Commercialization is a tough road to navigate even for the most established bio/pharmaceutical therapies. But as cell and gene therapies (CGTs) continue to form roots and make a splash worldwide—but specifically in the US—commercialization forms its own version of standardization and best practices.  

In this exclusive interview with Pharmaceutical Executive, Lung-I Cheng, vice president of CGT, Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen), discusses: 
1) defining CGT commercialization strategies and foundational knowledge—and the best music metaphor
2) what he wishes companies knew about commercialization strategies
3) common knowledge gaps of CGTs
4) how CGT developers can overcome key challenges, including those related to patient access, regulatory requirements, and market access
5) how planning for allogeneic cell therapies differs from autologous cell therapies and gene therapies
6) how companies can demonstrate CGT value as more products enter the development pipeline (and competition intensifies)
7) when to start planning a CGT commercialization strategy
8) predictions for the CGT market in five years

Avoiding Commercialization Pitfalls for CGTs

In this episode of the Drug Solutions podcast, Felicity Thomas, Associate Editorial Director, chats with a host of experts about the trends that have impacted the bio/pharma industry in 2024 and those they expect to be impactful in 2025.

Forecasting Pharma’s Future

Shaheen Majeed has been a fixture in the dietary supplement industry, developing a stellar reputation through his leadership at Sabinsa Corp., helping grow the company built by his late father Muhammed Majeed, PhD. Shaheen’s accomplishments at Sabinsa helped modernize and strengthen the company’s brand, serving as a model for the rest of the industry. Now as global CEO and managing director of Sami-Sabinsa Group, Shaheen has the opportunity to apply his vision of the company’s future and build upon his father’s legacy. Nutritional Outlook speaks to Majeed about the personal growth he's experienced in the industry and his goals moving forward for his company. 

Episode 38: Nutritional Outlook's Best of the Industry, Industry Leader, Shaheen Majeed

In this episode, Nutritional Outlook interviews Scott Dicker, market insights director from market researcher SPINS, about ingredients and product categories nutraceutical and nutrition product manufacturers should watch in 2025. This interview complements our 2025 Ingredient to Watch coverage which can be read in our January/February issue. SPINS provided sales data that informed our Ingredients to Watch coverage.

Episode 39: Nutritional Outlook's Ingredients to Watch in 2025

In this episode of Drug Solutions, the discussion revolves around current and anticipated new trends in equipment and technologies for optimizing the manufacture of new biotherapeutic modalities, such as cell and gene therapies. Automation technologies and continuous manufacturing emerges as significant drivers for the future biomanufacturing landscape. Innovative and progressive technologies will also play a role in establishing and maintain sustainabililty practices in the industry.

Equipment Trends for Addressing Production of New Modalities

Nutritional Outlook interviews Jonathan Scheiman, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Fitbiomics to talk about the intersection of gut microbiome and physical fitness and learn how the company decoded the microbiomes from elite athletes to create innovative probiotic products that support sleep, energy, and performance. 

Episode 40: Probiotics for Performance

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have become widely used as delivery mechanisms in gene therapy, but there are some complex hurdles to be overcome. In this episode of the Drug Solutions podcast, Patrick Lavery, editor for Pharmaceutical Technology®, Pharmaceutical Technology EuropeTM, and BioPharm International®, surveys two attendees from the recent ASGCT conference about their approaches, the results they have achieved so far, and what further research or investigation might be needed to bring these therapeutic tweaks to a wider cross-section of patients.

Novel Drug Delivery Approaches: Refining AAV Vector Deliveries

In the first episode of Nourish and Navigate: Women, Wellness, and Leadership, Rebecca Takemoto, executive director of Women in Nutraceuticals (WIN), interviews Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO, MBA, who is the president and CEO of the Sonoran University of Health Sciences. Alschuler delivered the keynote address at WIN's inaugural Leadership Summit in April. Here, Takemoto and Alschuler discuss the key takeaways from that keynote. 

Nourish and Navigate, Episode 1: Finding Flow With Dr. Lise Alschuler

Sustainability has been a recent focus of both pharmaceutical companies and stakeholders. In this episode of the Drug Solutions podcast, Patrick Lavery, editor for Pharmaceutical Technology®, Pharmaceutical Technology EuropeTM, and BioPharm International®, gathers perspectives from five key opinion leaders across the industry about a variety of applications and equipment, and provides a look into how sustainable practices can be continued and improved upon in the years to come.

Sustainable Solutions for Biopharma

Amy Summers, founder of Pitch Publicity and author of the forthcoming book "Lift," discussed the concept of mentorship mentality at the WIN Leadership Summit. She emphasized that mentorship is a mindset, not a task, and should be integrated into leadership. Summers shared her experience of mentoring interns who later became mentors themselves. She advised seeking mentors and mentees at all career stages, even informally, and highlighted the value of observing and learning from experienced professionals.

Nourish and Navigate, Episode 2: Amy Summer on having a mentorship mentality

Episode 41: The evolution of the women's health category with Lori Lauersen of Unilever Wellbeing

The Pharm Exec Podcast goes beyond the pages of the Pharmaceutical Executive print magazine and PharmExec.com to bring the latest commercial insights to the C-suite through in-depth interviews. Podcast episodes examine current trends, key conferences, and critical topics in the industry.

Avoiding Commercialization Pitfalls for CGTs

Pharmaceutical Executive Magazine

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