Raising Biotech Surani Fernando

In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani explores the fascinating world of vision restoration and optogenetics with Ray Therapeutics. The company raised an oversubscribed $100m Series A in May 2023, which was particularly noteworthy during a extremely grim year for fundraising. Surani speaks with CEO and Co-Founder Paul Bresge about how his daughter's retinitis pigmentosa diagnosis drove him to enter the biotech world. He discusses meeting Co-founder Sean Ainsworth and seeing groundbreaking experiments in blind mice from inventor Dr Zhuo-Hua Pan that lead to the formation of Ray. He also talks about what drew investors to Ray's mission, its clear regulatory path forward (first in retinitis pigmentosa patients followed by Stargardt disease and geographic atrophy) and visions for the company's future. Surani is also joined by renowned optogenetics leader Dr José-Alain Sahel, Distinguished Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, to talk about Ray's scientific foundations, early data, theoretical safety/efficacy profile and potential to make a meaningful impact in late-stage retinal disorder patients with close to no vision.
Timestamps:
00:35 - Partner segment: Mindgram.ai
01:05 - Background of Ray Therapeutics and focus on late-stage retinal diseases
04:30 - CEO Paul Bresge's backstory, personal motivations to enter the biotech world
07:30 - Formation of Ray Therapeutics in 2021 with Co-founder and Chairman Sean Ainsworth
09:50 - Leveraging breakthrough science from inventor and optogenetics pioneer Dr Zhuo-Hua Pain
11:00 - How Ray was able to attract investors and secure an oversubscribed $100m Series A
16:40 - Dr José-Alain Sahel gives his take on Ray's early data and scientific potential
19:45 - Ray's plans to get the drug into Retinitis Pigmentosa patients and regulatory pathway
26:50 - Safety benchmarks and meaningful efficacy outcome measures
38:20 - Optogenetics competitive landscape and Ray's potential edge
29:00 - Future financing goals and the company's longer term vision

This episode is partnered with Mindgram.ai, a research tool powered by AI to better serve the biopharma community. Listeners of the Raising Biotech podcast are able to get an exclusive free trial of Mindgram via this link, using the code: raisingbiotech24
For any comments, questions, feedback or suggestions you can connect directly with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email: raisingbiotech@gmail.com
Music composed by: Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma Media)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani explores the truly unique story of Fauna Bio -- a female trio founding team that is studying evolution and the intersection of animal and human genomics to unlock powerful new therapeutics to treat complex human diseases. The company has raised a total of $19 million in financing since its inception (2018), but most recently made headlines for its $494 million collaboration with Eli Lilly to study obesity drugs. Ashley Zehnder, CEO and co-founder talks about her academic beginnings as a veterinarian and serendipitously meeting her fellow co-founders in her post-doctoral group at Stanford. She talks about their fundraising journey, getting through investor doors and how the company hopes to take its novel thesis into the clinic. Surani is also joined by Professor Elinor Karlsson, Director of the Vertebrate Genomics Group at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard to give more context on how studying different mammalian species and evolution can give scientists clues to treating common human diseases. She also discusses the significance of artificial intelligence and machine learning in allowing this thesis to shine.
Timestamps:
00:35 - Partner segment: Mindgram.ai
01:05 - Background of Fauna Bio and animal biology thesis
04:01 - CEO Ashley Zehnder's backstory and company formation with Linda Goodman (CSO) and Katie Grabeck (COO)
07:45 - Fauna's first kick-start with the Longevity fund accelerator
09:01 - Fauna's seed financing journey and attracting investors with curiosity
15:10 - Professor Elinor Karlsson (MIT/Harvard) gives some context on Fauna's unique scientific thesis
18:50 - The era of AI/ML making this prime time for exploring Fauna's thesis
22:30 - Partnerships and pipeline: initial focus on cardiopulmonary and obesity assets
29:00 - Challenges ahead for the company to navigate
31:25 - Future mission and visions for the company

This episode is partnered with Mindgram.ai, a research tool powered by AI to better serve the biopharma community. Listeners of the Raising Biotech podcast are able to get an exclusive free trial of Mindgram via this link, using the code: raisingbiotech24
For any comments, questions, feedback or suggestions you can connect directly with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email: raisingbiotech@gmail.com
Music composed by: Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma Media)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani explores the multi-layered start-up story of Israeli lipid nanoparticle biotech Mana.bio. This is a tech meets biotech story, where AI and machine learning is being leveraged to develop novel lipid nanoparticle formulations to get nucleic-acid based therapies (DNA, RNA, CRISPR) to hard to reach organs. The company announced a $19.5 million seed financing in October 2023, and its exciting new chapter was heavily impacted by the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel. CEO Yogev Debbi gives his tech backstory, decision to move into life-sciences, fundraising journey, what it was like to suddenly navigate a company launch as a wartime CEO and future visions to grow Mana through partnerships and a pipeline. Dr Barry Ticho, a veteran big pharma executive and chief medical officer at Stoke Therapeutics, also joins the podcast to give his expert take on Mana's scientific thesis, competitive edge, challenges ahead and future potential to advance the world of gene therapy.

Timestamps:
00:35 - Partner segment: Mindgram.ai
01:05 - Background of Mana.bio and lipid nanoparticle thesis
05:30 - CEO Yogev Debbi's tech origins, backstory and Mana.bio formation
08:15 - Mana's initial work and "reverse due-diligence" fundraising journey
11:15 - Launching the company during an unexpected outbreak of war
19:25 - Industry expert perspective (Barry Ticho) on Mana's scientific and business thesis
21:55 - Competitive advantage of using AI to optimize the lipid nanoparticle design
23:40 - Which organs can these lipid nanoparticles reach in mouse models and non-human primates?
27:15 - De-risking events, challenges ahead and safety assurances
29:15 - Advantages of tackling new-age biotech with a tech background
30:24 - Mana's future business plans: comprehensive partnerships and building a pipeline

This episode is partnered with Mindgram.ai, a research tool powered by AI to better serve the biopharma community. Listeners of the Raising Biotech podcast are able to get an exclusive free trial of Mindgram via this link, using the code: raisingbiotech24
For any comments, questions, feedback or suggestions you can connect directly with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email: raisingbiotech@gmail.com
Music composed by: Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma Media)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani explores the untapped world of tRNA therapeutics with Flagship Pioneering-founded company Alltrna. The company raised $109 million in a series B in August 2023. Surani talks to CEO Michelle Werner about the inception of Alltrna, the company's tRNA therapeutic thesis and her journey to the role. She also talks about the company's plans to study its technology in rare genetic liver diseases and the potential to accelerate clinical trials with the use of basket trials. Dr David Weinstein, a rare diseases pediatrician and owner of Weinstein Rare Disease and Clinical Development Consulting also joins the podcast to give his take on the potential of tRNA therapeutics to serve thousands of diseases. He gives his thoughts on the company's mission, potential clinical trial challenges ahead and how the therapeutics might fit into the treatment paradigm.
Timestamps:
01:58 - Background of Alltrna and tRNA therapeutics for rare genetic diseases
06:00 - Company formation under Flagship and Michelle's personal backstory
11:35 - Focussing on stop-codon diseases of the liver for first clinical trials
12:55 - Dr Weinstein talks about tRNA therapies for rare genetic diseases
16:55 - The use of basket trials to accelerate clinical trials
18:30 - Efficacy and safety considerations & regulatory pathway
21:45 - How tRNA therapies would fit into the treatment paradigm
24:05 - Potential for tRNA in other genetic diseases beyond the liver 
26:00 - Alltrna's future pipeline and business strategy 
For any comments, questions, feedback or suggestions you can connect directly with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email: raisingbiotech@gmail.com
Music composed by: Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma Media)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani delves into Arialys and its mission to revive an autoimmune encephalitis drug from the grave after big pharma no longer wanted it. The company founders are a bunch of venture capitalists (Avalon Ventures, MPM Capital & Catalys Pacific) who saw potential in pursuing the preclinical drug candidate -- raising a $58 million seed financing in September 2023 to take it into human testing.
Surani speaks to CEO Jay Lichter (Avalon) about his background, success stories, how he stumbled across Astellas' drug (now ART5803) and why he was so impressed with preclinical data in non-human primate marmoset models. Marty Jefson, CEO of Pinteon Therapeutics, a veteran neuropsychiatry drug development executive, talks about the drug's potential to fit in the treatment paradigm and what convinced him to join the company's clinical advisory board. Also joining the podcast to give medical context on the drug's potential is Dr Leon Henderson MacLennan, medical advisor and co-founder, InThought. The experts discuss the drug's safety and efficacy considerations, clinical trial hurdles and potential for the drug to expand to other autoimmune psychosis conditions including schizophrenia. Jay talks about clinical trial plans ahead, his preferences when it comes to a future IPO vs M&A and what he thinks will be the key value driver for a company exit.
Timestamps:
01:56 - Jay's background & history investing in novel technologies
03:30 - Astellas looks to sell CNS assets
04:00 - What exactly is anti-NDMA-receptor encephalitis (ANRE)?
05:15 - Avalon Ventures team up with MPM Capital and Catalys Pacific for asset sale
07:10 - Preclinical trials and impressive data in marmoset models
09:15 - Marty (Pinteon) discusses ANRE burden and ART5803's clinical potential
12:10 - Leon (InThought) discusses unmet need for targeted approach
13:55 - Marty and Leon talk about first impressions of preclinical data
15:05 - Experts discuss human trial considerations and Jay talks clinical trial plans
19:15 - Safety considerations and historical challenges developing CNS drugs
22:00 - Market opportunity of ANRE and other autoimmune indications like schizophrenia
26:10 - Arialys' financing plans, long-term visions and potential future exit

For any comments, questions, feedback or suggestions you can connect directly with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email: raisingbiotech@gmail.com
Music composed by: Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma Media)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani delves into Synchron and its mission to develop a potential first-in-class implantable brain computer interface (BCI) that allows people with motor impairment to communicate their thoughts through a device. Founded in 2012, Synchron has raised $145 million since inception, which has taken the implant into clinical trials and the company is gearing up for its final clinical trial.
Surani speaks to Dr Tom Oxley, about his origins as a neurologist in Australia and his inspiration for Synchron's BCI. He talks about his struggles to finance the company in Australia, which led Synchron to the US. Dr Elad Levy, Professor and Chair, Department of Neurosurgery, University at Buffalo gives his view of the technology's potential, particularly its favorable risk profile and straightforward implant procedure versus more invasive competitor BCIs. Dr David Putrino, Director of Rehabilitation Innovation, Mount Sinai Health System speaks about the BCI's utility, its potential to improve patient quality of and reduce overall healthcare costs. Kurt Haggstrom, CCO talks about navigating Synchron through reimbursement and commercial considerations and building Synchron into a bigger brand. Tom outlines next-step clinical trial and financing plans, thoughts on IPO vs a sale and ultimate visions for the company.

Timestamps:
01:46 - The crux of the Synchron's BCI
03:00 - Back story of Tom and the "light bulb" for Synchron
05:52 - Learning the hard way: Australian investors vs US investors
07:23 - Synchron vs BCI competitors (including Elon Musks's Neuralink)
11:10 - Published clinical trial data so far, current risk/benefit profile
12:23 - Dr Levy (UB) gives his view on the potential impact of Synchron's BCI
14:57 - Dr Putrino (Mount Sinai) talks about Synchron's impressive progress
16:43 - Dr Levy and Dr Putrino give thoughts on clinical data, safety and efficacy
19:20 - Kurt and Tom talk about designing the pivotal trial with reimbursement in mind
23:24 - Expert insights on potentially acceptable pricing of a BCI
25:36 - Market reach with tech boom and "less complex" implant procedure
27:58 - Future financing plans, IPO possibilities, and building Synchron into a bigger brand
30:58 - Tom's thoughts on acquisition and comments on Elon Musk's BCI vision
32:15 - Future vision for Synchron and BCI capabilities

For any comments, questions, feedback or suggestions you can connect directly with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email: raisingbiotech@gmail.com
Music composed by: Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma Media)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.