The presence of lead in cinnamon has recently emerged as a significant food safety concern. This toxic element, when consumed in large amounts, can lead to serious health issues, including neurological damage and developmental delays in children. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the discovery of elevated lead levels in…

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Howard Berman, PhD, Founder and CEO of Coya Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech company developing regulatory T cell (Treg) therapies targeting neurodegenerative, autoimmune and metabolic diseases. Dr. Berman founded Coya Therapeutics in 2021. Dr. Berman has over 18 years of entrepreneurial and industry experie…

The recent detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy cows has taken the agricultural sector by surprise. This development, announced earlier this week, introduces a significant twist in the ongoing saga of the H5N1 virus, which has been affecting birds globally and in the US since early 2022. In this episode of the Xtalks Food …

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Margaret Froh, President of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO). Margaret is also a lawyer by training. The Métis are a distinct Indigenous people recognized in s.35 of Canada’s Constitution. Métis communities have their own shared customs, traditions and collective identities that are rooted in kinship, their speci…

Keurig has taken a bold step forward with the unveiling of its first-ever 100 percent compostable coffee pods, dubbed “K-Rounds.” This innovation not only marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey toward sustainability but also addresses the longstanding issue of plastic waste from traditional coffee pods. In this episode of the Xtalks…

This episode features an interview with Bruce Culleton, MD, CEO, ProKidney, a late clinical-stage biotech company focused on the development of a pioneering cell therapy candidate that aims to transform the treatment landscape for chronic kidney disease. Prior to joining ProKidney in 2023, Dr. Culleton served as Vice President and General Manager a…

In recent years, the food industry has faced growing scrutiny over its environmental impact, particularly concerning the use of plastic packaging. This scrutiny has sparked significant interest and investment in alternative packaging solutions, with edible food packaging emerging as a particularly innovative and sustainable option. In this episode …

In marking National Kidney Month, this episode features an interview with Robert Perkins, MD, Vice President, US Medical Affairs (Renal) at Bayer who spoke about kidney health and diabetes-inflicted chronic kidney disease. National Kidney Month is observed every March in the US to raise awareness about kidney health and promote preventive action. I…

The Kraft Heinz Company made waves in the food industry by introducing vegan hot dogs and sausages under its well-known Oscar Mayer brand. This significant move marks the brand’s first foray into the plant-based arena with its NotHotDogs and NotSausages. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the new offerings, which were de…

In this featured episode of Xtalks People in Life Sciences, Ayesha spoke with Ashish Jain, Senior Director of Clinical Safety and Pharmacovigilance (PV) at Curis, a pioneering biotech company specializing in cutting-edge cancer therapies. Jain shared his journey into clinical safety and PV, highlighting key milestones along the way. Delving into hi…

March marks National Nutrition Month 2024 — a time when the food industry, health professionals and communities across the globe unite to emphasize the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the history of National Nutrition …

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with Jordyn Playne, President of the Métis Nation of Ontario Youth Council, a group of youth representatives from across Ontario who advocate on behalf of the concerns and interests of Métis youth at the provincial level. Jordyn is also a Clinical Consultant and Trainer at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, as wel…

In a pivotal move for the food industry, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has unveiled industry guidance for genome edited foods derived from plants. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about gene edited foods and how this landmark guidance aims to demystify the FDA’s risk-based approach towards both genome edited food…

In this episode, Ayesha spoke with H. B. Pierre Simon Jr., MBA, Vice President, Global Head of Marketing, Sight Sciences, about the evolving field of eye care. Sight Sciences is focused on developing and commercializing innovative solutions for eye diseases like glaucoma and dry eye disease to transform care and improve patients’ lives. Among some …

Each year, Product of the Year USA shines a spotlight on the most innovative products across various industries. The food and beverage sectors are particularly dynamic, with consumers always on the lookout for novel and healthier options. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the food and beverage products that stood out fo…

In this episode, Ayesha talked about Rare Disease Day 2024, a global movement held on the last day of February each year that focuses on raising awareness about rare diseases including their impact on patients’ lives. This year, Rare Disease Day falls on February 29, the rarest day in a leap year, making it even more special. Ayesha spoke about how…

This episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast features an interview with with Chad Pawlak, CEO of Genvor, a developer of sustainable plant health solutions. Recently appointed CEO, Pawlak discussed his vision for Genvor under his leadership, specifically in the context of sustainability. He highlighted Genvor’s recent partnership with the US Department o…

This episode features an interview with Amir Reichman, CEO of Scinai Immunotherapeutics, a biopharma company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing cutting-edge biological treatments within the inflammation and immunology (I&I) sector, with a primary focus on addressing autoimmune and infectious diseases. Scinai Immunotherapeutics…

The Good Food Prescription program, designed to combat diet-related conditions, combines expert clinical coaching, personalized meal planning and medically tailored grocery deliveries in partnership with Instacart. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about this program from Good Measures, a company founded with a vision to revo…

This episode features an interview with Yang Liu, PhD, founder, chairman, CEO and chief scientific officer; and Abid Ansari, MBA, chief financial officer at OncoC4, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for cancer. This includes first-in-class immunotherapy products such as novel antibodies and CAR T-cell…

A groundbreaking piece of legislation, the School Lunch Integrity Act of 2024, has been introduced by US Senators Mike Rounds and Jon Tester. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about this proposed bill, which specifically aims to exclude lab-grown meat from the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, thereb…

This episode features an interview with Carlos Doti, MD, Vice President, US Medical Affairs Oncology, AstraZeneca, about new breast cancer treatments. Dr. Doti is a hematologist by training and is passionate about developing treatments that have a real impact for people living with cancer across every aspect of their disease. Dr. Doti has worked in…

Steakholder Foods marks a pivotal moment in the seafood industry with its latest innovation: 3D printed fish in the form of plant-based shrimp. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about this breakthrough, which is set to transform the $60 billion shrimp market. Steakholder Foods has leveraged its unique DropJet printer, a marve…

This episode features an interview with Punit Dhillon, Chairman & CEO of Skye Bioscience, a pharmaceutical company developing proprietary molecules to treat diseases involving inflammatory, fibrotic and metabolic conditions. Skye Bioscience is at the forefront of exploring the endocannabinoid system for drug development. Punit brings two decades of…

As we step into 2024, the food industry is poised to be at the cusp of transformative changes, shaped by evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements and a growing emphasis on sustainability. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the top food industry trends to look out for in 2024. She interviewed Are Traasdah…

In this episode, Ayesha talked about some of the trends in the life sciences to watch out for in 2024. From the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) tools in drug development to medically accurate health wearables, hear about the trends and innovations that will be shaping the life sciences this year. Aye…

This episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast features an interview with with Eric Taipale, CTO of Sentera, a global technology leader for in-season data, analytics and insights for growers. Taipale discussed how Sentera's technology specifically caters to the needs of growers and the agricultural community. He shared the benefits that generative AI prov…

This episode features an interview with Ben Sexson, CFA, Co-Founder, CEO, Monogram Orthopedics at Monogram Orthopedics, a company dedicated to revolutionizing orthopedic joint replacement through surgical robotics. Monogram is focused on developing patient-optimized orthopedic implants at scale by linking 3D printing and robotics with advanced pre-…

This episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast features an interview with Norma Chu, founder and CEO of DayDayCook, a multi-brand company on a mission to promote Asian cooking globally. Over her 12-year journey at DayDayCook, Chu has implemented several successful brand strategies to reach global audiences, introduced an exclusive product line and used so…

This episode features an interview with Adam Kaplin, MD, PhD, Cofounder, President and Chief Scientific Officer at MIRA Pharmaceuticals, a preclinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of new molecular synthetic cannabinoid analogs for the treatment of anxiety and cognitive decline typically associated wi…

This episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast features an interview with Pat McCullough, CEO of ProducePay, a startup transforming the global produce industry into a more connected and sustainable movement. McCullough talks about his role at ProducePay as well as its startup story. He also shares his 2024 predictions for the food industry, focusing on bl…

This episode features an interview with vaccine scientists and executives from Vaccines Global Clinical Development at Merck, Dr. Heather Platt, MD, Distinguished Scientist and Pneumococcal Vaccine Lead; and Dr. Ulrike Buchwald, MD, Scientific Associate Vice President, Global Clinical Research and Pneumococcal Vaccine Section Head. Over the past te…

In the US, the regulation of food products, including the ban on certain items, falls primarily under the jurisdiction of two key agencies: the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the top 10 foods banned in the US and why. The list includes…

This episode features an interview with Fady Boctor, MBA, President and Chief Commercial Officer at Petros Pharmaceuticals, a Men’s Health pharmaceutical company that aims to develop complementary therapeutics designed for a man’s journey. The company focuses on therapeutics that promote medication adherence, tolerability and preservation of male o…

Despite technological advancements in food safety in recent years, 2023 has been marked by some alarming food safety scandals globally, impacting public health and trust in the food industry. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the worst food safety scandals of 2023 and sheds light on the causes and consequences of these …

This episode features an interview with Wa'el Hashad, CEO of Longeveron. Hashad discussed Longeveron’s mission and the therapeutic areas the company is investigating. He discussed the mechanism of action of the company’s lead program, Lomecel-B. Lomecel-B is an “allogeneic” (donor-derived) cell therapy product. Lomecel-B is a cellular therapy curre…

Air Up, a revolutionary water bottle company, emerged from a unique academic project and rapidly transformed the way we perceive and consume water. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the Munich-based startup, which began as a university project in 2016, combining neuroscience and design. It’s the first hydration system t…

This episode features an interview with Attorney Temitope (Tope) Leyimu, a toxic exposure attorney at Motley Rice who is leading a lawsuit over hair relaxing products that contain harmful chemicals. Hair relaxing products are used for straightening/smoothening hair and many contain harmful formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing and other toxic chemic…

Our dietary choices have a significant environmental impact, with agriculture accounting for almost 30 percent of worldwide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the top 10 worst foods for the environment, starting with beef. Raising cattle for beef is highly resource-intensive, requiring sig…

This episode features an interview with Dr. Lahar Mehta, Head of Global Clinical Development at Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, who spoke to Xtalks about Amylyx’s clinical trial design of ORION, a Phase III Global Study of AMX0035 (Relyvrio) in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). The company presented details about the trial at the Neuro2023 PSP and CBD …

In recent times, fried rice syndrome has become a trending concern, especially after a TikTok video highlighted a tragic incident from 2008 involving a 20-year-old student. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about fried rice syndrome, which refers to food poisoning caused by a bacterium called Bacillus cereus. It poses a signi…

In this episode, Ayesha talked about the FDA’s acceptance of AstraZeneca’s supplemental biologics license application (sBLA) for a self-administered option of its nasal influenza vaccine FluMist Quadrivalent. While FluMist has been in the market since 2003, AstraZeneca is now seeking FDA authorization for a self-administered option of the vaccine. …

As weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic continue to gain traction across the US, Americans could potentially reduce their purchases of high-calorie snacks and fast-food. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about how these weight loss drugs work and how the food industry has slowly but surely become aware of the potential i…

Visit clinicaledge.xtalks.com/issue1 to dive into the first issue of Xtalks Clinical Edge magazine and be a part of the conversation shaping the next era of clinical trials. Xtalks Clinical Edge — "where innovation meets expertise!" This episode features an interview with Dr. Stephanie Manson Brown, VP & Head of Clinical Development & Scientific In…

Boo Buckets have always been synonymous with Halloween festivities at McDonald’s, embodying a tradition that many look forward to as October rolls around, but what are they? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about these ghost-themed pails and the various iterations since they debuted 1986. McDonald’s introduced a whimsical tw…

This episode features an interview with Dr. Genevieve Neal-Perry, MD, PhD, professor and chair at the UNC School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and lead investigator on a study investigating Astellas Pharma’s fezolinetant (Veozah), which received FDA approval in May this year for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor s…

In today’s smart-tech era, the chicken coop might not be the first item one would consider in need of an upgrade. Yet, an Austin, Texas-based startup called Coop is revolutionizing this concept, launching its $2,000 smart chicken coop to enthusiastic “early bird” customers. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about how Coop is …

In this episode, Ayesha talked about a lawsuit that Johnson & Johnson and IBM are facing over a data breach that occurred at Janssen’s CarePath, Johnson & Johnson’s patient assistance program, the portal for which is run by IBM. The lawsuit was filed with the federal court in the Southern District of New York by a Florida resident who claims the co…

With its rich nutritional profile and palate-pleasing texture, yellow pea pasta is becoming the preferred alternative to traditional pastas. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about ZENB, which recognized the potential of yellow pea pasta and has been pivotal in popularizing this ingredient. The brand’s commitment to sustainab…

This episode features an interview with Dr. Paul Rennert, co-founder, CEO and CSO of Aleta Biotherapeutics, an immuno-oncology company focused on multi-antigen targeting solutions designed to enhance the action of CAR T cell therapies in B cell lymphoma, B cell leukemia and multiple myeloma, as well as non-B cell cancers such as acute myeloid leuke…