Episode 9
On episode nine of the Ori Spotlight Podcast Jason C. Foster was joined by Dr. Qasim Rafiq, Associate Professor of Cell and Gene Therapy Bioprocessing at University College London as well as Ori’s Vice President of Commercial Operations Thomas Heathman. Qasim leads the world first MSc in Manufacturing and Commercialization of Stem Cell and Gene Therapies, and was named as one of the top 20 influential and inspirational individuals in Advanced Medicine for 2020 by The Medicine Maker. Together with Jason and Tom, they explored one of the most significant factors affecting the high costs of CGT – the industry’s ongoing talent shortage. They discussed how the problem should be addressed, bringing together academic institutions with CGT organizations to identify the evolving expertise required, not just across scientific and clinical research teams but also in digital and technology disciplines.