In this episode, our guest is Lewis Bender, Chairman, and CEO, of Intensity Therapeutics’ Founder which is a late-stage clinical biotechnology company whose mission is to help patients live longer, higher quality lives by discovering, developing, and commercializing first-in-class cancer drugs that attenuate tumors with minimal side effects, while training the patient’s immune system to fight the cancer. The Company’s lead product candidate, INT230-6, is currently in human clinical studies to treat refractory solid tumors.

Talking points:
Milestone Achievement: "Congratulations on dosing the first patient in the INVINCIBLE-4 Phase 2 clinical trial for triple-negative breast cancer. Can you walk us through the significance of this milestone and what it means for the future of Intensity Therapeutics?"

Innovative Approach of INT230-6: "Intensity Therapeutics focuses on developing cancer treatments that not only attenuate tumors with minimal side effects but also train the immune system to fight cancer. Could you explain how your lead product, INT230-6, achieves this unique approach and what differentiates it from existing cancer therapies?"

Collaboration with SAKK: "Your partnership with The Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK) is a key component of the INVINCIBLE-4 study. How does this collaboration enhance your clinical development efforts, and what are you hoping to achieve together in this trial?"

Impact on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC): "Triple-negative breast cancer is known for being particularly aggressive and having limited treatment options. How does INT230-6 address the unmet needs of TNBC patients, and what potential impact do you foresee it having on improving patient outcomes?"

Future Vision and Next Steps: "Looking ahead, what are the next steps for Intensity Therapeutics following the initiation of the INVINCIBLE-4 study? How do you envision the future of your company in the evolving landscape of cancer therapeutics?"

Guest - Lewis Bender

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, our guest is Tom Campbell, the Dean and Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy in Nashville. Dr. Campbell received his Pharm.D. degree from the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy and received board certification in pharmacotherapy in 1995. His prior work experience includes a pharmacy practice residency with VA Medical Center in Memphis, Columbus Regional Health System in Columbus, Georgia, and Sanofi Pharmaceuticals. He also served as Clinical Assistant Professor at Auburn University. Dr. Campbell has served as President of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association and served on the Board of Directors. He is a member of AACP, ASHP, APhA, CPFI and TPA. He's a recipient of the 2024 APhA Academy of Student Pharmacists Outstanding Dean Award which was established to recognize a school or college of pharmacy dean who has made significant contributions to the APhA-ASP Chapter and promoted with distinction the welfare of student pharmacists through various community service, leadership and professional activities.

Dr. Campbell is a Sunday school teacher and former elder at the Spring Meadows Church of Christ in Spring Hill, TN. He has traveled to Central America as part of medical mission campaigns numerous times. Dr. Campbell and his late wife, Susan, have three sons.

During the discussion, we explored questions around:

• How faith influences our daily work in healthcare
• The ways faith impacts health behaviors and decision-making
• The role faith plays in job satisfaction and professional fulfillment

It was inspiring to engage in meaningful dialogue with a leader who also sees their work as a calling to serve others. I'm grateful to Dean Campbell at Lipscomb University for fostering conversations that remind us of the deeper purpose behind our careers.

In this episode, Our guest is MARC RYAN, who has extensive leadership experience across the healthcare industry. Most recently, he was a founding executive and President of MedHOK (MHK, acquired by Hearst Health). He has launched and operated multiple health plans. Marc served in senior policy roles in state and federal government, including as state management secretary of Connecticut and helping build Medicare Part D’s relationship with state drug assistance programs in 2006. He created Connecticut’s Medicaid and children’s health managed care programs and its long-term care continuum. Marc is the author of The Healthcare Labyrinth: A Guide To Navigating Health Plans and Fixing American Health Insurance and the host of the Healthcare Labyrinth Podcast.

Topics covered:
(1) What are the trends in drug spending and the impact on all types of insurance products -- Medicare, Medicaid, commercial/employer -- cost trends for medical and retail

(2) What is driving the major increases in drug costs/spending?

(3) How are GLP-1s treated across various products? And will coverage change?

(4) American drug prices compared with others? Can you discuss how we compare vs. other developed countries and why (more than twice -- in many cases 3, 4, and 5 times more -- impacts on employer, Medicare, etc. -- rising percentage of healthcare as well as employer)

(5) Medicare drug price negotiations -- what it is and what has happened so far? where do you stand?
(6) A lot is occurring in plans on PA, formularies, benefit design, PBM reform -- a very hot topic -can you tell us more about this and what you predict? (7) Can you explain the traditional PBMs vs. transparent ones? FTC lawsuit against PBMs and drug supply channel issues

(8) There have been major changes to Part D and it is impacting Medicare Advantage and Part D -- what is happening for 2025 benefits as well as can you tell us a little on a study that questioned the value of Part D?

(9a) Medication Adherence in the Star program for MA and Part D plans -- key. Can you tell us more here? 9(b) How could pharmacists in the community support medication adherence etc -- Will discuss trends from health plans about recognizing the best way to ensure medication reconciliation and adherence is teaming up with pharmacists.

Guest - Marc Ryan

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

www.hillaryblackburn.com

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, our guest is Laurie Lee Smith, who is the CEO of Laurie Lee Leadership and a seasoned executive coach with over three

decades of healthcare expertise, certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Laurie’s international coaching and leadership engagements have spanned continents, including North America, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, with a focus on enhancing the influence of healthcare leadership on a global scale. Her coaching philosophy is anchored in the cultivation of high-trust leaders who support teams capable of achieving peak interdependence. Laurie holds a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from the University of Mary and a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. She also holds a Green Belt certification in LEAN Six Sigma, a certificate in Brain-Based Coaching, and Board Certification through the ANCC in advanced Nursing Administration. Laurie received her formal training in executive coaching at the Hudson Institute of Coaching and is currently working toward a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

Main points:

1. Uncovering blind spots as a leader
2. Why we are resistant to change
3. How to improve social and emotional intelligence
4. How coaching can support growth as a leader

Guest - Laurie Lee Smith

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laurie-lee-smith

Website: www.laurieleeleadership.com

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

www.hillaryblackburn.com

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, our guest, Tamar (Tay-mar) Thompson with us, the Head of Corporate Affairs at Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease. With over 20 years of experience in healthcare, Tamar leads global corporate efforts in policy and advocacy. She recently has been showcasing Alexion’s new short film, Rare Connections in NMOSD where she underscores the need to raise awareness of NMOSD, a rare neurological disease, to help reduce the time to diagnosis and advance care. A dedicated advocate for health equity, Tamar continues to highlight the unmet needs of the rare disease community.

Topics

• Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD): diagnosis, prevalence/incidence, overview of symptoms, and why it’s so important to raise awareness of rare diseases
• Rare Connections in NMOSD and why Alexion created this first-of-its-kind short film
• What Alexion is doing to help improve equity and health outcomes for people living with rare diseases
• Unveiling Connections: The Story Behind Alexion’s Groundbreaking Film on NMOSD

• Bridging the Gap: Confronting the Diagnostic and Care Challenges in Rare Diseases

• Left Behind: Addressing Health Equity for the Rare Disease Community

• Global Voices: How Alexion Shapes Policy to Transform Rare Disease Care

• Driven by Purpose: Alexion’s Journey to Champion Rare Disease Advocacy

Guest - Tamar Thompson

LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/alexion-pharmaceuticals/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamarthompson/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexionPharmaceuticalsInc/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/alexionpharma?lang=e
YouTube

• https://www.youtube.com/@alexionpharmaceuticalsinc.3357
• Rare Connections Film: https://youtu.be/cfnE7cxfY3s?si=zozSq2NZK8kb2i6k
• Rare Connections Film (Accessible Version): https://youtu.be/dwKpZQSZuZ0?si=77UN5QaRJNuM2rnm

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

www.hillaryblackburn.com

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, our guest is Dr. Brian Clyne who is a Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University

where he has served in numerous clinical, educational, and administrative leadership roles over the past 20 years. As Vice Chair for Education at ACT Leadership, Dr. Clyne develops and supports programs across the continuum of learners from undergraduates to faculty. In addition to medical education, Dr. Clyne’s areas of interest include career development and physician leadership. He founded and directed Leadership in Healthcare, a master’s level course for Alpert Medical School students. He is a

graduate of the Brown University Executive Master’s in Healthcare Leadership program and the ACT

Leadership and Performance Coaching Certificate program. His coaching practice is focused on mid-career healthcare professionals seeking to expand their leadership capabilities to make a lasting impact.

Talk to Your Pharmacist Podcast Interview - Dr. Brian Cyne and Hillary Blackburn

Hillary Blackburn and Brian Clyne discussed their experiences in healthcare leadership and career development, emphasizing the importance of transferable knowledge and skills, navigating career transitions, and addressing burnout. They also discussed the role of coaching in healthcare leadership development, highlighting the need for practical leadership skills beyond clinical expertise and the importance of selecting the right coach with industry background or experience in healthcare-related fields. Both speakers emphasized the transformative impact of coaching on personal and professional growth.

Leadership and healthcare with Dr. Brian Clyne.

• Hillary Blackburn discusses work-life balance as a healthcare leader with two young children.
• Hillary Blackburn interviews Dr. Brian Clyne on The Talk to Your Pharmacist podcast.

Leadership development and coaching in healthcare.

• Brian Clyne discusses his background in psychology and medicine, focusing on medical education and leadership development.
• Brian Clyne: Read Harvard Business Review, Good to Great, and David Rock's Quiet Leadership.
• Hillary Blackburn: Also read leadership books, including Good to Great and David Rock's Quiet Leadership.

Leadership development and coaching.

• Hillary Blackburn and Brian Clyne discuss leadership development and coaching.
• Brian Clyne learned coaching skills through Act Leadership, a training organization.
• Brian Clyne shares his journey from directive to curious leadership, empowering others to find solutions.
• Hillary Blackburn asks about what sets Act program apart, offering guidance for choosing a coach.
• Brian Clyne emphasizes the importance of finding a coach with relevant industry experience.
• Clyne suggests asking a coach about their methodology and experience with your specific challenge.

Coaching in healthcare, burnout, leadership, and career development.

• Hillary Blackburn and Brian Clyne discuss coaching in healthcare, common triggers, and leadership skills.
• Brian Clyne coaches newly transitioned leaders on goal setting, prioritization, and time management.
• He also helps individuals experiencing burnout by exploring their core values and setting boundaries.
• Burnout and career transitions are common challenges in healthcare.

Burnout and career development in healthcare.

• Brian Clyne: Realize it's a marathon, not a sprint, and don't expect it to go according to plan.
• Brian Clyne: Emergency medicine has highest rates of burnout, and lack of control, uncertainty lead to it.
• Brian Clyne: Importance of networking, mentorship, and focus in career success.
• Hillary Blackburn: Struggling with imposter syndrome and seeking guidance from peers.
• Hillary Blackburn and Brian Clyne discuss career development and burnout in the pharmacy industry.
• Brian Clyne shares resources for coaches and pharmacists, including ACT Leadership and Brown University.

Guest - Brian Clyne, MD

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

www.hillaryblackburn.com

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook