Hematopoietic Stem Cell Production With Orchard Therapeutics' Dr. Bobby Gaspar
By Erin Harris, Editor-In-Chief, Cell & Gene
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In the third installment of The Business of Biotech's Cell and Gene Series, Bioprocess Online’s Chief Editor, Matt Pillar, and I talk to Orchard Therapeutics’ CEO and Cell & Gene Editorial Advisory Board member, Dr. Bobby Gaspar.
Gaspar founded Orchard in 2015, but the team has roots in research and clinical development involving ex vivo autologous gene therapy. We talk to Gaspar about what led him to launch Orchard and the lessons he learned along the way; we discuss what he might have done differently in the context of organizing the company and getting it on its feet.
Gaspar answers our questions about the challenges associated with treating rare, inherited diseases, how Orchard is overcoming these challenges, as the company develops one-time gene therapies for rare diseases. Gaspar goes long on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and whether they are the future of certain cancer treatments.
We dig into the manufacturing capacity for HSCs and some current ways Orchard is working to achieve commercial scalability. Gaspar explains the strategic partnerships necessary to ensure success with HSCs. And, when it comes to unmet medical need, how gene therapy is shaping the industry.
Listen in to our discussion with Dr. Gaspar. And in case you missed the first two installments of the Business of Biotech Cell & Gene Series, be sure to check them out: