Pharmaceutical Channel

Targeting the Immune System to Treat Rare Disease

 
 
Paula Ragan, the CEO of X4 Pharmaceuticals, a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company and a leader in the discovery and development of novel therapies with a focus on rare disease joins eHealth Radio and the Health News and Pharmaceutical Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Paula Ragan discuss the following:
Can you tell us about your background? Where you're from, how you came to be interested in rare disease?
What is the science behind CXCR4 and what role does it play in the functioning of the immune system?
What is mavorixafor, what is its origin and how does it work? What clinical studies are your currently in?
What is WHIM syndrome? How is someone generally diagnosed with the condition and how does your treatment help?
You are also looking at mavorixafor as a treatment for certain cancers. What happens to the immune systems in these cancers and what is mavorixafor expected to do?
Can you tell me about your current partnerships and collaborations?

Dr. Ragan has been X4’s President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the X4 Board of Directors since July 2014. She has more than 18 years of experience building companies in the biotechnology industry.
Prior to founding X4, Dr. Ragan consulted as Chief Business Officer at Lysosomal Therapeutics Inc., a private biopharmaceutical company, where she led the company’s business development activities.
Prior to that, Dr. Ragan held leadership roles in corporate development and operations at Genzyme Corporation, a Sanofi company, where she led strategic partnering efforts for Genzyme’s Rare Disease business and headed the supply chain planning for Genzyme’s flagship commercial products.
Other professional roles include business roles at Hydra Biosciences, Oscient Corporation and Celera Corporation. Dr. Ragan received her B.S. from Tufts University and her Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and completed post-doctoral studies at Harvard Medical School.
 
 
Website: www.x4pharma.com
Social Media Links: Twitter: twitter.com/X4Pharma  Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/x4-pharmaceuticals

Nuvothera Launches Next-Gen, Super-Micronized Turmeric Supplement

 
Art Clapp, Founder & CEO of Nuvothera, a Fort Worth, TX-based biotech company formed by seasoned dermatology pharmaceutical executives with the mission of developing novel OTC products for chronic, difficult-to-treat skin diseases such as psoriasis joins eHealth Radio and the Dermatology and Pharmaceutical Channels.
 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Art Clapp discuss the following:
Why did you start the company Nuvothera?
Why did you focus your product development on Turmeric?
How does turmeric have so many health benefits?
What is different about your turmeric?
What are other wellness suggestions beyond supplements?

Art Clapp is Founder & CEO of Nuvothera, a Fort Worth, TX-based biotech company formed by seasoned dermatology pharmaceutical executives with the mission of developing novel OTC products for chronic, difficult-to-treat skin diseases such as psoriasis. Nuvothera’s products incorporate natural botanical ingredients and use the latest in scientific knowledge and evidence-based research. Currently, the company has two products in its portfolio, both available via the company website and on Amazon: Prosoria™ Daily Psoriasis Treatment System and Nuvothera™ Super-Micronized™ Turmeric Curcumin. Both dermatologists (MDs) and scientists (PhDs) were involved in developing these products, which are dermatology and clinically tested and proven. In 2018, Art was named Entrepeneur of the Year by the Fort Worth Business Press and Nuvothera won the Tech FW (Fort Worth) Impact Award for a product that has the potential to impact our world.
Art has three decades of experience in pharmaceuticals managing US and international pharma markets in licensing, acquisitions, technology assessment, product development, commercialization, Rx and OTC product marketing, strategic planning, portfolio and product life-cycle management, and delivery systems.
Prior to founding Nuvothera, Art spent almost two decades at Galderma in Pharmaceutical Marketing and Business development roles Fort Worth, TX and in Paris, France.
He also spent thirteen years in Sales and Product managemen at Purdue Pharma in Norwalk, CT.
 
 
Website: nuvothera.com

RDx BioScience Fights Opioid Crisis

 
 
Dr. Scott Howell, D.O., MPH & TM, CPE, Chief Medical Officer of RDx BioScience, a single source for care quality, risk evaluation and opioid expertise powered by a fast, full-service laboratory joins eHealth Radio and the Health News and Pharmaceutical Channels.
 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. Scott Howell discuss the following:
How are the new synthetic opioids, as we hear a lot about Fentanyl, different than an opiate like morphine?
Is Fentanyl responsible for overdose deaths?
What other risks are associated?
How does this impact employers?
What does RDx do to help tackle the addiction crisis?

Dr. Scott Howell is an acclaimed physician with over 25 years of clinical experience in medicine, public health and addiction. As the Chief Medical Officer for RDx BioScience, Scott leads our crusade to design and deliver meaningful value-based care. With expertise in the macro world of population health and day-to-day experience treating individual patients, he has deep insight into the capabilities of diagnostics in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic illness.

Scott brings extensive managed care experience with health plans, serving as National Senior Medical Director and Chief Medical Officer, Network and Population Health, Optum Insight, Regional Chief Medical Officer, Northeast Region of Americhoice, Inc., and National Medical Director of the Managed Care, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, with responsibility for international consulting in Russia, Ukraine, Guatemala, Honduras and Haiti. He most recently as Executive Medical Director at Heritage Provider Network.

He holds decades of hands-on practice experience, serving as Medical Director for the Broward Addiction and Recovery Center in Broward County, Florida, with oversight of a 40-bed detoxification center, 100-bed residential unit and over 5,000 outpatient visits per year in a public-funded setting. He continues to practice at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center’s Department of Addiction Medicine.

After serving in the U.S. military for 25 years, Dr. Howell is currently on military reserve assignment with the Office of Secretary of Defense at the Department of Defense Inspector General, concentrating on the Wounded Warrior Program, BioAssurity and Ebola Outbreak Assessment.

He earned a Master’s in Economics from the University of Miami, a Master’s in Public Health and Tropical Medicine from Tulane University, a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from California State University Fresno, and is certified by the American College of Physician Executives as a Certified Physician Executive (CPE).
 
 
Website: rdxbioscience.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/rdxbiosciences Twitter: @rdxbioscience

Predictive Biomarkers for Lifetime Health

 
 
Functional medicine pioneer and thought-leader, Dr. Russell Jaffe, MD, PhD, CCN, the Senior Fellow at Health Studies Collegium & Founder of PERQUE Integrated Health and ELISA/ACT Biotechnologies joins eHealth Radio and the Health News Channel.
 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. Russell Jaffe discuss the following:
What are “predictive biomarkers”?
Give us if you would an introduction to the 8 predictive biomarkers and why they are important?
Are any of these predictive biomarkers more important than the other?
Where can you find these tests?
How and where can our listeners learn more about your work?

 
Dr. Russ Jaffe is Founder and Chairman of PERQUE Integrative Health, LLC (PIH, www.PERQUE.com) a company that offers the world scientifically proven, integrative health solutions to speed the transition from sick care to healthful caring. Dr. Jaffe has more than 40 years of experience contributing to molecular biology and clinical diagnostics. His focus is on functional, predictive tests and procedures designed to improve the precision of both diagnosis and of treatment outcomes and he has authored nearly 100 articles on the subject. He received his B.S., MD and Ph.D. from the Boston University School of Medicine, completed residency training in clinical chemistry at the National Institutes of Health and remained on the permanent senior staff before pursuing other interests, including starting the Health Studies Collegium think tank. Dr. Jaffe is board certified in Clinical Pathology and in Chemical Pathology. He is the recipient of the Merck, Sharp & Dohm Excellence in Research Award, the J.D. Lane Award, and the U.S.P.H.S. Meritorious Service Award. Dr Jaffe was honored as an International Scientist of 2003 by the IBC, Oxford, England, UK for his lifetime contributions to clinical medicine, biochemistry, immunology, methodology, and integrative health policy. He is widely published and sought to explain complex subjects to any audience.  Dr. Jaffe is also founder and chairman of ELISA/ACT Biotechnologies, and MAGique BioTherapeutics.
Website: www.drrusselljaffe.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/RMJaffe1  Twitter: @DrRussellJaffe

Valisure is the first online analytical pharmacy addressing quality issues in our medications

 
 
David Light, Founder and CEO of Valisure, which is the first online analytical pharmacy that chemically validates medications for quality and consistency joins eHealth Radio and the Health News and Pharmaceutical Channels.
 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest David Light discuss the following:
What is an online analytical pharmacy? What is the testing process for the medications Valisure dispenses?
What was the inspiration and motivation behind founding Valisure? What is the need for a pharmacy like Valisure in the marketplace?
Overseas manufacturing of drugs in India and China with limited FDA oversight is a pervasive issue, especially given the recent drug recalls of many blood pressure medications. What is the impact on these drugs to consumers and what should we, as consumers, be aware of?
Where might quality control issues be identified in the pharmaceutical supply chain? What could be a possible solution to solve these issues?
What do you see as the future of online pharmacies and how they deliver quality and service to consumers?
Summary: Valisure is the only online analytical pharmacy that provides consumers with chemically batch-tested medications. With 80% of all medications being manufactured in India and China, and on average three drug recalls a day in the U.S., it’s more important than ever before for consumers to have access to validated meds. Valisure’s mission is to bring transparency and increased quality to the pharmaceutical industry and to deliver these benefits direct to consumers.
David Light is a biotech entrepreneur and scientist with over 10 years of broad experience in the field. A graduate of Yale University, David studied molecular biology and has worked in a variety of scientific and business roles at start-ups like Synthetic Genomics, Ion Torrent and now Valisure. At Ion Torrent, David developed key technologies that directly led to the semiconductor DNA sequencing company's $725M acquisition and ran it's flagship technology programs through development and global commercialization.
As CEO of Valisure, David helped found, fund and invent Valisure's core proprietary technology. David is named inventor on numerous patents, published in journals including Nature and cover of Electrophoresis, is a member of the Forbes Technology Council, and is very passionate about entrepreneurship and improving public health.
 
 
Website: valisure.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/valisure Twitter: @valisure

Hoy Health serves Hispanic and medically underserved populations

 
 
Mario Anglada, CEO at Hoy Health joins eHealth Radio and the Diabetes and Health News Channels to talk about the challenges faced by Hispanics and medically under served populations.
 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Mario Anglada discuss the following:
Tell us about your background and why you started Hoy Health?
What products do you offer?
What are the challenges for patients struggling with diabetes?
How do your services benefit Hispanic and medically under served populations?
How do these programs help to improve access to care and lower costs?

Mario Anglada has over 20 years of experience developed at leading Healthcare companies such as Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Nestle Health Science, Univision Communications and now leads Hoy Health LLC.

Hoy Health LLC, is a first-of-its-kind health-tech platform that provides a comprehensive and integrated bilingual healthcare support ecosystem to medically underserved patients offering solutions relative to medication access, medication adherence, tele-health and chronic condition management programs.
Hoy Health’s core businesses include HoyMEDS, a prescription medication discount program; HoyRX, a medication discount voucher program; HoyCCM, a clinical chronic condition management program and its direct to consumer retail counterpart HoyLIFE chronic condition management kit; and HoyDOC, a telemedicine program.
 
 
Website: www.HoyHealth.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hoyhealth Twitter: 
@hoyhealth

Why We’re Living Through Such an Exciting Time in Dermatology

 
 
Chris Posner, President and CEO of LEO Pharma US, a leading global pharma company specializing in dermatology and critical care joins eHealth Radio and the Dermatology & Pharmaceutical Channels.
 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Chris Posner discuss the following:
What makes this such an exciting time for dermatology? What recent progress has been made in the field?
Alternatively, in what areas does dermatology need to make progress?
Please tell me a bit about LEO Pharma. I understand the company has a rather long history?
What diseases does LEO Pharma help treat?
When it comes to research & development, what sets LEO apart from other dermatology companies?

Chris Posner is LEO Pharma’s Executive Vice President of Region U.S. and President & CEO of LEO Pharma Inc. – the U.S. affiliate. Chris joined LEO Pharma from R-Pharm U.S., a specialty pharmaceutical start-up focused on oncology and chronic immune diseases, where he was Head of Worldwide Commercial Operations. 

Chris has extensive experience in the healthcare industry including biologic medicines as well as immunology and led the commercialization of national and global brands at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Wyeth, Endo Pharmaceuticals and Merck.
Before joining the pharmaceutical industry, Chris was a senior economic consultant at Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates. Chris earned his MBA from Fuqua School of Business, Duke University and his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Villanova University.
 
 
Website: www.leo-pharma.us
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/LEOPharmaAS Twitter: @leohealthyskin

Alcoholism: Is there a medicinal solution on the horizon?

 
 
William Stilley the CEO of Adial Pharmaceuticals, a publicly traded company specializing in medicines that fight addiction joins eHealth Radio and the Addiction & Health News Channels.
The company’s first drug addresses those with a genetic predisposition to alcohol use disorder and is about to enter into a phase 3 clinical trial. It is estimated that alcohol is the leading cause of death globally among 15-49 year olds.
 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest William Stilley discuss the following:
What is currently being done to fight and deal with alcohol addiction?
What is Adial Pharmaceutical’s solution to the alcohol addiction problem? Specifically how does your drug work?
How does someone get tested for a genetic predisposition? Can they get involved in your clinical trial?
Where can interested parties find out more and follow the advancement of your clinical trial?
Assuming you are successful in your trial, what’s next and when do you think this solution will be available?

William B. Stilley has served as the Chief Executive Officer since December 2010. Prior to joining Adial Pharmaceuticals, he was the Vice President, Business Development & Strategic Projects at Clinical Data, Inc. (NASDQ CLDA), where he worked on licensing and M&A transactions and was involved in management of Phase 3 clinical trials, production of Viibryd® for initial commercial launch of the product, and sourcing drug product and drug substance for the Phase 3 clinical trials of the Company’s vasodilator drug for myocardial stress imaging. Before entering the business community, Mr. Stilley served as Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Mr. Stilley has an MBA with honors from the Darden School of Business and a B.S. in Commerce/Marketing from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. Until recently, he guest lectured at the Darden School of Business, two courses on the management of life science companies. He currently serves on the Board of Virginia BIO, the statewide biotechnology organization. He also holds a patent for Stedivaze®, which is currently in Phase 3 clinical development.
 
 
Website: www.adialpharma.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adialpharma Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdialPharma Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adial-pharmaceuticals

The Negative Affects Drug Abuse Has On The Body

 
 
Ray Estefania, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Family Recovery Specialists, an intensive outpatient program for adolescents and adults that also provides concierge crisis/case management and intervention services for all ages joins eHealth Radio and the Addiction Prevention & Health News Channel.
 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Ray Estefania discuss the following:
When and how does drug abuse start and progress?    
How can you tell the signs and symptoms of drug use and drug addiction?
What drugs commonly cause problems, and how do they affect the body?
Why has America’s opioid epidemic gotten so much worse in recent years?
Talk to me about your partnership with Miami Beach. What kind of value are you providing residents?
 
Mr. Ray Estefania is the former Director of South Miami Hospital’s Adolescent Addiction Treatment Program. His current role is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Family Recovery Specialists (Miami, FL), an intensive outpatient program for adolescents and adults that also provides concierge crisis/case management and intervention services for all ages.
Mr. Estefania has been working as an addiction counselor for over 20 years and was formerly the Adolescent Program Supervisor at Suburban Hospital’s Addiction Treatment Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He has worked extensively as drug abuse counselor and alcohol abuse counselor, interventionist and as a family therapist in the field of addiction treatment.
Mr. Estefania is a considered an expert in the field and frequently provides education and training to physicians, nurses, other mental health professionals, teachers and school administrators on topics related to addiction and recovery.
 
 
Website: www.familyrecoveryspecialists.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FRSMiami Twitter: https://twitter.com/FRSMiami

Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP) and Partnership for Drug-Free Kids (The Partnership) Launch New National Coalition

 
 
Marjorie Clifton, Executive Director of the Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies, a non-profit dedicated to educated consumers about safely buying medicines online joins eHealth Radio and the Health News and Pharmaceutical Channels.
CSIP and the Partnership for Drug Free Kids are launching Medicine Safe, a new coalition of national and state public and private organizations dedicated to helping families understand the opioid epidemic, medicine safety and how to prevent and treat addiction.
 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Marjorie Clifton discuss the following:
Before we talk about the new coalition, let’s give our listeners some background. It seems that every day we are hearing about the opioid epidemic in the country. Can you give us some insight into how widespread it is?
When you talk about opioids, are you only talking about prescription painkillers?
Why are so many more people addicted now?
Some say eliminating opioids, limiting the number of pills prescribed or incarcerating more people will solve the crisis. Do you agree?
What about prevention?
It seems like an impossible situation. Let’s talk about the new coalition CSIP and the Partnership started. What is Medicine Safe?
What makes MedicineSafe different from all of the other organizations trying to curb the opioid epidemic?
 
Marjorie Clifton is the Executive Director for the Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP) and has been helping develop international awareness and policies around medicine safety, illegal online pharmacies and counterfeit medicines since 2011.
In her role with CSIP she has built global coalitions, communications strategies and campaigns to drive impact and awareness on a range of issues impacting consumers, corporations and global citizens.
Marjorie has helped stand up global organizations supporting CSIP’s mission and participates in an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) working group. She is also called upon regularly to speak on the topic of online counterfeiting and consumer protection at industry conferences, government stakeholder meetings and international forums such as the U.S. Department of State, U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Department of Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce, the Global Trade Organization, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, APEC, the Internet for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and Merchant Acquirers’ Committee (MAC). Ms. Clifton is also a published author and media commentator, appearing regularly on CNN, Fox, NBC, MSNBC, PBS and global radio.Marjorie received her bachelor’s degree in Communications and Spanish from the University of Texas. She received her master’s from Drama Studio London. She is currently a fellow and advisory board member for the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Participation at the University of Texas and serves on the board for the School of Undergraduate Studies. She is also an executive board member of the non-profit Running Start, and a founder of their Next Step program, which trains young women in career development and politics.
 
 
Websites: www.MedicineSafe.org www.safemedsonline.org www.drugfree.org
Social Media Links: Twitter: @safemedsonline Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SafeMedsOnline YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/drugfreechannel