BioBreakthroughs – Details, episodes & analysis

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Frank Bedu-Addo, President and CEO at PDS Biotechnology Corporation.

What you'll get out of this episode:

• PDS Biotechnology targets the key limitations of CAR T and cancer vaccine therapies using lipid nanoparticle-based immunotherapy.
• Their lead candidate, PDS0101, demonstrated over 2x improvement in survival for HPV-positive head and neck cancer.
• The platform technology shows consistent efficacy across multiple independent Phase 2 trials.
• Late-stage clinical programs focus on HPV16+ head and neck cancer, with additional trials for colorectal, prostate, and MUC1+ cancers.

To Learn More About Our Guest And Their Company:
Guest LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-bedu-addo-4797947/
Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/pds-biotechnology-corporation/
Website https://www.pdsbiotech.com/

Our sponsor for this episode are:
Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/

BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Michael Demurjian, Founder & CEO at Aspargo Laboratories.

What you'll get out of this episode:

• Aspargo tackles inefficiencies in pill-based drug delivery through innovative oral suspensions.
• The company’s patented technology improves absorption via buccal and GI routes.
• First commercial product, HisQ (oral spray sildenafil), delivers rapid ED treatment in just 10 minutes—even on a full stomach.
• Future products include sprays for weight loss and hair loss, launching via a telehealth platform.
• Upcoming smart dispenser connects with physicians and caregivers for enhanced adherence and monitoring.

To Learn More About Our Guest And Their Company:
Guest LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-demurjian-02868113/
Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/aspargo-laboratories-inc/
Website https://aspargolabs.com/

Our sponsor for this episode are:
Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/

BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guests: Christine Senn, PhD, the SVP of Site-Sponsor Innovation at Advarra & Rohit Nambisan, Co-Founder and CEO at Lokavant.

What you'll get out of this episode:

• Rohit Nambisan discusses Lokavant's approach to leveraging AI in clinical trial feasibility.
• Christine Senn highlights the importance of thorough feasibility processes in rare disease trials.
• The need for diverse site participation and data inputs to improve trial accuracy and efficiency.
• The role of AI and technology in enhancing clinical trial processes.

To learn more about our guests and their companies:
Christine's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinesenn/
Rohit's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohitnambisan/

Advarra LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/advarra/
Lokavant LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/lokavant/

Advarra Website https://www.advarra.com/
Lokavant Website https://www.lokavant.com/en-us/

Our sponsor for this episode is:
Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/

BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Dr. Sam Clark, Founder and CEO at Terran Biosciences.

What you'll get out of this episode:

• Revolutionizing Treatments: Dr. Sam Clark discusses Terran Biosciences' mission to innovate treatments for neurological and psychiatric conditions.
• Innovative Drug Development: The company focuses on creating new mechanisms for treating depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
• Smaller, Agile Teams: Terran Biosciences operates with a flat structure, utilizing highly trained experts to solve complex problems.
• Addressing Patent Monopolies: The company aims to break patent monopolies in pharma through innovative approaches and pro-drug strategies.
• Exciting Developments: Dr. Clark teases upcoming announcements, including long-acting and improved drug forms.

To learn more about our guests and their companies:
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-clark-md-phd-133139199/
Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/terran/
Website https://terranbiosciences.com/

Our sponsor for this episode are:
Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/

BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Dr. Michael Kyle, SVP & Chief Medical Officer at Currax Pharmaceuticals.

What you'll get out of this episode:

• Dr. Michael Kyle's Background: Insights into his journey from medical practice to becoming SVP & Chief Medical Officer of Currax Pharmaceuticals.
• Understanding Obesity: A discussion on different types of obesity and the importance of tailored treatments.
• Global Perspectives: Comparing how the U.S. and European countries handle obesity and the lessons to be learned.
• Evolving Treatments: The parallel evolution of hypertension and obesity treatments.
• Behavioral Approaches: The importance of sustainable lifestyle changes and behavior modification in addressing obesity.

To learn more about our guests and their companies:
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-l-kyle/
Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/currax-pharmaceuticals-llc/
Website https://www.curraxpharma.com/

Our sponsor for this episode are:
Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/

BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Colin Weller, VP & GM of Evidence Platform at Medable.

What you'll get out of this episode:

• Introduction of Colin Weller: Vice President and GM of Evidence Platform at Medable, Colin Weller discusses his role in advancing clinical research technology to streamline drug approvals.
• Challenges in Drug Development: Weller details the stagnant pace of drug development, highlighting the industry's need for innovation to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Medable's Ambitious Goals: Aiming to increase the number of drugs approved annually by tenfold through advanced SAS technology and AI, setting a new industry standard.
• Innovations in Clinical Trials: Medable has already cut study startup times by 50%, utilizing AI and automation to overhaul traditional processes.
• Future of Digital Clinical Trials: Weller predicts significant advancements in decentralized and digital trials, enhancing patient accessibility and data quality.

To learn more about our guests and their companies:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-weller-294ab58/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/medable-inc-/
Website: https://www.medable.com/

Our sponsor for this episode are:
Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/

BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Stella K. Vnook, CEO at Likarda.

What you'll get out of this episode:

• Stella Vnook, CEO of Likarda, discusses her transition from a science background to the business side of biotech and her journey to becoming CEO.
• Likarda specializes in core-shell spherification, creating beads with cells for targeted drug delivery, improving viability and efficacy.
• The company aims to enhance cell therapies, especially in liver cells and hormone therapy, and simplify cell transport logistics.
• Likarda's future goals include launching off-the-shelf products for osteoarthritis and advancing partnerships in cell therapy and regenerative medicine.
• Funding strategies and future plans involve a Series A funding round, non-dilutive funding, and efficient use of resources to scale up and innovate.

To learn more about our guests and their companies:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vnook/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/likarda-llc/
Website: https://likarda.com/

Our sponsor for this episode are:
Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/

BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Samantha Dale Strasser, CEO & Co-Founder at Pepper Bio.

What you'll get out of this episode:

• Samantha Dale Strasser, co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Pepper Bio, shares her transition from academia to entrepreneurship, driven by a personal mission to change healthcare outcomes.
• Pepper Bio, located in Boston, leverages transomics to integrate multiple data sets for precision medicine, aiming to treat diseases that are currently untreatable.
• Strasser’s focus is on developing treatments for challenging diseases, with an emphasis on oncology, inflammatory diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.
• Pepper Bio’s approach in drug discovery combines its own pipeline development with strategic partnerships, speeding up the process of bringing new treatments to the clinic.
• The company has made significant strides in identifying novel targets and shelved assets, leading to a high success rate in in vivo model validations.

To learn more about our guests and their companies:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-dale-strasser/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pepperbio/
Website: https://pepper.bio/

Our sponsor for this episode are:
Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/

BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Cary Claiborne, CEO of Adial Pharmaceuticals.

What you'll get out of this episode:

• Meet Cary Claiborne: Discover the visionary CEO behind Adial Pharmaceuticals.
• Understanding AD04: Dive into the science of this promising new treatment for alcohol use disorder.
• The Impact of Alcohol Use Disorder: A closer look at the challenges and the need for better treatments.
• A Glimpse into the Future: Explore how AD04 could revolutionize addiction treatment beyond alcohol use disorder.
• Adial's Mission and Vision: Hear directly from Claiborne about the company's path forward and commitment to innovation.

To learn more about our guests and their companies:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cary-claiborne-sr-84a2217/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adialpharma/
Website: https://www.adial.com/

Our sponsor for this episode are:
Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/

BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/

Join us on the latest episode! Our Guest: Marcio Souza, CEO of Praxis Precision Medicines.

What you'll get out of this episode:

• Discussion on innovative CNS drug development on BioBreakthroughs podcast.
• Learn about Praxis' genetics-inspired approach to tackling complex brain diseases.
• Souza highlights the challenges and opportunities in CNS treatment, including the impactful EMBOLD and EMBRAVE studies.
• Discover Praxis Precision Medicines' future prospects and their commitment to revolutionizing patient care in the CNS field.

To learn more about our guests and their companies:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcio-souza-2b02837/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-precision-medicines-inc/
Website: https://praxismedicines.com/

Our sponsor for this episode are:
Sage Growth Partners https://sage-growth.com/

BioBreakthroughs is part of the Slice of Healthcare podcast network:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sliceofhealthcare/