Neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, are conditions that lead to a gradual, cumulative loss in neural activity in the brain. There are no cures for these conditions. In this episode, sponsored by AbbVie, we explore new clinical approaches that could potentially change the way these conditions are treated. Not intended for UK audiences.

Featured guests:
Dr. Ole Graff, Head of Neurodegeneration and Clinical Trial Transformation, Neuroscience Clinical Development at AbbVie
Dr. Jan Stohr, Senior Director, Movement Disorders Head, Neuroscience Discovery Research at AbbVie

Patient data is vital for scientists, and understanding these insights can offer scientists potential clues about the underlying cause of disease. This episode, sponsored by AbbVie, explores the approaches scientists use to help drive progress in immunology research, like reverse translation – a process that works from “bedside to bench” using clinical observation and patient data to inform and refine drug development earlier on in the process. Not intended for UK audiences.

Featured guests:
Dr. Kori Wallace, Global Head of Immunology Clinical Development, AbbVie
Dr. Heath Guay, Head of Precision Medicine Immunology at AbbVie

For decades, scientists have been working to find ways to address the autoimmune conditions caused by the misfiring of the immune system, like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. This episode, sponsored by AbbVie, traces how scientists’ understanding of immune activation has evolved and explores new clinical approaches that aim to reset the immune system. Not intended for UK audiences.

Featured guests:
Dr. Jon Sedgwick, Senior Vice President and Global Head, Discovery Research, AbbVie
Dr. Ann Eldred, Head of Early Programs, Immunology, Clinical Development, AbbVie

Despite the number of patients who achieve natural-looking results from dermal fillers, social media and online sources have disproportionately amplified stories of the outliers. In this episode, sponsored by AbbVie, we dive deep into the world of aesthetic medicine, focusing on how education about the science of these treatments can build trust between patients and providers and break down barriers to care. Not intended for UK audiences.

Featured guests:
Darin Messina, Senior Vice President, Aesthetics R&D, AbbVie
Dr. Lisa Espinoza, Owner and Medical Director, La Chelé Medical Aesthetics

For patients with tough-to-treat cancers, scientists have made significant progress in the understanding of cancer biology. In this episode, sponsored by AbbVie, we explore how the discovery of biomarkers – the biological “signatures” for certain cancers – have helped create a paradigm shift in how we treat cancer by focusing on precision medicine approaches to target specific tumors. Not intended for UK audiences.

Featured guests:
Dr. Shilpen Patel, Head of Asset in Lung, Oncology Clinical Development, AbbVie
Dr. Raluca Verona, Head of Precision Medicine Oncology, AbbVie

Medication access goes beyond the ability to obtain the medication prescribed – it's also about the logistics: developing, manufacturing and delivering a medicine. This episode, sponsored by AbbVie, explores how teams are rethinking operations and manufacturing to prioritize the most important piece of the puzzle: the patient. Not intended for UK audiences.

Featured guests:
Dejan Bojicic, Global Director Packaging Technical Services, AbbVie
James Hughes, Vice President, Global Packaging and Device Operations, AbbVie

In this episode, sponsored by AbbVie, we chart the patient journey through the complexities of the U.S. health care system. Along the way, we meet the people behind AbbVie’s patient support teams, who aim to help patients feel seen, heard, and empowered. Not intended for UK audiences.

Featured guests:
Anne Najjar, Vice President, AbbVie Complete Access
Lisa Peiser, Vice President, AbbVie Patient Services

Is it possible to deliver medicine to the brain when the brain won’t let it in? In this episode, sponsored by AbbVie, we meet the scientists exploring the use of new technology that could help navigate the blood-brain barrier to deliver medicine and potentially address conditions of the brain. Not intended for UK audiences.

Featured guests:
Blaine Stine, VP Discovery Research Biotherapeutics, AbbVie
Nadine Ruderisch, Principal Research Scientist, AbbVie

How can we accelerate drug development to spur progress and turn bold ideas into real breakthroughs? We launch our journey into The Persistence Lab, a podcast sponsored by AbbVie, with a look at how the company is empowering scientists to boldly rethink what it means to cure disease and accelerate care for patients. Not intended for UK audiences.

Featured guests:
Dr. Jochen Salfeld, Head of Pathway to Cures & VP, Discovery Biologics, AbbVie
Dr. Christina Baumgartner, Senior Principal Research Scientist, AbbVie

More conversations are on the way. New episodes will be added regularly - check back soon!