The Connect Current

In this episode of The Connect Current, host James Zanewicz is joined by Courtney Young, PhD, Co-founder and CEO of MyoGene Bio, one of Connect's 2026 Cool Companies. MyoGene Bio is developing MyoDys45-55, an AAV-delivered CRISPR gene editing therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare and devastating muscle wasting disease with no cure. Courtney traces her path from a high school moment, when her cousin Christopher was diagnosed with Duchenne, through graduate research at UCLA to co-founding MyoGene Bio alongside her advisors, Dr. Melissa Spencer and Dr. April Pyle. The conversation covers what makes the company's gene editing approach different, the realities of building a life science company led by three women scientists, and where gene therapies like this one most often get stuck on the path from lab to patients. The episode also looks at what MyoGene Bio's next chapter as a Connect 2026 Cool Company means for San Diego's life science ecosystem, and what kinds of partners, investors, or collaborators would be most helpful right now.

Recorded at KILN Rancho Bernardo.

Learn more about MyoGene Bio:
https://www.myogenebio.com/

Learn more about Connect's 2026 Cool Companies:
https://connect.org/

In this episode of The Connect Current, we sit down with Graeme Rae, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of HyperKelp, to explore how the company is turning the ocean into a sensing network. Graeme shares how HyperKelp’s Kelp Smart Buoy is designed as an open marine platform that can carry a wide range of sensors and deliver ocean data in near real time for environmental, commercial, port, and defense applications. The conversation dives into Graeme’s journey from ocean engineering and Surfline to HyperKelp, what it takes to build hard technology that can survive at sea, and why the company’s next chapter as one of Connect’s 2026 Cool Companies reflects San Diego’s growing strength in ocean technology, dual-use innovation, and the blue economy.

Recorded at Kiln Rancho Bernardo:
https://kiln.com/communities/rancho-bernardo/

Learn more about HyperKelp:
https://www.hyperkelp.com/

In this episode of The Connect Current, we sit down with James Mackay, Ph.D., President and CEO of Crystalys Therapeutics, to explore how the company is advancing a new treatment path for people living with gout. James shares how Crystalys is developing dotinurad, a next-generation, once-daily oral URAT1 inhibitor, and what the company’s recent $130 million Series B financing enables as it moves through late-stage global clinical development and commercialization preparation. The conversation dives into why gout remains an underserved treatment area, what it takes to execute at this stage of biotech development, and how experienced leadership, strong science, and committed capital can help move promising therapies closer to patients.

Recorded at Kiln Rancho Bernardo:
https://kiln.com/communities/rancho-bernardo/

Learn more about Crystalys Therapeutics:
https://crystalystx.com/

In this episode of The Connect Current, we sit down with Ramesh Ramji, Founder and CEO of SpectralTx, to explore how spectral hyperplexing technology could help reshape molecular screening and the future of connected data. Ramesh shares how SpectralTx is developing tools like Spectra-Gel and SpELs to improve encoding depth, speed and data fidelity, giving researchers richer information for drug discovery, diagnostics, deep learning and broader biotech innovation. The conversation dives into why better molecular screening matters, what it takes to build a deep tech life sciences platform, and how SpectralTx’s journey as a Connect Springboard Company reflects San Diego’s strength in turning complex science into real-world opportunity.

Recorded at BioLabs San Diego:
https://www.biolabs.io/san-diego/

Learn more about SpectralTx:
https://spectraltx.com/

In this episode of The Connect Current, we sit down with Niren Shah, PharmD, MBA, Co-founder and CEO of Cove Therapeutics, to explore one of the biggest challenges in genetic medicine: delivery. Niren shares how Cove is developing non-lipid, non-viral biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles designed to overcome key limitations in the field, including efficiency, safety, manufacturing, redosing, and larger genetic payloads. The conversation dives into Cove’s platform approach, what it takes to build a biotech company around difficult science, and why the company’s next chapter as one of Connect’s 2026 Cool Companies reflects the strength of San Diego’s growing life sciences ecosystem.

Recorded at UC San Diego Park & Market:
https://parkandmarket.ucsd.edu/

Learn more about Cove Therapeutics:
https://covetx.com/

In this episode of The Connect Current, we sit down with Stanley Lewis, MD, MPH, Founder and CEO of A28 Therapeutics, to explore how targeted cancer therapies can create better options for patients facing difficult diseases. Stanley shares the story behind A28’s targeted oncolytic peptide platform, the company’s lead candidate AT-101, and what it takes to move a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company from scientific promise toward real-world impact. The conversation dives into patient need, treatment burden, clinical development, capital, partnerships, and why A28’s next chapter as one of Connect’s 2026 Cool Companies reflects the strength of San Diego’s growing life sciences ecosystem.

Recorded at UC San Diego Park & Market:
https://parkandmarket.ucsd.edu/

Learn more about A28 Therapeutics:
https://www.a28tx.com/

In this episode of The Connect Current, we sit down with Scott Tait to explore how San Diego can better connect national security needs, university research, dual-use startups, capital, and policy into a stronger innovation system. Drawing on his 27-year Navy career and his work across Lumetec, Startup Science, and the National Security Innovation Catalyst at UC San Diego, Scott shares what it takes to move promising technology from concept to real-world mission impact. The conversation dives into San Diego’s unique national security advantage, where founders and researchers often get stuck, and how stronger pathways between government, academia, startups, industry, and investors can help accelerate innovation that matters.

Recorded at UC San Diego Park & Market:
https://parkandmarket.ucsd.edu/

Learn more about Lumetec:
https://www.lumetec.com/

Learn more about the National Security Innovation Catalyst at UC San Diego:
https://nsic.ucsd.edu/

In this episode of The Connect Current, we sit down with Kris Lichter, CEO of TL Foundation, to explore a different approach to investing in innovation. The conversation dives into how TL Foundation is transforming philanthropic capital into long-term investment in San Diego startups, creating an evergreen model that reinvests success back into the region. Kris shares what makes a company a strong fit for the fund, what founders should know before seeking investment, and why building a stronger innovation economy takes founders, investors, donors, and community leaders working together toward long-term impact.

Recorded at UC San Diego Park & Market:
https://parkandmarket.ucsd.edu/

Learn more about TL Foundation:
http://sandiegotlf.org