Dr. Lishan Aklog - CEO of Lucid Diagnostics

This week on the Life Science Success Podcast, my guest is Dr. Tiago Reis Marques Dr. Marques is a psychiatrist and currently the Chief Executive Officer of Pas i thea Therapeutics. Pasithea is developing new molecular entities for the treatment of CNS disorders, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Multiple Sclerosis, Neurofibromatosis type 1 and Noonan syndrome.

On this episode of Life Science Success, Don Davis interviews Dr. Tiago Reis Marques, the CEO of PACEA Therapeutics. They discuss Dr. Marques's journey in psychiatry, the company's focus on CNS disorders, their pipeline of drugs targeting neurological conditions like schizophrenia and ALS, and the impact of their research on rare disorders like neurofibromatosis type one. The conversation also touches on leadership advice, inspiration, concerns about global issues, and what excites them.

• Dr. Tiago Reis Marques, a psychiatrist, is the CEO of Pasithea Therapeutics, a company focused on central nervous system (CNS) disorders. His background in medical research and his transition from academia to biotech were driven by a desire to apply his knowledge to develop treatments that benefit patients.
• Pasithea Therapeutics, co-founded with Professor Steinman from Stanford, aims to create innovative therapies for unmet needs in CNS disorders. The company's approach balances new drugs targeting novel mechanisms of action with known drugs repurposed for new applications.
• One of the company's focuses is on neurofibromatosis type one, a disorder affecting around 100,000 patients in the US, highlighting the company's commitment to tackling rare and challenging diseases with significant unmet needs.
• Marques emphasizes the importance of precision psychiatry and targeting specific subtypes of disorders, drawing parallels to how cancer treatments have evolved to focus on specific biomarkers and subtypes, reflecting a broader trend towards personalized medicine.
• His experiences and work in brain imaging, specifically with positron emission tomography (PET) and psychopharmacology, underscore his multidisciplinary approach to understanding and treating CNS disorders, leveraging his academic background to inform his leadership and strategic direction at Pasithea Therapeutics.

In the interview, Don Davis PhD, MBA talks to Toban Zolman about his company, Kivo. Zolman takes us through his impressive journey of over 20 years in life sciences and the transformation he has witnessed in the industry. He further details the services of Kivo, stating that the company helps businesses involved in life sciences, specifically those developing clinical trials for pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotech companies, to streamline and optimize their processes. 

He specifically speaks about the significant shift in the industry from large pharmaceutical companies running drug trials to now being dominated by smaller companies without a product in the market yet. Regarding emerging trends, Zolman anticipates artificial intelligence will have a transformational impact on the industry. He also highlights the importance of knowing when to say "no" and making definitive decisions based on customer's needs, aligning company focus to customer growth, and maintaining transparency in their operations.

5 Key Points: 

• Toban Zolman is the CEO of Kivo, with over 20 years of leadership experience in developing, deploying, and validating computerized systems for clinical trials.
• Zolman's career began in the early 2000s at an electronic submission company, pioneering the transition from paper to electronic submissions for pharmaceutical companies globally, impacting 47 out of the top 50 Pharma companies in 16 countries.
• At Kivo, Zolman leverages his extensive background to innovate in life sciences by integrating technology and regulatory best practices to support emerging companies in developing and marketing new drugs efficiently.
• Kivo stands out in the life sciences space by blending deep clinical and regulatory experience with enterprise SaaS expertise, offering a unique approach to accelerating drug development and approval processes.
• Zolman emphasizes the importance of adaptability, saying no to maintain focus, and the potential transformative impact of AI on drug development, viewing it as both an intimidating and exciting challenge for the future.

Revolutionizing Patient and Physician Experiences through Digital First Strategies - In this week's episode of Life Science Success, we dive into the intersection of digital innovation and healthcare commercialization with leaders from Indegene, a company revolutionizing patient and physician experiences through digital-first strategies. We'll explore the journeys of Nancy Phelan, a biopharma commercial strategy expert; Jeff Rothstein, a marketing visionary who has significantly expanded Indegene's brand and capabilities; and Kevin Patterson, a strategic thinker in medical solutions, as they share insights on driving healthcare forward in today's complex landscape.

Key Takeaways:

1. Interdisciplinary Innovation: The convergence of diverse backgrounds and expertise is driving innovation in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and engagement in healthcare marketing.
2. Digital Transformation: The shift towards digital and data-driven strategies is revolutionizing patient and physician experiences, making healthcare more personalized and accessible.
3. AI's Growing Influence: Artificial intelligence is poised to transform healthcare delivery and treatment, with current applications representing just the tip of the iceberg.
4. Navigating Market Access Challenges: Successfully bringing new treatments to market requires overcoming regulatory and accessibility hurdles, highlighting the need for strategic market access planning.
5. Optimism for the Future: Despite challenges, there's a strong sense of optimism about the future of healthcare, driven by technological advancements and a commitment to improving patient care.

This week on Life Science Success, we're excited to welcome Donald Zinn, a seasoned professional with nearly three decades of experience in the biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries. Beyond his executive roles, Don contributes to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a Commercialization Grant Reviewer and has played a pivotal role at Crossject, leading their needle-free auto-injector platform to global success since the onset of COVID.

• Donald Zinn's Background and Experience: Donald Zinn, the Vice President of US Business at Crossject, has nearly 30 years of experience in the life sciences industry. He started his career with an undergraduate degree from UMBC and went on to innovate in the field by inventing dry process microarray during his time at the Uniform Services University. His journey included roles such as lab manager at Georgetown University's HIV Center, and leadership positions in companies focused on oncology, infectious diseases, and more.

• Crossject's Needle-Free Auto Injector: Zinn is part of the Crossject team, working on a needle-free auto injector, which he finds to be an exciting and innovative technology. This device is designed to deliver medications quickly and without the need for needles, addressing needle phobia and improving patient compliance.

• Demonstration of the Injector's Ease of Use: During the podcast, a demonstration was discussed showing how the injector works, including its ability to administer medication through clothing. This feature is particularly advantageous in emergency situations where speed and ease of use are critical.

• Focus on Partnerships and Market Expansion: Zinn emphasizes the importance of finding the right partners worldwide to distribute Crossject's needle-free injector. The company aims to select partners based on their expertise and market presence to ensure the technology is accessible to a broad audience.

• Future Prospects and Industry Impact: The conversation highlighted the potential of Crossject's technology to revolutionize drug delivery, especially for emergency medications like epinephrine. The ease of use, coupled with the effectiveness of the needle-free injector, presents a significant advancement in patient care and medication administration.

In this episode of Life Science Success, my guest is Dr. Kate Broderick. Dr. Broderick has more than 15 years of experience in the life science industry. A recognized vaccine expert, Dr. Broderick has a broad background in device and product development in the DNA therapeutic and drug delivery fields. She also actively works with teams at TriLink BioTechnologies, a Maravai company, to advance its global reagents and manufacturing services.

In this episode of Life Science Success, my guest is Dr. Thomas Rademacher. Professor Rademacher, MD, PhD, co-founded Emergex and has served as CEO since the Company’s formation. He is an Emeritus Professor of Molecular Medicine at University College London (UCL) and a serial entrepreneur.

• Dr. Thomas Rademacher, MD, PhD, is the co-founder and CEO of Emergex, with a background as an Emeritus Professor of Molecular Medicine at the University College of London and a serial entrepreneur. His career has oscillated between academic and entrepreneurial roles, adhering to the philosophy of not staying in the same job for more than ten years.
• Rademacher's academic foundation in hardcore biochemistry was established during his PhD at the University of Wisconsin Madison. This rigorous training in biochemistry has been a cornerstone throughout his career, enabling him to navigate and innovate in the complex field of molecular medicine.
• His work has significantly contributed to the field of monoclonal antibodies, starting with foundational research at Oxford and involving the use of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. This work was pivotal for the development of recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies, leading to advancements in medicine.
• Rademacher has been involved in groundbreaking research and entrepreneurial ventures, including the Glycobiology Institute, which attracted interest from major corporations like Monsanto. His work has led to significant scientific advancements and the formation of companies that have had substantial impacts on the medical and biotechnological landscapes.
• He is currently focused on challenges in vaccinology and immunology, particularly in developing vaccines that activate the cellular immune response to fight viral infections effectively. Rademacher's innovative approach involves utilizing quantum-confined gold clusters and micro-needle technology to enhance vaccine delivery and efficacy.

Ronan O’Hagan, President & CEO, Bectas Therapeutics Inc.  Rónán is a founder and the President and Chief Executive Officer for Bectas Therapeutics Inc. He has over 20 years of experience in oncology R&D including bringing over 20 molecules through IND and into clinical development and helping to guide 4 drugs through clinical development to FDA approval.

• Ronan O'Hagan is the President and CEO of Bectas Therapeutics, a cancer drug discovery and development company with over 20 years of experience in oncology R&D. He has been instrumental in advancing over 20 molecules through IND (Investigational New Drug) to clinical development and guiding four drugs through clinical trials to FDA approval.
• His approach at Bectas Therapeutics focuses on utilizing insights from human patients' immune responses to develop precision therapies, aiming to find the right drug for the right patient. This approach stems from his belief that understanding cancer's complexity requires a deep understanding of patients themselves.
• O'Hagan's career includes significant roles in various organizations: Chief Scientific Officer at Apricity Health and Exilio Therapeutics, leader of the Oncology Discovery team at Merck Research Labs, and involvement in a biotech startup originating from Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
• He emphasizes the importance of values like focusing on patients, people, and proof of concept in drug development. He believes in balancing innovation with discipline and highlights the need for collaborative but strong leadership in the pharmaceutical industry.
• O'Hagan discusses the challenges and triumphs of drug development, stressing the importance of speed in bringing therapies to patients and the need for alignment around core values within a team. He also underlines the role of precision in enhancing the effectiveness of immune therapies and the necessity of inclusive research to benefit diverse patient populations.

In this episode of Life Science Success, my guest is Matt Hill, Ph.D.  Matt is founder and CEO of Elegen Corp., a privately-held company based in the San Francisco Bay Area committed to revolutionizing synthetic biology workflows with innovative DNA writing technology.

1. Background and Experience: Matt Hill has a Ph.D. in genetics from Stanford University and was initially attracted to the Bay Area for its vibrant startup ecosystem. After completing his Ph.D., he joined Nera, a leading molecular diagnostics company, where he contributed to product development and new capabilities, particularly in massively multiplex PCR technology.

2. Journey to Founding Elegen: Hill's experience at Nera, especially in DNA synthesis and production challenges, led him to identify DNA production as a critical bottleneck in life sciences. His interest in solving complex problems and connecting technology areas motivated him to found Elegen to address these challenges in DNA synthesis and production.

3. Elegen's Impact and Infinia DNA: Elegen's product, Infinia DNA, aims to streamline workflows in life sciences, providing researchers with faster, more accurate DNA synthesis. This technology impacts various fields, including therapeutics and synthetic biology, by enabling quicker and more efficient product development cycles.

4. Leadership and Vision: As a leader, Hill emphasizes inspiration, encouragement, and problem-solving. He discusses the importance of Elegen's technology in advancing fields like personalized therapeutics and its potential in addressing major health challenges. Hill also highlights the need for more investment in foundational research and development to foster scientific progress.

In this episode of Life Science Success, Ross Jackson, the guy who wrote two books about patient recruitment, is returning to tell us about his new patient recruitment book. Ross is a specialist in patient recruitment for clinical trials, having helped deliver many thousands of patient registrations for clients in the UK, Europe, and the US.

The key highlights from the interview:

• Ross Jackson is a specialist in patient recruitment for clinical trials with experience in the UK, Europe, and the US. He has authored two books on the subject.

• His career journey began in digital marketing, where he initially recruited patients for a doctor's new treatment. Over time, he shifted his focus to healthcare and clinical trial recruitment.

• Patient recruitment faces challenges related to awareness and access. Many people are unaware of clinical trials, and misconceptions like being seen as "guinea pigs" persist. Lack of understanding about the importance of clinical research compounds the issue.

• Ross Jackson's first book focused on using Facebook ads for patient recruitment. It aimed to make it easier for research sites and others to access potential trial participants effectively.

• His new book takes a unique approach, featuring a fictional character named Josh Black, a puzzle solver who tackles patient recruitment challenges. The book explores various aspects of patient recruitment and aims to make the topic more accessible and engaging.

• Ross emphasizes the need for collaboration within the industry and the potential impact of AI, particularly natural language processing, in improving patient recruitment processes.

• He also mentions his excitement about attending a conference and watching his first Super Bowl in Orlando, highlighting his interest in sports and the upcoming event.

• The interview concludes with gratitude for sharing information about his new book and the hope that it will benefit those interested in patient recruitment. The book is available on Amazon.

In this episode of Life Science Success, my guest is Dr. Lishan Aklog.  Dr. Aklog is the CEO of Lucid Diagnostics he also co-founded and has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lucid’s parent company, PAVmed Inc (Nasdaq: PAVM) since its inception in 2014, and as Executive Chairman of PAVmed’s other major subsidiary, digital health company Veris Health Inc., since its inception.

1. Dr. Lishan Aklog's Background: Dr. Aklog, CEO of Lucid Diagnostics and executive chairman of PAVmed’s subsidiary Varys Health, was a cardiothoracic surgeon with a strong interest in technological innovation in medicine. He has an extensive background in academic cardiac surgery and was actively involved in medical device innovation.

2. Transition to Entrepreneurship: Transitioning from a successful career in cardiac surgery, Dr. Aklog co-founded Lucid Diagnostics and PAVmed. He ventured into medical device entrepreneurship, focusing on developing and commercializing innovative technologies. He was instrumental in creating and selling medical devices, notably a device for non-surgically removing clots.

3. Lucid Diagnostics and Focus on Cancer Detection: Under Dr. Aklog’s leadership, Lucid Diagnostics specializes in early cancer detection, particularly esophageal cancer. Dr. Aklog emphasizes the importance of pre-cancer detection and prevention, highlighting the challenges in raising awareness and adherence to screening guidelines.

4. Challenges and Achievements: A significant challenge in Dr. Aklog's journey has been raising capital to bring innovative technologies to market. Despite these challenges, Lucid Diagnostics has made substantial progress, especially in gaining payer coverage and launching large-scale screening programs.

5. Leadership and Vision: Dr. Aklog's leadership philosophy centers on building a culture of success, teamwork, and innovation. He stresses the importance of surrounding oneself with talented individuals and working cohesively towards a shared mission, with a particular focus on impacting patient lives through advanced medical technologies.