The BioInsights Podcast

The Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) is a well-established US state fund aimed specifically at driving the development of new medical strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of human diseases, injuries, and conditions through human stem cells. Here, we discuss the MSCRF’s specific activities and goals with Executive Director, Dr Amrithar Jaishankar, and get her take on how best to develop collaborative research programs and promote commercialization of stem cell technologies.

Transient transfection of plasmids into suspension HEK293 cells is still the most commonly used method for the production of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) gene therapies – in this episode, Diane Golebiowski and Marissa Stanvick discuss ways to optimize that process. 

Welcome to a 2-part series in which we identify and distill some key learnings for partnering success in today's life sciences sector.

Perhaps one of the most valuable take-aways from the COVID-19 pandemic response is the sheer scale of what may be achieved through effective collaboration. Over the next three episodes, we'll talk to a range of different stakeholders from across BioInsights' fields of focus, asking them to pass on their tips for what works and what doesn't in this crucial aspect. 

Abi Pinchbeck, Assistant Editor, Immuno-oncology Insights, speaks to Arjun Goyal

In PART 2,  Arjun Goyal, co-founder and managing director of US-based life sciences venture capital firm Vida Ventures, provides a venture capitalist's perspective on licensing and partnering within immuno-oncology.

PART 1: The Big Pharma Perspective

Welcome to a 2-part series in which we identify and distill some key learnings for partnering success in today's life sciences sector.

Perhaps one of the most valuable take-aways from the COVID-19 pandemic response is the sheer scale of what may be achieved through effective collaboration. Over the next three episodes, we'll talk to a range of different stakeholders, asking them to pass on their tips for what works and what doesn't in this crucial aspect.

In this first episode, Dr Marianne De Backer, a Member of the Executive Committee and Executive Vice President of Strategy, Business Development & Licensing, and Open Innovation at Bayer Pharmaceuticals, shares her experience as a driving force behind Bayer’s significant recent moves in the cell and gene therapy area. 

PART 4: Who are tomorrow’s cell and gene therapy workers?

Welcome to a 4-part series exploring a question that the entire cell and gene therapy community is struggling with at the moment: “Where will tomorrow’s workforce come from?”

The cell and gene therapy field has been advancing at a breakneck speed for the best part of a decade now, fuelled by long-awaited clinical successes, commercial breakthroughs, and a related startling increase in activity from both investors and big pharma. But with this relentless pace of growth and innovation comes the fundamental challenge of developing a sufficiently large and skilled workforce to support and maintain the sector. 

In this final episode, we look to the future of the cell and gene therapy workforce, exploring the motivations, skills, goals, and priorities of three individuals who are at various early stages of their careers in the sector – PhD student Tiffany Hood, recent Masters graduate Lihi Livne, and Sebastian Rudden, who is in his final year as an undergrad at University College London. 

PART 3: Innovation in staff sourcing, training and retention - what works and what doesn’t?

Welcome to a 4-part series exploring a question that the entire cell and gene therapy community is struggling with at the moment: “Where will tomorrow’s workforce come from?”

The cell and gene therapy field has been advancing at a breakneck speed for the best part of a decade now, fuelled by long-awaited clinical successes, commercial breakthroughs, and a related startling increase in activity from both investors and big pharma. But with this relentless pace of growth and innovation comes the fundamental challenge of developing a sufficiently large and skilled workforce to support and maintain the sector. 

In episode 2, we looked predominantly at how the educational system is evolving to meet the specific training and skills requirements of the burgeoning advanced therapies field. In this third episode, we turn the spotlight onto the cell and gene therapy industry and how it is approaching staff development and retention – a crucial area that has been made all the more challenging by the current high level of competition for talent in the field, as well as the evolving mindset of workers relating to their career development and pathway that has been wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic, amongst other things. 

So what are the keys to ensuring a cell or gene therapy company can keep hold of its brightest stars and help them to flourish and grow? Hear the thoughts of Sven Kili, James Miskin, Michael Lehmicke, Qasim Rafiq and Emily Hopewell.

Part 2: How is the educational system responding, and how can the cell and gene therapy community at large help?
Welcome to a four-part series exploring a question that the entire cell and gene therapy community is struggling with at the moment: “Where will tomorrow’s workforce come from?” The cell and gene therapy field has been advancing at a breakneck speed for the best part of a decade, fuelled by long-awaited clinical successes, commercial breakthroughs, and a related startling increase in activity from both investors and big pharma. But with this relentless pace of growth and innovation comes the fundamental challenge of developing a sufficiently large and skilled workforce to support and maintain the sector. In this second episode, we look at some of the ways in which the academic and industry communities are responding today, as well as important focus areas for future initiatives, with Sven Kili, James Miskin, Michael Lehmicke, Qasim Rafiq, Emily Hopewell, Frank Barry and Parviz Shamlou.

Welcome to a 4-part series exploring a question that the entire cell and gene therapy community is struggling with at the moment:
“Where will tomorrow’s workforce come from?”

The cell and gene therapy field has been advancing at a breakneck speed for the best part of a decade, fuelled by long-awaited clinical successes, commercial breakthroughs, and a related startling increase in activity from both investors and big pharma. But with this relentless pace of growth and innovation comes the fundamental challenge of developing a sufficiently large and skilled workforce to support and maintain the sector.

In this first episode of the series, we will frame the scale and nature of the issue through the eyes of cell and gene therapy leaders including Sven Kili, James Miskin, Michael Lehmicke, Qasim Rafiq, Emily Hopewell, Frank Barry and Parviz Shamlou.