Base to Base biotech podcast 14: How to build reputation, and treating spastic paraplegia 47

This week, we have conversations with Peter Nolan, CEO of BlackFinBio, and Kim Kraemer, CEO and founder of Waterhouse Brands.Interview times:01:57 BlackFinBio 19:36 Waterhouse BrandsBlackFinBioBlackfinBio is a clinical stage gene therapy company focused on the development of treatments for rare neurological diseases.Its pipeline comprises BFB-101, a clinical stage AP4B1 replacement adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy for spastic paraplegia 47 – an ultra-rare genetic neurological disease for which no treatment currently exists.BFB-201 is a preclinical stage gene therapy to treat several rare dopamine deficiency disorders.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently cleared its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for a phase 1/2 clinical trial of BFB-101 in children with hereditary spastic paraplegia, Type 47 (SPG47).The trial is expected to start recruiting by the end of 2025. The FDA has granted an orphan drug designation (ODD) and rare pediatric disease designation (RPDD) to BFB-101 for the treatment of SPG47.SPG47 is a rare, autosomal-recessive, neurological disorder characterised by progressive lower-limb spasticity, developmental delays and intellectual disability in children. It is caused by deleterious changes in the AP4B1 gene. BFB-101 has been designed specifically to address the underlying genetic cause of SPG47 by delivering a functional copy of the AP4B1 gene, with the goal of halting or reversing disease progression. Preclinical results with BFB-101 have demonstrated promising activity and safety.We spoke with the company’s CEO, Peter Nolan.Waterhouse BrandsReputational pull can be a magnetic force for enduring value. Our guest, Kim Kraemer, CEO and founder of Waterhouse Brands, has built a career on helping many biotech, medtech and pharma companies define, build and operationalize their reputation for the good of investors, patients and employees. The company’s ALIGN Methodology is a five-part strategic and creative framework that defines category positioning and high-impact brand activation initiatives to build awareness and drive audience engagement.In our conversation we cover the dynamics of reputation, how reputational pull drives success in turbulent markets and explain how leaders can leverage reputation for strategic decision-making and team alignment.To get in touch with guest suggestions, please email [email protected]