The Cure Circle

Dr. Smita Karpate, MD
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The Cure Circle is a global dialogue on regenerative medicine, cell and gene therapy, and the science of true healing. Each episode takes you inside the minds of scientists, clinicians, innovators, and thinkers who are not just treating disease; they are reprogramming biology itself. Whether you are a doctor, researcher, founder, or just a curious listener, each episode gives you insight, depth, and the optimism of what’s coming next in healthcare.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    CAR-T Therapy in Multiple Myeloma: From Relapse to Real Hope

    In this episode of The Cure Circle, host Dr. Smita Karpate, MD, is joined by Dr. Mallikarjun Kalashetty, DM, Head of Clinical Hematology, Hemato-Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplantation, and Cellular Therapy at Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru. Multiple myeloma remains one of the most complex and relentless blood cancers, treatable but rarely curable. While modern drug combinations and stem cell transplants have extended survival, relapse is inevitable for most patients. This is where CAR-T therapy is redefining the landscape. Drawing directly from clinical experience at the bedside, Dr. Kalashetty explains how CAR-T therapy has emerged as a transformative option for heavily pre-treated, relapsed-refractory multiple myeloma patients, those who previously had few meaningful choices left. The conversation moves beyond hype into reality: patient selection, treatment timelines, toxicities, infrastructure needs, and the stark contrast between global breakthroughs and Indian access. From cytokine release syndrome to long-term immune suppression, from affordability to indigenous CAR-T manufacturing, this episode offers a grounded, clinician’s view of what it truly takes to deliver cellular therapy safely and effectively. More importantly, it asks the bigger question: Is CAR-T a final solution—or a stepping stone toward the next generation of cell-based therapies? In this episode, Dr. Kalashetty and Dr. Karpate discuss: Why relapse is inevitable in multiple myeloma and how CAR-T changes outcomes in triple-class refractory disease Who qualifies for CAR-T therapy and when it should be considered in the treatment journey How CAR-T compares to chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplantation Real-world toxicities like cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity—and how clinicians manage them Why CAR-T can be safer than transplant for select “CAR-fit but transplant-unfit” patients The current status of CAR-T availability in India, including DCGI-approved products Cost realities: India vs global benchmarks and what affordability truly enables Infrastructure, training, and ecosystem gaps that innovators and startups must solve Whether CAR-T is the endgame or a foundation for allogeneic, dual-target, and next-gen cellular therapies This episode is a candid, clinically grounded exploration of CAR-T therapy—not just as a scientific breakthrough, but as a healthcare system challenge. The Cure Circle continues to bring together clinicians, researchers, industry leaders, and innovators to discuss not only what is possible in cell and gene therapy—but what is necessary to make it accessible, ethical, and impactful. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation shaping the future of cancer care in India and beyond.

  2. Jul 27

    Why CMC and Manufacturing Decide CGT Success

    In this episode of The Cure Circle, host Dr. Smita Karpate, MD is joined by Emily Moran, Founder of 3LB Consulting, a global expert at the intersection of cell and gene therapy manufacturing, CMC strategy, and regulatory execution. While cell and gene therapies promise cures once thought impossible, most programs do not fail because of weak science — they fail because execution breaks down. Emily’s work focuses on closing that gap: translating beautiful biology into manufacturable, compliant, and patient-ready therapies. Drawing from nearly two decades in life sciences, vaccines, and advanced therapies — and a deeply personal experience with her own children in a Phase I clinical trial — Emily brings a rare dual lens to this conversation: the precision of an operator and the urgency of a parent. This episode goes beyond discovery and dives into the realities that determine whether a therapy ever reaches patients: IND readiness, CDMO selection, CMC strategy, GMP design, regulatory inspections, and investor confidence. In this episode, Dr. Smita Karpate, MD and Emily Moran discuss: Why cell and gene therapy is ultimately an execution challenge, not just a scientific one How academic science must evolve to meet IND, CMC, and GMP expectations When and how scientists and clinicians should engage strategic partners and CDMOs What truly matters in CDMO selection — and how the wrong choice can derail years of work Why CMC strategy is the backbone of both regulatory success and investor confidence The concept of right-size process design in an uncertain, patient-driven market How regulators evaluate cell and gene therapy differently from traditional pharma Why manufacturing discipline, transparency, and focus determine patient safety How close we really are to patients — beyond clinical trials and hype What founders, scientists, and clinicians should not delay if they want to succeed in CGT This conversation is a grounded, unsentimental look at what it actually takes to deliver cures — from lab benches to clean rooms to patients’ lives. Episode by episode, The Cure Circle builds the missing bridge between innovation and impact. This discussion is essential listening for anyone serious about bringing cell and gene therapies to the world. Subscribe, share, and join us as we explore the people, the systems, and the responsibility behind cure.

  3. Mar 24

    Building Fitter T Cells to Fight Cancer with Prof. Roland Schelker

    In the premiere episode of The Cure Circle, host Dr. Smita Karpate speaks with Prof. Roland Schelker, clinician–scientist at the Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, whose work sits at the cutting edge of T-cell engineering, CAR-T therapy, and solid tumor immunotherapy. What began as a routine pharma dinner in 2011 where Prof. Schelker first heard about CTLA-4 checkpoint antibodies became the moment that redirected his scientific career. Today, he is pioneering approaches that go beyond receptor design and focus on something deeper: T-cell fitness and stem-like memory T cells (TSCM) capable of renewing themselves and sustaining anti-tumor activity. Drawing directly from real clinical experiences and translational research, this episode explores how immune cells can be reprogrammed to last longer, fight harder, and potentially change survival outcomes for patients with advanced cancers. In this episode, Prof. Schelker and Dr. Karpate discuss: Why the next frontier of immunotherapy is not just better CAR receptors but fitter, stem-like T cells How T-cell exhaustion limits current therapies and how TSCM engineering may overcome it Why certain tumors (like synovial sarcoma and myxoid liposarcoma) are ideal for next-generation TCR/T-cell trials How academic centers bring therapies from discovery to GMP to regulatory approval to first-in-human studies The real-world challenges clinicians face when treating cytokine release syndrome and other toxicities The critical role of collaboration between researchers, clinicians, GMP teams, and pharma Why global access matters and how countries like India can become hubs for scalable, cost-effective cell therapy The emotional side of breakthrough responses: what it feels like when a patient with metastatic cancer enters remission This conversation is a rare blend of scientific depth, clinical honesty, and global perspective.  Episode 1 sets the tone for The Cure Circle, a platform where innovators discuss not just what is possible in cell and gene therapy, but what is necessary to bring healing to every patient, everywhere. Subscribe, share, and join us as we explore the people, the purpose, and the science shaping the future of cancer care.

    Building Fitter T Cells to Fight Cancer with Prof. Roland Schelker

  4. Jan 30

    Why The Cure Circle

    The Cure Circle is a global dialogue on regenerative medicine, cell and gene therapy, and the science of true healing. Each episode takes you inside the minds of scientists, clinicians, innovators, and thinkers who are not just treating disease; they’re reprogramming biology itself.Go behind the breakthroughs to discover the personal stories, the collaborations, and the courage driving this new era of medicine. From lab benches to hospital wards, from discovery to delivery, The Cure Circle reveals how healing happens when science and soul finally meet. Inspiring, intelligent, and deeply human, these conversations bring together global voices in cell and gene therapy, tissue regeneration, exosomes, secretomes, iPSCs, and clinical innovation. Whether you’re a doctor, researcher, founder, or just a curious listener, each episode gives you insight, depth, and the optimism of what’s coming next in healthcare. Our goals:To create a global space where scientists, clinicians, innovators, and patients come together to translate breakthroughs in cell and gene therapy into meaningful, accessible, and ethical healthcare solutions.Through honest dialogue, expert insights, and compassionate storytelling, The Cure Circle aims to bridge the gap between discovery and care, making advanced therapies understandable, approachable, and impactful for all.To build a world where transformative therapies are not limited by borders, knowledge gaps, or inequity and where true cures emerge from collaboration, communication, and humanity-driven science.The Cure Circle envisions a future in which cell and gene therapy becomes a trusted, accessible, and global force for healing, empowering medicine to move from treating disease to restoring life.

    Why The Cure Circle
  • 4 Episodes

About

The Cure Circle is a global dialogue on regenerative medicine, cell and gene therapy, and the science of true healing. Each episode takes you inside the minds of scientists, clinicians, innovators, and thinkers who are not just treating disease; they are reprogramming biology itself. Whether you are a doctor, researcher, founder, or just a curious listener, each episode gives you insight, depth, and the optimism of what’s coming next in healthcare.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Smita Karpate, MD
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Smita Karpate, MD
  • Show Website
    The Cure Circle