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Dolca Thomas, MD shared this𝐀𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧‑𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐄𝐎, 𝐈’𝐦 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞? This paper is a strong reminder that 𝐟𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 — 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬, and that 𝐂𝐃𝟑𝟖 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞��𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦, 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠. At ✨𝐍𝐞𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐨✨, we’re focused on 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐭‑𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 — not chasing downstream effects. Seeing 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚 reinforcing 𝐂𝐃𝟑𝟖 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 strongly validates this direction. 🧭 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬. 🧬 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬. 🚀 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐚. If you’re interested in 𝐂𝐃𝟑𝟖, 𝐍𝐀𝐃⁺ 𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲, 𝐟𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬, or 𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠‑𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬, I’d love to connect. #Biotech #LifeSciences #DrugDevelopment #CD38 #Fibrosis #Immunometabolism #AgingBiology #Longevity #PrecisionMedicine #HealthcareInnovation #PlatformBiotech #BiotechInvesting #ScientificLeadership #CEO #NeolaiaBioDolca Thomas, MD shared this✨ 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐂𝐃𝟑𝟖 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐎𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 ✨ A newly published Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio) paper uncovers a compelling link between hypertrophic adipocytes, collagen VI dysregulation, and CD38 as key contributors to visceral adipose tissue fibrosis in obesity — with important clinical and translational implications. 🔬 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 • Fibrosis is selectively increased in visceral (not subcutaneous) fat in obesity • Hypertrophic adipocytes directly produce fibrillar collagens (I & III) — not just fibroblasts • Reduced collagen VI destabilizes the extracellular matrix, triggering excess fibrosis • CD38 is highly upregulated in stressed adipocytes and infiltrating macrophages and correlates directly with fibrosis severity • Rare patients with COL6 genetic mutations show profound adipose fibrosis even without obesity — strengthening causality 🧬 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝐃𝟑𝟖 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 CD38 isn’t just a biomarker — it’s a central immunometabolic node: ➡️ Regulates NAD⁺ metabolism, energy balance, and inflammaging ➡️ Previously implicated in systemic sclerosis and organ fibrosis 📈 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 & 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 ✅ Positions CD38 as a convergent therapeutic target linking metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis ✅ Expands CD38 relevance beyond oncology into fibrotic and aging‑related diseases ✅ Supports targeting immunometabolic pathways to modify disease — not just symptoms 🚀 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 ✨𝐍𝐞𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐨✨ At ✨𝐍𝐞𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐨✨, we are focused on precision immunometabolic therapies that address the root mechanisms of aging and fibrosis. This work strongly reinforces CD38 biology as causal — not correlative — and validates our strategy of targeting pathologic NAD⁺ consumption and fibro‑inflammatory signaling across diseases of aging. 📣 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 If you’re passionate about fibrosis, metabolic disease, aging biology, or CD38‑targeted innovation, let’s connect. We’re building therapies where mechanism meets translation. 🔗 Read the paper: https://lnkd.in/gMpgmSQd #Biotech #LifeSciences #DrugDevelopment #CD38 #Fibrosis #Immunometabolism #AgingBiology #Longevity #PrecisionMedicine #MetabolicDisease #TranslationalScience #PlatformBiotech #BiotechInvesting #HealthcareInnovation #NeolaiaBioRole of hypertrophic adipocytes, collagen VI, and CD38 in adipose tissue fibrosis in obesity - Scientific ReportsRole of hypertrophic adipocytes, collagen VI, and CD38 in adipose tissue fibrosis in obesity - Scientific Reports
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Dolca Thomas, MD shared thisExcited to be attending the 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦 Being immersed in conversations shaping the 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭—from new modalities to better translational science—is incredibly energizing. Looking forward to learning, exchanging ideas, and bringing insights back to help 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬. At Neolaia, we’re focused on advancing 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭‑𝐢𝐧‑𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐬 with the goal of transforming serious diseases into manageable, chronic conditions. If you’re attending, I’d love to 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭—please reach out or say hello. #DrugDiscovery #Biotech #Immunometabolism #TranslationalScience #Stanford #LifeSciences #Neolaiabio #CD38 #NADDolca Thomas, MD shared thisWe’re thrilled to share that Greenstone Biosciences is a proud sponsor of the 2026 Stanford Drug Discovery Symposium (SDDS). This will be our third year sponsoring this event! As a company focused on advancing human-relevant, stem cell based platforms for drug discovery, we’re excited to support an event that aligns so closely with our mission and values. We look forward to connecting with partners old and new at this year’s symposium. This year marks the 10th anniversary of SDDS, a milestone moment for one of the field’s most influential gatherings. Held at Stanford’s Arrillaga Alumni Center, SDDS brings together the full spectrum of the drug discovery community: academic researchers, biotech and pharmaceutical leaders, investors, and innovators across the biomedical landscape. Over the two-day program, attendees will dive into cutting-edge scientific talks, thought-provoking panel discussions, a poster session, and countless opportunities for collaboration. It’s an environment built for idea-sharing, community building, and accelerating the next wave of therapeutic breakthroughs. 2026 speakers include: Carolyn Bertozzi Chris Boshoff, MD, PhD, FMedSci, Jay Bradner, Bob Bradway, Mike Devoy, Alistair Henry, Sandra Horning, Thomas Hudson, Joe Jimenez, Brian Kobilka, Dean Y. Li, MD, PhD, Flavius Martin, Brett P. Monia, PhD, Robert Plenge, Andy Plump, John C. Reed, Randy Schekman, Amit Sinha and others. You can join us and register for SDDS 2026 here: https://lnkd.in/grXQJeGu We look forward to connecting with you. See you at #SDDS2026. #SDDS2026 #DrugDiscovery #Biotech #NAMs #iPSC #HumanRelevantModels #PrecisionMedicine #TranslationalMedicine #PharmaRAndD #GreenstoneBiosciences
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Dolca Thomas, MD reposted thisDolca Thomas, MD reposted thisVisitor badges. Speeches. Applause. Photo opportunities. A tree planting ceremony. Handshakes. Happy people. And lots of sunshine! We sure love inauguration days. 😊 Today marks an important milestone for #TeamUCB: the official opening of our brand‑new gene therapy facility in Braine‑l’Alleud (Belgium), in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid and the Walloon Vice‑President and Minister of the Economy, Industry, Employment, Training, Research and Digital Affairs, Pierre-Yves Jeholet. Designed to accelerate the development of next‑generation gene therapies, the facility sets new standards for digital manufacturing, operational excellence and environmental performance. The facility at a glance 🧬 End‑to‑end gene therapy capabilities from lab to patient: process and analytical development, clinical manufacturing and quality control, all in one integrated facility 🏭 State‑of‑the‑art labs and manufacturing: advanced analytical labs, pilot plant and process sciences facilities designed for speed, flexibility and scalability 💻 Digital by design: a fully integrated digital ecosystem, paving the way toward fully electronic batch records 🌱 Sustainability leadership: ambition to achieve BREEAM “Excellent”, potentially one of the first pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in the EU to reach this level 📍A strategic commitment to Belgium and Europe, supporting our global manufacturing footprint: reinforcing our Braine campus as a global biopharma innovation hub anchored in Europe’s life‑sciences ecosystem 👩🔬👨🔬 A great place to work: supporting critical know‑how, attracting new talent and creating highly skilled jobs in a future‑ready, people‑centered campus This facility is the physical embodiment of our ambition to own, master and accelerate the full gene therapy value chain - so we can move faster, think bigger and reinforcing our ambition to deliver potentially transformative medicines for people living with severe diseases. #InspiredByPatients #DrivenByScience #TeamUCB
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Dolca Thomas, MD reposted thisDolca Thomas, MD reposted this📢 FOR MEDIA ONLY | UCB to acquire Neurona Therapeutics, advancing its innovative leadership in epilepsy through regenerative science Click here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eE9AFidC
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Dolca Thomas, MD shared thisAt 𝐍𝐞𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐨, we believe 𝐂𝐃𝟑𝟖 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 — not just as a marker of aging, but as a 𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐟𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐲𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 🧬 Human clinical data like this reinforce what we’ve seen preclinically: 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐀𝐃⁺ 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐃𝟑𝟖 — 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲. That conviction is why we are building a 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭‑𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 oral 𝐂𝐃𝟑𝟖 𝐢𝐧𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 — and why we’re 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔. 🚀 We see 𝐂𝐃𝟑𝟖 as a 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 with the potential to reshape how chronic, age‑associated diseases are treated. The science is converging. The momentum is building. And we’re just getting started. 📣 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐃𝟑𝟖 𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲, 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦, 𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩, 𝐰𝐞’𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭. #CD38 #NADMetabolism #Immunometabolism #Neolaiabio #DrugDevelopment #Biotech #AgingBiology #Fibrosis #Inflammation #PlatformBiotech #BiotechInvesting #TranslationalScienceDolca Thomas, MD shared this🔬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐃𝟑𝟖 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠—𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞. A newly published randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical study examined how different interventions impact NAD⁺ metabolism, a central regulator of mitochondrial health, inflammation, and tissue resilience as we age. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 👇 Age associated NAD⁺ decline is driven not only by reduced synthesis—but critically by increased NAD⁺ degradation through CD38. This study provides rare human clinical evidence supporting that biology. 🔑 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 (𝟔𝟎 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲): ✅ CD38 activity was significantly reduced (~18%) with a polyphenol based intervention (p < 0.01), while an NAD⁺ precursor alone showed minimal effect on CD38 ✅ NAD⁺ levels increased over 25% with CD38 modulation (p < 0.001) ✅ Inflammatory biomarkers (including GDF 15) declined significantly (by 15%; p < 0.0001) ✅ Physical performance and cognitive scores improved in a statistically meaningful and well tolerated manner 🧠 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Boosting NAD⁺ supply alone is not sufficient. 🔒 Controlling pathological NAD⁺ consumption via CD38 is essential. This aligns with a growing body of translational evidence showing that CD38 is not just a marker of aging—but a druggable driver of inflammation, fibrosis, immune dysfunction, and metabolic decline. 🚀 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐨 At Neolaia Bio, we are building a portfolio of differentiated, next generation CD38 inhibitors designed to: • Precisely modulate CD38 activity • Preserve intracellular NAD⁺ where it matters • Address chronic inflammatory and fibrotic diseases driven by immune dysregulation We believe CD38 inhibition represents a true platform opportunity, with relevance across aging biology, immune mediated disease, and tissue remodeling. 💡 This human clinical data further validates the strategy—and strengthens the case for CD38 as a therapeutic pillar, not just a longevity hypothesis. 📣 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 If you’re an investor, strategic partner, or scientific collaborator interested in: 🔹 CD38 biology 🔹 NAD⁺ metabolism 🔹 Immunometabolism, inflammation, or fibrosis 👉 We’d love to connect. Reach out to learn how Neolaia Bio is translating this biology into disease modifying medicines. https://lnkd.in/epKyjy8R #CD38 #NADMetabolism #Immunometabolism #HealthyAging #DrugDevelopment #Biotech #Neolaiabio #Inflammation #Fibrosis #AgingBiology #LifeSciences #PlatformBiotech #BiotechInvesting #TranslationalScience
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Dolca Thomas, MD reposted thisDolca Thomas, MD reposted thisMarch came in like a lion — and never let up. 6 CEO appointments. 7 board seats. 3 new board chairs. Here's who roared. CEO Appointments: 🔹 Jennifer Jarrett → President & CEO, Damora Therapeutics (NASDAQ: DMRA) 🔹 Louise Modis → CEO, Amphista Therapeutics Limited 🔹 Dr. Stella K. Vnook → Acting CEO & Board Chair, Kaida BioPharma 🔹 Becky Pferdehirt, PhD → CEO, Radial Astera Institute 🔹 Cindy Warren → Interim President & CEO, Cue Biopharma (Nasdaq: CUE) 🔹 Lida Pacaud MD → CEO, IGI Board Appointments: 🔹 Simona Skerjanec → Board Chair, Immunic Therapeutics (Nasdaq: IMUX) 🔹 Elaine Jones → Board Chair, BOOST Pharma 🔹 Athena Countouriotis MD → Board Member, Umoja Biopharma 🔹 Marcela Maus → Board Member, Umoja Biopharma 🔹 Rita Balice-Gordon → Board Member, Lundbeck 🔹 Kate Haviland → Board Member, Avalyn Pharma The standouts: Jennifer Jarrett brings nearly three decades of biotech, finance, and operational leadership — including the CFO role at Medivation through its Pfizer acquisition and most recently COO of Arcus Biosciences — to lead Damora Therapeutics as it advances therapies for blood disorders. And at Umoja Biopharma, Athena Countouriotis (who led Turning Point Therapeutics from IPO to acquisition) and renowned CAR-T researcher Marcela Maus joined the board together — reinforcing that company's commitment to advancing in vivo cell therapies. In Q1 2026, we tracked 151 CEO and board appointments across biotech. 35 went to women — 23.2%. The numbers are moving. We're keeping tabs. #BiotechCEOSisterhood #BiotechLeadership #WomenLeaders
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Dolca Thomas, MD shared this𝐂𝐃𝟑𝟖 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 — 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫. As NAD⁺ declines with age, evidence increasingly points to elevated CD38 catalytic activity as a key mechanism linking inflammation, immune dysfunction, metabolic failure, and age‑related disease. 🔍 The implication is powerful: durable impact on healthspan likely requires addressing both NAD replenishment *and* the enzymes that actively consume it. At Neolaia, we believe targeting fundamental metabolic drivers like CD38 — with the right biological precision — represents a powerful opportunity to intervene earlier, more durably, and across multiple age‑related diseases. 👉 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭, 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫, 𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧��𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐧, 𝐈’𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬. #AgingBiology #CD38 #NAD #Healthspan #Immunometabolism #Biotech #NeolaiabioDolca Thomas, MD shared thisA recent review in *Nature Reviews Endocrinology* crystallizes something our field has been converging on for years: 𝐂𝐃𝟑𝟖 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 — 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫. 🔋 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: NAD⁺ is fundamental to cellular energy, mitochondrial resilience, DNA repair, and immune function. Its decline is linked to metabolic disease, fibrosis, neurodegeneration, and immune dysfunction — hallmarks of aging biology. 🧬 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: This work highlights that 𝐚𝐠𝐞‑𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐃𝟑𝟖 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 actively deplete NAD⁺ — often faster than cells can replenish it. Importantly, reducing CD38 activity in preclinical systems preserves NAD⁺ levels and improves cellular function. 🔥 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: Chronic, low‑grade inflammation drives the accumulation of CD38‑expressing immune cells across tissues. In doing so, aging becomes a self‑reinforcing metabolic trap — where inflammation, immune dysfunction, and energy failure accelerate together. ✅ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲: If we want to meaningfully impact healthspan, we can’t focus only on replacing what’s lost. We must also address 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐳𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐭. At Neolaia, we believe targeting fundamental metabolic drivers like CD38 — with the right biological precision — represents a powerful opportunity to intervene earlier, more durably, and across multiple age‑related diseases. 📄 “CD38 as a driver of ageing,” *Nature Reviews Endocrinology* (2026) #AgingBiology #Healthspan #NAD #CD38 #Immunometabolism #BiotechLeadership #Longevity #Neolaiabio https://lnkd.in/gN6HxiFg
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Dolca Thomas, MD shared thisGreat example of how building a company is never a straight line. What makes progress possible isn't just hard work. It is resilience, perseverance, belief in meaningful science, and support. Support from a team willing to lean in. Support from mentors who tell you the truth. Support from partners and believers who stay the course when the outcome isn’t yet clear. Thank you Angie You for sharing the story! Congratulations Amy Burroughs, Laura Shawver and Heather Turner for showing by example that progress is built through collective effort.Dolca Thomas, MD shared thisSometimes women just need someone to believe in them and give them the right opportunities. Laura Shawver did this when she recruited Amy Burroughs to her first CEO role (Amy had moved from operator to executive recruiting when she had to move to Oregon so was a very non-traditional choice for CEO) where the drug didn't work out but many of us saw what she could do. She immediately went into a difficult situation at Terns, taking over a legacy company where the CEO and founder had died tragically of cancer. The company was trading around cash and very few appreciated the story. Amy built a team and executed like it’s nobody’s business - throughout her journey, I worried a lot about her health because I've honestly never seen a CEO work so hard and with such intensity. So proud of my fellow CEO sister and her dedicated team (including Heather Turner, fellow sister and Terns board member) for the incredible impact they will have on patients (and 10x return to investors from the day she took over!). Hello world, this woman is what leadership looks like!!! Biotech CEO SisterhoodMerck to buy Terns for $6.7B, taking a leukemia drug that could challenge ScemblixMerck to buy Terns for $6.7B, taking a leukemia drug that could challenge Scemblix
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Dolca Thomas, MD shared this𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 — 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 immune 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀. 🩸 A new paper in Blood underscores the pivotal role of CD38 in driving fibrosis. The study shows that CD38‑positive immune cells drain NAD⁺, a molecule essential for cellular energy and repair — pushing cells toward chronic inflammation and scarring. 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, the authors demonstrated that depleting CD38‑expressing cells alone was not sufficient to prevent fibrosis. In contrast, small‑molecule CD38 inhibitors that restore NAD⁺ reversed fibrotic cell behavior and reduced fibrosis in vivo. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: 💡 As we age, declining NAD⁺ and immune‑metabolic dysfunction accelerate tissue damage. This study reinforces that NAD⁺ restoration — not CD38 cell depletion — is the key to preventing and potentially reversing fibrosis. 🧬 At Neolaia Bio, this biology is foundational to our mission. We are developing next‑generation small‑molecule CD38 inhibitors designed to restore NAD⁺, improve mitochondrial health, and interrupt the drivers of age‑related fibrosis — including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), often described as premature aging of the lungs. 👉 Learn more about our science and why immunometabolism matters for healthy aging: NeolaiaBio.com 👉 Follow along as we prepare to enter the clinic later this year. #Fibrosis #CD38 #NAD #Immunometabolism #HealthyAging #IPF #Biotech #DrugDevelopment #NeolaiaBio #IPFDolca Thomas, MD shared this𝐂𝐃𝟑𝟖+ 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐅𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬! 🩸 In the recent issue of the medical journal Blood, researchers identified a subset of inflammatory monocytes that exhibit increased expression of CD38, resulting in NAD+ depletion, causing cellular metabolic rewiring, and inducing fibrosis through increased NF-κB signaling and TNF-α secretion. 💥 The authors showed that a small molecule CD38 inhibitor was able to potently reverse fibrotic cell differentiation and in vivo fibrosis. >>> However, blocking CD38 expression with daratumumab, an approved mAb that depletes CD38+ cells, was insufficient to prevent fibrosis, suggesting that NAD+ restoration is the critical step to prevent or reverse fibrosis. 💡 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 This work highlights the importance of NAD+ homeostasis, whose dysfunction can drive fibrosis and other age-related disorders, and the role that CD38 small molecule inhibitors can play in restoring cellular health and reversing fibrosis. 💊 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐞𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐨 At Neolaia Bio, we are designing a portfolio of next-generation small molecule CD38 inhibitors that restore NAD+, enhance mitochondrial health, and improve cellular stress responses. This research further supports the promise of our lead compound which will be entering clinic trials by the end of the year as a treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, IPF, a fatal disease referred to as “premature aging of the lungs”. 👉 Interested in fibrosis, CD38, or next-gen healthspan therapies? Let’s connect. https://lnkd.in/eYJDPi_b #NeolaiaBio #Immunometabolism #CD38 #NAD #IPF #AgingBiology
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Dolca Thomas, MD reacted on thisIn honor of Bring Your Child to Work Day, we asked the children of some of our Bristol Myers Squibb colleagues what they think a CEO does. Their answers were brutally honest, occasionally accurate and, overall, refreshingly perceptive. From “He is very busy and drinks a lot of coffee” to “sits in meetings ALL day,” it’s a good reminder that perspective matters. While the work can be complex, the purpose is straightforward because patients are at the center. It all comes down to the pursuit of bold science to transform lives. Thanks to these future leaders for keeping us grounded.
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Dolca Thomas, MD liked thisDolca Thomas, MD liked thisI am incredibly excited to announce that I have officially accepted an internship opportunity with eGenesis! I will be spending the summer in Northwest Indiana as a Neonatal Care Technician Intern. In this role, I’ll be supporting neonatal pig care, assisting with daily animal care routines, and working closely with veterinary and neonatal teams. I’m looking forward to developing hands-on skills and gaining deeper insight into neonatal care while working alongside such an amazing team. This experience means so much to me as I continue pursuing a career in animal science. Huge thank you to Chara Kekona and Grace Olinger for this opportunity. I am beyond grateful, and I can't wait to work with these little piggies!🐷
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Dolca Thomas, MD liked thisDolca Thomas, MD liked thisTime is a critical metric in drug discovery. For patients waiting for new treatments, a decade of research and development is simply too long. We have a responsibility to work smarter and move faster. That is why I am incredibly proud to highlight the Digital Antibody Research Collaboration (DARC), a partnership between UCB and the University of Southampton. Together with the DARC and other projects/ partnerships, we are advancing digital antibody innovation by integrating artificial intelligence and computer simulation directly into our discovery workflows. By shifting antibody design from physical test tubes to digital simulations, we are looking to predict complex molecular properties quicker than ever before. This should allow us to skip the traditional physical trial-and-error phase and bring potential new treatments to clinical trials with greater speed and confidence. I recently wrote an article detailing my thoughts on this necessary shift toward digital antibody engineering and the immense potential of our collaboration with the University of Southampton.Reimagining drug discovery: The digital antibody shiftReimagining drug discovery: The digital antibody shift
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Dolca Thomas, MD liked thisExciting news for our team and the broader CML community: TERN-701 has been granted FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation. This milestone reflects not only the strength of the data, but also the extraordinary focus, urgency, and collaboration that our team has brought to advancing this program. I’m incredibly proud of how quickly and thoughtfully the team has moved to bring TERN-701 forward—this achievement is a direct result of that commitment. Breakthrough Therapy Designation is an important validation of what we’ve believed from the start: that TERN-701 has the potential to be a best-in-disease therapy for patients living with chronic myeloid leukemia. While there is still work ahead, this recognition reinforces the promise of what we are building. Most importantly, thank you to the patients who participate in our trials and the investigators and site staff who make this research possible and share our mission. Progress like this is only possible because of your trust, dedication, and collaboration.Dolca Thomas, MD liked thisWe are pleased to announce that the U.S. FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to our investigational, oral allosteric BCR::ABL1 inhibitor for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). We are encouraged by this milestone and grateful to the investigators, patients, and community advocates whose contributions continue to advance this research. For details, see our press release: https://lnkd.in/dCtwa2Mz
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Dolca Thomas, MD reacted on thisCongratulations to my fellow Biotech CEO Sisterhood members for being invited to join the College of Fellows in the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. We all know women warriors who are changing the world for the better- every effort counts. An unusual (or not?) moment of levity with Grace Colón, Karen Drexler and Christine Ann Miller, all distinguished scientist/engineers and leaders. Proud to be your "fellow" Fellow and Sister!Dolca Thomas, MD reacted on thisWe’re pleased to share that Pearl Huang, CEO and President of Dunad Therapeutics, has been inducted into the 2026 Class of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering College of Fellows. Here she is with other Biotech CEO Sisterhood members who also became Fellows this year. AIMBE Fellows represent the top 2% of medical and biological engineers. They include the most accomplished medical and biological engineers in academia, industry, education, clinical practice, and government. This recognition reflects her contributions to biotechnology innovation and engineering education, as well as her commitment to supporting and advancing diverse leadership in the field. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/etUu6AgG
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Neolaia Bio
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Publications
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Summary of roundtable discussion meeting: non-human primates to assess risk for EBV-related lymphomas in humans.
J Immunotoxicol. 2012 Jan-Mar;9(1):121-7. Epub 2011 Dec 3.
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Lymphoproliferative disorders after adult kidney transplant: epidemiology and comparison of registry report with claims-based diagnoses.
Am J Kidney Dis. 2011 Dec;58(6):971-80. Epub 2011 Sep 17.
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Measurement of apoptosis of intact human islets by confocal optical sectioning and stereological analysis.
Transplantation
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Distinct roles of IL-12 and IL-15 in human natural killer cell activation by dendritic cells from secondary lymphoid organs.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
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Rapamycin inhibits the growth and metastatic progression of non-small cell lung cancer.
Clin. Ca. Res.
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The abundant NK cells in human secondary lymphoid tissues require activation to express KIRs and become cytolytic.
J Immunology.
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Optimal Modes and Targets of Gene Therapy in Transplantation.
Immunological Reviews
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Enforced c-Rel deficiency prolongs survival of islet allografts.
Transplantation
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Proapoptotic Bax is hyperexpressed in isolated human islets compared to anti-apoptotic Bcl-2.
Transplantation
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Systemic TGFb1 gene therapy induces FoxP3+ regulatory cells, restores self-tolerance and facilitates regeneration of beta cell function in overtly diabetic NOD mice.
Transplantation
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Languages
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Spanish
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