INTERVIEWS

Angela Carroll, US Medical Affairs Scientific Director-Immuno-inflammation at ​GlaxoSmithKline (​GSK​)​, a global health care company, discusses the first published article to put forth a definition of disease modification in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), including lupus nephritis (LN). Co-authored by some of the world’s top lupus experts, the paper appears in the latest issue of “Lupus Science & Medicine” (Mar 2022) and marks an important step toward identifying treat-to-target therapies for the 5 million people worldwide suffering from SLE and LN. 

Eric Bednash, CEO and co-founder of RackTop Systems, an innovative cyber security company, discusses protecting data within the healthcare industry, especially since there was a significant number of providers that have suffered data breaches in the past two years. He talks about the benefits of zero-trust implementation in the security system and creating a cyber dream team for full protection.

Dr. Antonia Chen, Director of Research for the Division of Adult Reconstruction and Total Joint Arthroplasty in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital discusses her recent research “Implementing Weight Loss Before Total Joint Arthroplasty Using A Remote Dietitian and Mobile App: A Randomized, Control Trial”, which was recently presented at the 2022 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual meeting.

In this interview, ​Dr ​Elizabeth ​Matzkin​, ​board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital ​talks ​about her recent research ​”​ACL Graft Choice for the Elite Female Athlete Minimize Morbidity: Stay with the Hamstring Graft​”​, which was recently presented at the 2022 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual meeting.​ ​

Dr. Jack DiPalma, a gastroenterologist at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and medical director for Braintree Laboratories discusses colon cancer, risk factors, colonoscopy, barriers people face that prevent them from getting a colonoscopy, and alternative colonoscopy preparations, including a tablet preparation called  SUTAB ®. 

Dr. Timothy M. Pawlik, MD, PhD, MPH, and Dr. Samilia Obeng-Gyasi, MD, MPH, surgical oncologists from  The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute  discuss a new study published in “Psyco-oncology” that finds the risk for poor cancer outcomes in patients with overlapping inequities is higher than historically marginalized groups. Patients with intersectional identities often experience barriers to cancer care that adversely impact screening, diagnosis, treatment, as well as survivorship. To solve this problem, the researchers call for an “intersectional lens” in future cancer research to create a more patient-centered approach to cancer care. Additionally, providers need to learn about this issue to tailor cancer care to the unique identity of each patient. 

Dr. Omar Sinno, MD, U.S. Medical Lead, Rare Disease at UCB discusses the positive topline results from the Phase 3 RAISE trial evaluating zilucoplan, a self-administered, subcutaneous (SC) peptide inhibitor of complement component 5 (C5 inhibitor), versus placebo in adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). Alongside zilucoplan, UCB is also investigating whether rozanolixizumab, an SC-infused monoclonal antibody targeting the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), could deliver patient value to people living with gMG. UCB is currently the only company investigating two potential treatments with multiple mechanisms of action in gMG. The safety and efficacy of zilucoplan and rozanolixizumab have not been established and are not approved for use in any indication by any regulatory authority worldwide. 

Dr. Joe Flanders, PhD, VP, Psychology  at Numinus Wellness Inc, a Canadian-based company at the forefront of advancing safe, effective, and innovative psychedelic-assisted therapies, and  assistant instructor with the McGill University Psychology department, discusses  the enrollment of the first clinical trial volunteer as part of the next implementation phase in the clinical trial “A multi-site open-label extension study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD (MAPPUSX).”   The trial is sponsored by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and organized by MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC).   MAPPUSX is an extension of the parent study MAPP1 by MAPS, which investigated the safety of MDMA-assisted therapy for treating severe PTSD.    

Thomas Lendvay, CMO and co-founder of Tend Health, Inc. discusses the recent announcement of the initiation of a clinical trial at Massachusetts General Hospital evaluating the comparability of the company’s Gut Microbiome CAP device to current non-standardized methodologies for the delivery of Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) for patients suffering from Clostridium difficile infection. 

Dr. Christopher Ianelli, Co-Founder and CEO of iSpecimen (NASDAQ: ISPC), discusses the company’s proprietary, global Marketplace where researchers can search for and find millions of human biospecimens across its vast network of healthcare providers quickly and compliantly to support their medical research. iSpecimen eliminates the cumbersome and time-consuming process of biomaterial procurement. He talks about the platform’s benefits for researchers, the medical community at large and patients, how the technology works and what’s up next for the company.