BioTech Nation ... with Dr. Moira Gunn Moira Gunn

This week - Dr. Sanjay Shukla, CEO of Atyr Pharma, discusses the revolutionary potential of mRNA technology in creating new medicines. They explore Atyr's pioneering approach to leveraging tRNA fragments for treating pulmonary sarcoidosis and other organ-specific conditions, aiming to improve patient outcomes while minimizing reliance on conventional therapies like steroids.

Dr. Peter DeMuth, Chief Scientific Officer of Elicio Therapeutics, discusses the revolutionary approach of detecting cancer at its earliest stages through circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) tests. Highlighting their innovative treatment method, which aims to train the body's immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells, the episode explores the potential transition from treatment to vaccine, offering hope for more effective and durable solutions.

In this week's episode, Dr. Moira Gunn interviews Dr. Chris Pirie from HDT Bio about their novel approach to cancer prevention through vaccines. They discuss leveraging mRNA technology to target specific tumor mutations and prime the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells. Dr. Pirie highlights ongoing efforts to develop vaccines for prostate, pancreatic, and breast cancers, emphasizing the importance of monitoring immune responses in clinical trials. They also explore the potential for broad-spectrum cancer vaccines and the need to shift towards preventive measures in cancer treatment.

This week I speak with Dr. Robert Ang from Vor Biopharma about their innovative approach to treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AML is a type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow, leading to the overgrowth of cancerous cells. Dr. Ang explains that traditional treatments, such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplants, have limitations and risks. Dr. Ang emphasizes the potential of their treatment to revolutionize AML therapy and improve patient outcomes.

In this week's episode of BioTech Nation, Dr. David Bearss, President and CEO of Halia Therapeutics, discusses inflammation and its reduction over a lifetime and in response to various incidents. He unveils the inflammasome, a recently discovered protein complex critical in regulating inflammatory responses and its potential in treating chronic diseases like myelodysplastic syndrome and Alzheimer's. Dr. Bearss shares insights into Halia's groundbreaking approach and his relentless pursuit of medical breakthroughs.

Tech Nation Health, Chief Correspondent Dr. Daniel Kraft discusses the concept of "food as medicine." Dr. Kraft emphasizes the evolving understanding of nutrition and its profound impact on health, advocating for a shift towards personalized nutrition using cutting-edge technologies. From continuous glucose monitors to AI-powered apps and sensor toilets, we explore how these innovations enable individuals to measure and optimize their dietary choices.