HCPLive Podcasts

Lauren Miller, MPAS, PA-C; Jayme M. Heim, MSN FNP-BC, and Lakshi Aldredge, MSN, ANP-BC, discuss recent advancements in plaque psoriasis treatment, focusing on novel oral systemic therapies like the TYK-2 inhibitor deucravacitinib and its clinical trial data, to inform therapeutic decisions for this systemic disease. 

Corneal blindness has a significant public health impact, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to eye care is limited. It can contribute to a high burden of disability, affecting individuals' quality of life and economic productivity, while straining healthcare systems with the need for preventive measures, surgical treatments, and rehabilitation services.

In the latest episode of New Insight, host Veeral Sheth, MD is joined by John Sheets, PhD, the president, chief executive officer, and co-founder of Pantheon Vision, a pioneering early research-stage organization working to develop bioengineered solutions to eliminate corneal blindness and restore sight to millions.

As part of its mission, Pantheon is dedicated to reducing reliance on donated corneal tissues to address corneal blindness. Although corneal transplant surgery has long been the gold standard, there remains significant room for improvement in graft acceptance, vision restoration, and long-term outcomes to better combat corneal blindness.

0:06 Introduction

2:20 Sheet's Background

6:30 Experience with FDA

10:58 Mission of Pantheon Vision

17:10 Corneal Transplant Alternatives

22:54 Overcoming Challenges

28:49 Conclusion

#ophthalmology #cornea #podcast

Proton pump inhibitors have long been the mainstay of treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), dating back to omeprazole (Prilosec)’s initial approval in 1989. However, the treatment landscape has undergone its first major changes in the past 30 years with the emergence of vonoprazan (Voquezna).

A novel, first-in-class small molecule potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB), vonoprazan now boasts 3 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals across both erosive and non-erosive GERD. Less than a year after earning approval for the healing and maintenance of healing of all grades of erosive GERD as well as the relief of heartburn associated with erosive GERD, vonoprazan has also been approved for the treatment of heartburn in non-erosive GERD.

Led by a flood of biologic therapies becoming available and progressing within the therapeutic pipeline, the field of dermatology finds itself in the midst of a watershed moment for many dermatologic conditions. To celebrate and recap the advancements occurring in the first half of 2024, the editorial team of HCPLive Dermatology sat down with James Del Rosso, DO, research director of JDR Dermatology Research and president of the American Acne and Rosacea Society, for more perspective on pipeline movement.

Del Rosso, who also serves as an adjunct clinical professor of Dermatology at Touro University, takes a deep dive into several different disease states in dermatology and highlights how the news to emerge in the last 6 months, as well as prior to the close of 2023, has influenced real-world management.

In the latest episode of New Insight with Veeral Sheth, MD, host Veeral Sheth, MD, director of clinical research at University Retina, speaks with Seemi Khan, chief medical officer at Alkeus Pharmaceuticals, on the company’s lead candidate being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of Stargardt disease and geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Gildeuretinol is a novel molecule designed as a specialized form of deuterated vitamin A to reduce the dimerization of vitamin A without disrupting vision. The therapy has received Breakthrough and Orphan Drug designations from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Listen to the conversation between experts on Khan’s background in the pharmaceutical industry, including time spent at Abbott, Abbvie, and Quark Pharmaceuticals, her experience bringing treatments to patients with rare diseases, and the impressive data from gildeuretinol in the TEASE clinical trial program for a currently unmet need.

0:07 Episode Intro

0:57 Seemi Khan's background

4:38 Mechanism of action of gildeuretinol

7:22 Patient populations

9:00 TEASE clinical trial program

14:37 Gildeuretinol in GA

16:32 Safety data

18:47 Next steps for Alkeus

22:28 Conclusion

Check out more ophthalmology coverage at HCPLive.com!

Since the mid-20th century ushered in the ‘Information Age’, a desire for innovation has driven the pursuit of technological advancements. Many may immediately consider the transformations personal computers and smartphones have had on modern society, but these advancements have transformed the fields of medicine time and time again.

In the latest episode of New Insight with Veeral Sheth, MD, Michael Freeman, the chief executive officer of Ocutrx, joins Dr. Sheth to discuss the history of Ocutrx, its OcuLez and OR-Bot products, and what he envisions in the next decade at the company.

Episode Highlights

0:06 Introduction

1:22 History of Ocutrx

9:05 A look at the Oculenz

18:27 Introduction of a caretaker app

19:26 A look at the OR-Bot

25:55 Envisioning the next decade at Ocutrx

29:02 Conclusion

Every episode of New Insight is available on HCPLive.com and be sure to subscribe to our channel on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Please direct any podcast-related inquiries to show producer Connor Iapoce at [email protected].

0:16 Intro

0:28 Overview of presentation

0:38 Acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

01:35 Approaches to take

03:21 Rosacea, use of dermoscopy and symptomatology assessment

04:59 Necessity of inclusivity in clinical trials, other knowledge gaps

06:05 Images used in education

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting in 2024 featured Dr. Andrew Alexis, a prominent figure in dermatology. Dr. Alexis, currently serving as the vice-chair for diversity in the department of dermatology and a professor of clinical dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, presented a talk titled "Controversies in Acne and Rosacea."

In the interview, he shed light on critical aspects of managing acne and rosacea, particularly focusing on patients with skin of color.

Dr. Alexis advocated for inclusivity in clinical trials to improve understanding across diverse patient populations. He stressed the importance of expanding public awareness of rosacea in communities with skin of color and suggested incorporating diverse images into educational materials to better represent the spectrum of affected individuals.

Dr. Alexis's insights underscore the necessity of tailored approaches and increased inclusivity in dermatological research and education to better serve patients with diverse skin tones and backgrounds.

For additional information covered at the 2024 AAD conference, visit us at: https://www.hcplive.com/conference/aad.

In the medical community, a revolving cast of players plays a pivotal role in advancing scientific discovery and enhancing patient outcomes. During the research stage, a collaborative team effort, from the clinical trial sponsors to research sites and patient populations, is essential to ensure smooth progress and sustain momentum toward the finish line. 

The latest episode of New Insight with Veeral Sheth, MD features a conversation with Brad Doerschuk, the CEO of InFocus Clinical Research, on the important role of contract research organizations (CROs) in retina and the field of ophthalmology.

In their conversation, Sheth and Doerschuk shed light on the role of CROs in managing clinical trials, dive into the evolution of the retina space in recent decades, and describe the challenges in recruiting for trials of new agents.

Episode Highlights

0:00 Introduction

0:52 What is a CRO?

2:13 Development of InFocus

6:45 Discussing the retina pipeline

11:46 Recruitment challenges, solutions

15:50 Developing new clinical trial sites

18:19 Relationship between investigators, CROs

19:56 Shift in FDA guidance

23:14 New trial endpoints

25:16 Conclusion

Every episode of New Insight is available on HCPLive.com and be sure to subscribe to our channel on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Please direct any podcast-related inquiries to show producer Connor Iapoce at [email protected].

A special double-episode of New Insight with Veeral Sheth, MD features a well-rounded conversation on all things ophthalmology with returning guest David Eichenbaum, MD, the director of research for Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida, as well as first-time guest Roger Goldberg, MD, a vitreoretinal surgeon at Bay Area Retina Associates.

The trio of retina specialists discuss recent conference news, the anniversary of a landmark agent, and what’s to come in 2024 for the specialty.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 Introduction

1:25 Entering 2024

7:34 The importance of treatment efficacy

12:09 Re-engaging GA treatment

15:05 Comparing aflibercept 8 mg and faricimab

23:00 Real-world data sets

26:30 What’s to come in 2024

27:45 Intravitreal gene therapies

31:00 Port delivery system

36:00 Wrapping-up 

Every episode of New Insight is available on HCPLive.com and be sure to subscribe to our channel on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Please direct any podcast-related inquiries to show producer Connor Iapoce at [email protected].

In every episode of New Insight, Veeral Sheth, MD, Director of Clinical Trials at University Retina in Chicago, takes an in-depth look at the biggest news in ophthalmology and the behind the scenes work involved in eye care, with a rotation of guest experts involved in ophthalmic research, development, and clinical care.

The latest episode of New Insight features a conversation with Ocuphire Pharma’s CEO on the company’s flagship retinal product and leading a small, but high-powered research team.

Episode Highlights:

0:04 Introduction

1:23 History of Ocuphire Pharma

3:50 Leading a small, high-functioning team

6:41 Magrath’s background and journey

11:02 APX3330 for Diabetic Retinopathy

15:20 2024 Plans for Ocuphire

18:53 Addressing unmet needs

20:20 Outro

Every episode of New Insight is available on HCPLive.com and be sure to subscribe to our channel on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Please direct any podcast-related inquiries to show producer Connor Iapoce at [email protected].