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.

This week on the Life Science Success Podcast my guest is Dan Lunz. Dan Lunz is the CEO and Co-founder of Previse, a pioneering company based in Baltimore, Maryland, that specializes in offering tests for the prediction and earlier detection of upper-GI cancers.

• Background of Dan Lunz: Dan Lunz, CEO and co-founder of Previse, shares his journey from growing up in Baltimore, serving in the Marine Corps, experiencing healthcare firsthand as a patient in the VA system, to studying at Johns Hopkins and working in clinical research. His career path was significantly influenced by his desire to serve others, leading him to the life sciences sector.

• Formation of Previse: Lunz's collaboration with Dr. Steven Meltzer, a professor at Johns Hopkins, sparked the founding of Previse. They focused on developing diagnostic tools for early detection of upper GI cancers based on Meltzer's research on biomarkers. Their shared mission was to improve patient outcomes through innovative medical technologies.

• Previse's Diagnostic Innovations: Previse specializes in detecting and predicting upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. The company offers a commercial test called ESO Predict, which assesses the risk of esophageal cancer in patients with conditions like Barrett's esophagus, helping physicians strategize patient management and surveillance intervals.

• Challenges and Leadership Insights: Throughout the interview, Lunz discusses the entrepreneurial challenges of securing funding and navigating regulatory landscapes. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and humility in leadership, learning from rejections, and the critical role of assembling a talented team to overcome complex challenges.

• Future Goals and Impact: Looking forward, Previse aims to expand access to its existing diagnostics across the U.S. and continue developing non-endoscopic tools and medical devices to enhance GI cancer detection. Lunz is driven by the potential impact of their technology in preventing cancer and improving patient care, underscoring his dedication to service and innovation in life sciences.

In this episode of the Life Science Success Podcast our guest is Leonard Mazur, CEO and Co-Founder of Citius Pharmaceuticals. With over 50 years of experience in the biopharma industry, Leonard has been at the forefront of developing groundbreaking therapies for patients with unmet medical needs.

• Background and Entry into Biopharmaceuticals: Leonard Mazur, CEO and co-founder of Citius Pharmaceuticals, began his career through an unexpected newspaper ad, leading him to pharmaceutical sales. His liberal arts background as a psychology major did not initially suggest a career in biopharma, highlighting the unpredictability of career paths.

• Early Career Development: Mazur's rapid career advancement occurred within Cooper Laboratories, an entrepreneurial company where he transitioned from sales to marketing and strategic planning. This period involved substantial growth through acquisitions, providing him with a broad range of experiences in the pharmaceutical sector.

• Entrepreneurial Ventures: Throughout his career, Leonard Mazur has initiated multiple entrepreneurial efforts, ultimately leading to the founding of Citius Pharmaceuticals. His story is marked by significant risk-taking, including personal financial stakes in business initiatives, reflecting his deep commitment to his entrepreneurial pursuits.

• Focus of Citius Pharmaceuticals: Citius Pharmaceuticals, which Mazur co-founded, is dedicated to developing innovative treatments for critical care. A key product from Citius is an antibiotic lock solution for treating infections in central venous catheters, illustrating the company's commitment to addressing complex medical needs.

• Views on Industry and Innovation: Mazur discusses the critical role of the biopharmaceutical industry in global drug development, emphasizing the potential risks to innovation from policy changes such as the implementation of socialized medicine. His insights reflect on the industry's dynamics and the importance of sustaining an environment conducive to pharmaceutical innovation.