WTR Healthcare Happenings

In this episode of WTR Healthcare Happenings, Robert Sassoon, Managing Director and Healthcare Analyst at Water Tower Research, joins host Tim Gerdeman, Co-Founder of Water Tower Research, to discuss his newly published initiation of coverage on PharmAla Biotech Holdings (CSE: MDMA, OTCQB: MDXX).

Robert Sassoon explains how the Toronto-based company built two businesses on a single chemical and regulatory foundation: a commercial supply business shipping clinical-grade GMP MDMA under the Linneo brand to roughly 35 trials worldwide, and a drug development arm engineering next-generation MDXX molecules. Because MDMA itself cannot be patented, the conversation focuses on where the...

In this episode of WTR Healthcare Happenings, Robert Sassoon, Managing Director of Healthcare Equity Research at Water Tower Research, joins host Tim Gerdeman to discuss his newly published initiation of coverage on Circular Genomics, a privately held molecular diagnostics company developing blood-based tests using circular RNA (circRNA) biomarkers.

Robert Sassoon explains the science behind circRNA and discusses the company’s Alzheimer’s research published in Nature Medicine in July, including its locked 34-circRNA signature and its potential to complement established biomarkers such as pTau217. The conversation explores why predicting disease progression could be particularly valuable for Alzheimer’s clin...

In this episode of WTR Healthcare Happenings, Robert Sassoon, Managing Director and healthcare analyst at Water Tower Research, joins host Tim Gerdeman to discuss his newly published initiation of coverage on eXoZymes (Nasdaq: EXOZ) and its cell-free biomanufacturing platform.

Robert Sassoon explains how the technology works, the significance of the reported 10-fold productivity improvement in NCT manufacturing, and the next steps toward validating commercial-scale production with CDMO partner Curia Global. The conversation also covers NCT’s potential in the nutraceutical market, the competitive landscape, and the longer-term opportunity to develop novel molecules for pharmaceutical applications through the Bi...

In this episode of WTR Healthcare Happenings, Kirk Huntsman, CEO of Vivos Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VVOS), joins WTR healthcare analyst Robert Sassoon and host Tim Gerdeman to break down the company's financial and operational restructuring.

Kirk Huntsman details the work underway to strengthen the balance sheet, including debt reduction, equity requirements, and Nasdaq compliance. The conversation then turns to the operational turnaround, covering rising patient referrals, expanded capacity in Nevada, and AI-driven cost efficiencies.

Kirk Huntsman also discusses new revenue streams including EEG testing, remote patient monitoring, and the DME-based CPAP program, along with plans to...

In this episode of WTR Healthcare Happenings, Natural MedTech CEO and Co-Founder Luke McFarlane joins WTR healthcare analyst Robert Sassoon and Shawn Severson to discuss the company's biosynthetic psilocybin manufacturing platform and its position within Australia's evolving psychedelic medicine landscape. The conversation covers the authorized prescriber pathway, including adoption trends, treatment costs, regulatory developments, and early insurer engagement. McFarlane walks through NMT's proprietary biosynthesis platform, its competitive advantages in cost and purity, the ongoing Series A raise, and the case for local manufacturing. The episode also explores AI's role in drug development, the importance of wet-lab data, NMT's views...

In this episode, Cannara Biotech COO and Interim CFO Nick Sosiak joins WTR's Linda Bolton Weiser and Tim Gerdeman to discuss the company's expansion following the announcement of a long-term international supply agreement with Curaleaf carrying a potential aggregate value of up to C$21 million. The conversation covers Cannara's differentiated approach within the cannabis industry, the market positioning of its three brands, the scale advantages of its two Quebec mega-facilities, growing room economics, the current state of the Canadian cannabis market, the role of innovation in driving share gains, and the path to reaching maximum annual production capacity of 100,000...

In this episode of WTR Healthcare Happenings, Oncolytics Biotech CEO Jared Kelly joins WTR's Tim Gerdeman and healthcare analyst Robert Sassoon to discuss the company's progress advancing pelareorep, its investigational oncolytic virus immunotherapy for difficult-to-treat gastrointestinal cancers. The conversation covers the significant unmet need in RAS-mutated colorectal, pancreatic, and anal cancers — tumor types that have largely not benefited from the immunotherapy advances seen in other cancers — and how pelareorep's systemically delivered mechanism selectively targets tumor cells while stimulating an anti-cancer immune response. Kelly also walks through recent clinical results, upcoming data readouts, regulatory progress, and Oncolytics' strategy to advance regi...

In this episode of WTR Healthcare Happenings, Doug Drysdale, biopharma veteran and founder of Katagen, former CEO of Cybin (now Helus Pharma), joins WTR's Tim Gerdeman and analyst Robert Sassoon to explore whether psychedelic medicine has moved from speculative niche to mainstream therapeutic category. The discussion covers Eli Lilly's $2.8 billion upfront acquisition of Atai Beckley and whether the price was fair on both sides, the broader shift of M&A capital toward CNS and neurology assets over oncology, and why Atai may have been the only available late-stage asset given Compass Pathways' stand-alone positioning, GH Research's clinical challenges, and...

Dr. Elazar Sonnenschein, Founder and CEO of Pulsenmore Ltd. (Nasdaq and Tel Aviv: PLSM), joins host Tim Gerdeman and WTR equity research analyst James Kisner on this episode of the WTR Healthcare Happenings Podcast. Pulsenmore has built the first FDA De Novo–authorized, prescription home-use prenatal ultrasound, allowing expectant mothers to capture images on a handheld device for remote physician review.

Sonnenschein walks through the company’s journey from concept to creating an entirely new regulatory category, what it takes to deliver a home scan clinicians can trust, and how years of real-world use shaped the platform. The...

In this episode of WTR Healthcare Happenings, host Tim Gerdeman is joined by healthcare equity research analyst Robert Sassoon to discuss the rebound in biotech and pharma M&A. Robert explains why 2026 is shaping up as the strongest M&A environment since 2019, with 35 disclosed-value deals totaling roughly $97 billion in just over six months.  The discussion covers rising deal sizes, the patent cliff, a more permissive antitrust backdrop, improved drug-pricing clarity, pharma’s estimated $2.1 trillion in acquisition capacity, and better financing conditions. Tim and Robert also examine the types of clinical-stage assets attracting buyers, key therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, met...

In this episode, Christer Rosen, Founder and CEO of Jupiter Neurosciences (Nasdaq: JUNS), and President & COO Alison Silva join Water Tower Research’s Tim Gerdeman and Healthcare Analyst Robert Sassoon to discuss Jotrol, the company’s proprietary micellar formulation of resveratrol engineered to overcome long‑standing bioavailability and tolerability limitations. Jotrol has demonstrated a ninefold increase in resveratrol bioavailability, enabling therapeutic exposure without the high‑dose GI side effects that have historically constrained the molecule’s therapeutic potential.

The team highlights progress on the active Phase 2A Parkinson’s trial enrolling at Georgetown University, designed to evaluate safety, PK, an...

In this episode of Healthcare Happenings, Robert Sassoon, WTR healthcare equity analyst, joins host Tim Gerdeman to discuss his initiation of coverage on NurExone Biologic (TSXV: NRX / OTCQB: NRXBF), a preclinical biopharma company advancing a novel exosome platform targeting CNS regeneration. Sassoon walks through the science behind exosome therapeutics, NurExone's differentiated ExoTherapy platform and lead asset ExoP10, which combines a natural exosome carrier with an RNA payload designed to silence the P10 gene and unlock nerve regeneration in acute spinal cord and optic nerve injury. The conversation also covers the company's vertical integration strategy through its Exotop subsidiary and...

In this episode of Healthcare Happenings, Nick Kadysh, Founding CEO and President of PharmAla Biotech (CSE: MDMA / OTCQB: MDXXF), joins host Tim Gerdeman and WTR healthcare analyst Robert Sassoon to discuss two recently announced transactions. The first is the formation of Restora Neuroscience, a special purpose vehicle created to advance APA01, a non-controlled neurology molecule, through a preclinical partnership with Datiba. The second is a term sheet with Jupiter Neurosciences for the exclusive U.S. licensing of ALA-002, PharmAla's next-generation MDMA therapeutic, in a deal valued at over $100 million in potential milestones and royalties. The conversation covers deal structure...

In this special episode of the WTR Healthcare Happenings podcast, the second in a two-part series, Professor David Nutt, Chief Science Officer of Solvonis Therapeutics (LSE: SVNS), talks to host Tim Gerdeman and WTR analyst Robert Sassoon about addiction and why he believes Solvonis' novel approach offers potentially better solutions than are currently available. The discussion also covers persistently low AUD treatment penetration, the favorable UK regulatory and reimbursement outlook versus US payer dynamics, how ketamine compares with emerging GLP-1 and psilocybin approaches, and the advantages of Solvonis' AI-enabled drug discovery platform. Finally, Nutt shares his thoughts on where...

In this special episode of Healthcare Happenings, the first in a two‑part series, Anthony Tennyson, CEO of Solvonis Therapeutics (LSE: SVNS), joins host Tim Gerdeman and WTR analyst Robert Sassoon to discuss the company’s strategy in addiction and psychiatry — a field with significant unmet need and limited effective treatment options. Anthony walks through SVN‑001, a ketamine‑based therapy for severe alcohol use disorder now in Phase 3 in the UK, and SVN‑002, a U.S.-focused program targeting the much larger moderate‑to‑severe alcohol use disorder market. He also explains why Solvonis may not yet be fully recognized compa...

In this episode of Healthcare Happenings, John Lai, CEO of PetVivo Holdings (PETV), joins host Tim Gerdeman and WTR analyst Robert Sassoon to discuss the company's regenerative medicine platform for companion animals. The conversation covers PetVivo's product suite led by Spryng, its cartilage-mimicking protein particle matrix; the off-the-shelf Precise PRP product; and a BioPiezo collaboration with the University of Connecticut that pairs Spryng with nanofiber technology to drive cartilage regeneration with potential translation to human medicine. Lai also previews the launch of PetVivo.ai, an agentic AI platform for veterinary practices, and outlines the company's pathway toward cash-flow breakeven. 

 In this episode of the WTR Healthcare Happenings podcast, Stephen Rodgers, Head of Global Planning and Strategy at SBC Medical Group Holdings (NASDAQ: SBC), joins WTR’s Tim Gerdeman and Robert Sassoon. Rodgers discusses how SBC’s 26‑year build‑out into a 283‑location platform serving 2.1 million customers with a 72% repeat rate has created a scale, data, and trust advantage that competitors have been unable to replicate. He outlines the rationale for expanding beyond aesthetics into orthopedics, fertility, and dentistry, and highlights longevity as a major white space being addressed through the SBC Wellness 2.0 B2B program. The conversation also covers SBC’...

ExoZymes (NASDAQ: EXOZ) CEO Michael Heltzen joins Tim Gerdeman and Robert Sassoon in this episode of the WTR Healthcare Happenings podcast to discuss the company’s AI-driven, cell-free biomanufacturing platform and how it aims to overcome longstanding scalability challenges in synthetic biology. The conversation covers the scientific differentiation of its “exozyme” enzyme engineering approach, the commercial strategy behind its lead programs in metabolic health (NCT) and non-intoxicating cannabinoids, and the broader opportunity to produce high-value molecules that have historically been inaccessible at scale. The podcast also explores regulatory dynamics, near-term commercialization milestones, and ExoZymes’ dual strategy of advancing internal assets w...

On the latest WTR Healthcare Happenings podcast, we were joined by David Sans, PhD, a healthcare investment banker, and our host, Tim Gerdeman, WTR’s Vice-Chair, Co-Founder, and Chief Marketing Officer. Over the past two years, Sans has focused on a corner of the market most investors overlook: publicly listed companies with low or negative shareholders’ equity and stock prices trading below $1. The conversation covered the tightening Nasdaq listing environment, the mechanics of strategic asset acquisitions and structured financing, the shift in M&A toward asset-level transactions, and a compelling new instrument—clinical trial...

On this episode, Vivos Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VVOS) CEO Kirk Huntsman joins WTR’s Tim Gerdeman and Robert Sassoon on Healthcare Happenings to discuss the company’s 2025 results and the momentum behind its shift from a dentist‑led model to a medically integrated strategy centered on sleep centers and physician referrals, anchored by the Sleep Center of Nevada acquisition. Huntsman highlights strong validation of the new model despite temporary 4Q25 staffing and payer delays, which are now largely resolved. The conversation covers improving patient treatment conversion, infrastructure expansion, rising cardiology and hospital referrals tied to OSA risk, and Vivos’ path toward c...

Water Tower Research's healthcare equity analyst Robert Sassoon breaks down President Trump's executive order on therapeutic psychedelics, examining the five key mechanisms it puts in place — from accelerated FDA review vouchers and right-to-try expansion to federal funding and ibogaine pathway clearance. Sassoon explains what the order gets right, where it falls short (namely on reimbursement and rescheduling), and which companies — including Compass Pathways, Dephinium Therapeutics, and Helus Pharma — stand to benefit most as the sector gains its first clear federal endorsement as a legitimate therapeutic class. 

In this special preview episode of WTR Healthcare Happenings, Robert Sassoon spotlights two biotechs presenting on Day 1 of the WTR Insights Conference (April 14–15). Nurexone Biologic (TSX-V: NRX | OTCQB: NRXBF) is pioneering an exosome-based therapy for spinal cord injury and other CNS conditions, with Phase 1/2A trials expected to initiate within 12 months. Anixa Biosciences (NASDAQ: ANIX) is advancing a breast cancer vaccine and a novel CAR-T therapy for ovarian cancer — both approaching key clinical inflection points in 2026.  Complimentary for Investors. Register at WaterTowerResearch.com. 

In this episode of the WTR Healthcare Happenings podcast, Water Tower Research’s Shawn Severson and Robert Sassoon are joined by Dr. Paul Sargeant, President and CEO of Circular Genomics, a privately held molecular diagnostics company developing next‑generation blood tests based on circular RNA biomarkers. The conversation explores the science behind circular RNA, the company’s product pipeline, including the pursuit of an out‑licensing strategy, depression assay strategy, and a planned late-2026 launch of its Alzheimer’s research-use-only (RUO) assay;  its systems‑level approach to Alzheimer's beyond the amyloid‑tau model;  Circular Genomics’ commercialization plans, funding strategy, and long-term exit...

Robert Sassoon, WTR Senior Healthcare Analyst, joins Tim Gerdeman to discuss obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the rapidly evolving treatment landscape for this widespread yet often undiagnosed and potentially fatal condition. The conversation explores the shift away from CPAP amid high non‑adherence rates toward emerging alternatives, including neurostimulation, pharmacotherapy, and oral appliances. Sassoon also highlights the valuation gap between incumbents such as ResMed (NYSE: RMD) and innovators like Vivos Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VVOS), whose approach extends beyond symptom management to address finite anatomical correction.

Robert Sassoon, WTR Senior Healthcare Analyst, joins Shawn Severson, CEO of WTR, to break down the latest clinical readouts in advanced psychedelics — including Compass Pathways’ Phase III progress in treatment-resistant depression, new anxiety data from Helus, and the upcoming milestones that could shape the future of mental health treatment. From durability and dosing models to regulatory momentum and investor implications, this episode explores why 2026 may be a pivotal year for the field.

In this episode of the WTR Healthcare Happenings, we welcome back Dr. Amit Kumar, Chairman and CEO of Anixa Biosciences (NASDAQ: ANIX) who explains why 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the company. Building on the momentum of 2025, Dr. Kumar walks us through key developments across Anixa’ clinical pipeline and strategic direction. He outlines the company’s plans as its breast cancer vaccine progresses into Phase 2 following strong Phase 1 results. At the same time, he emphasizes the striking efficacy signals emerging from the Phase 1 study of Lira‑Cel, Anixa’ CAR‑T therapy for ovaria...

In this episode of the WTR Healthcare Happenings, Adam Fraser, COO of Omniscient Neurotechnology—a privately held, Australian‑based but U.S.-focused company pioneering AI‑driven brain mapping—joins Water Tower Research Co‑Founder Tim Gerdeman and Healthcare Analyst Robert Sassoon for a deep dive into the future of clinical connectomics. The discussion explores how Omniscient’s flagship platform, Quicktome, uses advanced AI to transform complex brain data into intuitive, Google‑Maps‑style network visualizations that enhance neurosurgical planning, support coma and mental‑health assessments, and inform broader brain‑care decisions. Fraser also walks through the company’s growth trajectory, fun...

In this episode of the WTR Healthcare Happenings podcast, Rick Pierce, CEO of Decoy Therapeutics (NASDAQ: DCOY), joins Tim Gerdeman, Vice Chair, Co‑Founder, and CMO of Water Tower Research, and Robert Sassoon, WTR’s Healthcare Research Analyst. The conversation explores Decoy’s innovative business model for developing peptide‑conjugate antivirals designed to target multiple respiratory viruses. Pierce discusses how Decoy is navigating the modern era of drug development with a cost‑effective, highly efficient strategy that positions the company as a disruptive force in biotech. Central to this approach is Decoy’s proprietary peptide‑synthesis technology and rapid design‑build‑t...

In this episode of WTR Healthcare Happenings, Dr. Raza Bokhari, Executive Chairman and CEO of Medicus Pharma (NASDAQ: MDCX), joins Tim Gerdeman and Robert Sassoon to walk through the company’s strategy and market focus. Dr. Bokhari explains how Medicus Pharma acquires mid‑stage drug assets with existing data, reducing development risk and positioning the company for potential partnerships with larger pharmaceutical players.
The conversation highlights Medicus Pharma’s two lead programs aimed at major, established markets—including treatments for skin cancer and prostate‑related conditions, both representing large patient populations and significant commercial demand. Dr. Bokhari also discusses...

In this episode of WTR Healthcare Happenings, Dr. Lior Shaltiel, CEO of NurExone Biologic (OTCQB: NRXBF / TSXV: NRX), joins Tim Gerdeman and Robert Sassoon to discuss how the company is positioning itself as a standout early‑clinical‑stage biotech. Dr. Shaltiel breaks down NurExone’s focus on developing a first‑of‑its‑kind, non‑invasive therapy platform aimed at large markets with significant unmet needs, including spinal cord injury and other central nervous system conditions.

The conversation explores how NurExone’s approach could open the door to new treatment po...

In this episode of the WTR Healthcare Happenings Podcast, Tim Gerdeman and Robert Sassoon speak with Jim Martin, Co‑CEO and CFO of Cocrystal Pharma (NASDAQ: COCP). Martin explains the company’s Nobel Laureate‑developed drug discovery platform, which uses high-resolution crystallography to target viral regions resistant to mutation, enabling broad‑spectrum antivirals. The discussion highlights Cocrystal’s lead candidate, CDI‑988, a dual‑indication antiviral for coronaviruses and noroviruses, with a particular focus on advancing the norovirus program due to high global unmet need. Martin outlines the ongoing human challenge norovirus study at Emory University, CDI‑988’s potential as therapy and prophy...

In this episode of the WTR Healthcare Happenings Podcast, host Tim Gerdeman and healthcare analyst Robert Sassoon are joined by Dr. Jim Gilligan, President and Chief Science Officer of Entropy Neurodynamics (ASX: ENP), formerly Tryptamine Therapeutics. Dr. Gilligan explains the motivation behind the company’s rebrand and its decision to prioritize three core therapeutic targets: Binge Eating Disorder, Fibromyalgia, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome/abdominal pain. Although Entropy has reported positive Phase 2a results using oral psilocybin across these indications, Dr. Gilligan outlines why the company is shifting its strategy toward developing proprietary IV‑delivered psilocin formulations combined with psychotherapy, begi...

In this special Flashcast episode of the WTR Healthcare Happenings podcast, Tim Gerdeman sits down with WTR Healthcare analyst Robert Sassoon to discuss his Initiation of Coverage Report on Anixa Biosciences. Their conversation explores Anixa’s two clinical‑stage programs—one, an innovative CAR‑T cell therapy for terminal ovarian cancer patients, and the other, a breast cancer vaccine designed for both treatment and prevention. They review Phase 1 results, upcoming 2026 milestones, and how Anixa differentiates itself through both its scientific platforms and disciplined financial management.

In this special Flashcast episode of the WTR Healthcare Happenings podcast, Tim Gerdeman and WTR Healthcare analyst Robert Sassoon break down why more than 90% of biotech companies listed on a U.S. exchange choose NASDAQ over the NYSE.

In this episode of WTR Healthcare Happenings, host Tim Gerdeman and analyst Robert Sassoon speak with Eric Poma PhD, CEO of Calidi Biotherapeutics Inc (NYSE American: CLDI).  The discussion focuses on how Calidi is solving the "delivery problem" in cancer treatment, and specifically how to transport cancer-killing oncolytic viruses systemically through the bloodstream without the body’s immune system neutralizing them before they reach the tumor.

In this episode of WTR Healthcare Happenings, host Tim Gerdeman and analyst Robert Sassoon speak with Dwight Egan, CEO of Co-Diagnostics Inc. (NASDAQ: CODX), about the company’s evolution from a pandemic-era PCR testing provider to a diversified molecular diagnostics leader. In our discussion, Egan highlights the Co-DX PCR Pro, a portable, cost-effective device that delivers gold-standard PCR testing outside the lab and explains how its patented Co-Primer multiplexing technology sets it apart from competitors. Our conversation also covers Co-Diagnostics’ “razor-and-blade” business model, its pipeline of testing capabilities targeting high-impact infectious diseases...

In this episode of WTR Healthcare Happenings,  host Tim Gerdeman and analyst Robert Sassoon talk with Apyron CEO Jagi Gill about the company's innovative neurostimulation technology for chronic pain, an all too prevalent affliction affecting millions of people.  Gill explains why Apyron’s patient-focused approach stands out, and outlines the market opportunity and commercialization strategy.

In this episode of WTR Healthcare Happenings, host Tim Gerdeman and analyst Robert Sassoon speak with Shaun Bagai, CEO of RenovoRx (NASDAQ: RNXT). The company is pioneering targeted oncology therapies and commercializing RenovoCath™, an FDA-cleared multi-specialty local drug delivery device for high unmet needs. We discuss the innovation and advantages of its TAMP™ (Trans-Arterial Micro-Perfusion) platform—powered by the proprietary dual-balloon catheter—and how it sets RenovoRx apart in treating hard-to-reach hypovascular tumors like pancreatic cancer. The conversation also covers RenovoCath’s commercialization strategy and key milestones in its Phase 3 cl...

In this WTR Healthcare Happenings Spotlight Flashcast, host Tim Gerdeman sits down with WTR's Healthcare Analyst Robert Sassoon to discuss his recently published initiation of coverage on Vivos Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VVOS). The conversation explores Vivos’ innovative approach to treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the company's transformative shift to a vertically integrated, patient-centric business model, and the significant market opportunity ahead. Tune in for insights on growth strategy, economics of the pivot, and what investors should watch as Vivos reimagines sleep health.

On the latest WTR Healthcare Happenings podcast episode, we welcomed Jan Eryk Umiastowski, CFO of GenSight Biologics (Euronext Paris: SIGHT), a late clinical-stage biopharma company based in Paris, France, primarily focused on developing and commercializing novel disease-modifying gene therapies aimed at reversing vision loss from severe neurodegenerative retinal diseases. He discusses GenSight's development pipeline, what's unique about  the company's approach to gene therapy and upcoming target milestones.