Cracking the Code of Microbiome Research with Cerillo’s Eric Mayton
Release Date: 11/17/2024
Building Maryland’s BioHealth Future: Maryland Commerce’s Stefanie Trop on Growing the Life Sciences Sector
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
Building Maryland’s BioHealth Future: Maryland Commerce’s Stefanie Trop on Growing the Life Sciences Sector In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Stefanie Trop, Ph.D., Director of Life Sciences at the Maryland Department of Commerce joins the conversation to discuss Maryland’s position as a leading life sciences hub. Stefanie shares how the Department of Commerce supports company attraction and growth through programs like Global Gateway, and how it’s amplifying the state’s recent #3 biopharma hub ranking. The discussion also explores Maryland’s unique ecosystem, including...
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Inside FNIH: Dr. Stacey Adam on Smarter, Human-Based Research
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk, Rich Bendis welcomes Dr. Stacey Adam, Vice President of Science Partnerships, Translational Science at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH), to discuss how public-private partnerships are advancing scientific innovation. Dr. Adam introduces the mission of FNIH and its unique role in bridging government, industry, and academia to accelerate biomedical progress. She highlights the Validation and Qualification Network (VQN), a new initiative working to overcome barriers to the adoption of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and explains how...
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Reimagining Gene and Cell Therapy: Helen Sabzevari on Precigen’s Breakthroughs in Precision Medicine
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk, Rich Bendis welcomes Dr. Helen Sabzevari, President and CEO of Precigen, to discuss the company’s cutting-edge science in gene and cell therapy. Dr. Sabzevari shares how Precigen’s unique AdenoVerse® platform has powered the development of PRGN-2012, a potential first-in-class therapeutic currently under FDA priority review for the treatment of adults with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), a rare and devastating disease. She also highlights advances across Precigen’s broader pipeline in immuno-oncology and autoimmune disease and...
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Decentralizing Discovery: Lara Mangravite and the Mission of Digitalis Commons
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk, Lara Mangravite, PhD, Executive Director of Digitalis Commons, joins the conversation to explore how scientific research is shifting in the U.S.—from centralized, institutional models to a more decentralized, innovation-driven landscape. She shares the mission of Digitalis Commons and explains how the organization is working at the intersection of technology, research, and public good to address systemic barriers in health and healthcare. Drawing from her recent article, "Notes on Catalyzing Health," Lara discusses the growing role of independent...
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Inside CTMC: Amy Hay on Reshaping Cell and Gene Therapy
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk, Amy C. Hay, Chief Business and Strategy Officer at the Cell Therapy Manufacturing Center (CTMC), joins the conversation to explore the evolving landscape of cell and gene therapy. Amy shares insights from her extensive career in oncology care and innovation, highlighting the role CTMC—a joint venture between National Resilience and MD Anderson Cancer Center—is playing in accelerating the transition from discovery to commercialization. She discusses the current state of the industry, what disruption really means in this context, and how new business models can...
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Decoding Federal Dollars: Grant Engine CEO Sam Tetlow on the Evolving Biohealth Funding Map
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk, Sam Tetlow, Founder and CEO of Grant Engine, joins the conversation to unpack how companies can successfully navigate the rapidly changing world of non-dilutive funding. With continued resolutions, shifting agency priorities, and evolving leadership at HHS and beyond, 2025 presents both new hurdles and new opportunities for biotech and health innovators. Sam shares actionable insights on what’s changed under the current administration, where funding gaps exist, and how early-stage companies can align proposals with both individual program officers and federal...
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Banking with Heart: Rick Wieczorek on Financial Solutions for the Biohealth Community
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk, we welcome Rick Wieczorek, President and CEO of the NIH Federal Credit Union (NIHFCU), to discuss how credit unions like NIHFCU are uniquely positioned to support the biohealth and healthcare communities. With over 40 years of industry experience, Rick shares his journey from teller to CEO and reflects on NIHFCU’s 85-year history, its mission-driven approach to service, and the importance of tailoring financial solutions to meet the needs of life science professionals. He also explains the benefits of membership, the value of the NIHFCU "At Work" program for...
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From Classroom to Clinic: Neopenda’s Global Health Journey with CEO Sona Shah
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk, host Rich Bendis welcomes Sona Shah, CEO and Co-Founder of Neopenda, for an inspiring conversation on innovation, impact, and scaling medical technology in underserved markets. Sona shares how a formative experience teaching in rural Kenya ignited her passion for global health, leading to the creation of neoGuard, a wearable vital signs monitor tailored for low-resource settings. They discuss the engineering challenges of building clinical-grade hardware for hospitals with limited infrastructure, the company’s growth from Maryland’s Relevant...
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BioHealth at a Crossroads: Alex Philippidis on Policy Shifts, Investment Trends, and What’s Ahead
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this timely episode of BioTalk, returning guest Alex Philippidis, Senior Business Editor at Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, joins host Rich Bendis to explore how sweeping changes in U.S. regulatory policy, workforce dynamics, and economic pressures are affecting the biotech industry in real time. Alex breaks down the potential consequences of FDA workforce cuts, particularly for small and mid-sized biotechs that depend on regulatory guidance, and offers perspective on how HHS and NIH budget proposals could reshape the national innovation infrastructure. The conversation covers...
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Investing in BioHealth: Dr. Deborah Hemingway on Building Maryland’s Commercialization Hub
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
What does it take to establish Maryland as a powerhouse for biotech commercialization? In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Dr. Deborah Hemingway, Founder and Managing Partner of Ecphora Capital, shares her insights on the current investment landscape in the BioHealth Capital Region. She discusses the strategic advantages that make Maryland uniquely positioned for success, the critical gaps that must be addressed, and how state and local governments can provide essential support through tax credits, grants, and economic incentives. Dr. Hemingway also highlights Ecphora Capital’s...
info_outlineJoin us for an insightful episode of BioTalk as Rich Bendis speaks with Eric Mayton, CEO of Cerillo, one of the recent winners at the Crab Trap competition during the 10th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Week. Cerillo, based in Charlottesville, VA, is making waves in microbiome research and biological product development with its innovative tools designed to tackle variability challenges and enhance data collection efficiency.
In this episode, Eric shares Cerillo’s mission to combat Eroom's Law—the increasing cost and time in drug development—through affordable and accessible research tools like the Stratus and Alto microplate readers. We also dive into the impact of Cerillo’s co-culture duet system, which is transforming cellular interaction studies in fields such as antimicrobial resistance and biofuel development.
Learn how being located in the southern part of the BioHealth Capital Region has supported Cerillo’s growth and hear about the company's future plans to further accelerate biological research. Don’t miss this conversation about the innovations driving a new era in cellular analytics.
Eric Mayton is the President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board at Cerillo, a Charlottesville, VA based cellular analytics firm focused on increasing the efficiency, reproducibility, and standardization of data collection in scientific research and product development. Eric spent the first decade of his career managing academic and commercial laboratories before earning his MBA from the University of Richmond in 2017.
After stints in private equity and management consulting, Eric returned to the biotech industry in 2020 as CEO of Cerillo, a University of Virginia spin-out. Eric holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Virginia, a M.S. in Biochemistry from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a M.B.A from the University of Richmond.
Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (thepodcastconsultant.com).