Let’s Talk About That

Anirvan Ghosh

Conversations that explore the ideas, the people, and the events that are shaping our world.

  1. 27. JAN.

    S2E2 Gilmore O'Neill: Rethinking Medicine in the Age of Gene Editing

    In this episode of Let’s Talk About That, Anirvan Ghosh is joined by Gilmore O’Neill, President and CEO of Editas Medicine, for an in-depth conversation at the frontier of genetic medicine, neuroscience, and biotech leadership. Gilmore traces his journey from clinical neurology at Mass General to a career in biopharma driven by frustration with the lack of effective treatments for devastating neurological diseases. He reflects on formative years at Biogen, where first-principles thinking—deep attention to human biology, PK/PD, and disease pathology—helped enable breakthroughs such as Spinraza for spinal muscular atrophy and transformative therapies in multiple sclerosis. The discussion then turns to the rise of genetic medicines, from antisense oligonucleotides to gene therapy and, ultimately, gene editing. Gilmore offers a clear, accessible explanation of how CRISPR-based in vivo gene editing differs from traditional gene delivery—and why Editas is focused on single-dose, durable therapies that can be delivered with minimal healthcare infrastructure. A major focus is Editas’s lead program targeting LDL cholesterol, where in vivo gene editing has shown unprecedented reductions in LDL levels in preclinical models. Gilmore outlines the scientific rationale, the public health implications of treating common diseases with genetic medicines, and what it will take to translate this technology safely into humans. A thoughtful conversation on innovation, rigor, and reimagining medicine beyond chronic treatment.

    50 Min.
  2. 20. JAN.

    S2E1 Andreas Wallnoefer: Why Most Drugs Fail—and What It Takes to Beat the Odds

    In this episode of Let’s Talk About That, Anirvan Ghosh speaks with Andreas Wallnoefer, whose career spans the full arc of drug development—from early clinical research to senior R&D leadership at Roche, and later to venture investing and biotech board roles. Andreas reflects on more than 25 years in big pharma, where he helped shape early translational medicine and confronted one of the field’s enduring challenges: why clinical success rates remain low despite enormous advances in science, biomarkers, and technology. He shares lessons from pioneering early human pharmacology, the importance of truly understanding mechanism of action, and why many drugs fail when commercial priorities override biology. The conversation then turns to Andreas’s transition from Roche to venture capital and company building, including insights from launching and scaling early-stage biotechs. Using the EyeBio story as a case study, he explains why small, focused teams with strong leadership, disciplined decision-making, and aligned investors can often move faster—and succeed more often—than large organizations. Looking ahead, Andreas discusses the types of companies and technologies that excite him today, from gene therapy and neurology to immunology and ophthalmology. Throughout the discussion, a clear theme emerges: breakthrough medicines require not just great science, but courage, persistence, and leaders willing to challenge conventional wisdom.

    51 Min.

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Conversations that explore the ideas, the people, and the events that are shaping our world.