Breaking Barriers in Gene Therapy: Miquel Vila-Perello's Vision for Curing Untreatable Diseases
In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, host Alberto Grignolo sits down with Miquel Vila-Perello, Ph.D. co-founder and CEO of SpliceBio, a gene therapy company focused on treating Stargardt disease. They discuss Miquel's journey from academia to biotech, the challenges of fundraising, the importance of passion and resilience in drug development, and the future of gene therapy. Miquel shares insights on balancing rationality and passion, the differences between academic and industry research, and the significance of building trust with investors.We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen.Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.
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28:48
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28:48
Investing in Innovation: Lyla Bibi’s Perspective on Biotech Markets
In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, Lyla Bibi, Partner at Goldman Sachs and Head of Healthcare Equity Capital Markets, shares her impactful career journey focused on helping bring cutting-edge therapies to life by bridging capital and science. Tune in as she offers a behind-the-scenes look into the nuances of biotech investment in today’s competitive landscape, emphasizing the importance of a clear value proposition, the enduring power of trust in leadership, and the essential characteristics of successful biotech CEOs. Beyond the science and market trends, Lyla offers valuable insights on balancing a demanding career with a full personal life and her optimistic outlook on the future of scientific funding.We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen.Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.
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27:26
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27:26
The Finnish Formula: Finding Balance and Building Innovation with Dr. Antti Vuolanto
In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, Dr. Antti Vuolanto, CEO of Herantis Pharma Plc, shares his unconventional journey into the biotech industry, from bioengineering to leading a company focused on central nervous system (CNS) diseases. He discusses the scientific innovation behind HER096, a potential game-changer for Parkinson's disease, and the challenges of drug development. Beyond the science, Dr. Vuolanto offers profound lessons on the importance of building trust with colleagues and investors, the importance of taking risks, and the importance of work-life balance (a Finnish secret to happiness!). This episode highlights the power of mentorship, honest communication, and a deep commitment to impacting patients’ lives. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the challenges of drug development, and the significance of building trust with investors. We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen.Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Gianna Palmer and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.
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32:28
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32:28
Leading with Science and Heart: Dr. Ross Breckenridge on Building a Resilient Biotech
In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, host Alberto Grignolo speaks with Dr. Ross Breckenridge, CEO of Arjuna Therapeutics, a company pioneering a novel approach to precision oncology through therapeutic molecular clusters. Dr. Breckenridge shares insights on the cultural differences between academia and industry, the benefits of conducting clinical trials in Europe over the U.S., and the importance of chemistry manufacturing controls (CMC) in drug development. He also discusses the challenges of raising capital and the critical role of strong leadership to build and foster a resilient and reliable team. We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen.Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Maddy Foley and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.
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35:37
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35:37
Bedside to Biotech: Dr. Sam Blackman on Building Trust, Storytelling in Science, and Pediatric Cancer Innovation
In this episode of Clinical Trialblazers, host Alberto Grignolo sits down with Dr. Sam Blackman, co-founder and former Chief Medical Officer of Day One Biopharmaceuticals, board member of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Bonum Therapeutics and CureSearch for Children's Cancer, and the new Entrepreneur in Residence at Google Ventures. Sam talks about his career journey from physician to biotech executive, and navigating the complexities of clinical trials, especially within pediatric oncology. He also discusses the critical need to connect the science, patients, and investment thesis together into a coherent story when fundraising in drug development. 2:37 - How he was pulled to pediatric medicine6:00 - His decision to transition into drug development to impact exponentially more patients.16:40 - The importance of connecting you vision to your company name26:04 - How making those risky decisions in drug development can have profound impacts on patient outcomes40:00 - The Power of Storytelling in Science and Business47:57 -  Advice for biotech entrepreneurs seeking capital    We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Clinical Trialblazers. Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast wherever you listen.Special thanks to our production partner, Wonder Media Network. Our producer is Brittany Martinez, our editor is Maddy Foley and our production assistant is Joia Putnoi.
Clinical Trialblazers invites you into the world of biotech leaders as they share the untold stories behind their journeys to bring breakthrough innovations to life. This 10 episode monthly series asks biotech visionaries to explore pivotal moments in their careers and the milestones that shaped their lives. Through unscripted conversations, host Alberto Grignolo dives into the decisions, risks, and accomplishments that define these trialblazers legacies to uncover the heart, grit, and ingenuity driving the future of scientific innovation.
South Africa