The BioHub - by Avetix

Welcome back to another episode of The BioHub, we were thrilled to welcome on Nolan Townsend, CEO of Lexeo Therapeutics.Nolan has been at the helm of Lexeo since January 2020, leading a clinical-stage genetic medicine company aiming to transform treatment for genetically-defined cardiovascular diseases and APOE4-associated Alzheimer’s disease. Under his leadership, Lexeo has built a pipeline of therapies rooted in breakthrough science, partnered with prominent academic institutions like Weill Cornell Medicine, and raised significant capital to support its mission. Before Lexeo, Nolan spent more than a decade at Pfizer, where he was President of Pfizer Rare Disease for North America, and also President for its International Rare Disease operations — overseeing strategy, cross-functional teams, and large operating budgets.

Welcome to The BioHub podcast, where we interview the top minds from across the Biotech and Pharma industry.I’m joined by Dr. Stefan Lutz, SVP of Research at Codexis—a leader in enzyme engineering and the force behind some of the most exciting advancements in RNA manufacturing.Stefan’s journey spans academia and industry, from chairing the Chemistry Department at Emory University to now driving innovation at Codexis. He and his team are helping solve some of biotech’s biggest challenges—from improving RNA synthesis to using AI to unlock new frontiers in protein engineering.This one’s all about the evolution of RNA, the role of AI in discovery, and what it takes to lead with a growth mindset in modern science.Enjoy and stay tuned.

Thanks for tuning into another episode of The BioHub, we were delighted to welcome on Micah Mackison who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Vico Therapeutics, a company blazing trails in genetic neurology with RNA-based medicines. Since taking the helm in August 2022, Micah has been leading Vico’s drive to translate novel oligonucleotide RNA-modulating therapies from the lab into clinical trials, particularly in disorders like Huntington’s disease and spinocerebellar ataxia. Before Vico, Micah served as Chief Business Officer and EVP of Strategy & Corporate Development at Locanabio, a gene therapy company targeting neurological disease, where he played a key role in strategy setting, capital-raising, and organizational development. Prior roles include senior leadership in corporate development and strategy at Assembly Biosciences; heading new ventures and corporate strategy in neuroscience at Lundbeck; and before that, leading M&A & corporate development at Ovation Pharmaceuticals — the company that launched the first product for Huntington’s disease. Early in his career, he worked in finance with Eli Lilly and Pfizer. At Vico, Micah is particularly focused on advancing their lead candidate VO659, an antisense oligonucleotide that aims to slow or halt progression in CAG-repeat neurological diseases, and on growing the company’s proprietary VICOMER™ platform for RNA modulation

Welcome to The BioHub podcast, where we interview the top minds from across the Biotech and Pharma industry.Today I’m joined by Andy Parker, the CEO of Step Pharma.Andy has spent over two decades in biotech and pharma,holding senior leadership roles at companies like AstraZeneca, Shire and Zealand Pharma and even spending time on the VC side at Eclosion. Since 2019, he’s been leading Step Pharma, a companydeveloping first-in-class CTPS1 inhibitors, with their lead program now in the clinic for cancer.We talk about the science behind Step’s approach, what’snext for the company, and Andy’s experience moving from big pharma to small biotech. Plus: lessons on fundraising in today’s market and building a great work culture.Enjoy and stay tuned.

We were delighted to welcome Robert Ross, Chief Executive Officer at Clasp Therapeutics, onto The BioHub. Clasp Therapeutics are a pioneering biotech company spearheading the next generation of T-cell engager therapies. Founded in 2024 and backed by a successful $150 million Series A round with top tier investors, Clasp stands out for its novel approach in delivering off-the-shelf, bispecific T‐cell engagers that narrowly target cancer-driving mutations while sparing healthy tissues. Dr. Ross brings a wealth of experience to Clasp’s mission. Before stepping into the CEO role at Clasp in November 2023, he led Surface Oncology through its acquisition by Coherus Biosciences and directed oncology strategy at bluebird bio, where he played a key role in advancing groundbreaking CAR T-cell therapies.In this episode we dive into inspiration behind the founding of Clasp, what it takes to build a biotech and the shift from preclinical to clinical, an insight into some of the work Clasp are doing, as well as Rob transitioning from a practicing Oncologist to a Biotech CEO.

Welcome to The BioHub podcast, where we interview the top minds from across the Biotech and Pharma industry.On this episode we were joined by Kristof Vercruysse, CEO of TargED Biopharmaceuticals, an Utrecht-based biotech who're developing a novel Targeted Enzyme Delivery approach to Thrombolysis. On this episode, we discuss the current standard of care in indications such as TTP & Acute Ischemic Stroke and why TargED's platform represents a potential paradigm-shift for patients.

I am conscious that I redo the ontro here - Please excuseWelcome to The BioHub podcast, where we interview the top minds from across the Biotech and Pharma industry.I’m joined by Aaron Kantoff — Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Scion Life Sciences.Aaron helped build the therapeutics group at Apple Tree Partners from scratch, co-founding 11 companies along the way. After leaving Apple tree, Aaron co-founded RayzeBio, which was acquired by BMS for $4.1B.Now at Scion, he's continuing to back and build bold biotech companies with long-term potential — and a fresh approach to VC.We talk about the companies he’s built, what he’s learned from them, and why Scion is doubling down on science-first biotech in today’s market.Enjoy and stay tuned.

Today, we’re delighted to welcome Alison Finger, MBA, the Chief Operating Officer at Vicero Bio—a preclinical-stage biotech company pioneering VINCOBODY therapies, a next-generation nanobody platform being developed to tackle immune-mediated diseases and cancer. Since stepping into the COO role in September 2023, Alison has been at the helm of Vicero’s business operations, steering strategic and financial planning, company build-out, and business development initiatives.Prior to Vicero, Alison spent several years as Chief Commercial Officer at bluebird bio, where she led global strategy and commercialization for transformative gene and cell therapy products. Earlier in her career, she held multiple leadership roles at Bristol-Myers Squibb—including Managing Director for Australia/New Zealand and global franchise leadership in oncology, neurology, and virology—where she guided portfolio development and global launches across geographies.Join us in this episode at we talk through details on the pipeline, the lead programme and how the Series A raise is coming along, being in commercial roles for the bulk of her career and how the transition to more of an operating role is.

Welcome to The BioHub podcast, where we interview the top minds from across the Biotech and Pharma industry.I’m joined by Rick Winningham, Chairman and CEO of Theravance Biopharma.Rick has led Theravance since its spin-out from Innoviva in 2014, after serving as CEO of Innoviva and holding senior leadership roles at Bristol Myers Squibb. He’s also been a driving force in industry advocacy, chairing the California Life Sciences Association and serving on the boards of Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Rivus, and BIO.At Theravance, he’s steering strategy, innovation, and execution in a challenging market — drawing on decades of experience to navigate cycles, build strong teams, and keep advancing transformative medicines.Enjoy and stay tuned.

Welcome back to another episoe of The Bio Hub, we were delighted to be joined by Dr. Devyn Smith, a widely respected executive and thought leader in the field of cell and gene therapy, with a career that spans both global pharmaceutical giants and pioneering biotech startups.Devyn is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Arbor Biotechnologies, a company at the forefront of next-generation gene editing, co-founded by CRISPR pioneer Feng Zhang. Arbor is developing a proprietary platform of CRISPR-based editors and therapeutic programs aimed at tackling serious genetic diseases, with a focus on in vivo delivery and precision editing.Before joining Arbor, Devyn served as Chief Operating Officer at Sigilon Therapeutics, where he helped guide the company through its IPO and led its strategic and operational functions, including clinical, manufacturing, and regulatory efforts. Prior to that, he held multiple senior roles at Pfizer, including Head of Strategy for the Rare Disease Research Unit and Chief of Staff to the President of Worldwide R&D.Beyond the executive suite, Devyn serves as a board member Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM), where he played a key role in advocating for science-forward policy, expanding regulatory frameworks for advanced therapies, and pushing for sustained federal funding in biomedical research. He remains an active voice in the industry on issues ranging from AAV development and IND readiness to market access and public trust in gene-editing technologies.Devyn holds a Ph.D. in Genetics and Molecular Biology from the University of North Carolina and began his career in research before transitioning into strategy, development, and executive leadership.