Business of Biotech Shorts

  1. Ep. 253, Chapter 1: Mark Eisner, MD & Vir Biotechnology 7/11/2025

    Chief Editor of Life Science Leader and Host of The Business of Biotech, Ben Comer, and EVP and CMO at Vir Technology, Mark Eisner, MD, discuss Eisner’s career transition from academic medicine to product development and now his role at Vir. Dr. Eisner elaborates on Vir's strategic pivot to prioritize hepatitis programs and acquire Sanofi's masked T-cell engager platform. He also shares his leadership philosophy, which emphasizes patient focus and colleague mentorship in a collaborative biotech environment.

  2. Ep. 252, Chapter 5: From Rare To Large Indications 7/8/2025

    While Alnylam is well-equipped for rare and specialty conditions, broader public health issues such as hypertension and, potentially, Alzheimer’s, necessitate a shift in company mindset and a different commercialization approach. Alnylam’s strategic partnership with Roche for Zilebesiran will leverage the latter’s experience in CNS conditions and help to build Alnylam's capabilities for future large-scale opportunities. For 2025, Alnylam's top priorities include the launch of Amvuttra for cardiomyopathy and strengthening the company’s foundational commercial capabilities, such as AI, data generation, value-based agreements, and omnichannel marketing.

  3. Ep. 252, Chapter 4: Value-Based Contracts with Tolga Tanguler 7/8/2025

    Tanguler states Alnylam Pharmaceuticals’ approach to value-based contracts emphasizes resilience and long-term commitment. For example, in ultra-rare diseases, Alnylam offers cost predictability and, for its transthyretin amyloidosis (TTR) franchise, contracts are tied to clinical outcomes, wherein Alnylam provides rebates if patients don't achieve anticipated result. Alnylam also actively supports better non-invasive forms of patient diagnosis for rare diseases through increased awareness, collaboration with genetic testing partners, and addressing bottlenecks in the diagnostic value chain.

  4. Ep. 252, Chapter 3: Global Expansion Of RNAi with Tolga Tanguler 7/8/2025

    Alnylam Pharmaceuticals has expanded its footprint to more than 60 markets, with nearly half of its revenue generated outside the U.S. —diversifying the company’s revenue and enabling it to capitalize on region-specific opportunities. Tanguler explains why Alnylam’s commercialization approach involves categorizing markets by archetype (e.g., developed vs. distributor-led) rather than strict geography. He also speaks about how the company decides between direct presence and distribution partners, as well as the principles that guide Alnylam’s pricing strategy to maximize patient access.

  5. Ep. 252, Chapter 2: Commercializing RNAi with Tolga Tanguler 7/8/2025

    Tanguler explains how the unique opportunities presented by commercial RNAi drugs can overcome physician skepticism and poor patient adherence. RNAi therapies like Alnylam Pharmaceuticals’ Leqvio (a quarterly subcutaneous injection for hypercholesterolemia) and the experimental Zilebesiran (a semi-annual injection for hypertension) offer high adherence rates (90-95%) due to their infrequent, convenient administration. Additionally, RNAi drugs fit within existing reimbursement structures.

  6. Ep. 252, Chapter 1: Tolga Tanguler & Alnylam 7/8/2025

    Chief Editor of Life Science Leader and Host of The Business of Biotech, Ben Comer, and Tolga Tanguler, EVP and CCO and at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, discuss Tanguler’s career path from Merck and Pfizer to Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, an innovator in the RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic space. Tanguler details how early work in a stigmatic disease area, followed by his son’s childhood leukemia diagnosis, shaped his approach to science and medicine.

  7. Purification Strategies For Multispecifics 6/2/2025

    In this segment from the Bioprocess Online Live event, “Challenges And Considerations For Purifying Multispecific Molecules,” our panelists Mark Fitchmun and Dr. Jian Ren debate the use of affinity resins compared to ion exchange and multimodal chromatography methods.

  8. Characterizing Product- And Process-Related Impurities In Multispecifics 6/2/2025

    In this segment from the Bioprocess Online Live event, “Challenges And Considerations For Purifying Multispecific Molecules,” our panelists Mark Fitchmun and Dr. Jian Ren examine the types of common impurities manufacturers encounter in multispecific purification and explain the differences between product-related impurities and process-related impurities.

  9. Strategies For Viral Inactivation And Filtration In Multispecifics 6/2/2025

    In this segment from the Bioprocess Online Live event, “Challenges And Considerations For Purifying Multispecific Molecules,” our panelists cover molecule sensitivity to low pH and the use of detergent-based viral inactivation, as well as evaluating the suitability of platform viral filters.

  10. Addressing Manufacturability And Scalability Challenges In Multispecifics Purification 6/2/2025

    In this final segment from the Bioprocess Online Live event, “Challenges And Considerations For Purifying Multispecific Molecules,” our panelists answer some remaining audience questions relating to viral inactivation, affinity resins, precipitation steps in purification, and downstream scalability challenges.