Raising Biotech

Surani Fernando
  • 5.0 (3)
  • LIFE SCIENCES
Raising Biotech

A narrative podcast series hosted by journalist Surani Fernando that explores biotechs raising impressive funds to develop ambitious medical breakthroughs. Surani speaks with CEOs and founders to get origin stories, missions and future visions for the company, and she also speaks with top experts that help contextualize the biotech's offering and potential to make a healthcare impact. For guest or sponsor pitches, please get in touch with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email raisingbiotech@gmail.com.

  1. S2, E6: iOmx and shaking up the immuno-oncology field with CEO Apollon Papadimitriou, Professor Phillip Beckhove (RCI) and Jared Holz (Mizuho)

    JUN 18

    S2, E6: iOmx and shaking up the immuno-oncology field with CEO Apollon Papadimitriou, Professor Phillip Beckhove (RCI) and Jared Holz (Mizuho)

    In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani finally delves into the scary zone of cancer with German biotech iOmx. The company has raised a total of EUR 115 million (Series A and B) since its inception in 2016 and is hoping to take immuno-oncology drug development to new heights. CEO Apollon Papadimitriou joins the podcast to speak about iOmx's unique mission with its iOTarg platform at the front and center, while scientific founder Professor Phillip Beckhove from the Regensburg Center of Interventional Immunology (RCI), also joins the conversation to take us back to iOmx's origins in the lab and what led his team to produce some groundbreaking research -- tackling tumor immune evasion -- which attracted heavy-hitter investors before the company was born. Apollon gives us details on ongoing clinical trials, detailed insight into some early and surprising efficacy signals coming out of the Phase I, and plans to initiate proof of concept (PoC) studies in various cancer indications. He also sheds more insight into imminent fundraising plans and potentially pulling the IPO trigger within the next two years. Jared Holz, Healthcare Equity Strategist at Mizuho also joins the podcast to give an outsider's take on iOmx's mission from a unique investor community lens. He discusses current gaps in the market, the potential attractiveness of iOmx pipeline and likely investor appetite should iOmx deliver compelling PoC datasets. Timestamps: 00:35 - Partner segment: Mindgram.ai 01:05 - CEO Apollon outlines iOmx's mission to level-up the field of immuno-oncology with its iOTarg platform 05:24 - Going back to iOTarg's origins with Professor Phillip Beckhove and tackling tumor resistance 08:55 - Presentation at AACR 2015 drew investor and pharma interest and led to €40 million Series A 11:04 - Early days of iOmx, Apollon's background and decision to join the company 13:47 - Animal data and biomarker drive investor interest 18:40 - Progress with lead product OMX407 in Phase I trials and surprising early efficacy signals 24:12 - Jared Holz gives his outside take on iOmx's potential amidst crowded and challenged IO landscape 26:50 - iOmx's near-term plans for Series C and potential IPO within 2 years 28:00 - Future strategic predictions and company visions for the future 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.

    33 min
  2. S2, E5: Cerevance and a new approach to Parkinson's disease with CEO Craig Thompson and CNS expert Prof Karl Kieburtz (URMC, Clintrex)

    JUN 11

    S2, E5: Cerevance and a new approach to Parkinson's disease with CEO Craig Thompson and CNS expert Prof Karl Kieburtz (URMC, Clintrex)

    In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani delves into the world of CNS and Parkinson's disease with Cerevance. CEO Craig Thompson joins the podcast to speak about Cerevance's unique mission and use of its NETSseq platform to develop more targeted precision medicines for CNS diseases, particularly targeting the GPR6 receptor in Parkinson's disease. He speaks about the company's origins, its unique financing journey (close to $200 million since inception), what drove him to join during the company's growth phase, plans for upcoming clinical trials as well as a potential near-term IPO. Expert neurologist Dr Karl Kieburtz, the founder of advisory firm Clintrex and Professor in Neurology at the University of Rochester Medical School gives us his take on the general Parkinson's unmet need and Cerevance's unique mission to go beyond targeting the dopaminergic pathway. As a company advisor, Karl has a good understanding of the NETSseq platform and how targeting GPR6 might make a meaningful difference for Parkinsons' patients, but he also illustrates what challenges Cerevance will have to carefully navigate to avoid a crowded Parkinson's graveyard. Timestamps: 00:35 - Partner segment: Mindgram.ai 01:05 - Background on Cerevance's work in Parkinson's disease with its proprietary NETSseq platform 05:48 - Going beyond targeting the dopamine pathway to the GPR6 receptor - releasing the "break" on movement. 07:00 - Cerevance's origin story - Brad Margus and creating NETSeq with scientists from Rockefeller University 08:00 - Initial fundraising journey, CEO transition in growth phase and strategic financing for an eventual IPO 12:50 - Convincing investors on a intriguing yet scary CNS space riddled with failures 16:40 - CNS expert Dr Karl Kieburtz explains why Parkinson's is such a tough disease to treat and the original Levadopa breakthrough 18:50 - Scientific thesis of going beyond the dopaminergic pathway to tackle the GPR6 receptor 21:35 - Cerevance's clinical trial plans for CVN424 as a monotherapy and combination therapy with standard of care 24:13 - Navigating the many challenges associated with conducting a Parkinson's disease clinical trial 26:02 - Pricing considerations and benchmarks for "off-time" and non-motor improvement for successful reimbursement 29:45 - Cerevance's eventual wish to IPO and potential inflection points to pull the trigger 31:20 - Future visions for the company in 5 years time 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)

    33 min
  3. S2, E4: Sparrow Pharmaceuticals and tackling the ravaging effects of steroids with founder David Katz and experts Dr Peter Merkel (UPenn), Dr Leon Henderson-MacLennan (InThought)

    JUN 4

    S2, E4: Sparrow Pharmaceuticals and tackling the ravaging effects of steroids with founder David Katz and experts Dr Peter Merkel (UPenn), Dr Leon Henderson-MacLennan (InThought)

    In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani learns that it's never too late to launch a biotech as Sparrow Pharmaceuticals was born when its founder, Dr David Katz, was ready to retire. During his long career within big pharma, David had always had his eye on solving the 75-year old puzzle of steroid side-effects. The company raised $50 million in its Series A in 2020, and now has three clinical trial programs ongoing for its HSD1-inhibitor in Cushing's Syndrome, Autonomous Cortisol Secretion (ACS) and polymyalgia rheumatica (as a gateway to a broad range of inflammatory diseases) in combination with common steroid prednisolone. David discusses his decision to pursue this endeavor when he "should" have been retiring, challenges in getting drug licenses and investor interest, as well as plans to release Phase II data in 2024. Surani also speaks with Dr Peter Merkel, Chief of Rheumatology at the University of Pennsylvania as well as Dr Leon Henderson-MacLennan, Co-founder at InThought Research and former medical internist, to get more context on the drug's potential in each indication and nuanced considerations for positioning the drug in the current treatment paradigm. Timestamps: 00:35 - Partner segment: Mindgram.ai 01:05 - Background of Sparrow Therapeutics and tackling cortisol imbalances in Cushing's Syndrome and ACS 05:34 - Sparrows mission to tackle the side-effects of common synthetic steroids for inflammatory diseases 07:50 - David's big pharma background and his light bulb moment around HSD-1 inhibitors for glucocorticoid excess 10:30 - The decision to start a new biotech venture at a time when David was "technically" ready to retire 12:05 - Negotiating an out-licensing deal with big pharma and pitching to investors to secure $50 million in 2020 16:40 - Dr Peter Merkel talks about the HSD-1 inhibitor potential in broad and common inflammatory diseases 22:00 - Dr Leon Henderson-MacLennan gives his outside view tackling the common and significant steroid issue 23:15 - Fitting into the existing treatment paradigm of inflammatory diseases and tricky commercial considerations 25:45 - Deciding to pursue Cushing's Syndrome to nab investor attention with a "buzz word" 27:35 - Where the drug fits in the Cushing's paradigm and driving awareness around under-diagnosed ACS 29:15 - Tackling the tough question of pricing in three distinct indications with an existing treatment paradigm 31:20 - Ongoing Phase II clinical trials, plans for readouts later in 2024 32:00 - Sparrows plans to raise more funds and future visions for the company - M&A or IPO 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.

    35 min
  4. S2, E3: Ray Therapeutics leveraging optogenetics to tackle vision loss with CEO Paul Bresge and Dr José-Alain Sahel (University of Pittsburgh)

    MAY 28

    S2, E3: Ray Therapeutics leveraging optogenetics to tackle vision loss with CEO Paul Bresge and Dr José-Alain Sahel (University of Pittsburgh)

    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.

    34 min
  5. S2, E2: Fauna Bio tapping animal evolution and AI for drug development with CEO Ashley Zehnder and Prof Elinor Karlsson, Broad Institute (MIT/Harvard)

    MAY 21

    S2, E2: Fauna Bio tapping animal evolution and AI for drug development with CEO Ashley Zehnder and Prof Elinor Karlsson, Broad Institute (MIT/Harvard)

    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.

    34 min
  6. S2, E1: Mana.bio and programmable lipid nanoparticles with CEO Yogev Debbi and RNA expert Dr Barry Ticho

    MAY 14

    S2, E1: Mana.bio and programmable lipid nanoparticles with CEO Yogev Debbi and RNA expert Dr Barry Ticho

    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.

    34 min
  7. S1, E6: Alltrna and tRNA therapeutics for rare genetic diseases with CEO Michelle Werner and rare diseases expert Dr David Weinstein

    12/19/2023

    S1, E6: Alltrna and tRNA therapeutics for rare genetic diseases with CEO Michelle Werner and rare diseases expert Dr David Weinstein

    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.

    30 min
  8. S1, E5: Arialys and a neuropsychiatry drug revival with CEO Jay Lichter and experts Marty Jefson (Pinteon) and Dr Leon Henderson-MacLennan (InThought)

    12/12/2023

    S1, E5: Arialys and a neuropsychiatry drug revival with CEO Jay Lichter and experts Marty Jefson (Pinteon) and Dr Leon Henderson-MacLennan (InThought)

    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.

    30 min
See All (13)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A narrative podcast series hosted by journalist Surani Fernando that explores biotechs raising impressive funds to develop ambitious medical breakthroughs. Surani speaks with CEOs and founders to get origin stories, missions and future visions for the company, and she also speaks with top experts that help contextualize the biotech's offering and potential to make a healthcare impact. For guest or sponsor pitches, please get in touch with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email raisingbiotech@gmail.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Surani Fernando
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Surani Fernando
  • Show Website
    Raising Biotech

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada