Syneos Health Podcast, CNS Summit Series

In this special series of the Syneos Health Podcast, we celebrate 15 years of innovation in collaboration with CNS Summit, a community of innovators and life science industry leaders devoted to discovering better, more efficient ways to advance the industry through innovation, collaboration, and technology. Over the course of the series, we will feature conversations with key experts and members of the community on how the life sciences industry is continuing to reinvent itself in the pursuit of better outcomes for more patients.

Scroll down to find and listen to all episodes here.

The views expressed in this podcast belong solely to the speakers and do not represent those of their organization.

EPISODE 1: Celebrating 15 Years of Innovation with Dr. Amir Kalali of CNS Summit

In this episode, guest host Dr. Alexandria Wise, SVP and Global Neuroscience Head at Syneos Health, is joined by physician-scientist Dr. Amir Kalali, Chairman and Chief Curator of CNS Summit. Dr. Kalali shares the origins of CNS Summit, the unique vision that sets it apart, and the milestones achieved along the way—and offers insights on the future of collaboration in clinical development and advice for the next generation of industry leaders.

EPISODE 2: Patient-Centric Innovation at Scale, with Cristina Duran of Evinova

In this episode, host Andy Moniz, Vice President of Therapeutic Strategy and Innovation at Syneos Health, sits down with Cristina Duran, CEO of Evinova, to discuss her transformative journey in life sciences and the future of patient-centric innovation in healthcare. Cristina shares insights from her experience leading R&D transformation at AstraZeneca, where she pioneered patient-centric approaches to clinical trials. She discusses how Evinova is driving industry-wide change by creating integrated, scalable solutions that prioritize patient needs while delivering faster, more efficient outcomes for life sciences.

EPISODE 3: Redefining Psychiatry with Science and Compassion, with Dr. David Brown of Community Clinical Research

Join host Andy Moniz, Vice President of Therapeutic Strategy Innovation at Syneos Health, as he sits down with Dr. David Brown from Community Clinical Research in Austin, Texas, to talk about the transformative impact of clinical trials, the advancements in schizophrenia research, and the potential for a new era in personalized psychiatry driven by genetic insights and AI. Dr. Brown reflects on the challenges of stigma, the progress in neuroscience, and his hopes for the industry in the next five years, including bridging gaps between academia and pharma and inspiring the next generation of researchers.

EPISODE 4: Psychedelics and Beyond, with Kevin Craig of atai Life Sciences

In this episode, Dr. Alexandria Wise sits down with Kevin Craig, Senior Vice President of Clinical Development at atai Life Sciences to delve into the complexities of drug development in the psychedelic space, the importance of global accessibility, and the profound impact of patient involvement in clinical trial design. Kevin also shares his perspective on the future of the life sciences industry, emphasizing the role of big data, biomarkers, and efficient trial models in advancing mental health care.

EPISODE 5: The Future of Immunology and Personalized Health, with Jane Metcalfe of The Human Immunome Project

In this episode Andy Moniz, Vice President of Therapeutic Strategy Innovation at Syneos Health, sits down with Jane Metcalfe, Board Chair of the Human Immunome Project, to discuss the transformative potential of immunology in medicine. Jane shares her inspiring journey into this groundbreaking field, highlighting how advanced biological measurements, machine learning, and personalized immune profiling are reshaping drug development, clinical practice, and medical education.

From the immune system’s role in diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer to the need for diverse clinical trials, this conversation explores the dynamic intersection of science, technology, and humanity.

EPISODE 6: Schizophrenia, Clinical Trials and Hope, with Dr. David Walling of Cenexel CNS

In this episode, host Dr. Alexandria Wise interviews Dr. David Walling, Chief Clinical Officer at CenExel CNS, on his career journey, his passion for advancing care for individuals with schizophrenia, and the evolution of clinical trials over the past two decades.

Dr. Walling shares insights into CenExel’s mission as a “Center of Excellence” for clinical research and reflects on his early work with schizophrenia patients, from the development of atypical antipsychotics in the 1990s to today’s cutting-edge therapies like KarXT, a newly FDA-approved medication with a novel mechanism of action. The discussion highlights the increasing importance of patient-centered approaches, the integration of patient voices in clinical trial design, and the promise of innovative treatments that address not only positive symptoms but also negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.