Lisa and Richard describe the unmet need for frontotemporal dementia and their partnership on AVB-101, which is administered directly to the thalamus. They describe the unique perspectives and skill sets that larger and smaller companies bring to the table in these types of partnerships, and discuss their thoughts on making it through times of change for the benefit of patients.

Interviewed by fellow veteran Jim Barsoum, Dr. Krieg shares multi-decade learnings from his previous companies Coley Pharmaceutical Group and Checkmate Pharmaceuticals, and describes how Zola builds off of that. He explains the importance of combining agonists to TLR9 to TLR7 and TLR8, and also describes the virtual set-up that the company has today.

Interviewed by Andy Plump, President of R&D at Takeda, Dr. Zerhouni discusses the rationale for multispecifics and the science behind them. They also discuss the differences between pharma and biotech, keys to being an effective R&D leader, and advice for both young and experienced people in their careers.

They discuss the difference between how biotech companies operate from large pharmas, including how history shows some new biotech innovations faced initial development and market pushback, and how good communication typically played a key role in why some overcame hurdles vs others. Plus, a description of Candel's viral immunotherapy approach.

Note: IDEA Pharma and Candel have a business relationship (as discussed).

Ram Aiyar, President & CEO of Korro Bio, and Uli Stilz, Head of Novo Nordisk's Bio Innovation Hub in Kendall Square, share their backgrounds and the scope of their work today. They discuss their RNA editing collaboration and how both the smaller and larger companies bring difference skills to these kinds of partnerships. Plus, their visions of what drug discovery might look like ten years from now.

Devan Shah, Founder & CEO of RNAV8 Bio, and Namita Bisaria, Head of Research, Strategy, and Operations at AIRNA, discusses approaches to RNA they are excited about this year, companies that have impressed them, and challenges ahead. They touch on uncertainties regarding the regulatory environment, how they think AI might, or might not, affect the field, and more.

In a discussion with gene editing technology expert TJ Cradick, Scientific Citizenship Initiative Co-Founder and Co-Director Daniel Pomeroy describes the history and goal of this non-profit organization, and why having a scientific literate citizenry is so important.

Dion Foundation Co-Founder and President Courtney Dion discusses with Atamyo Therapeutics CEO Stéphane Degove the many ways that patient advocate groups can support the work that biotech companies do.

They discuss Odyssey's work, the investments it has made regarding in silico and AI/ML tools, the unique value of the Boston biotech ecosystem, and keys to successful collaborations.

Biotech industry veteran Harvery Berger talks about his company's job at hand to translate the science of ferroptosis into therapies. Plus, a warning about the currently very difficult funding environment for preclinical and other early stage companies in the sector.