In this episode of “Moving Medicine Forward,” Tara Mink,expert in cell and gene therapy for more than 25 years, joins to discuss the science, promise, and challenges of CAR-T therapy. Tara explains how CAR-T works, its remarkable durability, and the side effects clinicians manage. She also discusses the future of gene therapy, barriers to access, and how the field is expanding into new disease areas.

01:05 Tara explains the CAR-T process, including how T cells are collected, genetically modified with a chimeric antigen receptor, expanded, and then reinfused into the patient.

01:49 Discussion of CAR-T’s efficacy, described as both remarkable and durable. It’s positioned as a “one and done” therapy that typically requires no maintenance.

02:30 Tara outlines common side effects like cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, emphasizing their manageability with proper early intervention.

03:18 The future of gene therapy is promising, with projections of 1,500 new therapies emerging by 2030, according to the Cardinal 2025 report.

04:00 Key challenges include the high cost of research and treatment, limited insurance coverage, accessibility to treatment centers, and widespread misinformation in the medical community.

06:37 Solutions include expanding treatment access, supporting outpatient models, partnering with third-party services, and improving insurance and patient education.

09:25 Commercial hurdles are explored, such as the need for better technologies that reduce side effects and the importance of building provider confidence in administering CAR-T in community settings.

10:08 An overview of where CAR-T is headed, including gastrointestinal conditions, prostate cancer, neuroblastoma, lung and breast cancer, and autoimmune diseases.

12:00 Tara shares how patient outcomes have dramatically improved over the last decade, with some blood cancer patients now living 25–30 years post-treatment.

13:06 Encouragement for patients to seek expert guidance, confirm the treatment fits their diagnosis, and work closely with their provider teams for the best path forward.

In this episode of “Moving Medicine Forward,” host Jeremy Strand sits down with Brian Lawrence, Chief Financial Officer at CTI, to explore how strategic financial planning is critical to advancing clinical trials, particularly in rare disease research. Brian shares insights on balancing profitability with purpose in one of the world’s most highly regulated industries, reflecting on early career decisions, global expansion, trial funding challenges, and the growing influence of AI in finance.

00:36

Brian shares how early interests in math and accounting, along with a few great mentors, led him into finance and the clinical research space.

02:17

Why Brian opted for a smaller accounting firm over a Big Four company and how that decision shaped his career.

03:16

How his love for process improvement and early experiences with digital transformation prepared him for the dynamic contract research organization (CRO) environment.

04:03

Brian discusses CTI’s evolution: growing four times in size, expanding globally, and staying true to its rare disease focus.

05:00

The challenge of maintaining profitability while upholding the highest standards in research and compliance.

06:00

Brian explains the hidden costs of operating globally, including banking, compliance, and cybersecurity.

07:10

Why financial planning is critical in biotech, where projects can be halted suddenly due to safety or funding concerns.

09:00

How investment trends and economic shifts post-COVID have tightened budgets and forced CROs and sponsors to adapt.

10:00

Brian breaks down the financial implications of trial diversity, especially in rare diseases with complex study designs.

11:12

The role of AI and digital tools in modern CRO operations, and why CTI is taking a deliberate approach to adoption.

13:00

Brian sees technology as a way to eliminate low-value tasks and empower finance teams to focus on strategic insights.

14:00

Through initiatives like CTI Cares and “Mission Moments,” Brian explains how CTI connects internal teams to the bigger picture of patient impact.

What makes a clinical trial site successful when managing complex transplant studies? In this episode of “Moving Medicine Forward,” host Jeremy Schrand is joined by Shawna Bredek, a 20+ year veteran in clinical trial operations, to explore how feasibility assessments shape the future of life-saving research. Shawna shares how her team evaluates sites, navigates post-COVID challenges, tackles regulatory hurdles, and builds lasting relationships that help bring rare disease treatments and transplant innovations to life. Whether you're working in clinical research or simply curious about medical breakthroughs, this episode offers a compelling look at the strategy behind meaningful science.

Show Notes:
00:36 Meet Shawna Bredeck, VP Global Site Activation & Clinical Document Management at CTI
00:52 Feasibility in the context of a clinical trial
01:18 Why choosing the right site and Private Investigator is critical
02:12 Post-COVID challenges: site fatigue, turnover, and timelines
03:34 Sponsors’ expectations vs. site realities
04:03 Asking tough feasibility questions upfront
05:17 Transplant-specific logistics: 24/7 coverage and site readiness
05:54 Navigating regulatory red tape across countries
07:28 How regulatory delays can stall important trials
08:12 Global differences: why it’s easier to start in Brazil than the US
08:54 Engaging rare disease sites through relationships and reputation
09:56 Partnering with advocacy groups for trial success
10:58 Shawna’s proudest career moment: a major transplant drug approval
12:21 The human side of transplant research
12:50 The shared mission of patients, sponsors, sites, and scientists
13:02 Final thoughts and how to connect with CTI

In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward, we sit down with Dr. Helios Tedesco, a globally recognized transplant nephrologist from São Paulo, Brazil, who leads one of the world’s largest kidney transplant programs. Joined by CTI experts Dr. Christopher Boshkos, Senior Medical Director, and Clinical Scientist, Erika Aldag, the conversation explores the challenges and innovations behind managing more than 15,000 transplant patients, from telehealth expansion and donor matching to cutting-edge immunosuppressive strategies and the future of surveillance tools such as cell-free DNA and the iBox model. This episode offers a rare look into the science, systems, and human dedication driving transplant care forward.

00:00 Host Jeremy Strand introduces the podcast and this episode’s focus on transplant innovation.

00:35 Dr. Helios Tedesco (São Paulo), Dr. Christopher Boshkos, and Clinical Scientist Erika Aldag join to discuss global kidney transplant practices.

01:13 Dr. Tedesco shares his background, highlighting nearly 40 years in nephrology, performing over 1,000 kidney transplants annually, and a strong foundation in research.

03:17 Managing large transplant populations involves strategic follow-up care, decentralized nephrology networks, and an expanding role for telehealth.

06:30 How patients are matched to regimens, minimizing rejection and addressing regional challenges.

11:49 Dr. Tedesco explains their one-dose thymoglobulin approach and its benefits over traditional multi-dose methods.

18:34 New tools for monitoring graft health include donor-derived cell-free DNA, advanced biopsy techniques, and an examination of barriers to widespread adoption.

24:25 Discussion on the potential of the iBox model as a predictive tool for clinical trials and long-term graft survival.

28:15 Transplant science is headed toward improved long-term therapies, innovative biologics, and more patient-friendly immunosuppression options.

32:15 Successes and learnings from scaling telehealth to support a large patient base.

37:41 Appreciation for the collaboration between CTI and global transplant centers.

In this episode of “Moving Medicine Forward” – The Podcast, Jamie Meisenhelder, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) at CTI, joins us to reflect on her unique journey from law to leadership and how she oversees CTI’s legal, QA, and administrative functions. She shares how her team supports clinical trials, tackles global regulatory challenges, maintains quality standards, and keeps patient trust as the focus. Plus, we explore the future of clinical research and what it takes to stay competitive in an evolving industry.

00:48 Jamie Meisenhelder, CAO of CTI, joins to discuss the roles of QA, legal, and administrative teams.

01:14 Jamie shares her unique path from litigation and finance to joining CTI as a corporate attorney.

01:40 Overview of Jamie's responsibilities: legal, QA, executive admin, and special initiatives.

02:27 How Jamie manages strategic, legal, and QA duties since stepping into the CAO role.

03:15 Her previous experience as Chief of Staff and how it prepared her for broader leadership.

04:07 Strategies for aligning executive leadership and communicating priorities across departments.

05:33 Moving quickly while maintaining quality in contracts and clinical trial agreements.

06:14 Tackling audits, validations, and regulatory demands in global clinical trials.

07:13 CTI’s approach to managing regulations across regions and the role of QA in this evolution.

08:05 Use of SOPs and how consistency is ensured in global projects.

09:27 How a patient-first approach at CTI mitigates legal and reputational risks.

10:06 Jamie reflects on changes in legal and regulatory landscapes during her time at CTI.

11:02 The critical role of confidentiality and how it supports patient trust and sponsor confidence.

12:14 Challenges and opportunities for contract research organizations, focusing on competition, efficiency, and talent retention.

In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Sara Russo and John Mock from Network for Hope, an independent nonprofit organ procurement organization. Together, they explore the life-changing work of organ and tissue donation — from the hospital bedside to the recipient's second chance at life.

Learn how the organization evolved from a merger between LifeCenter and KODA, now serving 7 million people as one of the largest OPOs in the U.S.

00:00 Jeremy introduces the episode and the theme: highlighting breakthroughs in healthcare through the lens of organ donation.

00:36 Sara Russo (Hospital Partnership Liaison, Network for Hope) and John Mock (organ recipient and ambassador) join the conversation.

01:14 Sara shares her journey from CTI and Cincinnati Children’s to her current role at Network for Hope.

02:19 John reflects on his personal connection as a liver transplant recipient and how clinical trials played a role in his journey.

03:01 The guests discuss how Network for Hope has impacted their lives and shifted their perspectives on organ donation.

04:16 John shares his transplant story, touching on survivor’s guilt and the powerful impact of donation.

06:26 The 2024 merger between LifeCenter and KODA forms Network for Hope — now serving nearly 7 million people.

08:21 Sarah discusses the launch of the first donor care unit in the region, housed in UC’s Flex ICU, and how it's improving organ recovery rates.

11:37 Addressing common misconceptions about donation — from faith concerns to mistrust in hospitals.

14:56 A look at the compassionate approach taken when working with grieving donor families.

15:38 Network for Hope provides six weeks of support followed by a minimum of 18 months through their aftercare team.

17:05 Families participate in honor walks and remembrance ceremonies, recognizing the heroism of donors.

18:11 John shares his unique post-transplant bond with his donor’s family and how they now advocate together.

21:01 Network for Hope encourages transplant recipients to write to their donor families through a new writing station initiative at UC.

23:03 A thoughtful explanation of how donor-recipient relationships are carefully managed and supported.

24:14 Sara and John share what they look forward to most in April — from flag-raising ceremonies to educational outreach.

26:41 Listeners are encouraged to register as donors, volunteer, and speak to their loved ones about their wishes.

27:56 Network for Hope is spotlighted as CTI’s North American Charity of the Quarter. Closing thanks and resources.

In this episode of “Moving Medicine Forward” – The Podcast, Monica Rodriguez, Managing Director of Global Laboratory, Pharmacometrics, and Site Services at CTI, and Andy Supp, Vice President of Global Laboratory Services at CTI, join the conversation to discuss the unique structure and capabilities of CTI’s global laboratories. They share insights into their respective backgrounds, the strategic importance of CTI’s labs in Cincinnati, OH, and Bilbao, Spain, and how having two lab locations equips CTI with the resources needed to conduct complex clinical trials. The discussion also dives into the benefits these global facilities provide to sponsors conducting clinical trials and the industry at large. Monica also shares her excitement about her new role and the opportunities it presents, while both she and Andy look ahead to the future of CTI and CTI Labs.

0:36 – Introduction of podcast guests: Monica Rodriguez, Managing Director of Global Laboratory, Pharmacometrics, and Site Services, and Andy Supp, Vice President of Global Laboratory Services.

1:03 – Monica shares her background and career journey.

2:08 – Andy shares his background and experience.

3:27 – Discussion on the global lab setup, including CTI’s laboratories in Cincinnati, OH, and Bilbao, Spain.

5:17 – Exploration of how two lab locations benefits sponsors conducting clinical trials and the industry.

6:35 – Monica discusses her new role and the benefits it will bring.

8:54 – A look ahead at what they are most excited about for the future of CTI and CTI Labs.

In this episode of “Moving Medicine Forward” – The Podcast, Pat Dearing, Chief Human Resources Officer at CTI, discusses his career journey and the unique challenges of HR in healthcare. He shares insights on recruiting top talent, "people-first leadership," and CTI's DEIB council. Pat also talks about the future of remote work, HR’s role in acquisitions, and emerging trends shaping the future of HR.

0:23 – Introduction to the podcast guest, Pat Dearing, Chief Human Resources Officer at CTI.

0:40 – Pat shares his career journey and how he discovered CTI.

4:05 – A discussion on the differences and similarities between human resources in healthcare organizations and other industries.

5:19 – Strategies used by CTI HR to recruit top talent for specialized positions.

6:47 – Pat explains what "people-first leadership" means to him.

8:19 – Insights into CTI’s DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) council and its progress.

12:42 – Pat’s perspective on the evolving landscape of remote and hybrid work.

14:36 – How Pat manages constant change while focusing on people.

16:15 – What Pat is looking forward to in the future of CTI.

17:20 – How HR plays a role in acquisitions.

18:33 – Trends Pat sees shaping the future of HR.