Xtalks Life Science Podcast

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with AnnMarie Hipsley, DPT, PhD, CEO and founder of Ace Vision Group, an ophthalmic laser device company that is bringing touchless eye laser therapy to patients with age-related vision loss.

Dr. Hipsley is a vision scientist, inventor, entrepreneur, author and speaker on ocular biomechanics and the biomechanical rejuvenation of the aging eye.

She invented an innovative touchless laser system and a laser microporation system for the treatment of presbyopia.

Presbyopia is an age-related condition in which the eye gradually loses its ability to focus on close objects due to natural aging of the lens inside the eye. It typically begins to affect individuals around the age of 40 and continues to progress until around age 65.

Dr. Hipsley is passionate about educating the health care space on the global burden of uncorrected presbyopia, particularly the socioeconomic and quality of life implications of the condition.

Over the past 25 years, she has trained more than 100 ophthalmic surgeons worldwide in using near-infrared lasers for tissue microporation.

Tune into the episode to hear more about Dr. Hipsley and Ace Vision Group’s innovative solutions for presbyopia.

For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Xtalks

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer, Click Therapeutics, a company focused on developing software as prescription medical treatments for people with unmet medical needs.

Click Therapeutics is specifically developing Digital Therapeutics, which involve the delivery of prescription treatments to patient’s smartphones. These are being developed for indications in psychiatry, neurology, oncology, immunology and cardiometabolic diseases.

In collaboration with Otsuka, Click Therapeutics most recently developed the first prescription digital therapeutic authorized by the FDA for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder symptoms.

Dr. Lakhan, is an inventive entrepreneurial physician-scientist who is board-certified in neurology and pain medicine with over 20 years of industry experience. As Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at Click Therapeutics and a Board Director at SpineThera, he spearheads AI-enabled clinical development and drug-delivery platforms.

Tune in to the episode to hear more the cutting-edge new field of digital therapeutics and how they are shaping the industry.

For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Xtalks

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Brent Lucas, CEO of Envoy Medical.

Envoy Medical is a medical device company focused on providing cutting-edge technologies across the hearing loss spectrum.

According to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, 13 percent of people in the US 12 years of age and older have hearing loss in both ears, underscoring the importance of developing solutions to help this population.

Brent Lucas has been the CEO of Envoy Medical Corporation for the last seven years. Brent is a lawyer by training and as a Medical Devices Executive, he has extensive experience leading across enterprise functions. He has over 15 years of experience in active implantables in the hearing health industry. Brent has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of St. Thomas and JD from the Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

Tune into the episode to hear more about the innovative hearing solutions Envoy Medical currently offers and some of the ones under development. Also hear more about hearing health, including guidance on how to protect hearing, where the industry may be headed in the next few years, as well as the Hearing Device Coverage Clarification Act and where it currently stands.

For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Xtalks

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Robert Perkins, MD, Vice President, US Medical Affairs/Renal and Cardiovascular at Bayer who spoke about recent advancements in the heart failure (HF) treatment landscape.

This includes new Phase III trial data for Kerendia (finerenone) in patients with heart failure that was presented recently at this year’s European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2024.

At Bayer, Dr. Perkins leads a team of medical directors and field team members working to advance the care of patients with kidney disease and heart failure. Dr. Perkins has also led the development and implementation of innovative digital educational outreach campaigns for primary care physicians. Prior to joining Bayer, Dr. Perkins held leadership roles with Novartis and AstraZeneca. He obtained an MD at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School, a Masters of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Harvard University.

Tune into the episode to hear more about the latest trial data for finerenone in heart failure and the landscape of heart failure research.

For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Xtalks

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Brent Lucas, CEO of Envoy Medical.

Envoy Medical is a medical device company focused on providing cutting-edge technologies across the hearing loss spectrum.

According to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, 13 percent of people in the US 12 years of age and older have hearing loss in both ears, underscoring the importance of developing solutions to help this population.

Brent Lucas has been the CEO of Envoy Medical Corporation for the last seven years. Brent is a lawyer by training and as a Medical Devices Executive, he has extensive experience leading across enterprise functions. He has over 15 years of experience in active implantables in the hearing health industry. Brent has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of St. Thomas and JD from the Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

Tune into the episode to hear more about the innovative hearing solutions Envoy Medical currently offers and some of the ones under development. Also hear more about hearing health, including guidance on how to protect hearing, where the industry may be headed in the next few years, as well as the Hearing Device Coverage Clarification Act and where it currently stands.

For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Xtalks

In this episode, Vera spoke with Morgan Hanger, Executive Director of the Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative (CTTI). CTTI is a public-private partnership dedicated to improving the quality and efficiency of clinical trials, aiming to transform the industry by 2030.

Hanger shares her career journey, from her roles at PatientsLikeMe and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, to leading CTTI. She explains how her patient-centered focus has shaped CTTI’s approach to its Transforming Trials 2030 initiative.

Hanger addresses the major challenges in clinical trials today, including regulatory complexities and the need for better data transparency. She explains how CTTI is tackling these issues through collaboration and innovative trial designs, like decentralized and adaptive trials, which aim to improve efficiency and inclusivity.

Hanger encourages new clinical trial professionals to embrace innovation and stay patient-focused. She hopes her work at CTTI will influence the development of a clinical trial system that is more efficient, inclusive and better aligned with patient needs.

Tune in to learn how CTTI is leading efforts to reshape clinical trials.

For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Xtalks

In this episode, Vera spoke with Dr. Sam Lee, Co-Chief Executive Officer and President of Cocrystal Pharma, a clinical-stage biotech company focusing on antiviral drug development with a unique structure-based drug discovery platform.

With over 25 years of experience in anti-infective drug discovery, Dr. Lee brings a wealth of knowledge to the discussion on the urgent need for innovative antiviral therapies.

The conversation begins with Dr. Lee sharing insights on the mission of Cocrystal Pharma, which leverages Nobel Prize-winning expertise in the development of antiviral drugs.

Vera and Dr. Lee then discuss the recent emergence of a new strain of Avian flu, examining the potential risks and the current state of flu vaccines in providing protection against both seasonal and pandemic strains.

Dr. Lee delves into the challenges of pandemic preparedness and explains how broad-spectrum antivirals could offer a valuable tool in combating influenza outbreaks. He provides an overview of Cocrystal Pharma’s approach, particularly their focus on targeting viral replication proteins, which sets their platform apart from traditional antiviral discovery methods.

The discussion also covers the limitations of current antiviral treatments and highlights the unmet medical needs in influenza care.

As the conversation wraps up, Dr. Lee discusses his excitement for the future of antiviral drug development.

Tune in to gain an understanding of the evolving landscape of antiviral research and the cutting-edge innovations that could redefine treatment options for viral infections.

For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Xtalks

In this episode, Vera spoke with Tim Culp, PhD, Vice President of Research and Development at Interius BioTherapeutics, a Philadelphia-based biotech company.

Their lead program focuses on an intravenous CAR therapy for B cell lymphomas. Additionally, the company is advancing a second program aimed at treating autoimmune diseases.

Dr. Culp joined Interius following a distinguished 14-year career with Merck Research Laboratories where he supported vaccine and oncolytic virus program development as a Senior Principal Scientist. His experience includes leadership of both early and late-stage development teams responsible for all Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) deliverables needed for clinical programs.

Dr. Culp completed a PhD from the Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine for his research on human papillomaviruses. He then completed post-doctoral studies at Penn State developing chimeric papillomavirus vaccines. Dr. Culp holds a BS in Biology/Secondary Education from Christian Heritage College and had a 15-year high school teaching career prior to his graduate studies.

Tune into the episode to learn more about the promise of in vivo CAR T therapy and novel advancements in the field.

For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Xtalks

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with James E. Brown, DVM, co-founder, President and CEO of DURECT.

DURECT is pioneering a therapeutic strategy by leveraging the potential of epigenetic modulation to alter the trajectory of severe and life-threatening conditions like acute organ injury and cancer.

The company is specifically focused on the development of an epigenetic modulator, larsucosterol (DUR-928) for the treatment of alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH). The therapeutic has shown promising results in human studies, including a Phase IIb trial in AH patients.

Dr. Brown co-founded DURECT in February 1998 and has served as President, CEO and a Director since June 1998. Dr. Brown has worked in various leadership positions, including as Vice President of Biopharmaceutical and Implant Research and Development at ALZA Corporation from 1995 to 1998 and various leadership roles at Syntex Corporation, now Roche. Dr. Brown holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of California, Davis, where he also conducted postgraduate work in pharmacology and toxicology.

Tune into the episode to learn more about the promise of next generation epigenic modulators, including DURECT’s innovative epigenetic therapeutic approach.

For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Xtalks

In this episode, Vera spoke with Carsten Rudolph, PhD, CEO of Ethris.

Ethris was founded by Dr. Rudolph and Professor Christian Plank with the goal of establishing messenger RNA (mRNA) as a novel drug modality for lung diseases such as asthma and rare pulmonary conditions like primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

Ethris leverages its proprietary SNIM® RNA platform and lipidoid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery technology for versatile, multi-route therapeutic applications.

As mRNA therapies gain global traction, Dr. Rudolph sees opportunities for Ethris to make an impact.

Tune into the episode to explore the promise of nasal delivery of mRNA therapeutics as an innovative approach to treating lung diseases like asthma and beyond.

For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Xtalks