In this episode of For Your Innovation, the ARK team is joined by Umoja’s CEO, Dr. Andy Scharenberg, and CFO, Britton Russell, to discuss their journey, vision, and the innovative science reshaping cancer treatment. Dr. Scharenberg explains how Umoja’s in vivo gene delivery platform, VivoVec, represents a third-generation leap in CAR T-cell therapies—offering the potential to make cutting-edge treatments more scalable, accessible, and cost-effective. Britton Russell provides insights into how this paradigm shift is aligned with Umoja’s mission to democratize transformative medicine, enabling broader global access. Together, they explore topics ranging from the shortcomings of traditional CAR T-cell therapies, the challenges of current allogeneic solutions, and how Umoja’s platform overcomes these barriers. They also discuss the implications of in vivo therapies for oncology, autoimmune diseases, and even longevity, while touching on the role of better healthcare models and incentive structures to move the industry from "sick care" to true healthcare innovation.
"Our mission is to bring together the right technologies and team to achieve transformative, practice-changing solutions for patients." - Dr. Andy Scharenberg
Key Points From This Episode:
- The limitations of existing CAR T-cell therapies and how Umoja addresses them.
- How in vivo platforms reduce costs and streamline treatment timelines.
- The broader applications of Umoja’s technology beyond oncology, including autoimmunity and longevity.
- Why better alignment of healthcare incentives is critical for advancing patient outcomes.