E23 - Building a Therapeutics Platform from the Ground Up | Dr. Stanley Lewis, CEO of A28 Therapeutics

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Stanley T. Lewis, MD, MPH, Founder and CEO of A28 Therapeutics, to trace his profound transition from physician-scientist to biotech entrepreneur. With a career rooted in translational medicine and clinical development, Dr. Lewis provides an expert perspective on the arduous journey of moving innovation from the laboratory bench to the patient’s bedside. We dive into his mission to redefine precision oncology through Targeted Oncolytic Peptides (TOPs)—a novel modality designed to treat cancer with surgical precision while prioritizing the patient’s quality of life.The conversation explores the strategic and scientific architecture required to build a therapeutics platform from scratch. We examine the lessons learned from Dr. Lewis’s previous success in bringing Trogarzo to market and how those cross-disciplinary insights from virology and infectious diseases are now being applied to solve unmet clinical needs in oncology. We take a closer look at the evolution of A28’s pipeline, discussing how the integration of biomarkers and advanced delivery systems is shaping the next generation of targeted cancer treatments.Listeners will gain a rare look at the human-centered side of biotech leadership. We discuss the complexities of navigating regulatory milestones and financing, the importance of maintaining scientific rigor under the pressure of patient urgency, and why empathy remains the most critical component of medical innovation. Whether you are a scientist, a founder, or a healthcare leader, this episode offers a roadmap for balancing high-stakes operational execution with a steadfast focus on the human impact of medicine.