Yelak Biru, President and CEO of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), joins me on Healthcare Unfiltered to share his remarkable personal and professional journey.
After immigrating to the US from Ethiopia, Yelak was diagnosed with multiple myeloma at the age of 26, setting him on an extraordinary path as both a survivor and a passionate advocate for myeloma patients. He discusses pivotal moments in his treatment, including seeking second opinions, utilizing groundbreaking therapies like CAR-T, and his ongoing decision to reject a transplant. Now leading the world’s first and largest nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of those impacted by multiple myeloma, Yelak shares his vision for expanding the IMF’s global outreach, advancing research, and empowering patients and caregivers worldwide.
Learn more about the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF)
Dr. Simrit Parmar, founder of Cellenkos, joins the show to discuss her journey from the lab to the biotech startup world, detailing the inspiration behind launching her company, the challenges of securing funding, and the resilience required to overcome rejections. She shares insights into Cellenkos’ lead product, its progress toward market approval, and the rigorous
Carol Rausch—a healthcare professional, cancer researcher, and former patient with lymphoma—shares how her journey from researcher to patient transformed her understanding of medical language. She discusses the impact of word choice on patients, why certain battle and war metaphors can be harmful, and how language used in clinical settings differs from what resonates with those
Drs. David Braun and Toni Choueiri join to discuss a groundbreaking Nature study on a personalized neoantigen vaccine for adjuvant renal cell carcinoma. They explore the inspiration behind the trial, how the vaccine was developed and administered, and its safety profile. The conversation also covers patient outcomes after 3-4 years, including immune responses and disease
