In this episode of "Rare Insights," host Taren Grom sits down with Dr. Linda Marbán, Chief Executive Officer at Capricor Therapeutics, to discuss groundbreaking advancements in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other rare diseases through innovative cell and exosome-based therapies. Dr. Marbán shares her journey in the biotechnology field, the unique approach of Capricor’s CAP-1002, and her vision for the future of rare disease therapeutics.

Discussion Topics:

1. Advancing CAP-1002 for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Dr. Marbán talks about the progress of CAP-1002 entering Phase 3 trials and the next steps towards FDA approval.
2. Unique Approach with Exosome Technology: Exploring how Capricor’s use of exosome technology differentiates their treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy from other drugs in development.
3. Future of Cell and Exosome-Based Therapeutics: Insights into the potential of these innovative therapies to transform the treatment landscape for various rare diseases.
4. Shifts in the Rare Disease Space: Reflecting on major changes in the rare disease sector since co-founding Capricor in 2005 and the current trends that Dr. Marban is monitoring.
5. Commitment to the Rare Disease Community: Dr. Marbán shares what drew her to the rare disease field, her career-long dedication, and her passion for working with this unique community of patients and caregivers.

Dr. Marbán is currently serving as CEO, and has served in that capacity and on the Board since November 2013. As co-founder of Capricor, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary, Dr. Marbán has been with Capricor, Inc. since 2005 and became its CEO in 2010. Dr. Marbán has been in the biotechnology field for more than 20 years and brings extensive experience across research, product development and business development to the company.

From 2003-2009, Dr. Marbán held various senior roles at Excigen, Inc., a gene therapy biotechnology company, where she was responsible for operations and business development and where she oversaw the development of a biologic pacemaker for the heart. Prior to Excigen, Dr. Marbán worked in academic science, first at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation working on the development of contractile dysfunction in heart failure due to myocarditis, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins University. While at Johns Hopkins, she advanced to the rank of Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, specializing in the mechanism of the biophysical properties of cardiac muscle. Her tenure at Johns Hopkins ran from 2000 to 2003.

Stay tuned for the next new episode of Rare Insights! In the meantime, listen to all our episodes Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “Rare Insights”.

Rare Insights’ team includes Taren Grom, Liz Kay, Kaitlyn Wosik, DNA Today’s Kira Dineen, and Nina Wachsman.

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