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders. Dr. Beliën founded Rejuvenate Biomed in 2017 and under her leadership, it transitioned from a discovery start-up to a clinical-stage biotech company. Dr. Beliën has more than two decades of experience in drug development that has included international assignments in the US, the Netherlands and Belgium in various therapeutic areas, including oncology, neurology, immunology and infectious diseases. Prior to founding Rejuvenate Biomed, Dr. Beliën served as a due diligence representative for R&D at Johnson & Johnson (J&J) where she was also a member of the management board of Janssen Prevention Center for five years. Dr. Beliën holds a PhD from the University of Irchel in Zürich, Switzerland and a master's degree from the Free University of Brussels (VUB), Belgium. To hear more about how Rejuvenate Biomed is pioneering therapies for age-related diseases and working to promote healthy aging. 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 Anthea Cherednichenko, MPH, MBA, Vice President, Hematology Franchise Head, Takeda, who discussed driving innovation in rare diseases through collaborations focused on better serving patients and their communities. Anthea has more than a decade of global experience serving the rare disease community, particularly those with blood and bleeding disorders, at Takeda. She is a global healthcare leader with over 20 years of industry experience across the US, Europe and Asia. As Vice President and Franchise Head for Hematology in the US Business Unit at Takeda, Anthea steers a diverse portfolio and team to inspire positive patient outcomes through innovation with a focus on rare diseases, health equity and health care innovation. Tune in to the episode to hear about driving innovations in rare diseases, including the vital role of external and internal collaborations to address significant unmet needs and empower patients throughout their healthcare journeys. 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 Lee Honigberg, PhD, VP of Research & Development, ALZpath, a provider of diagnostic tools for Alzheimer's disease.    This includes a blood-based biomarker assay, called the ALZpathDx assay, which measures pTau217 in the blood. Prior to joining ALZpath, Dr. Honigberg was most recently Senior Director and Distinguished Scientist in Translational Medicine at Genentech, where he was leading a group responsible for biomarker development for programs in neuroscience, ophthalmology, cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Before Genentech, Dr. Honigberg was at Pharmacyclics where he led the preclinical development of ibrutinib, the first approved BTK inhibitor, establishing a new standard of treatment in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Dr. Honigberg's contributions were recognized by the 2019 ACS Heroes in Chemistry award. Dr. Honigberg received a PhD in Neuroscience from the University California San Francisco (UCSF). Tune into to the episode to learn about the latest innovations in Alzheimer's diagnostics. 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 speaks with Oded Kraft, Co-Founder, CEO and President of GrayMatters Health, a company transforming mental health care through evidence-based digital brain biomarker technology. Oded shares insights into GrayMatters Health's mission to improve patient outcomes for mental health disorders like PTSD by leveraging their proprietary EEG-fMRI-Pattern (EFP) biomarker. He discusses how this novel technology integrates functional MRI and EEG data to address critical gaps in mental health treatment, offering a personalized approach for patients. With over 20 years of leadership experience at companies like GE Healthcare, Medingo-Roche and Kornit Digital, Oded also reflects on his journey in healthcare innovation, the challenges of scaling cutting-edge technologies and his vision for the future of mental health treatment. Tune in to learn how GrayMatters Health is shaping the future of PTSD treatment and making mental health care more effective 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, Ayesha spoke with Mario Marcondes, MD, PhD, VP Head of Clinical Development at Nektar Therapeutics, a company focused on the discovery and development of novel therapies for autoimmune disorders and cancer. Dr. Marcondes is a licensed and trained physician, specializing in oncology and immune oncology. He has more than 15 years of research and teaching experience in Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT)/Cellular Therapies and more than 10 years of industry experience. He was the Program Lead for early-stage assets at Nektar and manages clinical trial programs from Phase I through to Phase III. Dr. Marcondes is a member of multiple professional clinical and translational research organizations, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), American Society of Hematology (ASH), American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR). Listen to the episode to hear about the current research landscape in autoimmune disorders, including the work Dr. Marcondes is leading at Nektar 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/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 Sarah Averill Lott, MPH, CPH, Research Lead at Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) and Diane Stephenson, PhD, Executive Director at the Critical Path for Parkinson (CPP) at the Critical Path Institute. DiMe is a global non-profit and a professional home for digital medicine that aims to drive the broad adoption of digital approaches to advance medicine and public health. DiMe convened a working group to identify barriers to greater utilization of digital measures in Alzheimer's research and subsequently developed resources to help researchers and clinicians more quickly adopt digital measures in this area. Sarah Averill Lott is a program lead at DiMe where she supports programs and resources that promote the safe, effective and equitable use of digital health technologies to advance clinical research and improve outcomes for patients. She has degrees in neuroscience and public health. Diane Stephenson is a neuroscientist by training with 35 years combined experience in academic neuroscience and drug discovery. Dr Stephenson joined Critical Path Institute in 2011 and presently leads the Neurology programs centered around Critical Path for Parkinson's (CPP) and Critical Path for Alzheimer's Disease (CPAD), with the goal of accelerating drug development tools for neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Stephenson received her PhD in Medical Neurobiology from Indiana University. Tune into the episode to hear about the adoption of digital measures in Alzheimer's research and care, including the collaboration between DiMe and the Critical Path Institute. 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 Amit Etkin, Founder, President and CEO of Alto Neuroscience, a company developing precision treatments for neuropsychiatric conditions. Alto Neuroscience is focused on designing candidates that target core brain processes in patient populations not adequately treated by currently available medications. Alto is currently pursuing candidates in major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar depression and schizophrenia. Mental health disorders are a leading cause of disability globally. In the US alone, 1 in 5 people are living with a mental health disorder, with an estimated $280 billion spent on mental health services in the country in 2020. Despite significant need, the current standard of care consists of treatments that are ineffective for many patients. Dr. Amit Etkin founded Alto in 2019 and is the president, CEO and serves as chair of the company's board of directors. Prior to founding Alto, Dr. Etkin was a tenured professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University, where he held multiple leading roles. His research contributions during his tenure at Stanford led to Dr. Etkin being awarded the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director's Pioneer Award, the most competitive and prestigious NIH grant, and the first in history to be awarded in clinical psychiatry. He also received an Entrepreneur of the Year (EY) award. Tune into the episode to hear from Dr. Etkin about innovations in treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders at Alto Neuroscience. 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