Business of Biotech Shorts

31. Ep. 261, Chapter 4: Overcoming Regulatory and Manufacturing Challenges With Amber Salzman, Ph.D. 9/2/2025

    Epic Bio’s novel epigenetic approach to treat FSHD functions by methylating a specific DNA region, which is expected to reduce the expression of the toxic Dux4 protein. The company seeks to use methylation data as a potential biomarker and regulators have agreed that higher methylation correlates with less disease severity. However, they require human study data to prove that Epic Bio's treatment can successfully increase methylation and change the course of the disease.

32. Ep. 261, Chapter 3: Epic Bio's Clinical Approach And Springbok Analytics Partnership With Amber Salzman, Ph.D. 9/2/2025

    Salzman describes Facio-scapulo-humeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a debilitating genetic disease that causes progressive muscle weakness. It typically starts in the face, leading to difficulties with blinking and smiling, and then spreads to the upper body, eventually causing loss of mobility in many patients.

33. Ep. 261, Chapter 2: Epic Bio's Fundraising Philosophy With Amber Salzman, Ph.D. 9/2/2025

    Salzman explains how the company was able to secure $68 million in a Series B funding round despite a challenging market for early-stage companies. First, Epic Bio focused on patient needs. Beyond simply offering a promising platform, the company worked hard toward developing preclinical data for specific applications to address pressing patient needs.

34. Ep. 261, Chapter 1: Introducing Amber Salzman, Ph.D., and Understanding Epigenetic Editing Technology 9/2/2025

    Life Science Leader Chief Editor Ben Comer introduces Amber Salzman, CEO and President of Epicrispr Biotechnologies (Epic Bio), a company that leverages epigenetic modulators to control gene expression. Salzman discusses how her family history of neurodegenerative disease guided her career from work on common diseases to a focus on rare diseases, culminating in her joining Epic Bio.

35. Ep. 260, Chapter 5: U.S. Life Sciences Manufacturing and Funding with Jennifer Hawks Bland 8/1/2025

    Bland discusses growing interest in bringing biomanufacturing back to New York state, noting that NewYorkBIO works with Empire State Development to attract these facilities, offering connections and support to integrate new companies into the local ecosystem. She emphasizes the need to balance reshoring efforts with ensuring worldwide patient access. Bland also addresses concerns about NIH funding cuts and highlights NewYorkBIO's role in connecting companies to existing grant opportunities while helping them navigate policy changes.

36. Ep. 260, Chapter 4: New York State's Life Sciences Infrastructure with Jennifer Hawks Bland 8/1/2025

    Bland emphasizes that, while New York offers a strong ecosystem for biotech due to its financial infrastructure and diverse talent, good science attracts investment regardless of location. New York's robust network, including strong ties with foreign entities and consular offices, aids both international companies seeking US investment and domestic companies looking to expand globally.

37. Ep. 260, Chapter 3: NewYorkBIO's Mission with Jennifer Hawks Bland 8/1/2025

    Bland says New YorkBIO’s diverse membership includes large pharmaceutical companies, startups, universities, and research institutions with a presence or interest in New York's life sciences landscape. The organization offers crucial advocacy in Albany, addressing policy choices that impact patient access and reimbursement. New YorkBIO provides monthly briefings, facilitates connections between members and policymakers, and translates complex scientific and policy information into understandable terms.

38. Ep. 260, Chapter 2: Navigating Life Sciences Policy with Jennifer Hawks Bland 8/1/2025

    Advocating for Merck and GSK, Bland faced complex legislative issues, including patent reform and the development of federal track-and-trace legislation for therapeutics. The latter initiative aimed to standardize serialization requirements across the supply chain, as individual states like California were creating disparate regulations. Bland emphasized the monumental effort involved in drafting and passing novel federal legislation, which requires years of collaboration across the industry, highlighting the power of collective action within the life sciences sector.

39. Ep. 260, Chapter 1: Jennifer Hawks Bland's Journey From Politics to Life Sciences Advocacy 8/1/2025

    Life Science Leader Chief Editor Ben Comer interviews Jennifer Hawkes Bland, CEO of NewYorkBIO, a New York State trade organization and advocate for life sciences companies and research institutions. Bland discusses her career path from working on Capitol Hill for Senator Thad Cochran to her current role, highlighting how her diverse experience in advocacy and policy prepared her to lead NewYorkBIO. Bland also talks about how her legal background honed her critical thinking and writing skills, essential for her work in government affairs and advocacy within the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

40. Ep. 258, Chapter 6: How Strategic Procurement Drives Biotech Success with Tom Wells 7/30/2025

    Wells discusses the concept of "Payment Share" or "Bonus-Malice" in procurement, where suppliers' compensation is directly tied to outcomes, similar to value-based drug contracts. While acknowledging the strategy’s potential, he highlights the challenge in biotech due to numerous uncontrollable variables (e.g., competitor actions, supply chain issues, sales force performance) that can impact a drug's success beyond the supplier's direct influence.