The Genetics Podcast

EP 198: Reimagining clotting disorders: Patient voices and “unreasonable” leadership with Benny Sorenson of Hemab Therapeutics

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Episode notes

This week on The Genetics Podcast, Patrick is joined by Benny Sorensen, CEO of Hemab Therapeutics. They discuss how Hemab is reimagining clotting therapies by centering patient voices, how persistence and being “unreasonable” led to their first program, and the value of their multi-modality and collaborative approach.


Show Notes: 

0:00 Intro to The Genetics Podcast

00:59 Welcome to Benny

01:49 Reimagining blood clotting therapies by listening to lived experience and embracing the biotech revolution

04:27 How persistence and patient voices sparked Hemab’s first drug development program

07:13 Overview of Glanzmann Thrombasthenia (GT) and Hemab’s antibody-based approach

10:09 Evolution of hemophilia treatment and neglected blood clotting disorders

14:18 Genetic and gender considerations around bleeding disorders

17:41 Hemab’s range of therapeutic modalities and the value of collaboration 

21:00 Why deep domain expertise drives Hemab’s strategy and success

22:55 Lessons from the drug development process

24:16 Global insights into gender bias, health inequality, and bleeding disorder care

26:46 Upcoming milestones at Hemab 

29:52 Lessons from running natural history studies to capture the patient experience

33:25 Redefining the patient journey through data

34:40 How Benny’s experience at Alnylam Therapeutics shaped his “unreasonable” leadership

38:16 Reflections on being a father and a CEO 

40:38 Closing remarks and Benny’s commitment to thoughtful drug development

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