In the latest episode of The Genetics Podcast, host and Sano Genetics CEO Patrick Short welcomes Dr. Eric Green, CEO and Founder of Trace Neuroscience. Eric has a wide range of experience in genomics and precision medicine, having co-founded Maze Therapeutics and previously worked as a cardiologist and academic researcher. Together, they explore the evolution of genomic medicine, drug development, and building biotechs.
A career rooted in precision medicine
Eric begins by reflecting on his journey from academic cardiology to biotech entrepreneurship. In his academic career, he was intrigued by the potential of genomics to improve cardiology, particularly in diseases like cardiomyopathies. Despite early genetic discoveries in the 1990s, therapeutic breakthroughs were slow to follow. Recognizing this gap, Eric co-founded MyoKardia to translate genetic insights into treatments for heart failure, ultimately developing small molecules targeting sarcomere motor proteins.
From MyoKardia to Maze: Scaling genomic medicine
Following the success of Myocardia, Eric joined Third Rock Ventures, a biotech incubator known for taking cutting-edge science and using it to develop real-world therapeutics. There, he co-founded Maze Therapeutics with a bold mission: leveraging large-scale genomic data to discover and develop drugs across multiple therapeutic areas. Maze focused on genetic modifiers and making use of biobanks like the UK Biobank to identify promising targets.
The birth of Trace Neuroscience
Trace Neuroscience emerged from a groundbreaking discovery linking the UNC13A gene to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This gene, previously identified in genome-wide association studies (GWAS), plays a crucial role in presynaptic vesicle release. Eric and his team uncovered a mechanism by which UNC13A mRNA mis-splicing contributes to ALS progression. Their solution? Develop antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to correct this splicing error. Eric goes on to explain the importance of spinning out Trace as a standalone company. By doing so, Trace could concentrate on the unique challenges of ASO development and clinical implementation for ALS, a disease with urgent unmet needs. The company is now advancing its lead candidate with plans to enter clinical trials in early 2026.
The broader implications of genetics-driven drug discovery
Eric and Patrick also explore how genetics informs therapeutic development beyond target discovery. At Maze, the team demonstrated this with their work on APOL1-mediated kidney disease. Using population-scale genetic data, they identified a protective variant that informed a strategy to inhibit APOL1 pore function, providing insights for a novel drug candidate.
This story showcases the power of genetics not only to identify targets but to clarify mechanisms, validate safety, and guide biomarker development. Eric emphasizes that while large biopharma exceeds at sequencing efforts, smaller biotech companies can excel by focusing on innovative ways to translate genetic insights into actionable therapies.
Summary
This episode offers a fascinating look at how genomics can transform drug discovery. Dr. Eric Green’s career journey—from academic cardiologist to biotech founder—illustrates the potential of genetics to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and patient impact. With companies like Trace Neuroscience and Maze Therapeutics, he continues to advance precision medicine to help those living with genetic conditions.
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