Shows
Xtalks Life Science PodcastPinch It to Believe It: Skin Longevity with Galderma’s Anne-Cécile ChevrierIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Soumya Shashikumar speaks with Anne-Cécile Chevrier, Global Head, Injectable Aesthetics at Galderma, about the science of skin quality and why the field is increasingly looking at “skin longevity” — keeping skin healthier, more functional and resilient for longer.
Anne-Cécile explains that skin quality is about how skin looks, feels and functions, including hydration, firmness, radiance and texture. She also discusses how menopause and medication-driven weight loss can affect the skin.
Tune in to hear Anne-Cécile explain the simple “pinch test” clinicians can use to asse...
2026-09-3026 minXtalks Life Science PodcastPinch It to Believe It: Skin Longevity with Galderma’s Anne-Cécile ChevrierIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Soumya Shashikumar speaks with Anne-Cécile Chevrier, Global Head, Injectable Aesthetics at Galderma, about the science of skin quality and why the field is increasingly looking at “skin longevity” — keeping skin healthier, more functional and resilient for longer.
Anne-Cécile explains that skin quality is about how skin looks, feels and functions, including hydration, firmness, radiance and texture. She also discusses how menopause and medication-driven weight loss can affect the skin.
Tune in to hear Anne-Cécile explain the simple “pinch test” clinicians can use to asse...
2026-09-3026 minXtalks Life Science PodcastTackling Fluid Overload: Nuwellis CEO Mike McCormick on What to Do When Diuretics Don’t WorkIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Dr. Mohammad Ali speaks with Mike McCormick, President and CEO of Nuwellis, about fluid overload, the heart-kidney connection and what happens when diuretics stop working as expected.
Mike explains that fluid overload is “not simply a cosmetic swelling.” Persistent congestion can make breathing difficult, reduce appetite and even make it hard for patients to lie flat. He also describes the cardiorenal balancing act, where worsening heart function can prompt the kidneys to retain more water and sodium, adding further strain on the heart.
He dis...
2026-09-1612 minXtalks Life Science PodcastTackling Fluid Overload: Nuwellis CEO Mike McCormick on What to Do When Diuretics Don’t WorkIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Dr. Mohammad Ali speaks with Mike McCormick, President and CEO of Nuwellis, about fluid overload, the heart-kidney connection and what happens when diuretics stop working as expected.
Mike explains that fluid overload is “not simply a cosmetic swelling.” Persistent congestion can make breathing difficult, reduce appetite and even make it hard for patients to lie flat. He also describes the cardiorenal balancing act, where worsening heart function can prompt the kidneys to retain more water and sodium, adding further strain on the heart.
He dis...
2026-09-1612 minXtalks Life Science PodcastRethinking Acute Pain Management: The Next Frontier of Pain Relief with James HackworthIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Dr. Mohammad Ali speaks with James Hackworth, PhD, Cebranopadol Development Lead at Tris Pharma, about the clinical challenges of providing effective acute pain relief while limiting the treatment-related risks of traditional opioids.
James explains that when severe pain is poorly treated, prolonged pain signaling can, in some cases, lead to lasting changes in the nervous system through neuroplasticity. He also describes how targeting the nociceptin (NOP) receptor system alongside traditional opioid pathways may act as a biological “brake,” helping reduce abuse potential, physical dependence and respir...
2026-09-0227 minXtalks Life Science PodcastRethinking Acute Pain Management: The Next Frontier of Pain Relief with James HackworthIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Dr. Mohammad Ali speaks with James Hackworth, PhD, Cebranopadol Development Lead at Tris Pharma, about the clinical challenges of providing effective acute pain relief while limiting the treatment-related risks of traditional opioids.
James explains that when severe pain is poorly treated, prolonged pain signaling can, in some cases, lead to lasting changes in the nervous system through neuroplasticity. He also describes how targeting the nociceptin (NOP) receptor system alongside traditional opioid pathways may act as a biological “brake,” helping reduce abuse potential, physical dependence and respir...
2026-09-0227 minXtalks Life Science PodcastWhy Endometriosis Can Be So Difficult to Diagnose with HerAnova’s Dr. Farideh BischoffIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Dr. Mohammad Ali, Life Science Writer and Knowledge Translation Specialist at Xtalks, spoke with Dr. Farideh Bischoff, Chief Medical Officer at HerAnova Lifesciences, about the challenges of diagnosing endometriosis and research into non-invasive testing.
Dr. Bischoff explains that symptom severity does not always reflect disease extent, and symptoms can overlap with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and adenomyosis. Ultrasound and MRI can detect some forms of endometriosis, while smaller superficial lesions and early-stage disease may be more difficult to identify.
She also di...
2026-08-1923 minXtalks Life Science PodcastWhy Endometriosis Can Be So Difficult to Diagnose with HerAnova’s Dr. Farideh BischoffIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Dr. Mohammad Ali, Life Science Writer and Knowledge Translation Specialist at Xtalks, spoke with Dr. Farideh Bischoff, Chief Medical Officer at HerAnova Lifesciences, about the challenges of diagnosing endometriosis and research into non-invasive testing.
Dr. Bischoff explains that symptom severity does not always reflect disease extent, and symptoms can overlap with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and adenomyosis. Ultrasound and MRI can detect some forms of endometriosis, while smaller superficial lesions and early-stage disease may be more difficult to identify.
She also di...
2026-08-1923 minXtalks Life Science PodcastWhy Gout Is Often Misunderstood: Treatment and Research with Crystalys Therapeutics’ James MackayIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Soumya Shashikumar, Senior Life Sciences Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with James Mackay, CEO of Crystalys Therapeutics, about gout, persistent misconceptions surrounding the condition and current clinical research.
Gout is often linked primarily to diet and alcohol. James explains that many patients instead have difficulty removing enough uric acid from the body, allowing crystals to accumulate in the joints and contribute to inflammation over time.
The conversation examines the stigma this misunderstanding can create. James shares why some people may avoid discussing their condition or...
2026-08-0523 minXtalks Life Science PodcastWhy Gout Is Often Misunderstood: Treatment and Research with Crystalys Therapeutics’ James MackayIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Soumya Shashikumar, Senior Life Sciences Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with James Mackay, CEO of Crystalys Therapeutics, about gout, persistent misconceptions surrounding the condition and current clinical research.
Gout is often linked primarily to diet and alcohol. James explains that many patients instead have difficulty removing enough uric acid from the body, allowing crystals to accumulate in the joints and contribute to inflammation over time.
The conversation examines the stigma this misunderstanding can create. James shares why some people may avoid discussing their condition or...
2026-08-0523 minXtalks Life Science PodcastAddressing Neonatal Brain Injury: HIE Treatment Development with ReAlta Life Sciences’ Dr. Kia MoteshareiIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Soumya Shashikumar, Senior Life Sciences Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Dr. Kia Motesharei, President and Chief Operating Officer of ReAlta Life Sciences, about hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and efforts to develop treatments beyond therapeutic hypothermia.
HIE is a serious neonatal brain injury caused by insufficient oxygen and blood flow to the brain around the time of birth. Therapeutic hypothermia, or controlled cooling, can help limit inflammation and secondary injury, but there are currently no approved drug therapies for HIE.
Dr. Motesharei explains how reperfusion in...
2026-07-2433 minXtalks Life Science PodcastAddressing Neonatal Brain Injury: HIE Treatment Development with ReAlta Life Sciences’ Dr. Kia MoteshareiIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Soumya Shashikumar, Senior Life Sciences Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Dr. Kia Motesharei, President and Chief Operating Officer of ReAlta Life Sciences, about hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and efforts to develop treatments beyond therapeutic hypothermia.
HIE is a serious neonatal brain injury caused by insufficient oxygen and blood flow to the brain around the time of birth. Therapeutic hypothermia, or controlled cooling, can help limit inflammation and secondary injury, but there are currently no approved drug therapies for HIE.
Dr. Motesharei explains how reperfusion in...
2026-07-2433 minXtalks Life Science PodcastWhy Endometriosis Needs New Treatment Approaches with EndoCyclic Therapeutics’ Dr. Tanya PetrossianIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Vera Kovacevic, Editor-in-Chief at Xtalks, spoke with Dr. Tanya Petrossian, CEO and Founder of EndoCyclic Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company developing a non-hormonal therapeutic approach for endometriosis.
Endometriosis affects many women, but it is still often difficult to diagnose, treat and fully understand. For many patients, available treatment options have historically centered on hormone-based therapies or surgery, leaving significant unmet needs in long-term care.
In this episode, Dr. Petrossian discusses the patient burden of endometriosis and why the condition has remained challenging to diagnose an...
2026-07-0828 minXtalks Life Science PodcastWhy Endometriosis Needs New Treatment Approaches with EndoCyclic Therapeutics’ Dr. Tanya PetrossianIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Vera Kovacevic, Editor-in-Chief at Xtalks, spoke with Dr. Tanya Petrossian, CEO and Founder of EndoCyclic Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company developing a non-hormonal therapeutic approach for endometriosis.
Endometriosis affects many women, but it is still often difficult to diagnose, treat and fully understand. For many patients, available treatment options have historically centered on hormone-based therapies or surgery, leaving significant unmet needs in long-term care.
In this episode, Dr. Petrossian discusses the patient burden of endometriosis and why the condition has remained challenging to diagnose an...
2026-07-0828 minXtalks Life Science PodcastPrecision Oncology in Lung Cancer with Boehringer Ingelheim’s Itziar Canamasas and Volker TeichgräberIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Vera Kovacevic, Editor-in-Chief at Xtalks, spoke with two experts from Boehringer Ingelheim: Itziar Canamasas, PhD, Global Head of Oncology and Senior Vice President, and Volker Teichgräber, MD, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Experimental Medicine Oncology.
The conversation focused on how precision oncology is changing the way advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is diagnosed, studied and treated. As molecular testing becomes increasingly important in lung cancer care, identifying specific genomic alterations early in the treatment journey can help inform treatment decisions and sup...
2026-06-2425 minXtalks Life Science PodcastPrecision Oncology in Lung Cancer with Boehringer Ingelheim’s Itziar Canamasas and Volker TeichgräberIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Vera Kovacevic, Editor-in-Chief at Xtalks, spoke with two experts from Boehringer Ingelheim: Itziar Canamasas, PhD, Global Head of Oncology and Senior Vice President, and Volker Teichgräber, MD, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Experimental Medicine Oncology.
The conversation focused on how precision oncology is changing the way advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is diagnosed, studied and treated. As molecular testing becomes increasingly important in lung cancer care, identifying specific genomic alterations early in the treatment journey can help inform treatment decisions and sup...
2026-06-2425 minXtalks Life Science PodcastSustainability in Asthma and COPD Drug Development with Chiesi’s Diego ArdigòIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Vera Kovacevic, Editor-in-Chief at Xtalks, spoke with Diego Ardigò, Executive Vice President, Global R&D at Chiesi, a biopharma company focused on respiratory health, rare diseases and specialty care.
Respiratory medicine presents unique drug development challenges because successful therapies depend not only on the drug itself, but also on the formulation and delivery device. As innovation continues across asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), developers must balance performance, usability, sustainability and continuity of care.
In this episode, Diego discusses how Chiesi approaches inn...
2026-06-1024 minXtalks Life Science PodcastSustainability in Asthma and COPD Drug Development with Chiesi’s Diego ArdigòIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Vera Kovacevic, Editor-in-Chief at Xtalks, spoke with Diego Ardigò, Executive Vice President, Global R&D at Chiesi, a biopharma company focused on respiratory health, rare diseases and specialty care.
Respiratory medicine presents unique drug development challenges because successful therapies depend not only on the drug itself, but also on the formulation and delivery device. As innovation continues across asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), developers must balance performance, usability, sustainability and continuity of care.
In this episode, Diego discusses how Chiesi approaches inn...
2026-06-1024 minXtalks Life Science PodcastWhat’s Next in Cardiometabolic Disease Drug Development: Obesity, MASH and Beyond with MetaVia’s Hyung Heon KimIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Vera Kovacevic, Editor-in-Chief at Xtalks, spoke with Hyung Heon Kim, CEO of MetaVia, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing treatments for cardiometabolic diseases.
Mr. Kim discusses the evolving cardiometabolic disease landscape, including the connections between obesity, diabetes, liver disease and cardiovascular risk. He shares his perspective on how obesity care has changed in recent years, where unmet needs remain and how priorities such as muscle preservation, metabolic health and long-term durability are shaping the next stage of drug development.
The conversation also explores MASH, a...
2026-06-0426 minXtalks Life Science PodcastWhat’s Next in Cardiometabolic Disease Drug Development: Obesity, MASH and Beyond with MetaVia’s Hyung Heon KimIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Vera Kovacevic, Editor-in-Chief at Xtalks, spoke with Hyung Heon Kim, CEO of MetaVia, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing treatments for cardiometabolic diseases.
Mr. Kim discusses the evolving cardiometabolic disease landscape, including the connections between obesity, diabetes, liver disease and cardiovascular risk. He shares his perspective on how obesity care has changed in recent years, where unmet needs remain and how priorities such as muscle preservation, metabolic health and long-term durability are shaping the next stage of drug development.
The conversation also explores MASH, a...
2026-06-0426 minXtalks Life Science PodcastHow Real-World Evidence Is Shaping Inclusive Clinical Trials with Takeda CMO Dr. Awny FarajallahIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Awny Farajallah, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Takeda, about the growing role of real-world evidence in improving clinical trial inclusivity and diversity.
Also hear Dr. Farajallah discuss innovations in diseases such as narcolepsy type 1 and polycythemia vera, and how new technologies are transforming healthcare data into actionable insights.
With over two decades of experience in the healthcare industry, Dr. Farajallah has led numerous medical affairs teams and contributed to the development and commercialization of...
2026-05-2737 minXtalks Life Science PodcastHow Real-World Evidence Is Shaping Inclusive Clinical Trials with Takeda CMO Dr. Awny FarajallahIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Awny Farajallah, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Takeda, about the growing role of real-world evidence in improving clinical trial inclusivity and diversity.
Also hear Dr. Farajallah discuss innovations in diseases such as narcolepsy type 1 and polycythemia vera, and how new technologies are transforming healthcare data into actionable insights.
With over two decades of experience in the healthcare industry, Dr. Farajallah has led numerous medical affairs teams and contributed to the development and commercialization of...
2026-05-2737 minXtalks Life Science PodcastStem Cell Therapies for Degenerative Disc Disease and More with BioRestorative’s Lance AlstodtIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Lance Alstodt, CEO, BioRestorative & Francisco Silva, Chief Scientist & VP, R&D, BioRestorative Inc. (NASDAQ:BRTX), a regenerative medicine company developing stem cell-based therapies and products. The company’s clinical programs target critical healthcare needs, including degenerative disc disease and metabolic disorders.
Lance Alstadt has over 25 years of experience in leading medical technology and lifesciences companies in operations, capital raising activities, strategy and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Alstodt has deep experience in the orthopedic and spine sect...
2026-05-2038 minXtalks Life Science PodcastStem Cell Therapies for Degenerative Disc Disease and More with BioRestorative’s Lance AlstodtIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Lance Alstodt, CEO, BioRestorative & Francisco Silva, Chief Scientist & VP, R&D, BioRestorative Inc. (NASDAQ:BRTX), a regenerative medicine company developing stem cell-based therapies and products. The company’s clinical programs target critical healthcare needs, including degenerative disc disease and metabolic disorders.
Lance Alstadt has over 25 years of experience in leading medical technology and lifesciences companies in operations, capital raising activities, strategy and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Alstodt has deep experience in the orthopedic and spine sect...
2026-05-2038 minXtalks Life Science PodcastNew Blood Test for Early Alzheimer’s Detection with FNIH’s Dr. Alessio TravagliaIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Alessio Travaglia, PhD, Neuroscientist and Director of Translational Science at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH).
New findings from a study published in Nature Medicine suggest that a single blood test may be able to predict the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms within a three- to four-year period. Dr. Travaglia discusses how the test works, what it reveals about the earliest stages of disease and why identifying patients before symptoms appear could tran...
2026-05-1330 minXtalks Life Science PodcastNew Blood Test for Early Alzheimer’s Detection with FNIH’s Dr. Alessio TravagliaIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Alessio Travaglia, PhD, Neuroscientist and Director of Translational Science at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH).
New findings from a study published in Nature Medicine suggest that a single blood test may be able to predict the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms within a three- to four-year period. Dr. Travaglia discusses how the test works, what it reveals about the earliest stages of disease and why identifying patients before symptoms appear could tran...
2026-05-1330 minXtalks Life Science PodcastTargeting Ischemic Disease with DiaMedica CEO Rick PaulsIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke Rick Pauls, President and CEO of DiaMedica Therapeutics (Nasdaq: DMAC), a company advancing multiple programs in challenging vascular conditions driven by ischemia, including preeclampsia (PE), fetal growth restriction (FGR) and acute ischemic stroke (AIS).
DiaMedica’s therapeutic approach in ischemia-based diseases centers on a recombinant form of the KLK1 protein, which plays a key role in regulating blood flow, reducing inflammation and supporting vascular health.
Rick Pauls has served as President and CEO of DiaM...
2026-05-0629 minXtalks Life Science PodcastTargeting Ischemic Disease with DiaMedica CEO Rick PaulsIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke Rick Pauls, President and CEO of DiaMedica Therapeutics (Nasdaq: DMAC), a company advancing multiple programs in challenging vascular conditions driven by ischemia, including preeclampsia (PE), fetal growth restriction (FGR) and acute ischemic stroke (AIS).
DiaMedica’s therapeutic approach in ischemia-based diseases centers on a recombinant form of the KLK1 protein, which plays a key role in regulating blood flow, reducing inflammation and supporting vascular health.
Rick Pauls has served as President and CEO of DiaM...
2026-05-0629 minXtalks Life Science PodcastWhy Copyright Matters in Life Sciences in the Age of AI: Featuring Neal Dunkinson of Copyright Clearance CenterIn this special episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, part of our Breakthrough with Dr. Corey Stanton series, host Dr. Corey Stanton speaks with Neal Dunkinson, Sr. Director of Solution Sales at Copyright Clearance Center (CCC), about why copyright and licensing are becoming mission-critical in modern life sciences research, particularly in the era of AI.
Life sciences teams both generate and consume vast amounts of scientific literature, clinical data and third-party content. As Neal explains, copyright and licensing are no longer back-office considerations; they are central to enabling compliant collaboration, reducing information silos and supporting confident...
2026-04-2954 minXtalks Life Science PodcastWhy Copyright Matters in Life Sciences in the Age of AI: Featuring Neal Dunkinson of Copyright Clearance CenterIn this special episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, part of our Breakthrough with Dr. Corey Stanton series, host Dr. Corey Stanton speaks with Neal Dunkinson, Sr. Director of Solution Sales at Copyright Clearance Center (CCC), about why copyright and licensing are becoming mission-critical in modern life sciences research, particularly in the era of AI.
Life sciences teams both generate and consume vast amounts of scientific literature, clinical data and third-party content. As Neal explains, copyright and licensing are no longer back-office considerations; they are central to enabling compliant collaboration, reducing information silos and supporting confident...
2026-04-2954 minXtalks Life Science PodcastNeuromodulation and Nerve Ablation for Chronic Pain with NeuroOne CEO Dave RosaIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Dave Rosa, CEO, NeuroOne Medical Technologies Corporation, a company developing minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic electrodes employed in nerve ablation as well as neuromodulation devices to treat conditions such as epilepsy and chronic pain and enable drug delivery into the brain.
Mr. Rosa is an entrepreneur with three decades of experience in the medical device industry spanning a variety of technologies and products. In addition to CEO roles with early-stage medical device companies, Mr. Ro...
2026-04-2242 minXtalks Life Science PodcastNeuromodulation and Nerve Ablation for Chronic Pain with NeuroOne CEO Dave RosaIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Dave Rosa, CEO, NeuroOne Medical Technologies Corporation, a company developing minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic electrodes employed in nerve ablation as well as neuromodulation devices to treat conditions such as epilepsy and chronic pain and enable drug delivery into the brain.
Mr. Rosa is an entrepreneur with three decades of experience in the medical device industry spanning a variety of technologies and products. In addition to CEO roles with early-stage medical device companies, Mr. Ro...
2026-04-2242 minXtalks Life Science PodcastOff the Shelf Cell Therapies for Bone Marrow Transplantation with Ossium Health’s Kevin CaldwellIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Kevin Caldwell, CEO, Co-Founder & President of Ossium Health, a biotechnology company advancing the first off-the-shelf bone marrow therapy derived from deceased organ donors. The treatment is designed to address longstanding clinical and logistical challenges in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.
Kevin Caldwell has led Ossium Health in building more than 50 strategic partnerships with biopharmaceutical companies and helped secure a transformative federal contract with BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority).
Prior to founding Ossium, Ke...
2026-04-1537 minXtalks Life Science PodcastOff the Shelf Cell Therapies for Bone Marrow Transplantation with Ossium Health’s Kevin CaldwellIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Kevin Caldwell, CEO, Co-Founder & President of Ossium Health, a biotechnology company advancing the first off-the-shelf bone marrow therapy derived from deceased organ donors. The treatment is designed to address longstanding clinical and logistical challenges in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.
Kevin Caldwell has led Ossium Health in building more than 50 strategic partnerships with biopharmaceutical companies and helped secure a transformative federal contract with BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority).
Prior to founding Ossium, Ke...
2026-04-1537 minXtalks Life Science PodcastNovel Therapeutic and Trial Approaches for Lysosomal Storage Disorders with Polaryx’s Alex YangIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Alex Yang, JD, LLM, CEO of Polaryx, a company focused on developing disease-modifying small molecule therapies for rare, pediatric lysosomal storage disorders.
Alex is a biotech executive and investor with over 25 years of experience spanning law, private equity, cross-border fund formation and strategic leadership across the biopharmaceutical sector. He currently serves investment and risk committee member roles for various regional and country-focused private equity funds. Alex was formerly a managing partner at Kim & Chang and a...
2026-04-0140 minXtalks Life Science PodcastNovel Therapeutic and Trial Approaches for Lysosomal Storage Disorders with Polaryx’s Alex YangIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Alex Yang, JD, LLM, CEO of Polaryx, a company focused on developing disease-modifying small molecule therapies for rare, pediatric lysosomal storage disorders.
Alex is a biotech executive and investor with over 25 years of experience spanning law, private equity, cross-border fund formation and strategic leadership across the biopharmaceutical sector. He currently serves investment and risk committee member roles for various regional and country-focused private equity funds. Alex was formerly a managing partner at Kim & Chang and a...
2026-04-0140 minXtalks Life Science PodcastPsilocybin Treatments for Treatment-Resistant Depression with Compass Pathways’ Dr. Steve LevineIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Steve Levine, MD, Chief Patient Officer at Compass Pathways, a biotechnology company dedicated to accelerating patient access to evidence-based innovation in mental health.
One of the areas that Compass Pathways is working in is the development of psilocybin-based treatments for treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
Dr. Levine is a board-certified psychiatrist who has spent his career working across multiple facets of the healthcare system to improve people’s lives through creating access to innovation. Dr. Levi...
2026-03-2521 minXtalks Life Science PodcastPsilocybin Treatments for Treatment-Resistant Depression with Compass Pathways’ Dr. Steve LevineIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Steve Levine, MD, Chief Patient Officer at Compass Pathways, a biotechnology company dedicated to accelerating patient access to evidence-based innovation in mental health.
One of the areas that Compass Pathways is working in is the development of psilocybin-based treatments for treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
Dr. Levine is a board-certified psychiatrist who has spent his career working across multiple facets of the healthcare system to improve people’s lives through creating access to innovation. Dr. Levi...
2026-03-2521 minXtalks Life Science PodcastFirst Surrogate Endpoint in Osteoporosis Drug Trials with FNIH’s Dr. Tania KamphausIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Tania Nayak Kamphaus, PhD, Associate VP of Science Partnerships at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH).
In December 2025, the FDA qualified bone density DXA scans as the first surrogate endpoint for bone fractures in clinical trials of anti-osteoporosis drugs in post-menopausal women at risk for osteoporosis fracture.
The surrogate endpoint will allow for measuring change in bone mineral density, rather than fracture occurrence, promising to speed the development of new dr...
2026-03-1839 minXtalks Life Science PodcastFirst Surrogate Endpoint in Osteoporosis Drug Trials with FNIH’s Dr. Tania KamphausIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Tania Nayak Kamphaus, PhD, Associate VP of Science Partnerships at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH).
In December 2025, the FDA qualified bone density DXA scans as the first surrogate endpoint for bone fractures in clinical trials of anti-osteoporosis drugs in post-menopausal women at risk for osteoporosis fracture.
The surrogate endpoint will allow for measuring change in bone mineral density, rather than fracture occurrence, promising to speed the development of new dr...
2026-03-1839 minXtalks Life Science PodcastFrom Insights to Impact: Rare Disease Therapies with UCB’s Dr. Kim MoranIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Kim Moran, PhD, Senior Vice President & Head, Rare Diseases US, UCB, a company focused on neurological and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, as well as developing therapies for rare genetic disorders such as the mitochondrial disease thymidine kinase 2 deficiency (TK2d).
Dr. Moran has been at UCB for over 17 years where she has led US digital business transformation and most recently served as Head of Insights to Impact, a role she originated to translate patient insights into st...
2026-03-1143 minXtalks Life Science PodcastFrom Insights to Impact: Rare Disease Therapies with UCB’s Dr. Kim MoranIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Kim Moran, PhD, Senior Vice President & Head, Rare Diseases US, UCB, a company focused on neurological and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, as well as developing therapies for rare genetic disorders such as the mitochondrial disease thymidine kinase 2 deficiency (TK2d).
Dr. Moran has been at UCB for over 17 years where she has led US digital business transformation and most recently served as Head of Insights to Impact, a role she originated to translate patient insights into st...
2026-03-1143 minXtalks Life Science PodcastRare Disease Day Insight: Epilepsy Care Gaps in Pregnancy with UCB’s Andrea WilkinsonIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Andrea Wilkinson, Global Head of Patient Engagement & Advocacy, Epilepsy & Neuromuscular at UCB, a company dedicated to developing solutions for autoimmune and neurological conditions, including epilepsy. The company has a growing commitment to addressing unmet needs in rare neurological diseases and underserved patient populations.
With fewer than 5% of clinical trials including pregnant women, major knowledge gaps persist, particularly for women with epilepsy. In this episode, we look at new research that used social media listening across se...
2026-03-0436 minXtalks Life Science PodcastRare Disease Day Insight: Epilepsy Care Gaps in Pregnancy with UCB’s Andrea WilkinsonIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Andrea Wilkinson, Global Head of Patient Engagement & Advocacy, Epilepsy & Neuromuscular at UCB, a company dedicated to developing solutions for autoimmune and neurological conditions, including epilepsy. The company has a growing commitment to addressing unmet needs in rare neurological diseases and underserved patient populations.
With fewer than 5% of clinical trials including pregnant women, major knowledge gaps persist, particularly for women with epilepsy. In this episode, we look at new research that used social media listening across se...
2026-03-0436 minXtalks Life Science PodcastAnti-Aging Gene Therapy in Alzheimer’s and ALS with Klotho Neurosciences’ Dr. Joseph SinkuleIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Joseph Sinkule, CEO, Founder and the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Klotho Neurosciences, a biogenetics company developing cell and gene therapies using a patented, secreted form of the “anti-aging” human α-Klotho gene for the treatment of neurodegenerative, age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease and others.
Dr. Sinkule has over 40 years of drug, biologic and medical device R&D and commercialization experience. He has managed over eight drug...
2026-02-1834 minXtalks Life Science PodcastAnti-Aging Gene Therapy in Alzheimer’s and ALS with Klotho Neurosciences’ Dr. Joseph SinkuleIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Joseph Sinkule, CEO, Founder and the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Klotho Neurosciences, a biogenetics company developing cell and gene therapies using a patented, secreted form of the “anti-aging” human α-Klotho gene for the treatment of neurodegenerative, age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease and others.
Dr. Sinkule has over 40 years of drug, biologic and medical device R&D and commercialization experience. He has managed over eight drug...
2026-02-1834 minXtalks Life Science PodcastTranslating Nerve Growth Factor Biology into Ocular Disease Therapies with Dompé’s Dr. Ahmed EnayetallahIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Ahmed Enayetallah, PhD, MBBCh, Chief Development Officer at Dompé Farmaceutici, a company founded as the first compounding pharmacy in Milan, Italy, which has grown into a global biopharmaceutical company over 130 years.
Currently, the company has a therapeutic pipeline focused on nerve growth factor (NGF)-based therapeutics in ocular diseases, including non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Dompé has been a pioneer in translating NGF biology into medicine, building on decades of research by Nobel laureate Dr...
2026-02-0447 minXtalks Life Science PodcastTranslating Nerve Growth Factor Biology into Ocular Disease Therapies with Dompé’s Dr. Ahmed EnayetallahIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Ahmed Enayetallah, PhD, MBBCh, Chief Development Officer at Dompé Farmaceutici, a company founded as the first compounding pharmacy in Milan, Italy, which has grown into a global biopharmaceutical company over 130 years.
Currently, the company has a therapeutic pipeline focused on nerve growth factor (NGF)-based therapeutics in ocular diseases, including non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Dompé has been a pioneer in translating NGF biology into medicine, building on decades of research by Nobel laureate Dr...
2026-02-0447 minXtalks Life Science PodcastInnovative Approaches to Regenerative Therapies in Wound Care with BioStem CEO Jason MatuszewskiIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Jason Matuszewski, chairman, CEO and co-founder of BioStem Technologies, a company developing perinatal tissue allografts for regenerative therapies.
The applications of the allografts, developed using the company’s proprietary processing method, include wound care, limb saving in conditions like diabetic foot ulcers and treating wounds and amputations of veterans.
After beginning his career as a technical engineer at SC Johnson and later leading process and quality initiatives at companies like ATI Ladish Forging, Nema...
2026-01-2836 minXtalks Life Science PodcastInnovative Approaches to Regenerative Therapies in Wound Care with BioStem CEO Jason MatuszewskiIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Jason Matuszewski, chairman, CEO and co-founder of BioStem Technologies, a company developing perinatal tissue allografts for regenerative therapies.
The applications of the allografts, developed using the company’s proprietary processing method, include wound care, limb saving in conditions like diabetic foot ulcers and treating wounds and amputations of veterans.
After beginning his career as a technical engineer at SC Johnson and later leading process and quality initiatives at companies like ATI Ladish Forging, Nema...
2026-01-2836 minXtalks Life Science PodcastFostering Collaboration to Accelerate Drug Discovery with the Chicago Biomedical Consortium’s (CBC) Dr. Michelle HoffmannIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Michelle Hoffmann, PhD, Executive Director of the Chicago Biomedical Consortium (CBC).
CBC is a consortium of biomedical researchers across Northwestern University, the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Chicago supported by the Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust. The CBC’s mission is to stimulate collaboration among scientists to accelerate discovery that will transform biomedical research and improve human health.
At the CBC, Dr. Hoffmann is reshaping the organization to t...
2026-01-2728 minXtalks Life Science PodcastFostering Collaboration to Accelerate Drug Discovery with the Chicago Biomedical Consortium’s (CBC) Dr. Michelle HoffmannIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Michelle Hoffmann, PhD, Executive Director of the Chicago Biomedical Consortium (CBC).
CBC is a consortium of biomedical researchers across Northwestern University, the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Chicago supported by the Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust. The CBC’s mission is to stimulate collaboration among scientists to accelerate discovery that will transform biomedical research and improve human health.
At the CBC, Dr. Hoffmann is reshaping the organization to t...
2026-01-2728 minXtalks Life Science PodcastHow Public-Private Partnerships Are Advancing Biomedical Research with FNIH’s Dr. Stacey AdamIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Stacey Adam, PhD, Vice President at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH), where she leads major public-private partnerships, including RECOVER-Treating Long COVID, the Biomarkers Consortium and several Accelerating Medicines Partnerships including the Partnership For Accelerating Cancer Therapies (PACT) and the Lung-MAP trial.
Dr. Adam also helps design new collaborations in areas such as pediatric medical devices, cancer systems biology and new approach methodologies.
Prior to FNIH, Dr. Adam worked in De...
2026-01-1451 minXtalks Life Science PodcastHow Public-Private Partnerships Are Advancing Biomedical Research with FNIH’s Dr. Stacey AdamIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Stacey Adam, PhD, Vice President at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH), where she leads major public-private partnerships, including RECOVER-Treating Long COVID, the Biomarkers Consortium and several Accelerating Medicines Partnerships including the Partnership For Accelerating Cancer Therapies (PACT) and the Lung-MAP trial.
Dr. Adam also helps design new collaborations in areas such as pediatric medical devices, cancer systems biology and new approach methodologies.
Prior to FNIH, Dr. Adam worked in De...
2026-01-1451 minXtalks Life Science PodcastTargeting Inflammation in Eye Diseases with Iolyx Therapeutics’ CEO Elizabeth JeffordsIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Elizabeth Jeffords, CEO, Iolyx Therapeutics, which is developing targeted therapies to address inflammation in ocular disease.
Elizabeth is a seasoned biotech leader with experience spanning company building, fundraising, clinical development, major product launches and a >$9 billion global P&L.
Before Iolyx, she served as Chief Commercial & Strategy Officer at Alkahest and held leadership roles at Genentech and Roche. An angel investor with Portfolia, she serves on several boards, including the boards of Iolyx, As...
2026-01-0736 minXtalks Life Science PodcastTargeting Inflammation in Eye Diseases with Iolyx Therapeutics’ CEO Elizabeth JeffordsIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Elizabeth Jeffords, CEO, Iolyx Therapeutics, which is developing targeted therapies to address inflammation in ocular disease.
Elizabeth is a seasoned biotech leader with experience spanning company building, fundraising, clinical development, major product launches and a >$9 billion global P&L.
Before Iolyx, she served as Chief Commercial & Strategy Officer at Alkahest and held leadership roles at Genentech and Roche. An angel investor with Portfolia, she serves on several boards, including the boards of Iolyx, As...
2026-01-0736 minXtalks Life Science PodcastPioneering Biosensors for Continuous Medical Monitoring with Profusa CEO Dr. Ben HwangIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Ben Hwang, PhD, Chairman and CEO of Profusa, Inc., a company developing a platform of new generation bioengineered, biointegrated sensors for the real-time, continuous monitoring of body chemistry for chronic disease management and health.
The sensors detect and continuously transmit medical-grade data for personal and medical use.
Dr. Hwang has served as Profusa’s Chairman of the Board and CEO since January 2012. Prior to Profusa, Dr. Hwang served in a variety of leadership role...
2025-12-1047 minXtalks Life Science PodcastPioneering Biosensors for Continuous Medical Monitoring with Profusa CEO Dr. Ben HwangIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Ben Hwang, PhD, Chairman and CEO of Profusa, Inc., a company developing a platform of new generation bioengineered, biointegrated sensors for the real-time, continuous monitoring of body chemistry for chronic disease management and health.
The sensors detect and continuously transmit medical-grade data for personal and medical use.
Dr. Hwang has served as Profusa’s Chairman of the Board and CEO since January 2012. Prior to Profusa, Dr. Hwang served in a variety of leadership role...
2025-12-1047 minXtalks Life Science PodcastThe Biology of Aging: Innovations in Cellular Rejuvenation with Life Biosciences’ Dr. Sharon Rosenzweig-LipsonIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Sharon Rosenzweig-Lipson, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at Life Biosciences, a company advancing cellular rejuvenation gene therapies to treat age-related diseases.
The company is targeting eye diseases like glaucoma and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
Dr. Rosenzweig-Lipson has held leadership positions in both big pharma and small biotechnology companies over the course of her 30+ year career, which has included roles at American Cyanamid (now Pfizer), advancing programs from the early exploratory phase th...
2025-12-0332 minXtalks Life Science PodcastThe Biology of Aging: Innovations in Cellular Rejuvenation with Life Biosciences’ Dr. Sharon Rosenzweig-LipsonIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Sharon Rosenzweig-Lipson, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at Life Biosciences, a company advancing cellular rejuvenation gene therapies to treat age-related diseases.
The company is targeting eye diseases like glaucoma and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
Dr. Rosenzweig-Lipson has held leadership positions in both big pharma and small biotechnology companies over the course of her 30+ year career, which has included roles at American Cyanamid (now Pfizer), advancing programs from the early exploratory phase th...
2025-12-0332 minXtalks Life Science PodcastThe Evolving Landscape of Respiratory and Immunology Drug Development with AstraZeneca’s Dr. Andrew Menzies-GowIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Andrew Menzies-Gow, MBBS, PhD, Vice President Respiratory & Immunology, Global Biopharmaceuticals Medical, AstraZeneca, about innovations in respiratory and immunology drug development.
Dr. Menzies-Gow is an expert in respiratory biologics and severe asthma research with a prolific career in respiratory medicine, combining his background as a practicing clinician with strategic leadership to advance innovative therapies that address some of the greatest unmet needs in the field.
Under his leadership at AstraZeneca, the company has delivered gr...
2025-11-2638 minXtalks Life Science PodcastThe Evolving Landscape of Respiratory and Immunology Drug Development with AstraZeneca’s Dr. Andrew Menzies-GowIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Andrew Menzies-Gow, MBBS, PhD, Vice President Respiratory & Immunology, Global Biopharmaceuticals Medical, AstraZeneca, about innovations in respiratory and immunology drug development.
Dr. Menzies-Gow is an expert in respiratory biologics and severe asthma research with a prolific career in respiratory medicine, combining his background as a practicing clinician with strategic leadership to advance innovative therapies that address some of the greatest unmet needs in the field.
Under his leadership at AstraZeneca, the company has delivered gr...
2025-11-2638 minXtalks Life Science PodcastRestoring Lost Synapses in ALS, Fragile X and More with Spinogenix’s Dr. Peter VanderklishIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Peter Vanderklish, PhD, chief scientific officer at Spinogenix, a company developing therapeutics aimed at restoring synaptic connections for conditions such as ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia and Fragile X syndrome.
Dr. Vanderklish’s decades of research, from his graduate work at UC Irvine to his roles at The Scripps Research Institute and UC Irvine, have helped shape our understanding of synaptic function, including post-synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) mechanisms and the role of integrins in stabilizing synapt...
2025-11-1930 minXtalks Life Science PodcastRestoring Lost Synapses in ALS, Fragile X and More with Spinogenix’s Dr. Peter VanderklishIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Peter Vanderklish, PhD, chief scientific officer at Spinogenix, a company developing therapeutics aimed at restoring synaptic connections for conditions such as ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia and Fragile X syndrome.
Dr. Vanderklish’s decades of research, from his graduate work at UC Irvine to his roles at The Scripps Research Institute and UC Irvine, have helped shape our understanding of synaptic function, including post-synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) mechanisms and the role of integrins in stabilizing synapt...
2025-11-1930 minXtalks Life Science PodcastTargeting Protein Misfolding and Innovations in Hepatobiliary Disease with Rectify Pharma’s Dr. Pol BoudesIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Pol Boudes, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Rectify Pharma.
Rectify Pharma is a biotechnology company pioneering a positive functional modulators (PFM) platform to address the root causes of genetic and protein folding diseases in the liver, cardio-renal-metabolic and neurodegenerative spaces. The company’s lead program is in hepatobiliary diseases.
Dr. Boudes has more than 30 years of R&D, clinical, medical affairs and biotech leadership experience. He is a board-certified physician in endocrinology and meta...
2025-11-1139 minXtalks Life Science PodcastTargeting Protein Misfolding and Innovations in Hepatobiliary Disease with Rectify Pharma’s Dr. Pol BoudesIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Pol Boudes, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Rectify Pharma.
Rectify Pharma is a biotechnology company pioneering a positive functional modulators (PFM) platform to address the root causes of genetic and protein folding diseases in the liver, cardio-renal-metabolic and neurodegenerative spaces. The company’s lead program is in hepatobiliary diseases.
Dr. Boudes has more than 30 years of R&D, clinical, medical affairs and biotech leadership experience. He is a board-certified physician in endocrinology and meta...
2025-11-1139 minXtalks Life Science PodcastAdvancing Rare Disease Treatment and Care with Takeda’s Dr. Mike DenneIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Mike Denne, PharmD, Vice President of US Medical Affairs for Rare Disease and Plasma Derived Therapies at Takeda, to discuss the company’s approach to advancing patient care in the area of rare diseases through medical innovation and collaboration.
With over 15 years of leadership experience in medical affairs, Dr. Denne shares his insights on building effective and successful medical teams, including supporting healthcare providers and improving access to therapies for rare disease communities.
His...
2025-11-0535 minXtalks Life Science PodcastAdvancing Rare Disease Treatment and Care with Takeda’s Dr. Mike DenneIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks, spoke with Mike Denne, PharmD, Vice President of US Medical Affairs for Rare Disease and Plasma Derived Therapies at Takeda, to discuss the company’s approach to advancing patient care in the area of rare diseases through medical innovation and collaboration.
With over 15 years of leadership experience in medical affairs, Dr. Denne shares his insights on building effective and successful medical teams, including supporting healthcare providers and improving access to therapies for rare disease communities.
His...
2025-11-0535 minXtalks Life Science PodcastAdvancing Innovations for Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease with Lexicon Pharmaceuticals’ CEO Mike ExtonIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks.com, welcomes Mike Exton, PhD, CEO of Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, for a conversation about leveraging gene science to develop innovative medicines for serious chronic conditions.
Dr. Exton discusses Lexicon’s growing pipeline, which includes promising therapies for diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and other cardiometabolic diseases, areas where unmet need remains high despite decades of research.
He also shares insights from his extensive leadership experience across the pharmaceutical industry, including his time as Cardiometabolism Therapeutic Head...
2025-10-2931 minXtalks Life Science PodcastAdvancing Innovations for Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease with Lexicon Pharmaceuticals’ CEO Mike ExtonIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks.com, welcomes Mike Exton, PhD, CEO of Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, for a conversation about leveraging gene science to develop innovative medicines for serious chronic conditions.
Dr. Exton discusses Lexicon’s growing pipeline, which includes promising therapies for diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and other cardiometabolic diseases, areas where unmet need remains high despite decades of research.
He also shares insights from his extensive leadership experience across the pharmaceutical industry, including his time as Cardiometabolism Therapeutic Head...
2025-10-2931 minXtalks Life Science PodcastAt the Heart of Gene Therapy: Lexeo’s R. Nolan Townsend on Genetic Medicines for Cardiovascular Diseases and MoreIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks.com, spoke with R. Nolan Townsend, MBA, CEO of Lexeo Therapeutics, a company developing gene therapies for cardiovascular diseases as well as CNS disorders including Alzheimer’s disease.
Lexeo recently announced a partnership to advance cardiac RNA therapeutics as well as $80 million in equity financing.
Mr. Townsend has been CEO of Lexeo Therapeutics since 2020. He previously held senior leadership roles at Pfizer, including President of Rare Disease for both North America and International markets, and bega...
2025-10-2242 minXtalks Life Science PodcastAt the Heart of Gene Therapy: Lexeo’s R. Nolan Townsend on Genetic Medicines for Cardiovascular Diseases and MoreIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks.com, spoke with R. Nolan Townsend, MBA, CEO of Lexeo Therapeutics, a company developing gene therapies for cardiovascular diseases as well as CNS disorders including Alzheimer’s disease.
Lexeo recently announced a partnership to advance cardiac RNA therapeutics as well as $80 million in equity financing.
Mr. Townsend has been CEO of Lexeo Therapeutics since 2020. He previously held senior leadership roles at Pfizer, including President of Rare Disease for both North America and International markets, and bega...
2025-10-2242 minXtalks Life Science PodcastTeaching the Pancreas to Heal Itself: Dr. Juan Domínguez-Bendala on Regenerative Diabetes ResearchIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks.com, spoke with Juan Domínguez-Bendala, PhD, Director of Stem Cell and Pancreatic Regeneration Programs, Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) at the University of Miami, to discuss his research team’s new research published in Nature Communications that could redefine diabetes treatment.
Dr. Domínguez-Bendala team’s study reveals how THR-123, a small peptide, can trigger the regeneration of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, effectively restoring normal blood sugar levels in preclinical models. The discovery opens the door to...
2025-10-1538 minXtalks Life Science PodcastTeaching the Pancreas to Heal Itself: Dr. Juan Domínguez-Bendala on Regenerative Diabetes ResearchIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks.com, spoke with Juan Domínguez-Bendala, PhD, Director of Stem Cell and Pancreatic Regeneration Programs, Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) at the University of Miami, to discuss his research team’s new research published in Nature Communications that could redefine diabetes treatment.
Dr. Domínguez-Bendala team’s study reveals how THR-123, a small peptide, can trigger the regeneration of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, effectively restoring normal blood sugar levels in preclinical models. The discovery opens the door to...
2025-10-1538 minXtalks Life Science PodcastFrom Lab to Launch: Spinning out Biotech Innovation with RBL’s Dr. Paul WottonIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks.com, sits down with Paul Wotton, PhD, CEO of RBL LLC, a venture studio partially owned by Rice University.
RBL’s mission is to transform groundbreaking research from the Rice Biotech LaunchPad into successful biotech startups. The company provides end-to-end support for early-stage ventures, from financial and business development services to clinical trial design, talent acquisition and capital sourcing.
Dr. Wotton shares insights from his extensive leadership and entrepreneurship career, including his time as president and...
2025-10-0835 minXtalks Life Science PodcastFrom Lab to Launch: Spinning out Biotech Innovation with RBL’s Dr. Paul WottonIn this week’s episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, Senior Life Science Journalist at Xtalks.com, sits down with Paul Wotton, PhD, CEO of RBL LLC, a venture studio partially owned by Rice University.
RBL’s mission is to transform groundbreaking research from the Rice Biotech LaunchPad into successful biotech startups. The company provides end-to-end support for early-stage ventures, from financial and business development services to clinical trial design, talent acquisition and capital sourcing.
Dr. Wotton shares insights from his extensive leadership and entrepreneurship career, including his time as president and...
2025-10-0835 minXtalks Life Science PodcastExploring the Future of Cannabinoid & Psychedelic Therapies with Joel Latham of Incannex HealthcareIn this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, Senior Life Science Journalist Ayesha Rashid speaks with Joel Latham, CEO, president and director of Incannex Healthcare, to discuss how the company is advancing cannabinoid and psychedelic therapies for chronic conditions like sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis and anxiety disorders.
Joel has more than 20 years of senior management and operations experience in both public and private sectors. Under Joel’s leadership, Incannex has advanced and prioritized multiple therapeutic candidates into clinical-stage development. Previously, he was the CEO and Managing Director of Incannex Australia, where he played a key role in...
2025-09-3031 minXtalks Life Science PodcastDriving Innovation in Oncology: Insights from Jeff Glazier of General OncologyIn this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid, speaks with Jeff Glazier, CEO and founding member of General Oncology. General Oncology is focused on advancing innovative therapies that address some of the greatest unmet needs in oncology.
At General Oncology, Jeff has overseen everything from corporate strategy and clinical trial site selection to IP protection and IT infrastructure. He stepped into the role of CEO in August 2024, bringing a vision for translating cutting-edge science into meaningful treatments for patients.
Previously, Jeff co-founded the healthcare technology company ProviderTech LLC and worked as...
2025-09-2433 minXtalks Life Science PodcastThe Next Generation of Cell Therapy with Cartherics’ COO Dr. Ian NisbetIn this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, we dive into the cutting edge of cell therapy innovation with Ian Nisbet, PhD, chief operating officer (COO) and co-founder of Cartherics, an Australian biotech company developing next-generation cell therapies for difficult-to-treat diseases like cancer and endometriosis.
Dr. Nisbet also acts as a director or advisor to several Australian and US biotechnology companies. With more than 35 years of leadership in biotech and experience in bringing two FDA-approved oncology drugs to market, Dr. Nisbet offers valuable insights into how the next generation of cell therapies could transform patient care.
2025-09-1755 minXtalks Life Science PodcastWhy MASH Matters: The Next Steps in Liver Disease Innovation with 89bio’s Rohan PalekarIn this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Vera Kovacevic speaks with Rohan Palekar, CEO of 89bio, about one of the fastest-growing public health challenges: metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), also known as fatty liver disease.
MASH is projected to affect more than 27 million Americans by 2030, yet it remains a largely “silent” epidemic.
Palekar discusses what sets MASH apart from other liver diseases, the urgent need for therapies that can rapidly reverse fibrosis in advanced patients and the unique challenges drug developers face in addressing this condition.
The conversation explores the drivers behi...
2025-09-1035 minXtalks Life Science PodcastBridging Aesthetics and Therapeutics in Dermatology with Galderma’s Dr. Bill AndriopoulosIn this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, Senior Life Science Journalist Ayesha Rashid connects with Bill Andriopoulos, PhD, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Galderma US, to discuss the future of patient-centered dermatology across both medical and aesthetic care. Galderma is focused on advancing science-based innovations in the dermatology space.
Together, they discuss Galderma’s approach to responsible innovation, improving access and representation in research, and what it takes to advance care for every skin story.
Dr. Andriopoulos explains how medical affairs drives scientific evidence and cross-functional education within dermatology, and how the in...
2025-09-0335 minXtalks Life Science PodcastThe Neuroscience of Weight Regulation with Courage Therapeutics’ Dr. Roger ConeIn this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, Senior Life Science Journalist Ayesha Rashid speaks with Dr. Roger Cone, PhD, founder of Courage Therapeutics, professor at the University of Michigan, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a leading authority on the neuroscience of weight regulation.
Dr. Cone shares insights from over 30 years of groundbreaking research on the brain’s melanocortin system, discoveries that have revolutionized our understanding of obesity and restrictive eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and cachexia.
Dr. Cone’s discoveries of the melanocortin-3 and -4 receptors (MC3R and MC4R...
2025-08-2751 minXtalks Life Science PodcastExploring Immunomodulation Without Immunosuppression with Artax Biopharma’s Dr. Rob ArmstrongIn this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid speaks with Rob Armstrong, PhD, CEO of Artax Biopharma, a company pioneering a novel class of oral small molecule drugs known as Nck modulators to treat autoimmune diseases. Unlike traditional therapies that suppress the immune system, Artax’s approach aims to restore immune balance by modulating T cell receptor signaling.
Dr. Armstrong shares insights into the company’s recent clinical progress, including positive Phase IIa results in psoriasis and promising preclinical data in atopic dermatitis, and what these milestones mean for the broader autoimmune treatment land...
2025-08-1937 minXtalks Life Science PodcastAdvancing Neurotherapeutics for Fragile X and Beyond with Spinogenix CMO Dr. Craig EricksonIn this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, Ayesha speaks with Craig Erickson, MD, chief medical officer at Spinogenix and a leading expert in translational neurodevelopmental research.
Dr. Erickson shares insights into Spinogenix’s work on restoring synapses to reverse cognitive and motor decline in conditions like Fragile X Syndrome, ALS, Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia.
Dr. Erickson is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine-Affiliated and the Director of the Cincinnati Fragile X Research and Treatment Center. His work focuses on enhancing the ability to detect brain target enga...
2025-08-1337 minXtalks Life Science PodcastDriving Neuro Innovation with Neurizon Therapeutics CEO Dr. Michael ThurnIn this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, Ayesha speaks with Michael Thurn, PhD, Managing Director & CEO, Neurizon Therapeutics, a company focused on advancing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS, with expansion efforts in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and others.
With over 25 years of experience in biotech innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership and broad experience in drug discovery, development, regulation and commercialization, Dr. Thurn shares his vision for advancing next-generation therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Dr. Thurn has led a variety of FDA lnvestigational New Drug (IND) applications across a range of therapeutic areas, and th...
2025-08-0644 min
Xtalks Life Science PodcastRestoring Synapses to Fight ALS, Alzheimer’s and More with Spinogenix CEO Dr. Stella SarrafIn this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, Ayesha speaks with Stella Sarraf, PhD, founder, CEO and director of Spinogenix, a company pioneering neurodegenerative therapeutics designed to restore synapses with the potential to reverse cognitive and motor decline in conditions such as ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia and other neurological disorders.
Dr. Sarraf shares the scientific inspiration behind Spinogenix’s novel approach and how the company is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in neuroscience.
With a career spanning big pharma (Merck), venture capital (Foresite Capital, Prospect Ventures) and multiple biotech startups, Dr. Sarraf...
2025-07-3038 minXtalks Life Science PodcastChampioning the Patient Voice with Ardelyx’s Chief Patient Officer Dr. Laura WilliamsIn this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, Ayesha Rashid speaks with Laura Williams, MD, MPH, chief patient officer at Ardelyx, a company developing and commercializing first-in-class medicines for diseases like chronic kidney disease (CKD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Dr. Williams brings nearly 30 years of experience in clinical development, drug strategy and patient advocacy. With leadership roles across big pharma and biotech — including Abbott, Myovant and AMAG Pharmaceuticals — her impact is marked by eight FDA drug approvals and a relentless focus on improving patient outcomes.
Before joining Ardelyx, Dr. Williams was SVP and head...
2025-07-2338 minXtalks Life Science PodcastInside AI-Powered Drug Discovery with Gain Therapeutics’ CEO Gene MackIn this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, Vera Kovacevic speaks with Gene Mack, CEO and President of Gain Therapeutics, a company focused on AI-driven small molecule discovery for diseases with high unmet medical needs.
With over 25 years of leadership across biopharma, capital markets and corporate strategy, Gene shares his unique perspective on the intersection of artificial intelligence and drug development — and how Gain Therapeutics is using it to tackle diseases with high unmet medical need.
Prior to joining Gain, Gene was CFO at Imcyse SA between 2021 and 2023, and at OncoC4, which spun out of...
2025-07-1631 minXtalks Life Science PodcastTargeting Mast Cells: A New Frontier in Allergy & Inflammation with Jasper Therapeutics’ CMO Dr. Edwin TuckerIn this episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast, host Ayesha Rashid speaks with Edwin Tucker, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Jasper Therapeutics, about innovative approaches to treating chronic mast cell diseases such as asthma, food allergies and IBS.
Dr. Tucker has over 30 years of clinical drug development experience, with past roles as CMO at Goldfinch Bio and Mirum Pharmaceuticals, where he led the first FDA approval for Alagille Syndrome. He also served as COO at Acerta Pharma and held leadership positions at Genentech, Janssen and Bayer.
Dr. Tucker is a member of...
2025-07-0938 minXtalks Life Science PodcastInnovating Treg Therapies for ALS and Alzheimer’s with Coya Therapeutics CEO Dr. Arun SwaminathanJoin us as we celebrate a major milestone — the 200th episode of the Xtalks Life Science Podcast! From groundbreaking biotech innovations to exclusive interviews with life science industry innovators and leaders, we've covered it all. Thank you for tuning in each week! We look forward to continuing to bring the latest and greatest across the pharma, biotech and medical industries!
In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Arun Swaminathan, PhD, CEO of Coya Therapeutics, a company developing regulatory T cell (Treg) therapies targeting neurodegenerative, autoimmune and metabolic diseases.
The company is developing a pipeline of therapies de...
2025-03-1939 minXtalks Life Science PodcastInnovations and Clinical Trial Diversity in Medical Aesthetics: Insights from Dr. Stephanie Manson Brown, VP & Head of Clinical Development at Allerga...Visit clinicaledge.xtalks.com/issue1 to dive into the first issue of Xtalks Clinical Edge magazine and be a part of the conversation shaping the next era of clinical trials. Xtalks Clinical Edge — "where innovation meets expertise!"
This episode features an interview with Dr. Stephanie Manson Brown, VP & Head of Clinical Development & Scientific Innovation of R&D at Allergan Aesthetics at AbbVie. Allergan Aesthetics is focused on creating products and technologies that drive the advancement of aesthetic medicine.
Dr. Manson Brown’s Clinical Development and Scientific Innovation team are responsible for global clinical trial development stra...
2023-11-0132 minXtalks Life Science PodcastInnovations and Clinical Trial Diversity in Medical Aesthetics: Insights from Dr. Stephanie Manson Brown, VP & Head of Clinical Development at Allerga...Visit clinicaledge.xtalks.com/issue1 to dive into the first issue of Xtalks Clinical Edge magazine and be a part of the conversation shaping the next era of clinical trials. Xtalks Clinical Edge — "where innovation meets expertise!"
This episode features an interview with Dr. Stephanie Manson Brown, VP & Head of Clinical Development & Scientific Innovation of R&D at Allergan Aesthetics at AbbVie. Allergan Aesthetics is focused on creating products and technologies that drive the advancement of aesthetic medicine.
Dr. Manson Brown’s Clinical Development and Scientific Innovation team are responsible for global clinical trial development stra...
2023-11-0132 minXtalks Life Science PodcastXtalks Speaks with Astellas Pharma’s VP & Head of BioPharma Development Marci English About Menopause Drug ApprovalThis episode features an interview with Marci English, Vice President and Head of BioPharma Development at Astellas Pharma, about the recent FDA approval of the company’s drug Veozah (fezolinetant) for the treatment of moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats due to menopause.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been the conventional treatment for menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms, otherwise known as hot flashes and night sweats; however, not all women can receive hormone therapies. Apart from HRT, treatment options have been limited for the vasomotor symptoms of menopause and therefore, the approval of Veozah addresses a significant unm...
2023-06-2819 minXtalks Life Science PodcastXtalks Speaks with Astellas Pharma’s VP & Head of BioPharma Development Marci English About Menopause Drug ApprovalThis episode features an interview with Marci English, Vice President and Head of BioPharma Development at Astellas Pharma, about the recent FDA approval of the company’s drug Veozah (fezolinetant) for the treatment of moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats due to menopause.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been the conventional treatment for menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms, otherwise known as hot flashes and night sweats; however, not all women can receive hormone therapies. Apart from HRT, treatment options have been limited for the vasomotor symptoms of menopause and therefore, the approval of Veozah addresses a significant unm...
2023-06-2819 minXtalks Life Science PodcastPharma By The Numbers: Celebrating 20 Years of Xtalks with an Analysis of the IndustryIn this episode, Xtalks’ senior editorial staff discuss how the pharmaceutical industry has changed – and stayed the same – in the last 2 decades. Sarah talks about the global value of the pharmaceutical industry in 2002 versus today and which companies made the top 3 based on revenue.
Sarah also shared the top-selling drugs in 2002, 2012 and 2022, and how much the industry as a whole has invested in R&D in those years. The team discusses the number of new drugs and biologics approved by the FDA each year, and debates whether the regulator will be able to keep up with growing submis...
2023-04-0555 minXtalks Life Science PodcastPharma By The Numbers: Celebrating 20 Years of Xtalks with an Analysis of the IndustryIn this episode, Xtalks’ senior editorial staff discuss how the pharmaceutical industry has changed – and stayed the same – in the last 2 decades. Sarah talks about the global value of the pharmaceutical industry in 2002 versus today and which companies made the top 3 based on revenue.
Sarah also shared the top-selling drugs in 2002, 2012 and 2022, and how much the industry as a whole has invested in R&D in those years. The team discusses the number of new drugs and biologics approved by the FDA each year, and debates whether the regulator will be able to keep up with growing submis...
2023-04-0555 minXtalks Life Science PodcastBimodal Neuromodulation for Tinnitus: Interview with Caroline Hamilton, Clinical Director of Neuromod Devices – Xtalks Life Science Podcast Ep. 81In this episode, Ayesha and the editorial team spoke with Caroline Hamilton, Clinical Director of Neuromod Devices, a medical technology company that specializes in the design and development of neuromodulation technologies. The company is committed to addressing the clinical needs of underserved patient populations who live with chronic and debilitating conditions globally. Caroline spoke to Xtalks about Neuromod’s proprietary, patented bimodal neuromodulation technology that it is evaluating for neurological disorders. The lead application of Neuromod's technology is the Lenire device for the treatment of tinnitus, frequently referred to as “ringing in the ears.” Tinnitus is believed to impact betwee...
2022-10-1222 minXtalks Life Science PodcastBimodal Neuromodulation for Tinnitus: Interview with Caroline Hamilton, Clinical Director of Neuromod Devices – Xtalks Life Science Podcast Ep. 81In this episode, Ayesha and the editorial team spoke with Caroline Hamilton, Clinical Director of Neuromod Devices, a medical technology company that specializes in the design and development of neuromodulation technologies. The company is committed to addressing the clinical needs of underserved patient populations who live with chronic and debilitating conditions globally. Caroline spoke to Xtalks about Neuromod’s proprietary, patented bimodal neuromodulation technology that it is evaluating for neurological disorders. The lead application of Neuromod's technology is the Lenire device for the treatment of tinnitus, frequently referred to as “ringing in the ears.” Tinnitus is believed to impact betwee...
2022-10-1222 minXtalks Life Science PodcastXtalks Voices: Magnus Medical CEO Dr. Brett Wingeier Talks About Neurostimulation for DepressionIn this episode, the editorial team had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Brett Wingeier, CEO of neuromodulation MedTech company Magnus Medical about the company’s Magnus System for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). The neurostimulation device received breakthrough device designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last month. The team heard from Dr. Wingeier about the challenges of treating depression and how neuromodulation shows clinical effectiveness for patients. Given this, he explained how the company decided to develop the Magnus System and described how it works. As a 20-year veteran in the field of ne...
2021-11-1724 minXtalks Life Science PodcastXtalks Voices: Magnus Medical CEO Dr. Brett Wingeier Talks About Neurostimulation for DepressionIn this episode, the editorial team had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Brett Wingeier, CEO of neuromodulation MedTech company Magnus Medical about the company’s Magnus System for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). The neurostimulation device received breakthrough device designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last month. The team heard from Dr. Wingeier about the challenges of treating depression and how neuromodulation shows clinical effectiveness for patients. Given this, he explained how the company decided to develop the Magnus System and described how it works. As a 20-year veteran in the field of ne...
2021-11-1724 min