July 10, 2023 12:30-1:30 pm US EST
ASOs have the potential to become a cornerstone for therapeutic intervention for genetic rare diseases, either for direct treatment of the disease and as a tool to validate targets for further gene editing. To realize such potential, we need a paradigm change in the way that we deliver and develop these treatments, which could be accomplish by platforming the manufacturing and validation of ASOs and developing different regulatory frameworks.
Vanessa Almendro, Ph.D, MBA, is Vice President of Science and Technology Innovation Ecosystems at Danaher Corporation, leading multiple initiatives to position Danaher at the forefront of innovation in science, technology, and medicine. Vanessa is also the Managing Director for the Brain Cancer Investment Fund, a philanthropic fund aiming at catalyzing the development of cures for brain cancer. Prior to Danaher, Vanessa was the Head of External Strategy and Innovation at the Eisai Center for Genetics Guided Dementia Discovery (G2D2). In this role, Vanessa led the creation of the Eisai Innovation Center Biolabs, the first incubator space specialized in neurology. She also led the development of academic affairs and external innovation strategies in concert with academic investigators, consortiums, biotech, and large pharmaceutical companies. Prior to this role, Vanessa worked as Head of Strategy and Operations for Cogen Immune Medicines, and she held multiple leadership roles at Vertex Pharmaceuticals both in the R&D and Commercial organizations. Prior to industry Vanessa was a Research fellow at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School and prior to that served as a Group Leader in the Department of Medical Oncology at IDIBAPS in Barcelona, Spain. Vanessa is a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from University of Barcelona, a Post-doc in Translational Medicine from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, and an Executive MBA from MIT-Sloan.