This week on The Pharma Letter Podcast, we’re joined by Eron Kelly, chief executive of ConcertAI: a company applying artificial intelligence to accelerate oncology research and clinical development.

ConcertAI sits at the intersection of life sciences and large-scale data, working with biopharma companies, research networks, and technology partners to turn real-world clinical and genomic information into insights that can guide drug development decisions.

Mr Kelly stepped into the CEO role after a career in big tech, including senior leadership positions at Microsoft and AWS. He now brings that experience to a business that has attracted significant attention during a wave of AI-fuelled investor optimism.

The company has also been busy on the partnering front, with a major strategic agreement announced with Bayer (BAYN: DE) and a newer collaboration with Foundation Medicine, both focused on leveraging data and AI to speed cancer drug development.

In this episode, we’ll talk about Mr Kelly’s first months in the job, what he’s hearing from partners in the industry, and where AI continues to move the needle in biotech.

This week on the Podcast, we are joined by Dr Amr Hanbali.

During Blood Cancer Awareness Month, Guy Martin, news editor at The Pharma Letter, sat down with Dr Hanbali to discuss his experiences treating patients with CAR T-cell therapy in the Middle East.

With extensive experience in hematology and the treatment of blood disorders such as leukemia and myeloma, Dr Hanbali has been closely involved in expanding access to advanced therapies across the region.

Dr Hanbali discussed the evolution of blood cancer treatment in the Middle East, the unique challenges patients face in accessing cutting-edge therapies, and how CAR T-cell treatments are offering renewed hope for long-term remission.

He also shared his personal reflections on the impact of this therapy on patients and families, what needs to happen to improve regional access, and his vision for the future of blood cancer care in the next decade.

This week on The Pharma Letter Podcast, we’re joined by Marina Udier, chief executive of Nouscom — a biotech company developing cancer vaccines.

Founded in 2015, the firm is working on cancer vaccines that use a viral vector platform to train the immune system to recognize and attack cancer. The company is developing both personalized and off-the-shelf approaches, aiming to treat a range of tumors.

Before taking the helm at Nouscom, Dr Udier built a diverse career across healthcare — working in consulting, big pharma, and venture capital. That breadth of experience now informs her leadership at a company with big ambitions in oncology.

With more than $80 million in new funding and a partnership in place with Janssen, the company is focused on moving its vaccines further through clinical development.

Earlier this year, Nouscom shared data at the annual AACR congress from a study in people with Lynch Syndrome — a genetic condition that increases the risk of certain cancers.

In this episode, we’ll ask Dr Udier about the latest results, how partnerships fit into the company’s strategy, and why cancer prevention may play a bigger role in the future of oncology.