#15 – Paul Billings, CEO and Director of Biological Dynamics

Introduction

In a recent episode of the BioBreakthroughs podcast, host Jared S. Taylor sat down with Paul Billings, CEO of Biological Dynamics, to talk about the revolutionary advances his company is making in the field of liquid biopsies. With a strong foundation in medicine and biotechnology, Paul Billings shared how their focus on exosomes is transforming the early detection of pancreatic cancer and much more. In this blog post, we recap their fascinating conversation.

A Deep Dive into Paul Billings’ Professional Journey

Paul Billings boasts a rich academic background with a MD and PhD from Harvard Medical School. His early career revolved around T-cell biology under Nobel Laureate Baruch Benaserev. His subsequent experience encompasses being a practicing internal medicine doctor, a medical geneticist, and a seasoned biotech executive. Billings described himself as “really interested in seeing that new things happen, making medicine better.”

A Novel Approach to Liquid Biopsy

Biological Dynamics has been working for more than 10 years to bring to market a revolutionary technology that focuses on exosomes found in a tiny amount of blood. These exosomes are abundant in the plasma and contain information that has largely been unexamined until now. By concentrating on the liquid part of blood, the company aims to provide quick, effective, and affordable ways for people to identify early warning signs of various diseases.

A Pioneering Focus on Pancreatic Cancer

Among the many diseases Biological Dynamics aims to detect early, pancreatic cancer stands as a key focus. As Billings pointed out, the early detection of this disease is crucial since it is one of the most deadly forms of cancer. If pancreatic cancer is caught at stage zero or one, the five-year survival rate increases dramatically, underscoring the value of early and effective surveillance.

How Exosomes Differ from Other Diagnostic Tests

In the world of liquid biopsies, Biological Dynamics stands apart because of its emphasis on exosomes rather than DNA or RNA. Billings explained that exosomes offer a more abundant and constant source of diagnostic information, giving doctors and researchers more reliable data for a broader range of applications.

Current Use by Physicians and Future Applications

Although the technology is still in its early stages, it’s rapidly accumulating clinical evidence. Currently, physicians are using Biological Dynamics’ tests alongside traditional methods to identify high-risk patients and provide effective surveillance. Billings is excited about the potential applications of this technology in other areas, including lung and ovarian cancers, and even dementias like Alzheimer’s.

Slice of Healthcare Wrap Up

The discussion between Jared S Taylor and Paul Billings unveils how Biological Dynamics is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in personalized medicine. Their unique focus on exosomes in liquid biopsies promises a future where early detection could significantly improve patient outcomes, particularly for deadly diseases like pancreatic cancer. With ongoing research and clinical trials, the medical world should keep an eye on Biological Dynamics as it continues to innovate in this vital area.