Biotalk

Biotalk

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Biotalk episodes

  • Biotalk Episode 12: A Conversation with Soufiane Aboulhouda of Nucleate
    On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Soufiane Aboulhouda, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Nucleate, a global non-profit dedicated to empowering future biotech leaders through education and fostering innovation in life sciences companies. The discussion explores Soufiane’s journey into early-stage biotech and delves into the founding story of Nucleate, highlighting the organization’s mission and its pivotal role in shaping the biotech landscape.
    Soufiane, who served as President of Nucleate for over 5 years, shares valuable lessons learned during his tenure. Listeners also gain insights into Soufiane’s current work at the Wyss Institute under George Church, exploring the intricacies of his research in the lab.
    The episode concludes with Soufiane addressing the biggest challenges facing the biotech industry and Nucleate, expressing optimism for the organization’s future. The positive note of the conversation emphasizes the reasons behind Soufiane ‘s confidence in the promising future of Nucleate.
    We invite you to tune in to this compelling discussion on biotech, education, and innovation. Subscribe or follow Biotalk on Apple Podcasts | Spotify.   
    Timestamps:  
    1:21: To kick things off, I’d love for you to provide our audience with some background as to what led you to your initial exploration of early-stage biotech? 
    5:15: What is the founding story of behind Nucleate? What you’re trying to solve and how did it come about  
    8:56: You also served as President of Nucleate for over 5 years. What lessons have you learned throughout your time as president? 
    16:04: You currently work at the Wyss Institute under George Church. Tell us more about your work in that lab.  
    19:37: In terms of Nucleate as an organizations, where do you operate, how many members do you have? 
    22:58: How has the biotech market downturn impacted Nucleate? Your lab? Your research? 
    26:48: At Locust Walk, we believe that dislocations are a great way to spot opportunity.  What would you say are the kinds of opportunities that are revealing themselves to you as the industry goes through a little bit of a struggle?   
    28:54: To wrap up a great conversation, do you believe there is a biggest issue currently facing the industry, or potentially impacting Nucleate? 
    30:44: Why are you optimistic about the future of Nucleate? 
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    33 min
  • Biotalk Episode 11: A Conversation with Shehnaaz Suliman of ReCode Therapeutics
    On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Daniel Brog welcomes with Shehnaaz Suliman, M.D., CEO of ReCode Therapeutics, a clinical-stage genetic medicines company using its selective organ targeting lipid nanoparticle platform to power the next wave of mRNA and gene correction therapeutics.
    With over 25 years of experience, Shehnaaz brings a multifaceted perspective to the discussion. She has held diverse roles, from practicing physician to dealmaker, and now leads the charge at ReCode. Join us as we delve into the distinctive qualities that set ReCode apart and to discover the groundbreaking technology behind their selective organ targeting lipid nanoparticle platform, known as SORT.
    As a seasoned Biotech CEO and respected board member, Shehnaaz offers insights into what qualities make a great board member and why diversity is crucial in shaping the future of biotech leadership. We’ll explore the role of boards in promoting diversity and address the barriers that persist in achieving this essential goal within the biotech industry.
    We invite you to tune in to this engaging podcast episode. Subscribe or follow Biotalk on Apple Podcasts | Spotify.   
    Timestamps:  
    1:08: To kick things off, I’d love for you to provide our audience with some background as to what led you to your initial exploration of biotech?
    5:23: You mentioned a keen interest in the activism side of things. Coming from your physician background in South Africa, alongside deal making, how you have incorporated activism throughout your career?
    7:51: Recode is doing innovative work with targeted lipid nanoparticle platform SORT. Tell us more about the platform and what makes ReCode’s approach so unique.
    14:14: Your SORT platform can target several potential organs. How did you select the lung for your lead assets?
    19:49: Within the field of RNA therapeutics and outside of delivery, are there other technologies that you think will play the most significant role in moving this space forward?
    28:38: As you look at where Recode stands today, what are you most excited about looking forward?
    30:40: How has the biotech market downturn impacted your business and how you think about prioritizing next steps for the company?
    33:58: You recently closed a Series B financing – congratulations! The current macro biotech environment has been challenging, especially for earlier stage platform companies. What was critical to success in your most recent fundraise?
    41:00: Was there a particular reason ReCode decided to deprioritize some of the CNS programs, at least for your own internal development and focus on those as partnering opportunities?
    42:25: You are an experienced Biotech CEO, board member and of Women in Bio’s Board Ready Program. What qualities do you think make a good board member? Why is it important to focus diversity when shaping board composition?
    51:01: What would you say are the major barriers that you see in terms of increasing diversity in the biotech industry and at the leadership level?
    56:25: What is your actionable advice to minority groups as they advance their education and careers in the life sciences?
    1 hr 1 min
  • Biotalk Episode 10: A Conversation with Errik Anderson of Alloy Therapeutics

    On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Errik Anderson, CEO and Founder of Alloy Therapeutics, to the podcast. Alloy is a trailblazing drug-discovery company, bringing collaborative platforms and services to the biotech world, making cutting-edge biologics accessible to everyone, from academia and small biotechs to major pharmaceutical companies.

    Errik, with a unique blend of entrepreneurship, venture capital, and a passion for rugby, shares his journey from Adimab to founding Alloy, highlighting Alloy’s distinctiveness in biotech. He also discusses Alloy’s future plans and their excitement about the anticlastic ASO technology.

    During the conversation, Errik explores the funding landscape for later innovations, its impact on Alloy’s business, and his prognosis for the short to intermediate-term future of the industry.

    We invite you to tune in to this engaging podcast episode. Subscribe or follow Biotalk on Apple Podcasts | Spotify.   

    Timestamps:  

    1:25: What led you to your initial exploration of early stage biotech?

    2:55: Can you share a bit about your beginnings in your professional career and, what sparked your entrepreneurial spirit?

    7:29: Can you provide the backstory of Adimab and how that led into Alloy?

    13:25: What’s the exit for an Adimab shareholder or Alloy shareholder if it is a forever company?

    24:43: You recently launched the anticlastic ASO technology platform. Can you tell us more about this, why you are excited by it, and your plans?

    40:21: How do you avoid 82VS competing with your typical arms-length licensing clients?

    45:11: How do you think about later innovations being funded, how does it impact your business and what is your prognosis for short to intermediate-term future?

     

     

     

    55 min
  • Biotalk Episode 10: A Conversation with Errik Anderson of Alloy Therapeutics
    On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Errik Anderson, CEO and Founder of Alloy Therapeutics, to the podcast. Alloy is a trailblazing drug-discovery company, bringing collaborative platforms and services to the biotech world, making cutting-edge biologics accessible to everyone, from academia and small biotechs to major pharmaceutical companies.
    Errik, with a unique blend of entrepreneurship, venture capital, and a passion for rugby, shares his journey from Adimab to founding Alloy, highlighting Alloy’s distinctiveness in biotech. He also discusses Alloy’s future plans and their excitement about the anticlastic ASO technology.
    During the conversation, Errik explores the funding landscape for later innovations, its impact on Alloy’s business, and his prognosis for the short to intermediate-term future of the industry.
    We invite you to tune in to this engaging podcast episode. Subscribe or follow Biotalk on Apple Podcasts | Spotify.   
    Timestamps:  
    1:25: What led you to your initial exploration of early stage biotech?
    2:55: Can you share a bit about your beginnings in your professional career and, what sparked your entrepreneurial spirit?
    7:29: Can you provide the backstory of Adimab and how that led into Alloy?
    13:25: What’s the exit for an Adimab shareholder or Alloy shareholder if it is a forever company?
    24:43: You recently launched the anticlastic ASO technology platform. Can you tell us more about this, why you are excited by it, and your plans?
    40:21: How do you avoid 82VS competing with your typical arms-length licensing clients?
    45:11: How do you think about later innovations being funded, how does it impact your business and what is your prognosis for short to intermediate-term future?
    55 min
  • Biotalk Episode 9: 2023 Q3 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions
    During this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, delves into our 2023 Q3 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing the current state of global private and public capital markets, strategic partnerships, and M&A in the biopharma sector. 
    In this episode, Geoff provides valuable insights into our report, focusing on critical areas such as: 
    The underwhelming performance of public biotech markets 
    The impact of high-interest rates on biotech companies’ capital-raising endeavors 
    The trends of stagnant licensing deals, M&A volume, and deal sizes 
    Advice for the current market and future outlook  
    We invite you to listen to our podcast and download our report for the Insights page and welcome the opportunity to discuss its contents with you.  
    Timestamps:
    Deal Context: 0:58
    Future Outlook: 8:50
    Our Best Advice for the Current Market: 11:32
    Transcription:
    Welcome to Biotalk. My name is Geoff Meyerson, CEO and Co-founder of Locust Walk, and you are listening to Biotalk, our podcast for biotech deal makers.
    This episode of Biotalk is focused on Locust Walk’s 2023 Third Quarter market conditions Report, in which we apply the latest data to analyze current activities in the biopharma deal landscape. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing what is happening in the global private and public capital markets and strategic partnering and M&A activity.
    Our report covers key takeaways for the sector across US, Europe and Asia geographies for a comprehensive view of biotech dealmaking
    We invite you to review our report and hope you will find it useful in your business
    To download this report, please go to locustwalk.com and go to our “Insights” page. As always Locust Walk is happy to speak with you further if you have any questions about our views or if we can be helpful to guide your organization through the current market environment.
    Deal Context
    In the next few minutes, I will provide dealmaking context, highlight events that have made a critical impact on the biotech industry, and provide our outlook for the future and our best advice on how you can survive as a biotech deal maker.
    Jumping right in, public markets has shown poor performance through the third quarter, with the XBI showcasing a decrease in value, down by ~12% since the end of the second quarter
    This drop brings the XBI back to its position at the end of Q1 2023, with it dropping by 8 percent over the last twelve months, underperforming the S&P which has been up 20 percent over the same period, a staggering 28 percent underperformance.
    The number of companies trading below cash has increased from June where there was 165 companies, compared to the end of September where there is 196 companies trading below cash. That number is approaching the all time high and is significantly higher than the average of about 25 companies trading below cash, that was seen before the pandemic.
    The decrease in the XBI is most likely driven by current poor macroeconomic headwinds specifically a high interest rate environment that makes it difficult for biotech companies trading below cash to raise capital
    Licensing deal flow this quarter was stagnant with the same number of deals as Q2, with average licensing deal value slightly down by 9% from Q2
    In contrast to previous quarters, partners are taking a shorter-term view towards licensing deals with a drop in investment in early-stage discovery/pre-clinical assets across modalities and indications, but instead are focusing on assets with Phase 2 data across modalities.
    However, of the high-profile deals that exceeded $1B in total size, the majority (73%) still involved preclinical/discovery assets and are highly milestone driven; indicating some remaining preference for long-term,
    14 min
  • Biotalk Episode 8: A Conversation with Helen Ho of Blueprint Medicines
    On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Andy Meyerson welcomes Helen Ho, Chief Business Officer of Blueprint Medicines, to the podcast. Blueprint Medicines is a pioneering global precision therapy company committed to crafting life-altering medications for individuals with cancer and blood disorders.
    During the conversation, Helen shares her journey into the biotech realm, and ultimately, Blueprint. She delves into the unique experience of stepping into the role of CBO, a position previously held by the CEO, and the intriguing dynamics that come with such a transition.
    Helen provides insights into how Blueprint strategically navigated the turbulent waters of the ever-evolving biotech landscape. She discusses the pivotal role that the shift towards commercialization played in helping the company adapt to the current disruptions and challenges in the biotech industry.
    We invite you to tune in to this engaging podcast episode. Subscribe or follow Biotalk on Apple Podcasts | Spotify.   
    Timestamps:  
    1:48: What attracted you to biology and to industry, particularly biotech?
    6:41: What is the biggest thing that you’ve learned from each of your prior roles that enables you to be successful in your current position at one of the faster growing biotechs?
    8:53: What drew you to Blueprint?
    10:50: What was it like stepping into the role of CBO knowing your CEO originally held that role when you were first hired?
    13:33: Blueprint has undergone tremendous change since you first joined in 2018. In the last 6 years, the company has shifted to a commercial stage company with multiple drug approvals, a global collaboration with big pharmas, and much more. From a company perspective, what is the most challenging aspect of stepping through these milestones in corporate growth?
    19:42: How do you make the determination that the best thing for Blueprint is to go off and forward integrate and become your own organization?
    29:07: Blueprint has shown to have tremendous research capabilities, with a history in kinase inhibition. Last year you announced the expansion of your R&D platform to include targeted protein degradation. How is this work going?
    32:38: How has the shift of commercialization helped Blueprint navigate the dislocations we are currently seeing in biotech?
    36:34: How have some of the political headwinds like the IRA impacted Blueprint given your focus on small molecules?
    39:53: What are your three biggest reasons to remain optimistic about biotech and the future of drug development?
    44 min
  • Biotalk Episode 7: A Conversation with Howard Federoff of Ryne Biotechnology
    On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Howard Federoff, MD PhD, Scientific Co-Founder, Chief Medical Officer, and Director of Ryne Biotechnology, to the podcast. Join us as we delve into Ryne Bio’s pioneering work centered on advancing off-the-shelf neuron replacement therapies, poised to revolutionize the treatment landscape for neurological disorders. 
    During the conversation, Howard shares his diverse background, drawing from his roles as a CEO overseeing companies employing both allo and auto-based approaches to cell therapy. He discusses the exciting prospects of a groundbreaking generation of cell therapy that eliminates the need for immunosuppression. 
    Additionally, the episode explores the future of iPSC technology, which holds the promise of transforming the field, positioning it as the coveted “holy grail” in the realm of neurological treatment. 
    We invite you to tune in to this engaging podcast episode. Subscribe or follow Biotalk on Apple Podcasts | Spotify.   
    Timestamps:  
    1:18: How did you find yourself in the biotech industry? 
    3:51: What is your perspective on AAV gene therapy compared to IPSC’s, and your take on the differences between the two?
    5:55: Is it a fair framework to think that gene therapy (within neurology) is better suited for situations where there is not a lack of cellular viability and cell therapy is better where there aren’t enough cells that gene therapy can make a difference? 
    9:38: Having been CEO of companies like Aspen Neuro and now founding Ryne Bio, how do you think about the different approaches in this space, and why did you decide to go after an allo-based approach?  
    15:13: How do you think about commercial differentiation with allo vs. auto approaches? 
    17:16: Is your assumption that it will be comparable efficacy across all of these products, but just differential safety in cost profiles, or is there a reason to believe that your consistency with manufacturing, source of mitochondria, etc. might have better efficacy?   
    18:38: Do you believe there is room for multiple players and, if your approach works in Parkinson’s, presumably this could work in many other neurological applications? 
    20:39: Thinking through all the different approaches that one could go after (gene therapies, small molecule, cell therapies, etc.), is it a function of when in the disease progression to use which approach, or do you think the cell therapy approach could be used a lot earlier to forestall a lot of the negative impact of the disease and allow a longer, healthier lifespan? 
    23:06: Is there a next gen that you envision that would allow to not need conditioning and immunosuppression, or how do you think about the ultimate product?  
    25:48: Is your view on the future of cell therapy in CNS thinking about the right edits to various HLA subtypes or ways to make it less immunogenic; Is there anything else that can be done that would be the holy grail for CNS cell therapy? 
    28:40: Despite all of these headwinds, we at Locust Walk remain highly optimistic about the future of biotech after this bear market recedes.  Are you optimistic as well?
    32 min
  • Biotalk Episode 6: A Conversation with Jason Kelly of Ginkgo Bioworks
    On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk’s Andy Meyerson welcomes Jason Kelly, co-Founder and CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks, to the podcast. Ginkgo Bioworks is at the forefront of genetic engineering, harnessing its power to craft bacteria with industrial applications, which in turn aids other biotech enterprises by eliminating the need to replicate initial stages of synthetic biology design. Jason delves into Ginkgo’s inception story, the distinctive contours of its business model, its unique role as a Contract Research Organization (CRO), and addresses the paramount challenges currently confronting the biotech industry. 
    We invite you to tune in to this engaging podcast episode. Subscribe or follow Biotalk on Apple Podcasts | Spotify.  
    Timestamps:  
    1:23: What attracted you to our industry and what made you want to become a biotech entrepreneur?  
    3:10: While in graduate school at MIT, you founded the company OpenWetWare.org, which is intended to help promote the sharing of information, know-how and wisdom among researchers and groups who are working in biology and biological engineering. What motivated you to start this company?
    5:07: How did OpenWetWare fit into the timeline that ultimately resulted in the establishment of Gingko? 
    11:18: Gingko is pursuing a business model that is atypical for a biotech where you do not have any of your own development candidates advancing in the clinic. Why did you pursue this path rather than developing your own drugs? 
    15:14: Does this instead make you more like a Contract Research Organization (CRO) than a traditional biotech?  How do you differentiate between the two in your own mind? 
    17:52: What does scale mean to you? What drives Gingko’s growth if it isn’t valued on develop candidates like other biotechs?  
    22:08: A challenge in biotech is actually identifying who your customer actually is. Who is your customer?
    29:14: What are your thoughts on the other platform companies, and how disruptive do you become to the traditional biotech business model?
    33:23: How has the biotech market downturn impacted your business? 
    38:15: At Locust Walk, we believe that dislocations are a great way to spot opportunity.  What would you say are the kinds of opportunities that are revealing themselves to you as the industry goes through a little bit of a struggle?
    40:55: What do you believe is the biggest and most important issue currently facing the industry?
    45 min
  • Biotalk Episode 5: A Conversation with Onaiza Cadoret-Manier
    On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Onaiza Cadoret-Manier, Executive Vice President, Chief Global Product Strategy & Operations Officer at Ionis Pharmaceuticals to the podcast. With 30 years of experience in life sciences, Onaiza is a member of Ionis’ executive leadership team, overseeing the company’s portfolio planning, global product strategy, medical affairs, […]
    25 min
  • Biotalk Episode 5: A Conversation with Onaiza Cadoret-Manier of Ionis Pharmaceuticals
    On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Onaiza Cadoret-Manier, Executive Vice President, Chief Global Product Strategy & Operations Officer at Ionis Pharmaceuticals to the podcast. With 30 years of experience in life sciences, Onaiza is a member of Ionis’ executive leadership team, overseeing the company’s portfolio planning, global product strategy, medical affairs, market access, and commercial strategy and operations functions.  
    During the episode, Onaiza discusses her journey into biotech, her tenure at Ionis and challenges overcome while shifting from an R&D to commercialization focus, and her perspective and outlook on the biotech market. 
    We invite you to listen to our podcast and read our RNA Therapeutics Landscape Overview. Subscribe or follow Biotalk on Apple Podcasts | Spotify. 
    Timestamps:  
     1:12: How did you find yourself in the biotech industry?  
     2:12: Prior to starting at Ionis, you held roles at Grail, Genentech, Pfizer and Amylin. What is a key takeaway you have from each of those experiences?
     6:12: What were some challenges you had to overcome when shifting from an R&D focus to commercialization? How has that evolved over time with Ionis?
     11:16: Do you have any advice for how to think about the process for picking the best targets for a company, especially if they have differing levels of resource?
     13:35: What excites you about the pipeline or innovations that you’re seeing either internal to Ionis or externally?
     16:54: Is it true that Ionis is looking to both buy and sell?
     18:28: COVID had a profound effect on the industry, which experienced a huge run followed by an even bigger downturn. What’s your perspective on the industry today? What’s your outlook for 2023? 
     22:39: Despite all of these headwinds, we remain highly optimistic about the future of biotech.  Are you optimistic as well?
    25 min

About Biotalk

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Welcome to Biotalk, Locust Walk’s podcast for biotech deal makers and innovators.

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