When Akero’s stock dropped after a trial setback, why did RTW double down that same day? CEO Andrew Cheng joins RTW’s Rod Wong to share how he navigated the biotech storm, why he believed in efruxifermin (EFX,) and what’s next for liver disease treatment.PODCAST TEAMProducer: Devon LeaverEditor: Dominique GuerraProduction Coordinator: YingYu LinFeaturing: Andrew Cheng, CEO of Akero Therapeutics, moderated by Roderick Wong, MD, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer RTW Investments.FOLLOW USLove our podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at RTW Investments, LP and check out our website for the latest updates and insights.To make sure you never miss an episode, you can subscribe to the RTW podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and most other podcast platforms.CHAPTERS00:00 – Rod Wong in 202300:22 – Introduction01:01 – Introducing Akero Therapeutics and MASH03:51 – Discussing Akero’s Trials and Setbacks08:32 – Becoming pioneers in pre-cirrhotic and cirrhotic treatment11:05 – Challenges of being a biotech CEO12:52 – Outro and DisclaimerDISCLAIMERThis interview was given by Andrew Cheng, CEO of Akero Therapeutics, and moderated by Roderick Wong, MD, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer RTW Investments. Statements reflect RTW's views and opinions as of the date hereof and not as of any future date. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice and are not intended to be a forecast of future events or results. The views expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.
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13:47
Ditching Delay: GH001’s Instant Impact on Depression
Connor Williams was shocked when the data came back for GH001. What could this mean for the future of treatment-resistant depression? Listen to his exclusive interview with Dr. Valcheva, the CEO of GH Research, to find out.PODCAST TEAMProducer: Devon LeaverEditor: Dominique GuerraFeaturing: Dr. Velichka (Villy) Valcheva MD, CEO of GH Research moderated by Connor Williams, Senior Research Analyst at RTW Investments.Don't forget to listen to part 1 of Connor’s discussion on treatment resistant depression and psychedelics with Stephanie Sirota, Managing Partner and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments.FOLLOW USLove our podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at RTW Investments, LP and check out our website for the latest updates and insights.To make sure you never miss an episode, you can subscribe to the RTW podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and most other podcast platforms.CHAPTERS00:00 – Introduction01:09 – About GH Research04:20 – Becoming CEO of GH Research06:27 – The difference between GH001 and other psychedelics11:37 – The difficulties of developing a scheduled substance12:27 – Dealing with the stigma of psychedelics15:31 – What else can GH001 treat?17:26 – The future of GH Research20:53 – Outro and DisclaimerDISCLAIMERThis interview was given by Dr. Velichka (Villy) Valcheva MD, CEO of GH Research, and moderated by Connor Williams, Senior Research Analyst at RTW Investments. Statements reflect RTW's views and opinions as of the date hereof and not as of any future date. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice and are not intended to be a forecast of future events or results. The views expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.
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22:02
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22:02
Changing Minds: Psychedelics as Legitimate Medicine
If you’re dismissing psychedelics in pharma, think again. Stephanie Sirota and Connor Williams discuss overcoming stigma and regulatory challenges, and the results of a recent clinical trial that could signal a new era for mental health care.PODCAST TEAMProducer: Devon LeaverEditor: Dominique GuerraFeaturing: Connor Williams, Senior Researcher at RTW Investments, moderated by Stephanie A. Sirota, Partner and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments.Stay tuned for a deep dive into psychedelics with the CEO of GH Research, Dr. Velichka (Villy) Valcheva, moderated by Connor Williams.FOLLOW USLove our podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at RTW Investments, LP and check out our website for the latest updates and insights.To make sure you never miss an episode, you can subscribe to the RTW podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and most other podcast platforms.CHAPTERS00:00 - Introduction00:21 - The development of psychiatric drugs03:29 - Treatment resistant patients in the U.S. and the international market05:50 - The need for new depression treatment drugs08:05 - The rise of psychedelics & the impact of regulations and policies13:58 - New areas of study in psychedelics14:43- The valuation of psychedelics and what it means for investors17:53 - Discovering GH Research and its novel approach to TRD22:11 - Outro and disclaimerDISCLAIMERThis interview was given by Connor Williams, Senior Researcher at RTW Investments, and moderated by Stephanie A. Sirota, Partner and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments. Statements reflect RTW's views and opinions as of the date hereof and not as of any future date. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice and are not intended to be a forecast of future events or results. The views expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.
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23:22
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23:22
Inside the clinic: GLP-1s with Dr. Rekha B. Kumar
Dr. Rekha Kumar, Chief Medical Officer at Found, and Stephanie Sirota explore Rekha’s rise from academia, and her passion for obesity medicine. As new weight management therapies emerge, Rekha emphasizes the importance of lifestyle changes to maximize their potential.PODCAST TEAMProducer: Devon LeaverEditor: Dominique GuerraFeaturing: Dr. Rekha B. Kumar, moderated by Stephanie Sirota.Don't forget to listen to part one of Stephanie's discussion on GLP-1s with Rod Wong, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at RTW.FOLLOW USLove our podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at RTW Investments, LP and check out our website for the latest updates and insights.To make sure you never miss an episode, you can subscribe to the RTW podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and most other podcast platforms.CHAPTERS00:00 - Introduction00:38 - Dr. Rekha Kumar’s journey into obesity medicine04:18 - Establishing Found and treating obesity patients08:56 - Telehealth and its impact on obesity treatment12:59 - Understanding how GLP-1s work17:18 - Obesity as an area of study in medicine18:47 - Thoughts on the future of obesity medicine20:02 - OutroDISCLAIMERThis interview was given by Dr. Rekha B. Kumar, endocrinologist, obesity medicine specialist, and Chief Medical Officer at Found, and moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Chief Business Officer and Partner at RTW Investments. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.
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20:59
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20:59
The $1 trillion GLP-1 revolution with Rod Wong
Rod Wong and Stephanie Sirota delve into the transformative potential of GLP-1 drugs, focusing on their impact on obesity and related diseases. Rod shares his insights into the next generation of obesity therapies and the opportunities they present for innovation and investment in the biotech sector.PODCAST TEAMProducer: Devon LeaverEditor: Dominique GuerraFeaturing: Rod Wong, moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Chief Business Officer, and Partner at RTW Investments.Stay tuned for part two of our discussion on GLP-1s where we welcome Dr. Rekha B. Kumar to the studio at RTW HQ.FOLLOW USLove our podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at RTW Investments, LP and check out our website for the latest updates and insights.To make sure you never miss an episode, you can subscribe to the RTW podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and most other podcast platforms.CHAPTERS00:00 - Introductions00:39 - Understanding the importance of GLP-1s02:27 - GLPs in the cycle of obesity drug development05:13 - Public and private company interest in obesity drugs06:58 - Cost benefits of GLP-1s and their Impact on the healthcare system10:30 - The value of GLP-1s in the investor space12:36 - GLP-1s in the international market16:12 - The expansion of large companies into GLP-1s18:35 - Thoughts on recent investments and the potential of Kailera Therapeutics19:52 - Outro and disclaimerDISCLAIMERThis interview was given by Rod Wong, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of RTW Investments, and moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Chief Business Officer, and Partner at RTW Investments. Statements reflect RTW’s views and opinions as of the date hereof and not as of any future date. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice and are not intended to be a forecast of future events or results.
We’re witnessing a healthcare revolution, as medical and science innovations transform the lives of millions. Join as we speak to bright scientific minds, inspiring company founders and healthcare champions that are driving this exciting period of scientific discovery.Subscribe to catch each episode as it goes live.The content of this podcast does not constitute investment advice, an offer to provide investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any investment fund.
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