Ori Spotlight – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, Jason C. Foster welcomes Carl Schoellhammer, Principal & Advanced Therapies Practice Lead at DeciBio, to discuss the importance of considering viability alongside safety and efficacy in cell and gene therapies (CGTs). Schoellhammer highlights the need for scalable and decentralized manufacturing approaches to ensure the commercial viability of these advanced therapies, as well as the challenges of maintaining consistent quality in personalized medicines, and the role of enabling technologies in addressing these hurdles. Learn more about Carl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-schoellhammer/

In this episode of the Ori Spotlight Podcast, Jason C. Foster welcomes Anshul Mangal, President at Project Farma, to discuss the hurdles to scalable CGT development, the importance of early strategic planning, and the role of digitalization in improving efficiency and reducing costs. Together they also highlight the potential of distributed manufacturing and the evolution of regulatory standards. Anshul Mangal is a biotech entrepreneur and executive, leading Project Farma and Precision for Medicine's Manufacturing Solutions. He has pioneered the industrialization of early cell and gene therapies. Anshul also serves on the boards of the Alliance for Regenerative Medicines, Alliance for mRNA Medicines, and IQHQ, driving advancements in next-generation medicines. Learn more about Anshul Mangal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amangal/

On this episode of the Ori Spotlight Podcast, we're joined by Daniel Gibson Director of Cell and Gene Therapy Services at Anthony Nolan. Anthony Nolan is a charity on a mission to improve the lives of people with blood cancer and blood disorders, by connecting patients and stem cell donors, funding research into cell therapies, and supporting patients along their transplant journey. Together, Jason and Daniel discuss the barriers limiting widespread patient access to cell therapies, why we need to adapt manufacturing processes, and how regulation can ensure scaleable development. Read more about Anthony Nolan’s work: https://www.anthonynolan.org/

On this episode of the Ori Spotlight podcast, we're joined by Dr Elizabeth Woo, Vice President of Cell and Gene Therapy at ThermoFisher. With 20+ years of experience at ThermoFisher, Betty has contributed to the growth of the company's revenue from $4B to $40B through various technical, commercial and leadership roles. Throughout this episode, Betty provides her insights into how the cell and gene therapy sector is evolving and offers valuable advice for young professionals in the industry. To strengthen and advance the industry, it is crucial to welcome diverse and exceptional skillsets and talents. Betty stresses the importance of fostering diverse and inclusive work environments and takes pride in being part of an organisation where more than 40% of leadership roles are held by women. We’re very excited to see industry leaders like ThermoFisher leverage their immense pool of resources and assets to accelerate therapy development and improve access to life-saving innovative therapies for patients worldwide. A fascinating discussion that provides valuable insights for all, from young professionals entering the industry to experienced leaders in the biotech space. Learn more about Betty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-woo-ph-d/

On this episode of the Ori Spotlight podcast, we're joined by John Lee, Senior Vice President and Head of Cell Therapy at the Center for Breakthrough Medicines. With 20+ years of experience in cancer cell biology at Janssen and GSK, spanning small and large molecules and cell-based therapeutics, John unpicks some of the biggest challenges facing the cell and gene therapy industry. One hot topic within the industry is the “buy versus build” approach to manufacturing. As developers invest more money in building out their own capacity, John and Jason C Foster explore whether early-stage or even larger pharmaceutical companies should build, maintain, and manufacture at a huge cost. Located in the heart of “Cellicon Valley,” CBM boasts the world’s largest single-site advanced therapies facility. With everything on a single site, CBM aims to eliminate traditional logistical development and manufacturing bottlenecks, providing cell and gene development companies with a “home forever”. Learn more about John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-lee-27b44b4/

--

⁠Watch this episode on our Youtube channel

We’re back with the Ori Spotlight Podcast, where we’ll be hosting conversations with experts and advocates from across the cell and gene therapy sector, and exploring the latest challenges and opportunities within the industry. In this episode, we talk to Amy Kappen, founder of the Best Day Ever Foundation. Amy founded the Foundation after her daughter Sophia passed away after battling with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 2017. For Amy and her family, CAR-T was “a modern day miracle” that allowed them to spend more time with their daughter. There is no set timeline to grieving the loss of a child – for Amy and her family, accessing the right resources to support them during this period was challenging. In memory of Sophia, the now Foundation supports a community of families grieving the loss of a child, providing services and resources with the goal to help families regain joyful moments in their lives. Patients and their families are the reason we do the work we do. Amy was so generous in the retelling of her story and Jason C Foster was honored to sit down and talk to her. Don't miss this episode. Best Day Ever Foundation is hosting its annual ‘Shine the Night’ event on April 8th. Find out more here: https://www.bestdayeverfoundation.us/events/

--

Watch this episode on our Youtube channel

On episode 25 of the Ori Spotlight Podcast, Jason C. Foster is joined by Philip Vanek, CTO at Gamma Biosciences as they explore how the industry is evolving in a digitally connected world.   

Gamma Biosciences is a life sciences innovator focused on bioprocessing tools and technologies for the development and production of advanced therapies, including vaccines, biologics and cell and gene therapies.   

Philip is an entrepreneurial and strategic international business leader. Prior to Gamma Biosciences, he directed strategy and portfolio growth at GE Healthcare’s Cell and Gene Therapy business unit. He has also held leadership positions in a number of life sciences companies including Life Technologies, Becton Dickinson, and Lonza, and is currently a Board Member of CCRM in Toronto Canada and the ARM Foundation.  

Philip joined Jason to discuss the role of digital within the cell and gene therapy industry, overcoming manufacturing challenges to meet the demand for therapies, and how industry partnerships and collaboration can increase the momentum of progress.   

Learn more about Philip Vanek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanekphil/

In episode 24 of the Ori Spotlight Podcast, Jason C. Foster is joined by Matthew Durdy, CEO of CGT Catapult as they discuss the progression of the cell and gene therapy industry. 

CGT Catapult is an independent center of excellence that aims to advance the growth of the UK cell and gene therapy industry, by bridging the gap between scientific research and full-scale commercialization. CGT Catapult works with partners in academia and industry to ensure advanced therapies can be developed for use in health services throughout the world. 

In this episode, the demand for talent within the industry and how this is evolving as the industry progresses, as well as, the efficiency and economics of advanced therapies were just a few topics Jason and Matthew discussed. They also explored the areas within the industry where the need for innovation is most acute. 

Learn more about Matthew Durdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-durdy/

In episode 23 of the Ori Spotlight Podcast, Jason C. Foster is joined by Jonathan Hay, Partner at Delin Ventures and Ori board member.

Delin Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in breakthrough technologies and life science businesses that can have a positive impact on human lives. 

Having supported Ori in their $100M Series B round, Jason joined Jonathan to discuss how Ori’s mission resonated with Jonathan as an investor, key challenges in the development and deployment of advanced therapies at scale and the importance of having a multi-site parallel approach to clinical trials.  

Learn more about Jonathan Hay: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-hay-2046046/ 

In episode 22 of the Ori Spotlight Podcast, Jason C. Foster is joined by Elliot Menschik Chief Digital Officer at Resilience, and Kevin Gordon Chief Digital Officer at Ori. 

Founded in 2020, Resilience is a manufacturing and technology company building a sustainable network of high-tech, end-to-end manufacturing solutions to ensure the medicines of today and tomorrow can be made quickly, safely, and at scale.  Elliot began his career as a physician and engineer before moving into the healthtech industry, where he founded, built and invested in a number of healthtech startups. Prior to Resilience, Elliot worked at Amazon Web Services where he led the company’s work supporting startups, scaleups and investors in highly-specialized industries. He is now responsible for all things digital across Resilience, including software development, data, applications and infrastructure and security.  

Jason, Elliot and Kevin sat down together to delve into the opportunities for efficiencies within cell and gene therapy development, the future of manufacturing and digital-first automation, and to answer the pivotal question of what does good look like in cell and gene therapy?  

Learn more about Elliot Menschik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/menschik/