In this episode, we sit down with Professor Dr. Lana E. Kandalaft, a world-renowned expert in immunotherapy and the Chief of Clinical and Translational Research at the Swiss Medical Network. The interview was recorded on the 17th November 2025.

For decades, the "one-size-fits-all" approach to cancer treatment has been the standard. But Professor Kandalaft is at the forefront of a medical revolution: Personalized Cancer Vaccines. By sequencing a patient's specific tumor mutations and "re-programming" their own immune soldiers (T-cells), her work is turning the body’s natural defenses into a precision-guided strike force against disease.

We dive deep into the "Death Valley" of medical research—the treacherous gap between a laboratory breakthrough and a patient’s bedside—and discuss why the next 20 years of immunology will be the most transformative in human history.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The Soldier Metaphor: How to visualize your T-cells and the "brakes" that cancer uses to hide from them.

• The Fingerprint Discovery: Why sequencing individual tumors allows for vaccines synthesized for a single person.

• Bench to Bedside: The reality of "Death Valley" and the massive hurdles in funding and infrastructure for new cures.

• The Next Pandemic: Professor Kandalaft’s take on global preparedness and why "we cannot stop" the arrival of new viruses.

• Public vs. Private: How the relationship between big pharma and private research is evolving to bring drugs to market faster.

About the Guest:

I have updated the biography to remove the mention of the National Cancer Institute.

Professor Dr. Lana E. Kandalaft is the Chief of Clinical and Translational Research at the Swiss Medical Network and Genolier Innovation Network, and the Director of the Vaccine Program at Clinique de Genolier. An Associate Professor at the University of Lausanne (UNIL) and Associate Director at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, she formerly held research positions at the University of Pennsylvania. She has spent over 20 years bridging the gap between complex science and life-saving clinical applications.

General Sir Gordon Messenger, Trustee of the King’s Foundation and former Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, joins the programme from Geneva to discuss the intersection of military leadership, sustainable development, and royal vision.

Established by King Charles III in 1990, the King’s Foundation is distinct from the King’s Trust, focusing not just on youth but on the philosophy of "harmony"—working with the grain of nature rather than imposing upon it. General Messenger explains how this philosophy translates into practical action, from heritage craft training to urban regeneration.

Key discussion points include:

• The Philosophy of Harmony: King Charles III’s vision of integrating human activity with the natural world.

• Redefining Sustainability: Why true sustainability goes beyond carbon targets to include heritage, craftsmanship, and community "placemaking."

• The Economics of Quality: The argument against short-termism and why quality construction (like Poundbury) is more economically viable than "cheap and cheerful."

• Leadership Lessons: Insights from a distinguished military career on authenticity, building teams around a common purpose, and maintaining judgment during crises.

• The Next Generation: Why General Messenger remains optimistic about the values and environmental commitment of today’s youth.

• Impressions of the King: A personal look at King Charles III’s authenticity, lack of airs, and deep commitment to his causes.

• Global Impact: How the Foundation’s model at Dumfries House is inspiring projects internationally, including in Australia.

This episode offers a fascinating look at how traditional values and skills are being revitalized to address modern challenges, guided by experienced leadership.

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with winds reaching nearly 300 km/h, recently devastated Jamaica, leaving over 600,000 people displaced and wiping out nearly 30% of the country’s GDP. In this episode of The McKay Interview, Jamaican Ambassador Dr. Richard Brown outlines the full scale of the destruction and the urgent need for stronger global support — particularly from international organisations and the United Nations system.

Michael McKay and Dr. Brown explore:

• The unprecedented scale of Hurricane Melissa’s destruction across Jamaica’s western parishes

• The economic toll: $6–7 billion in damages and over 120,000 structures affected

• What worked — and didn’t — in Jamaica’s disaster preparedness and response

• How catastrophe bonds and parametric insurance are helping fund emergency relief

• Why small island developing states like Jamaica need tailored climate finance and legal recognition

• The role of Geneva-based organisations and how donors can support Jamaica’s recovery

This conversation also delves into larger questions:

• Is the international system, including the United Nations, still fit for purpose?

• Can small countries weather climate shocks without systemic global reform?

• And what does Jamaica’s resilience — “Wi likkle but wi tallawah” — look like in 2025?

Listen now to better understand the link between diplomacy, climate justice, and international solidarity.