Progress, Potential, and Possibilities Podcast / Show

Ira Pastor
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Science
  • Updated Semiweekly

Interviews and Discussions With Fascinating People Who are Creating A Better Tomorrow For All Of Us - Host - Ira S. Pastor

  1. 1d ago

    The End of High Cholesterol? The First Oral PCSK9 Drug Could Change Heart Medicine Forever - Dr. Norman Lepor, MD - Founder and Director, National Heart Institute

    Send us Fan Mail Heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, and one of its most important modifiable risk factors is elevated LDL cholesterol - the so-called "bad cholesterol." While statins have transformed cardiovascular care for decades, and newer therapies like injectable PCSK9 inhibitors have provided additional options, millions of patients still struggle to achieve recommended LDL cholesterol targets. In fact, despite the availability of effective therapies, roughly seventy percent of patients receiving cholesterol-lowering treatment still fail to reach guideline-recommended LDL cholesterol levels. The reasons are complex - from biology and treatment intensity to adherence and convenience - but the result is the same: preventable heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular deaths continue to occur. Now, a new chapter is beginning. Following years of clinical development, the FDA has approved LIPFENDRA™ (enlicitide), the first oral PCSK9 inhibitor, introducing an entirely new approach to LDL cholesterol reduction ( https://www.lipfendra.com/ ). Joining us today is someone uniquely qualified to help us understand what this approval means for physicians and patients. Dr. Norman Lepor, MD is Founder and Director of the National Heart Institute ( https://nationalheartinstitute.org/about/meet-our-team ), Clinical Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and an Attending Cardiologist at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai ( https://www.cedars-sinai.org/provider/norman-lepor-106852.html ).  A graduate of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Dr. Lepor has spent more than four decades advancing cardiovascular medicine through patient care, education, and clinical research. He has served as principal investigator on more than sixty clinical trials, authored dozens of influential scientific publications, and has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America's leading cardiologists. Throughout his career he has also been a champion for women's cardiovascular health and improving access to cutting-edge care for underserved populations. Today we'll discuss why LDL cholesterol remains such a difficult public health challenge, what we've learned over the past three decades of lipid management, how oral PCSK9 inhibition works, and what this newly approved therapy may mean for the future of preventing heart attacks and strokes. #HeartHealth #Cholesterol #LDL #Cardiology #HeartDisease #Prevention #PreventiveMedicine #LIPFENDRA #Enlicitide #PCSK9 #PrecisionMedicine #Longevity #CardiovascularHealth #MedicalInnovation #Biotech #FutureOfMedicine #HealthyAging #SciencePodcast #ProgressPotentialPossibilities #PPPPodcast Support the show

  2. 3d ago

    The Hidden Heart Risk: Amgen’s Dr. Paul Burton on the Future of Preventing Heart Attacks - Dr. Paul Burton, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.C., M.R.C.S., F.R.C.P. - Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer - Amgen

    Send us Fan Mail What if I told you there is a major genetic risk factor for heart attacks and strokes that affects roughly one in five people worldwide - but most people have never heard of it, and it isn't measured on a standard cholesterol test? Today we're exploring Lp(a), the hidden cardiovascular risk factor that could reshape the future of heart disease prevention. Dr. Paul Burton, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.C., M.R.C.S., F.R.C.P., is Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Amgen ( https://www.amgen.com/about/leadership/senior-management/paul-burton ). Dr. Burton has built one of the most remarkable careers in modern medicine and biotechnology. After training as a physician and cardiovascular surgeon in the United Kingdom and earning a Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology from Imperial College London, he transitioned into the biotechnology industry, where he has spent more than two decades leading the development of innovative medicines across cardiovascular disease, oncology, infectious disease, metabolic disorders and RNA therapeutics. Before returning to Amgen as Chief Medical Officer in 2023, Dr. Burton served as Chief Medical Officer of Moderna during one of the most consequential periods in modern public health, overseeing global medical strategy and pharmacovigilance. Prior to that he spent sixteen years at Johnson & Johnson, ultimately serving as Chief Global Medical Affairs Officer while helping pioneer digital medicine initiatives, including collaborations exploring virtual clinical trials. Today, Dr. Burton leads Amgen's worldwide medical organization, helping guide one of the industry's broadest research pipelines while translating breakthrough science into therapies that can improve - and potentially save - millions of lives. One of those efforts is Amgen's ambitious work targeting lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), a genetically inherited cardiovascular risk factor affecting roughly one in five people worldwide. Through its investigational siRNA therapy olpasiran and the expansive OCEAN(a) clinical program, Amgen hopes to answer one of the biggest remaining questions in preventive cardiology: can dramatically lowering Lp(a) prevent heart attacks and strokes? Today we'll explore Dr. Burton's fascinating career, what it means to lead medical strategy at one of biotechnology's largest innovators, and why the next decade may fundamentally reshape how we prevent cardiovascular disease. #Cardiology #HeartDisease #LpA #LipoproteinA #PrecisionMedicine #RNAmedicine #GeneSilencing #Biotechnology #Biotech #Amgen #DrugDiscovery #PharmaceuticalInnovation #FutureOfMedicine #CardiovascularHealth #HeartHealth #MedicalInnovation #HealthcareInnovation #PreventiveMedicine #Genomics #SiRNA #LongevityScience #RegenerativeMedicine #ClinicalTrials #Pharma #LifeSciences #ProgressPotentialPossibilities Support the show

  3. Jul 28

    RNA Medicines, Human Genetics & The Future of Obesity Treatment | Dr. Erik Ingelsson, MD, PhD - Chief Scientific Officer, Wave Life Sciences

    Send us Fan Mail For decades we've measured obesity using one simple number on a scale - but what if that's the wrong metric? Today, one of the world's leading experts in genetics explains why the future of obesity medicine may not be about losing more weight, but about losing the right kind of fat while preserving the muscle that keeps us healthy. Dr. Erik Ingelsson, MD, PhD is a physician-scientist and internationally recognized leader in human genetics, genomics, and metabolic disease research. He currently serves as Chief Scientific Officer at Wave Life Sciences ( https://wavelifesciences.com/ ), where he leads the development of next-generation RNA medicines designed to address major unmet medical needs. Before joining Wave, Dr. Ingelsson served as Senior Vice President and Head of Target Discovery at GSK, where he led large-scale efforts integrating human genetics, functional genomics, computational biology, and molecular science to discover and validate new drug targets across therapeutic areas. Prior to his transition into industry, Dr. Ingelsson was Professor of Medicine at Stanford University, where his laboratory used human genetics and functional genomics to uncover new biological mechanisms underlying insulin resistance, obesity, metabolic disease, and cardiovascular risk. Over his career, Dr. Ingelsson has authored more than 400 peer-reviewed scientific publications and has become one of the leading voices in translating insights from human genetic variation into new medicines. At Wave, Dr. Ingelsson  is helping pioneer a new approach to obesity treatment: targeting the biology of harmful fat accumulation rather than simply focusing on the number on the scale. Today we’ll discuss the genetics behind obesity, the promise of RNA medicines, why visceral fat may be the true therapeutic target, and whether the next generation of obesity treatments will move beyond weight loss toward healthier body composition. #Obesity #GLP1 #WeightLoss #VisceralFat #MetabolicHealth #RNAMedicine #Genetics #PrecisionMedicine #Longevity #HeartHealth #Diabetes #HumanGenetics #Biotechnology #DrugDiscovery #MuscleHealth #BodyComposition #CardiometabolicHealth #WaveLifeSciences #SciencePodcast #ProgressPotentialPossibilities Support the show

  4. Jul 28

    Norovirus: The World's Most Contagious Virus & The Race For The First Antiviral - James Sapirstein, CEO and Dr. Sam Lee, Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer - Cocrystal Pharma

    Send us Fan Mail Every year, nearly 700 million people around the world are infected by norovirus. Most people know it as a miserable few days of vomiting and diarrhea - but for transplant patients, cancer patients, and other immunocompromised individuals, it can become a chronic and potentially life-threatening infection. And despite decades of research, we still have no approved antiviral treatment. Today we're exploring the science behind the race to change that. James Sapirstein is Chief Executive Officer of Cocrystal Pharma ( https://www.cocrystalpharma.com/ ) and one of the biotechnology industry's most experienced commercialization executives. Throughout a career spanning more than four decades, James has participated in or led an extraordinary twenty-three pharmaceutical product launches while building and leading multiple biotechnology companies. He has served as CEO of Cocrystal Pharma, Contravir Pharmaceuticals, Tobira Therapeutics, First Wave BioPharma, and several other innovative life science organizations.  Earlier in his career James held senior leadership roles at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, Serono Laboratories, Roche, and Eli Lilly, helping bring important therapies for infectious disease and other major conditions to patients around the world.  Beyond industry, James has served on numerous biotechnology boards, including the Biotechnology Innovation Organization and BioNJ, making him one of the most respected leaders in the biotechnology ecosystem. James received a BS (Pharmacy) from Rutgers University and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Dr. Sam Lee, Ph.D. is President and Chief Scientific Officer of Cocrystal Pharma.  Dr. Lee has devoted more than twenty-five years to discovering next-generation antiviral medicines. Before joining Cocrystal, he led anti-infective drug discovery efforts at ICOS Corporation, where he pioneered the integration of protein crystallography and structure-based screening technologies into pharmaceutical research. His scientific work contributed to the development of PI3K delta inhibitors that ultimately led to an FDA-approved therapy.  Dr. Lee earned his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Notre Dame before completing postdoctoral research in viral biochemistry at Stanford University under renowned molecular biologist Dr. I. R. Lehman. His career has focused on understanding viruses at the atomic level to design highly targeted antiviral drugs capable of overcoming viral evolution and resistance. #Norovirus #AntiviralResearch #DrugDiscovery #Biotechnology #Biotech #PharmaInnovation #RNAViruses #ViralDiseases #InfectiousDisease #PublicHealth #StructureBasedDrugDiscovery #PrecisionMedicine #MedicinesOfTheFuture #FutureOfHealthcare #BiomedicalResearch #PharmaceuticalInnovation #ClinicalTrials #PandemicPreparedness #HealthcareInnovation #ScienceAndTechnology #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #PPP Support the show

  5. Jul 28

    Nuclear Reactors Are Saving Millions Of Lives | James Scongack - Chair, Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council

    Send us Fan Mail When most people hear the word "nuclear," they think of power plants and clean energy production. But every day, nuclear science is helping diagnose and treat millions of cancer patients around the world. Today, we're exploring one of the powerful new tools in our fight against cancer: medical isotopes.  Our guest today is James Scongack, Chair of the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council ( https://www.canadianisotopes.ca/ ), a national not-for-profit advocacy organization that supports over 120 members from across science, academia, healthcare, and nuclear-sector organizations dedicated to maintaining Canada’s position as a global leader in the production of life-saving isotopes. The CNIC raises awareness and advocates for long-term policies that support health-care innovation and will save countless lives for decades to come. Under James's leadership, the CNIC launched its ambitious "Isotopes for Hope" campaign ( https://www.canadianisotopes.ca/isotopes-for-hope-campaign/ ), with the goal of doubling Canada's isotope production by 2030 while improving cancer care both domestically and internationally. Beyond his work at the CNIC, he also serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at Bruce Power ( https://www.brucepower.com/ ), home to one of the world's largest operating nuclear generating facilities and Canada's largest private-sector electricity infrastructure project. During more than two decades at Bruce Power, James has helped lead one of the most remarkable transformations in modern nuclear energy - from extending the operating life of the Bruce site through a multi-billion-dollar refurbishment program, to expanding its role as one of the world's premier producers of medical isotopes that are helping diagnose and treat cancer around the globe. James also serves as Chair of the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario ( https://www.pogo.ca/ ) and the Nuclear Innovation Institute ( https://www.nuclearinnovationinstitute.ca/ ), reflecting his deep commitment to improving healthcare through science and innovation. Recognized as one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40, recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, and honored by The Globe and Mail's Best Executive Awards, James has become one of the leading voices on the future of nuclear energy - not only as a source of clean electricity, but as a platform for advancing medicine, biotechnology, and global health. #NuclearMedicine #MedicalIsotopes #CancerTreatment #PrecisionMedicine #Radiopharmaceuticals #Theranostics #CancerResearch #NuclearEnergy #HealthcareInnovation #Biotechnology #Radiology #Oncology #MedicalInnovation #BrucePower #STEM Support the show

  6. Jul 23

    Can Photobiomodulation Improve Brain Health? A New Frontier In Neuroscience Research - Dr. Neda Rashidi-Ranjbar, MD, Ph.D. - Unity Health Toronto - St. Michael's Hospital / Peter Adams, VP, Business Development, VieLight

    Send us Fan Mail What if one of the most intriguing Alzheimer’s interventions isn’t a drug…but light? Light has long been recognized as essential for vision, sleep, and circadian rhythms - but could certain wavelengths of light actually influence the biology of the brain itself? Recent research into photobiomodulation is exploring whether carefully delivered near-infrared and red light can improve mitochondrial function, reduce neuroinflammation, enhance blood flow, and potentially slow aspects of cognitive decline. A newly published pilot study in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease ( https://www.vielight.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Vielight-University-of-Toronto-MCI-Publication.pdf ) reported improvements in memory and cognition among individuals with mild cognitive impairment following six weeks of non-invasive light therapy. While the findings are early, they raise fascinating questions about whether non-drug technologies could someday complement traditional Alzheimer's treatments. Today we're joined by two guests approaching this challenge from different perspectives. Dr. Neda Rashidi-Ranjbar, MD, Ph.D. ( https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=4y5SuLYAAAAJ&hl=en) is a physician-scientist, neuroscientist, and clinical research leader at Unity Health Toronto - St. Michael's Hospital ( https://unityhealth.to/locations/st-michaels-hospital/ ), where she leads a major neurodegenerative disease research program focused on mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Her work spans clinical trials, biomarkers, neuroimaging, cognitive testing, and translational neuroscience, helping bridge discoveries from the laboratory into patient care. Joining her is Peter Adams, Vice President of Business Development at VieLight ( https://www.vielight.com/ ), who has spent decades commercializing innovative healthcare technologies following leadership roles with Intel, MaRS Discovery District, and numerous international technology companies. His work focuses on bringing photobiomodulation technologies from research into real-world clinical use. Together we'll discuss the emerging science behind photobiomodulation, what we know about using light to influence brain function, how this research fits alongside today's rapidly evolving Alzheimer's therapies, and what the next generation of clinical trials will need to demonstrate as this approach becomes part of mainstream neurological care. #Alzheimers #BrainHealth #DementiaResearch #Neuroscience #Photobiomodulation #LightTherapy #MemoryLoss #CognitiveHealth #AgingBrain #MCI #Neurotechnology #MedicalInnovation #BrainScience #HealthyAging #MedicalResearch #Longevity #Biotech #Neurodegeneration Support the show

  7. Jul 22

    Air Launch, Hypersonics & Responsive Space | Tim Franta - CEO, Starfighters Space

    Send us Fan Mail For decades, getting to space has largely meant one thing: launching vertically atop massive rockets from fixed launch pads. But what if the future of space access also includes aircraft capable of flying at more than twice the speed of sound, launching payloads from the edge of the atmosphere, and providing researchers with affordable access to hypersonic flight and microgravity? Joining us today is Tim Franta, Chief Executive Officer of Starfighters Space ( https://starfightersspace.com/ ), an aerospace company operating the world's only commercial fleet of flight-ready Mach 2+ F-104 Starfighters. Based at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the company is building capabilities that span hypersonic flight testing, airborne research, astronaut and pilot training, and an ambitious air-launch platform known as STARLAUNCH, designed to provide more flexible and responsive access to space. Tim brings an unusual blend of aerospace leadership, public policy, infrastructure development, and strategic finance. Before leading Starfighters Space, he helped shape Florida's modern space ecosystem through leadership roles with Energy Florida and the Florida Space Authority, where he worked on launch infrastructure, legislation, and hundreds of millions of dollars in space-related investment. Today we'll discuss why aircraft may become an increasingly important part of the space economy, how commercial innovation is changing access to orbit, the growing importance of hypersonic technologies, and what the next decade of aerospace infrastructure might look like. #SpaceExploration #CommercialSpace #Aerospace #SpaceTechnology #SpaceInnovation #FutureOfSpace #NASA #Hypersonics #AirLaunch #SatelliteLaunch #ResponsiveSpace #NationalSecurity #DefenseTechnology #RocketScience #SpaceEconomy #NewSpace #AviationTechnology #SupersonicFlight #Mach2 #F104Starfighter #StarfightersSpace #STARLAUNCH #FutureTechnology #Innovation #Engineering #ScienceAndTechnology #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities Support the show

  8. Jul 21

    Engineering the Human Body to Beat Extreme Heat | Justin Li - CEO, Qore Performance

    Send us Fan Mail Today on Progress, Potential and Possibilities, we're exploring one of the most fundamental challenges facing human performance: heat. Whether it's soldiers operating in desert environments, firefighters battling infernos, police officers wearing heavy body armor, construction crews working under extreme summer temperatures, or elite athletes pushing the limits of endurance, excess heat is more than an inconvenience - it can become a life-threatening limitation. Joining us is Justin Li, Co-Founder and CEO of Qore Performance ( https://www.qoreperformance.com/ ), a Tennessee-based company pioneering a new generation of personal thermoregulation technologies. Drawing on his background as a Deputy Sheriff with the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, Justin founded Qore Performance to solve a problem he experienced firsthand - how to keep people cool, hydrated, and performing at their best in the harshest environments imaginable. Under Justin's leadership, Qore Performance has developed patented innovations including the ICEPLATE® and ICEFLASK®, systems that transform the water people already carry into wearable thermal batteries capable of cooling the body while simultaneously providing hydration. Today, Qore's American-made technologies are trusted by military personnel, law enforcement officers, first responders, industrial workers, outdoor professionals, and high-performance athletes across the country. Justin's work brings together physics, engineering, physiology, materials science, and product innovation to rethink how we manage one of the oldest biological challenges facing humanity. We discuss the science of heat transfer, the future of wearable cooling technology, entrepreneurship, and how better thermoregulation may become one of the next great frontiers in human performance. #JustinLi #QorePerformance #Thermoregulation #HeatStress #HumanPerformance #CoolingTechnology #WearableTech #Thermodynamics #Science #Innovation #Engineering #MilitaryTechnology #FirstResponders #OutdoorWorkers #OccupationalSafety #Hydration #ClimateTechnology #HealthTechnology #STEM #ProgressPotentialPossibilities Support the show

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6 Ratings

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Interviews and Discussions With Fascinating People Who are Creating A Better Tomorrow For All Of Us - Host - Ira S. Pastor

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