Faron CEO Discusses Potential “Game Changer” For High-Risk MDS Patient Population

Juho Jalkanen, CEO of Faron Pharma, discusses the importance of addressing unmet medical needs in cancer through breaking treatment resistance and developing long-term solutions, as well as the potential of its Phase II asset bexmarilimab.

In Vivo Podcast

As a condition with fewer treatment options, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients require long-term and treatment resistant solutions. Aiming to address this unmet need, Faron Pharmaceuticals continues to work on promising lead asset bexmarilimab.

Bexmarilimab is a humanized antibody that binds to receptors, myeloid cells and macrophages. It functions by priming the tumor microenvironment for optimal antitumor immune responses, in both hematological malignancies and solid tumors.

Juho Jalkanen, Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Speaking to the In Vivo podcast, Jalkanen stated that after a highly positive set of Phase II data, the company has already contacted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asking, “Hey, what’s next?”

Focusing not only on the professional growth of the company, Jalkanen also highlights personal growth in his career progression, leading to his current role as CEO, which he began in May 2024 when his father and Faron founder Markku Jalkanen retired.

Jalkanen explained how his practical medical background provides him with a uniquely optimal position for investors, as he can explain trials in layman’s terms, which subsequently ensures Faron receives the funding needed to progress clinical trials.

He talked about his transition to CEO when the company faced extreme financial difficulties, stating that the company is now in a strong financial position.

Time-stamps:

00:55 Introduction

01:44 The urgency Of Bexmab

03:10 Clinical data and Phase II results

06:51 Learning from failure

12:18 Looking ahead

More from Podcasts

Podcast: “Powerful Yet Unexplored”: Commit Biologics Tackles The Complement System

 

Mikkel Wandahl Pederson, CEO and chief scientific officer at Commit Biologics, discussed the company’s mission to harness the powerful complement system for the treatment of serious diseases.

Podcast: Ochre Bio’s Approach To Precision Medicine In Liver Treatment

 
• By 

Ochre Bio co-founder and CSO Quin Wills spoke with In Vivo about the UK-based company's novel approach to finding RNA therapies for chronic liver disease.

Podcast: iOnctura’s Mission To Treat Rare Cancers With Precision Therapies

 
• By 

In Vivo spoke with Catherine Pickering, the CEO and founder of iOnctura, a UK-based clinical stage biotech company developing therapies for uveal melanoma and other hard-to-treat cancers by disrupting the tumor-stroma-immune interface.

Podcast: OSE Immunotherapeutics’ CEO On Ulcerative Colitis Asset

 
• By 

Nicolas Poirier, CEO of French biotech OSE Immunotherapeutics, spoke with In Vivo about the company's anti-IL-7R antibody, lusvertikimab, on the heels of impressive ulcerative colitis data presented at the 2025 European Crohn's and Colitis Organization meeting.

More from Leadership

The pre|CISION Approach: How Avacta Is Making Toxic Cancer Drugs Safe And More Effective

 
• By 

Avacta's approach to drug delivery is showing how 'masked' chemotherapy can dramatically improve safety profiles while maintaining or enhancing efficacy where it matters most.

Califf In Conversation: “Decimated” FDA Teams Endanger Biologics Progress

 

In Vivo spoke to the previous commissioner of the US FDA about recent ongoings at the agency, and where he believes policy should be directed for patient and industry benefit.

Rising Leaders 2025: Rob Barrow On Leading MindMed’s Psychedelic Renaissance

 
• By 

Rob Barrow's unconventional journey from finance to leading MindMed highlights his innovative approach to psychedelic medicine, aiming to transform mental health treatment with groundbreaking therapies.