In this episode, we sit down with Aron Knickerbocker, President and CEO of Aulos Bioscience. Aron shares his extensive experience in the Life Sciences industry, highlighting his pivotal roles at RayzeBio, Five Prime Therapeutics, and Genentech. He discusses Aulos’ innovative approaches to cancer treatment, particularly in radiopharmaceuticals and targeted therapies. Aron also reflects on the key leadership advice that has shaped his career and shares his insights on the future of oncology. Tune in to learn about the groundbreaking work at Aulos and Aron’s vision for advancing cancer treatment.

• Personal Motivation: Aron’s dedication to cancer treatment is deeply personal, influenced by his mother’s death from cancer.
• Innovative Approaches: Aulos Biosciences uses immune system engagement instead of traditional radiotherapy, showing promise in early trials.
• Diverse Experience: Aron’s career spans research, business development, and leadership roles, providing a comprehensive understanding of the biotech industry.
• Leadership Values: Effective decision-making, scientific rigor, and a strong team are central to Aron’s leadership style.
• Future Vision: Aron envisions AU-007 making a significant impact on cancer treatment, with aspirations of achieving groundbreaking results in clinical trials.

Paul Edwards is the President and CEO of DoseMeRx. He has been a Senior Executive with Merck and GSK, and start-ups including ILUM Health Solutions, Infectious Disease Connect, and TrackMy Solutions. He has an extensive history in infectious disease, antimicrobial stewardship, and precision medicine.

• Guest Introduction: Paul Edwards, the President and CEO of DoseMeRx, shares his extensive background in the pharmaceutical industry, including roles at Merck, GSK, and various startups, focusing on antibiotics and infectious diseases.

• Pharmaceutical Journey: Paul discusses his career progression from selling macrolides to leading infectious disease units and moving to the U.S. to transform commercial models at Merck, emphasizing the importance of real-world data over clinical trial data.

• DoseMeRx Focus: DoseMeRx specializes in precise dosing for critically ill patients using therapeutic drug monitoring, particularly for injectable antibiotics, aiming to provide accurate dosing information through web-based and integrated models within hospital systems.

• Challenges and Future of Medicine: Paul highlights the importance of antimicrobial stewardship, pharmacogenomics, and personalized medicine in improving patient care and expresses concerns about the current insurance and payment systems based on actuarial science.

In this episode of the Life Science Success Podcast, I am joined by Dr. Rafael G.
Amado, an esteemed leader in oncology research and development, currently serving as
the President and Head of Global Oncology at Zai Lab. With a distinguished career
spanning multiple leading biotech firms, Dr. Amado brings a wealth of experience in
gene-engineered cell therapies and innovative cancer treatments.

• Professional Background: Dr. Rafael G. Amado is currently the president and head of global oncology at Zai Lab. He has a rich background in medicine, starting with his education in Spain, followed by a move to the U.S. where he specialized in Internal Medicine and later Hematology Oncology at the University of California, Los Angeles.

• Passion for Oncology: Dr. Amado's interest in oncology stems from its complex nature and the multifaceted approach it requires, combining diagnostics, therapeutics, and a detective-like inquiry into patient cases. His career shift towards oncology was influenced by its holistic approach to patient care and his personal drive to solve complex medical puzzles.

• Research and Development Focus: At Zai Lab, Dr. Amado oversees oncology research and development, focusing on gene-engineered cell therapies among other innovative treatments. He has been involved in significant breakthroughs, such as determining drug inefficacies in patients with certain genetic mutations, which has influenced global regulatory changes in cancer treatment.

• Corporate and Global Strategy: Under Dr. Amado’s leadership, Zai Lab has approved six drugs in China, with a strong emphasis on addressing grievous illnesses through open innovation. He is instrumental in expanding the company's global reach, aiming to impact a broad patient base internationally by aligning clinical trials and regulatory strategies across diverse geographic locations.

• Vision and Future Goals: Dr. Amado is committed to advancing drug development that significantly outweighs potential risks with therapeutic benefits. He is driven by a mission to impact oncology treatment on a global scale, with ambitious goals to reach approximately a million patients by 2030 through continuous innovation and strategic drug development.