Adam Wieschhaus and Shaan Gandhi - Directors, Northpond Ventures

In this episode of the Ori Spotlight Podcast, Jason C. Foster welcomes Matthew Hewitt, Vice President and Technical Officer of Cell and Gene Therapy and Biologics at Charles River Laboratories, to discuss why industry collaboration is needed to experience the true impact of advanced therapies and develop them at a commercial scale. Together they also highlight the role of technology in closing, automating and scaling manufacturing processes. Matthew has over 10 years of experience in the CGT sector, contributing to the advancement of CGTs across research and commercialization. As a member of our Strategic Advisory Board we're grateful for Matthew's insights as we work towards enabling widespread patient access to CGTs. Learn more about Matthew Hewitt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewmhewitt/

In this episode of the Ori Spotlight Podcast, host Jason C. Foster is joined by Jeff Holder and Adam Siebert from LEK Consulting, who offer an in-depth exploration of the evolving cell and gene therapy (CGT) industry. LEK Consulting, a global leader in strategic advisory, aims to address the critical challenges of scalability and commercial viability within the CGT sector. Jeff and Adam, with their extensive background in life sciences consulting, share their insights on the importance of early investment in manufacturing processes to ensure that groundbreaking therapies can be delivered to patients efficiently and on a large scale. Together they explore the intricacies of CGT production, the significance of early-stage manufacturing considerations, and their vision for making advanced therapies more accessible to those in need. Learn more about: Jeff Holder - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-holder-ph-d-7a391087 Adam Siebert - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-siebert-8772b327/

In this episode of Ori Spotlight Podcast, we welcome Jim Faulkner, PhD, Independent Consultant at JDB BioConsulting and former SVP of Product Delivery at Autolus. Jim brings a wealth of experience from his remarkable career in biopharmaceutical development and his journey in the industry is marked by significant contributions, particularly in pioneering cell therapy at GSK. The episode offers a deep dive into the evolving challenges in CGT manufacturing – centering on the critical challenges of scalability and commercial viability in CGTs – and sheds light on the unique demands and opportunities in the sector. Learn more about Jim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjimfaulkner/

In this episode of the Ori Spotlight Podcast, we're joined by Sanjay Srivastava, Managing Director of Accenture's Cell and Gene Therapy Practice. With his extensive background in consulting and a deep understanding of the biotechnology sector, Sanjay offers unique insights into the rapidly evolving world of cell and gene therapies. Sanjay and Jason C. Foster delve into the critical challenges facing the industry, particularly focusing on the scalability and efficiency of manufacturing processes. They discuss how these challenges impact the commercial viability of advanced therapies and the necessity of adapting our current healthcare systems to better accommodate innovative treatments. Learn more about Sanjay here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitreniumions/

We’re joined by Tim Hunt, CEO of Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM). As an international advocacy organization, ARM is a global voice within the cell and gene therapy sector. They champion the benefits of engineered cell therapies and genetic medicines for patients, healthcare systems, and society as well as facilitating influential exchanges on policies and practices, and advances in narrative with data and analysis. In this episode, Tim and Jason C. Foster discuss why it is important to put the patient first and where we should be focusing our attention to reduce the cost of goods and improve the accessibility of cell and gene therapies. Tim also offers his advice for people and companies working in the CGT space. Learn more about Tim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timhunt100/

We’re joined by Vered Caplan, CEO of Orgenesis, as she shares her insights into the cell and gene therapy sector. With a background in engineering and business, Vered found her passion in the cell and gene therapy industry. She founded Orgenesis with a mission to bring innovative therapies to patients, by leveraging cutting-edge science to create a more efficient, scalable, and affordable pathway to patients. In this episode, Vered discusses: 🧬 The need for greater adoption of technology to overcome manufacturing challenges of advanced therapies 🧬 Why digital is the key to tailoring manufacturing processes to the individual needs of patients 🧬 How industry partnerships support the scalability of therapy products Learn more about Vered: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vered-caplan-4366928/

On this episode of the Ori Spotlight Podcast, we're joined by Daniel Gibson Director of Cell and Gene Therapy Services at Anthony Nolan. Anthony Nolan is a charity on a mission to improve the lives of people with blood cancer and blood disorders, by connecting patients and stem cell donors, funding research into cell therapies, and supporting patients along their transplant journey. Together, Jason and Daniel discuss the barriers limiting widespread patient access to cell therapies, why we need to adapt manufacturing processes, and how regulation can ensure scaleable development. Read more about Anthony Nolan’s work: https://www.anthonynolan.org/

On this episode of the Ori Spotlight podcast, we're joined by Dr Elizabeth Woo, Vice President of Cell and Gene Therapy at ThermoFisher. With 20+ years of experience at ThermoFisher, Betty has contributed to the growth of the company's revenue from $4B to $40B through various technical, commercial and leadership roles. Throughout this episode, Betty provides her insights into how the cell and gene therapy sector is evolving and offers valuable advice for young professionals in the industry. To strengthen and advance the industry, it is crucial to welcome diverse and exceptional skillsets and talents. Betty stresses the importance of fostering diverse and inclusive work environments and takes pride in being part of an organisation where more than 40% of leadership roles are held by women. We’re very excited to see industry leaders like ThermoFisher leverage their immense pool of resources and assets to accelerate therapy development and improve access to life-saving innovative therapies for patients worldwide. A fascinating discussion that provides valuable insights for all, from young professionals entering the industry to experienced leaders in the biotech space. Learn more about Betty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-woo-ph-d/

On this episode of the Ori Spotlight podcast, we're joined by John Lee, Senior Vice President and Head of Cell Therapy at the Center for Breakthrough Medicines. With 20+ years of experience in cancer cell biology at Janssen and GSK, spanning small and large molecules and cell-based therapeutics, John unpicks some of the biggest challenges facing the cell and gene therapy industry. One hot topic within the industry is the “buy versus build” approach to manufacturing. As developers invest more money in building out their own capacity, John and Jason C Foster explore whether early-stage or even larger pharmaceutical companies should build, maintain, and manufacture at a huge cost. Located in the heart of “Cellicon Valley,” CBM boasts the world’s largest single-site advanced therapies facility. With everything on a single site, CBM aims to eliminate traditional logistical development and manufacturing bottlenecks, providing cell and gene development companies with a “home forever”. Learn more about John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-lee-27b44b4/ -- ⁠Watch this episode on our Youtube channel

We’re back with the Ori Spotlight Podcast, where we’ll be hosting conversations with experts and advocates from across the cell and gene therapy sector, and exploring the latest challenges and opportunities within the industry. In this episode, we talk to Amy Kappen, founder of the Best Day Ever Foundation. Amy founded the Foundation after her daughter Sophia passed away after battling with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 2017. For Amy and her family, CAR-T was “a modern day miracle” that allowed them to spend more time with their daughter. There is no set timeline to grieving the loss of a child – for Amy and her family, accessing the right resources to support them during this period was challenging. In memory of Sophia, the now Foundation supports a community of families grieving the loss of a child, providing services and resources with the goal to help families regain joyful moments in their lives. Patients and their families are the reason we do the work we do. Amy was so generous in the retelling of her story and Jason C Foster was honored to sit down and talk to her. Don't miss this episode. Best Day Ever Foundation is hosting its annual ‘Shine the Night’ event on April 8th. Find out more here: https://www.bestdayeverfoundation.us/events/ -- Watch this episode on our Youtube channel