Bench Strength

From bench microbiologist to CEO, John Maslowski has spent nearly three decades working across pharmaceutical manufacturing, quality, and cell and gene therapy.

In episode two of Bench Strength, Forge Biologics CTO Dr. David Dismuke sits down with John, Forge's President and CEO, to discuss his path to leadership, including the unexpected opportunity that led him to become CEO of Fibrocell Science and what ultimately brought him to Forge.

They explore how the gene therapy industry has evolved, why manufacturing scale is critical to commercial viability, and how investor expectations have changed as more therapies advance toward the clinic and commercialization. John also shares his perspective on the potential applications of AI, the importance of understanding regulatory and drug development pathways, and why he's optimistic about the industry's future.

Along the way, John reflects on the value of trusting the experts around you, the lessons he's learned throughout his career, and what it will take to make gene therapies accessible to more patients.

Plus, get to know John beyond the CEO role, from his love of Philadelphia sports and progressive rock to his latest project: a beehive that's still waiting for its first residents.

Episode One: The Approval Playbook

Welcome to the first episode of the Bench Strength podcast, featuring Maritza McIntyre in conversation with Dr. David Dismuke.

In “The Approval Playbook,” Maritza and David dive into the world of regulatory affairs, FDA approval, gene therapy, and therapeutic development. Drawing from their career experiences in biotech, they explore how regulatory strategy has evolved, what it takes to successfully navigate the path to approval, and what the future holds for therapeutic pipelines.

Maritza shares her unique perspective on the FDA, drug development, regulatory strategy, and the evolving biopharmaceutical industry, offering insights into lessons from the past and the challenges and opportunities shaping the next generation of therapies.

Bench Strength is a podcast created by Forge Biologics. Hosted by CTO David Dismuke. Each episode features a new guest from across the gene therapy ecosystem. Everyone from scientists, clinicians, engineers, and innovators join to discuss what they're building, the lessons they've learned, and where the field is headed next. Whether you're developing your first program or preparing for commercialization, Bench Strength offers fresh perspectives from the people shaping the future of gene therapy.

Gene therapy has reached a scale that once felt hard to imagine. The people who helped get us here have the stories, lessons, and perspective to match.

Bench Strength, our new podcast hosted by CTO David Dismuke, Ph.D., brings those conversations from the bench to you.

Hear from the scientists, clinicians, engineers, and leaders who helped turn what once seemed impossible into the work happening every day, and what they see from a vantage point few could have imagined when they started.