The BioHub - by Avetix

On this episode, we sit down with the CEO & CTO of Circio to get into the world of circular RNA.

Erik, Thomas and the team are developing circVec, a circular RNA expression platform designed to make C&G therapies more powerful and durable.

The guys dig into the science & history behind circular RNA before discussing some initial data they have in heart, brain and other tissues, whilst explaining why this matters.

We also touch on the platform vs internal pipeline debate, their recent fundraising, partnering discussions and what to expect from Circio in the next 18 months.

We were delighted to be joined by Johanna Kaufmann, Chief Scientific Officer at Deck Bio.
Johanna has spent her career at the intersection of oncology, immunology and drug development, working across both biotech and big pharma. She started her career in cancer virology before moving through roles at Genocea, TESARO and GSK, and later joined Codagenix, where she led its oncology and immunology efforts.
Today, as CSO at Deck Bio, she’s helping to advance a new approach to targeting solid tumours through multi-peptide-MHC targeted T-cell engagers.
In this we discuss Johanna’s journey through the field, the lessons she’s learned moving between different parts of the industry, how her thinking around drug development has evolved, and what it takes to build and advance innovative science in biotech.

We were delighted to be joined by Dr. Sam Blackman, a physician-scientist, biotech entrepreneur and investor who has built a fascinating career across medicine, drug development and biotechnology.
Sam trained as a physician and spent much of his early career focused on pediatric oncology before moving into the biotech world, where he became one of the co-founders of Day One Biopharmaceuticals. He played a key role in building the company and advancing tovorafenib through development and ultimately to FDA approval for children and young adults with relapsed or refractory low-grade glioma.
Since then, Sam has moved into a broader role across the biotech ecosystem, including working with companies as an investor, advisor and board member.

We were delighted to be joined by two highly experienced leaders in the biotechnology industry, Howard Berman, Ph.D., and Kia Motesharei, Ph.D.
Both Howard and Kia have built impressive careers across biotechnology, capital markets, business development and strategic transactions, with a track record of helping companies navigate some of the most important stages of their growth.
Howard is now CEO of ReAlta Life Sciences, where he is leading the company through an important clinical-stage period as it advances pegtarazimod into late-stage development. Kia serves as President and COO, bringing extensive experience across business development, strategic partnerships, capital formation and transactions. Together, they bring a particularly interesting perspective on how to create value in biotech and how the right strategy, leadership and capital can come together to move a company forward.

In this episode of The BioHub Podcast, Ben sits down with Dr. Inder Kaul, Chief Medical Officer at Draig Therapeutics, to discuss the evolution of neuropsychiatric drug development and what it takes to translate novel neuroscience into meaningful medicines for patients.
Inder brings decades of global clinical development experience, most recently playing a key role in the development of Cobenfy at Karuna Therapeutics and Bristol Myers Squibb - one of the most significant advances in schizophrenia treatment in decades.
We explore the journey behind Cobenfy, what its success tells us about pursuing new mechanisms in psychiatry, and the lessons Inder has taken into his current role at Draig.
The conversation also dives into Draig’s approach to neuropsychiatry, including its Phase 2 AMPA receptor modulator DT-101 for major depressive disorder, the potential of targeting glutamate and GABA pathways, and what the next generation of CNS drug development could look like.
A fascinating conversation with someone who has helped take genuinely differentiated neuroscience from clinical development through to approval.