PharmaShots CXO Talks Podcast

PharmaShots CXO Talks is an executive podcast featuring conversations with healthcare and life sciences leaders on innovation, strategy, emerging trends, and the future of the industry.

PharmaShots CXO Talks is an executive podcast featuring candid conversations with C-suite leaders, industry innovators, and decision-makers shaping the future of healthcare and life sciences. Through insightful discussions on business strategy, scientific innovation, emerging technologies, and industry trends, CXO Talks brings expert perspectives and leadership insights to a global audience of healthcare and biopharma professionals. pharmashots.substack.com

Episodes

  1. Oct 14

    Rethinking Angina Treatment: ⁨Auxilius Pharma⁩ 's Strategy for AUX001 | PharmaShots CXO Talks

    Can a once-daily formulation help address treatment challenges in chronic stable angina? In the latest PharmaShots CXO Talks, Jed Litwiniuk, MHA, CEO, Auxilius Pharma, and Uwe Tigör, MD, CMO, Auxilius Pharma, discuss AUX001, a modified-release nicorandil formulation designed to simplify treatment and advance value-added cardiovascular medicines. AUX001: Rethinking Chronic Stable Angina Treatment Auxilius Pharma’s lead program, AUX001, is a once-daily modified-release formulation of nicorandil. By reducing dosing frequency, the company aims to ease medication adherence challenges for patients managing chronic stable angina. From Clinical Learnings to the Next Milestone Following Phase 1A, Auxilius Pharma is optimizing the formulation and preparing for a Phase 1B relative bioavailability study comparing AUX001 with immediate-release nicorandil. The company is also progressing its regulatory strategy following an FDA Type C meeting focused on nonclinical requirements ahead of an IND submission. Advancing Development Through the 505(b)(2) Pathway Building on an established molecule, Auxilius Pharma aims to improve drug delivery through the FDA’s 505(b)(2) pathway. Its partnership with France-based Skyepharma supports clinical trial material manufacturing as the program advances. What Comes Next for Auxilius Pharma? Beyond AUX001, the conversation explores potential cardiovascular research opportunities, future development milestones, and the company’s approach to strategic partnerships. What will it take to move AUX001 closer to the next stage of development? Watch the full PharmaShots CXO Talks interview to hear Jed Litwiniuk and Uwe Tigör discuss the science, regulatory strategy, and vision behind Auxilius Pharma’s approach to value-added cardiovascular medicines. About Jed Litwiniuk, MHA CEO, Auxilius Pharma Jed Litwiniuk, MHA, CEO of Auxilius Pharma, is a pharmaceutical and healthcare executive with over 15 years of experience in healthcare investment, corporate finance, and business leadership across Europe and the United States. Before co-founding Auxilius Pharma, he held leadership roles at Lux Med, Enterprise Venture Fund, and PZU, and served as CEO of CM Gamma, an orthopedic and spine surgery clinic. He also co-founded New York-based Picket Pharmaceuticals. Jed earned his Executive Master of Health Administration from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in 2019 and has since focused on advancing Auxilius Pharma’s mission. About Uwe Tigör, MD CMO, Auxilius Pharma Uwe Tigör, MD, CMO of Auxilius Pharma, is a healthcare and pharmaceutical executive with extensive experience in medical marketing, communications, and product launches. He has held Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director roles at leading healthcare agencies, including IPG, WPP, HAVAS Health, and InventivHealth, and has advised pharmaceutical companies as a consultant. Trained in Europe and the United States, Uwe earned his MD from Humboldt University in Berlin and conducted cardiovascular research, including a research fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. He is also an MHA candidate at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Get full access to PharmaShots at pharmashots.substack.com/subscribe

  2. Sep 16

    Cytek Biosciences on Redefining Flow Cytometry Excellence | PharmaShots CXO Talks

    What happens when cell analysis moves beyond simply measuring more to understanding more? In the latest episode of PharmaShots CXO Talks, Wenbin Jiang, CEO and Chairman of the Board, and William McCombe, Chief Financial Officer, Cytek Biosciences, explore how advances in flow cytometry, AI, imaging, and cloud-based analytics are reshaping the way researchers understand cells. At the center of the conversation is full-spectrum flow cytometry, Cytek’s approach to capturing more of the information generated during experiments and enabling increasingly complex, high-parameter analysis. Wenbin takes us through Cytek’s technology journey and the evolution of cell analysis, while highlighting how AI-enabled tools, imaging, and Cytek Cloud can help researchers streamline workflows, design panels, and turn increasingly complex datasets into actionable insights. William offers a business perspective on the opportunity ahead, discussing Cytek’s technology leadership, market expansion, and investment priorities across areas including minimal residual disease (MRD), cell and gene therapy, instrument replacement, and reagents. The conversation also underscores a critical element behind innovation: close relationships with customers and strategic collaborators. As cell analysis becomes more sophisticated, understanding what researchers need next may be just as important as developing the technology itself. Watch the full PharmaShots CXO Talks conversation with Wenbin Jiang and William McCombe and discover how Cytek Biosciences is shaping the next chapter of cell analysis. About the Authors Wenbin Jiang, Ph.D. CEO and Chairman of the Board Wenbin Jiang, Ph.D. has served as Cytek’s Chief Executive Officer and a member of board of directors since December 2014 and serves as chair of the board. Dr. Jiang is also a co-founder of the company. In 1998, Dr. Jiang co-founded E2O Communications, Inc., a fiber optic subsystems manufacturing company, which was acquired by JDS Uniphase Corporation in 2004. Dr. Jiang is an inventor of more than 100 U.S. patents and an author of five book chapters and over 50 peer-reviewed technical papers. Dr. Jiang holds a B.S. in Physics and a M.S. in Optics & Laser Physics from Fudan University and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from University of California, Santa Barbara. Dr. Jiang is currently serving on the Board of Trustees of the UC Santa Barbara Foundation and the Director’s Council in the Institute for Energy Efficiency at UC Santa Barbara. William McCombe Chief Financial Officer William McCombe has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Cytek since March 2024. Prior to joining Cytek, Mr. McCombe served as Chief Financial Officer at Velo3D Inc., a leader in metal 3D printing systems, from August 2020 to September 2023 and as Chief Financial Officer at HZO, Inc., a leader in delivering nano coatings for electronics, from 2018 to 2020. Mr. McCombe also previously served as Chief Financial Officer at Maxar Technologies Inc., a multi-billion-dollar revenue satellite and space imaging company, from 2016 to 2018. Mr. McCombe also has over 20 years of experience in investment banking, having served as Managing Director, Mergers and Acquisitions, at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley. Mr. McCombe holds an M.B.A. from Columbia University Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce from the University of Melbour Get full access to PharmaShots at pharmashots.substack.com/subscribe

  3. Sep 16

    Cytek Biosciences on Redefining Flow Cytometry Excellence | PharmaShots CXO Talks

    What happens when cell analysis moves beyond simply measuring more to understanding more? In the latest episode of PharmaShots CXO Talks, Wenbin Jiang, CEO and Chairman of the Board, and William McCombe, Chief Financial Officer, Cytek Biosciences, explore how advances in flow cytometry, AI, imaging, and cloud-based analytics are reshaping the way researchers understand cells. At the center of the conversation is full-spectrum flow cytometry, Cytek’s approach to capturing more of the information generated during experiments and enabling increasingly complex, high-parameter analysis. Wenbin takes us through Cytek’s technology journey and the evolution of cell analysis, while highlighting how AI-enabled tools, imaging, and Cytek Cloud can help researchers streamline workflows, design panels, and turn increasingly complex datasets into actionable insights. William offers a business perspective on the opportunity ahead, discussing Cytek’s technology leadership, market expansion, and investment priorities across areas including minimal residual disease (MRD), cell and gene therapy, instrument replacement, and reagents. The conversation also underscores a critical element behind innovation: close relationships with customers and strategic collaborators. As cell analysis becomes more sophisticated, understanding what researchers need next may be just as important as developing the technology itself. Watch the full PharmaShots CXO Talks conversation with Wenbin Jiang and William McCombe and discover how Cytek Biosciences is shaping the next chapter of cell analysis. About the Authors Wenbin Jiang, Ph.D. CEO and Chairman of the Board Wenbin Jiang, Ph.D. has served as Cytek’s Chief Executive Officer and a member of board of directors since December 2014 and serves as chair of the board. Dr. Jiang is also a co-founder of the company. In 1998, Dr. Jiang co-founded E2O Communications, Inc., a fiber optic subsystems manufacturing company, which was acquired by JDS Uniphase Corporation in 2004. Dr. Jiang is an inventor of more than 100 U.S. patents and an author of five book chapters and over 50 peer-reviewed technical papers. Dr. Jiang holds a B.S. in Physics and a M.S. in Optics & Laser Physics from Fudan University and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from University of California, Santa Barbara. Dr. Jiang is currently serving on the Board of Trustees of the UC Santa Barbara Foundation and the Director’s Council in the Institute for Energy Efficiency at UC Santa Barbara. William McCombe Chief Financial Officer William McCombe has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Cytek since March 2024. Prior to joining Cytek, Mr. McCombe served as Chief Financial Officer at Velo3D Inc., a leader in metal 3D printing systems, from August 2020 to September 2023 and as Chief Financial Officer at HZO, Inc., a leader in delivering nano coatings for electronics, from 2018 to 2020. Mr. McCombe also previously served as Chief Financial Officer at Maxar Technologies Inc., a multi-billion-dollar revenue satellite and space imaging company, from 2016 to 2018. Mr. McCombe also has over 20 years of experience in investment banking, having served as Managing Director, Mergers and Acquisitions, at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley. Mr. McCombe holds an M.B.A. from Columbia University Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce from the University of Melbour Get full access to PharmaShots at pharmashots.substack.com/subscribe

  4. Jul 22

    CXO Talks Podcast | Building Smarter Biotech: Venkat Nelabhotla, CEO of Vyome Holdings, on Driving Innovation Across the US–India Corridor

    Can biotechnology innovation become faster, smarter, and more capital-efficient? According to Venkat Nelabhotla, Co-founder, President & CEO of Vyome Holdings, the answer lies in combining scientific excellence with strategic execution. In an exclusive conversation with PharmaShots CXO Talks, Venkat reflected on his three-decade journey across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and consumer healthcare, sharing how experiences at CavinKare, Shantha Biotechnics, Aurobindo Pharma, and Emami shaped his vision for building a globally competitive biotech company. At the heart of Vyome’s strategy is a focused approach to drug development. Rather than pursuing broad pipelines, the company prioritizes high-value programs in immuno-inflammatory diseases while leveraging drug repurposing and innovative formulations to reduce development timelines and optimize capital. Its lead candidate, VT1953, is being developed for malignant fungating wounds—an area with significant unmet medical need and no FDA-approved therapies. Venkat also highlighted the importance of the US–India Innovation Corridor, where strategic leadership, regulatory expertise, and financing are anchored in the United States while India’s scientific talent, research capabilities, and manufacturing strengths drive efficient development. Discussing the future of biotech, he emphasized that artificial intelligence will accelerate discovery, clinical development, and operational efficiency, but human expertise will remain essential for scientific decision-making and regulatory success. Looking beyond Vyome, Venkat called for India to strengthen its innovation ecosystem through greater access to global capital, supportive policies, and dedicated biotech innovation zones that can empower startups to develop novel therapies for global markets. For aspiring biotech entrepreneurs, his advice was clear: build exceptional teams, stay resilient through inevitable setbacks, and focus relentlessly on solving meaningful healthcare challenges. As Vyome advances its clinical pipeline, the company continues to demonstrate that breakthrough innovation is driven not only by scientific discovery but also by disciplined execution, global collaboration, and a long-term vision to improve patients’ lives. About Venkat Nelabhotla Venkat Nelabhotla is the Co-Founder, President & CEO of Vyome Holdings, Inc. and Vyome Therapeutics, Inc., where he leads the company's vision to advance innovative therapies for unmet medical needs. With more than 35 years of leadership experience across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and consumer healthcare, he has successfully driven business transformation, global expansion, fundraising, and commercialization. Prior to Vyome, he held executive leadership roles at Emami, Aurobindo Pharma, Shantha Biotechnics (Sanofi), and CavinKare. Venkat serves as a board member and strategic advisor to healthcare ventures and is an angel investor. He earned his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad. Get full access to PharmaShots at pharmashots.substack.com/subscribe

  5. Jun 24

    CXO Talks Podcast | The Road to Acquisition: Oncolytics’ CEO Jared Kelly on Clinical Data, IP & Pharma Partnerships

    What does it really take for a biotech company to become an attractive acquisition target? In this episode of PharmaShots CXO Talks, Jared Kelly, CEO & Director of Oncolytics Biotech, shares an insider’s perspective shaped by years of experience in biotech transactions, corporate strategy, and business development. Drugs & Medications Before joining Oncolytics, Kelly served as Head of Legal and Corporate Strategy at Ambrx, where he played a key role in the company’s landmark $2 billion acquisition by Johnson & Johnson. Drawing from that experience, he explains what pharmaceutical companies truly look for when evaluating potential acquisitions and why great clinical data alone is rarely enough. As Oncolytics advances pelareorep across multiple oncology indications, Kelly discusses how the company is building toward what he calls the “Acquisition Zone” by strengthening its regulatory pathway, intellectual property portfolio, manufacturing capabilities, and clinical positioning. In this conversation, you’ll discover: 🔹 Lessons from Ambrx’s $2B acquisition by Johnson & Johnson🔹 What makes a biotech company acquisition-ready🔹 Why strong clinical data alone doesn’t close deals🔹 How Oncolytics is positioning itself for future partnership and acquisition opportunities🔹 Why colorectal cancer has emerged as a key strategic focus🔹 The future of combination therapies in oncology🔹 How AI is influencing drug development and decision-making🔹 The biggest reasons biotech deals succeed or fall apart From billion-dollar M&A negotiations to advancing next-generation cancer immunotherapies, Kelly offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the intersection of science, strategy, and deal-making in biotech. Watch the full conversation below to hear firsthand how one executive helped navigate a $2 billion acquisition and how he’s applying those lessons to guide Oncolytics’ next chapter. About Jared Kelly Jared Kelly is an accomplished biotechnology executive and legal strategist with extensive experience across corporate law, capital markets, mergers & acquisitions, and business development within the life sciences industry. Prior to joining Oncolytics Biotech, he served as Head of Legal and Corporate Strategy at Ambrx, where he played a key role in the company’s $2 billion acquisition by Johnson & Johnson. Throughout his career, he has advised and led numerous strategic transactions for both public and private biotechnology companies. At Oncolytics Biotech, Jared is focused on advancing the company’s clinical and corporate vision as it continues to develop pelareorep across multiple oncology indications. Under his leadership, the company is strengthening its position in immuno-oncology through strategic collaborations, clinical innovation, and a focused approach toward addressing challenging solid tumors. Get full access to PharmaShots at pharmashots.substack.com/subscribe

  6. Mar 26

    PharmaShots CXO Talks | Women’s History Month Special: A Conversation with Dr. Emanuela Offidani of Tris Pharma

    Get full access to PharmaShots at pharmashots.substack.com/subscribe

    PharmaShots CXO Talks | Women’s History Month Special: A Conversation with Dr. Emanuela Offidani of Tris Pharma

  7. Mar 26

    PharmaShots CXO Talks | Women’s History Month Special: A Conversation with Dr. Emanuela Offidani of Tris Pharma

    Shots: * Dr. Emanuela Offidani explains how ADHD is increasingly recognized as a lifelong condition affecting both children and adults. She highlights that symptoms can differ across genders and are often underdiagnosed in women due to less visible hyperactivity and more internalized symptoms such as inattention and emotional dysregulation. * The conversation explores how Tris Pharma is advancing ADHD treatment through its proprietary LiquiXR drug delivery technology, designed to provide smoother and sustained medication release throughout the day. The company is also expanding its pipeline with new therapies while exploring digital health tools to improve diagnosis and patient outcomes. * The discussion highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence, wearables, and digital diagnostics in improving ADHD detection, monitoring, and personalized treatment. Dr. Offidani notes that integrating technology with clinical expertise could significantly enhance diagnosis accuracy and long-term management for patients. Get full access to PharmaShots at pharmashots.substack.com/subscribe

    PharmaShots CXO Talks | Women’s History Month Special: A Conversation with Dr. Emanuela Offidani of Tris Pharma

  8. Feb 27

    PharmaShots CXO Talks | A Conversation with Liz Benditt, Founder & CEO, The Balm Box

    From navigating six cancer diagnoses to building a mission-driven brand, Liz Benditt turned her personal journey into purpose by founding The Balm Box, a company designed to make treatment days a little less overwhelming and a lot more thoughtful for patients and caregivers alike. In this CXO Talks episode, we dive into the power of patient-informed innovation, how real conversations with hundreds of patients shaped functional, research-backed care packages, and how empathy, when combined with business acumen, can create both emotional and measurable impact. We are delighted to welcome Liz Benditt to the PharmaShots CXO Talks Podcast for a powerful conversation on resilience, leadership rooted in lived experience, and building healthcare solutions that truly listen, support, and make a difference. Get full access to PharmaShots at pharmashots.substack.com/subscribe

    PharmaShots CXO Talks | A Conversation with Liz Benditt, Founder & CEO, The Balm Box

  9. Feb 26

    PharmaShots CXO Talks | A Conversation with Liz Benditt, Founder & CEO, The Balm Box

    From navigating six cancer diagnoses to building a mission-driven brand, Liz Benditt turned her personal journey into purpose by founding The Balm Box, a company designed to make treatment days a little less overwhelming and a lot more thoughtful for patients and caregivers alike. In this CXO Talks episode, we dive into the power of patient-informed innovation, how real conversations with hundreds of patients shaped functional, research-backed care packages, and how empathy, when combined with business acumen, can create both emotional and measurable impact. We are delighted to welcome Liz Benditt to the PharmaShots CXO Talks Podcast for a powerful conversation on resilience, leadership rooted in lived experience, and building healthcare solutions that truly listen, support, and make a difference. Get full access to PharmaShots at pharmashots.substack.com/subscribe

    PharmaShots CXO Talks | A Conversation with Liz Benditt, Founder & CEO, The Balm Box
  • 9 Episodes

About

PharmaShots CXO Talks is an executive podcast featuring candid conversations with C-suite leaders, industry innovators, and decision-makers shaping the future of healthcare and life sciences. Through insightful discussions on business strategy, scientific innovation, emerging technologies, and industry trends, CXO Talks brings expert perspectives and leadership insights to a global audience of healthcare and biopharma professionals. pharmashots.substack.com

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  • Creator
    PharmaShots CXO Talks is an executive podcast featuring conversations with healthcare and life sciences leaders on innovation, strategy, emerging trends, and the future of the industry.
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © PharmaShots
  • Show Website
    PharmaShots CXO Talks Podcast