Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Beyond Biotech - the podcast from Labiotech
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The power of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes to fight melanoma | 06 Sep 2024 | 00:38:03 | |
Tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy uses a person’s own immune cells to fight advanced melanoma, offering new hope for patients who have limited treatment options. This week, we have a conversation with Brian Gastman, EVP of medical affairs at Iovance Biotherapeutics, about TILs and the company’s pipeline. Iovance recently submitted a marketing authorization application to the European Medicines Agency for lifileucel, a TIL cell therapy, for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma previously treated with a PD-1 blocking antibody, and if BRAF V600 mutation positive, a BRAF inhibitor with or without a MEK inhibitor. If approved, lifileucel will be the first and only approved therapy in this treatment setting in all European Union member states. The submission is supported by positive clinical data from the C-144-01 clinical trial in patients with advanced post-anti-PD1 melanoma. Iovance’s Amtagvi is the first FDA-approved T cell therapy for a solid tumor indication. 00:47-04:44: About Iovance Biotherapeutics Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| The future of combination vaccines | 30 Aug 2024 | 00:24:44 | |
The development of combination vaccines could represent a significant advancement in the fight against infectious diseases. With the potential to streamline the vaccination process and provide broader protection, these vaccines could greatly improve public health preparedness. Moderna is harnessing the power of its mRNA platform to develop vaccines that target multiple respiratory viruses at once, including COVID-19, RSV, and influenza. The breakthrough technology enables the immune system to combat multiple pathogens simultaneously, revolutionizing immunization efforts and enhancing public health preparedness. To look at combination vaccines, their usefulness and potential for the future, we had an in-depth conversation with Cesar Sanz Rodriguez, vice president, Europe & Switzerland, medical affairs, at Moderna. 00:45-02:53: What is combination vaccine technology? Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter To learn more about the topic: | |||
| Priovant - finding options to treat autoimmune diseases | 28 Jun 2024 | 00:30:05 | |
US-based biotech company Priovant Therapeutics is dedicated to developing novel therapies for autoimmune diseases with high morbidity and few available treatment options. The company's lead asset, brepocitinib, is a dual selective inhibitor of TYK2 and JAK1. Through dual TYK2/JAK1 inhibition, brepocitinib suppresses key cytokines linked to autoimmunity—including type I IFN, type II IFN, IL6, IL12, and IL23—with a single, targeted therapy. Brepocitinib has generated positive data in seven phase 2 studies with oral once-daily administration. It is currently being evaluated in a phase 3 program for dermatomyositis and is entering a phase 3 program for non-infectious uveitis. This week on the podcast we have a conversation with Priovant’s CEO Benjamin Zimmer about dermatomyositis, non-infectious uveitis, current treatments, potential options, and how brepocitinib is making a difference. 00:55-02:34: About Priovant Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| Beyond Biotech podcast 12: Gate Neurosciences, Oncolyze, 3Brain | 02 Sep 2022 | 00:56:29 | |
2:48 Labiotech.eu news We also have our weekly chat with global commercial real estate services company JLL, and this week it’s a chat with Amber Schiada, head of life sciences research in the Americas for the company. Gate launches to develop CNS treatments Gate Neurosciences has officially launched to develop its next-generation therapeutics addressing synaptic dysfunction in patients suffering from central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Gate, a U.S. biotech company, was founded in 2019 by a team of neuroscience industry veterans to address the need for more effective treatments for CNS disorders, and to overcome long-standing challenges in CNS drug development. Since its founding, the company has acquired a portfolio of next-generation compounds from large pharma, along with corresponding data from thousands of patients dosed across numerous clinical trials that will inform and de-risk future development. Oncolyze set for AML clinical trials After successfully completing in vitro and in vivo experiments, which support the notion that its lead drug candidate OM-301 breaks down cancer cells and increases survival rates, Oncolyze now has its sights set on advancing OM-301 into clinical trials. Oncolyze has designed a novel anti-cancer drug (OM-301) that targets a particular cell surface protein. This protein, HDM2, is known to exist at high levels inside cancer cells and is thought to be an important driver of cancer growth and metastasis. More recently, though, it was discovered that HDM2 is also found on the cell surface of many types of cancer cells, but not normal cells. A microchip that allows scientists to study the complexity of 3D cellular networks at unrivaled scale and precision has been added to 3Brain AG’s brain-on-chip portfolio. In collaboration with Swiss precision manufacturing experts, CSEM, 3Brain AG made the announcement last month. The cell-electronic interface technology will also allow scientists to gain novel mechanistic insights into the inner workings of the most complex structure in the universe, the human brain. Leave a review on Apple podcasts Connect with us
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| Beyond Biotech podcast 11: Ilya Pharma, IRB Barcelona, Krystal Biotech, Phase Genomics | 26 Aug 2022 | 00:58:34 | |
2:15 Labiotech.eu news Our guests are Ilya Pharma CEO and co-founder Evelina Vågesjö and chief financial officer Oskar Lund; Miguel Martín-Álvarez, postdoctoral fellow in the cancer science unit at IRB Barcelona; Hubert Chen, head of clinical development at Krystal Biotech; and Ivan Liachko, CEO of Phase Genomics. We also have a new weekly addition, as JLL will be joining us with a look at financial news. This week, we’re joined by Robert Coughlin, JLL managing director and New England Life Science Practice Group lead. Study says gene editing with CRISPR/Cas9 can lead to cell toxicity and genome instability
Scientists at IRB Barcelona, led by ICREA researcher Fran Supek, have now reported that, depending on the targeted spot of the human genome, CRISPR gene editing can give rise to cell toxicity and genomic instability. Ilya Pharma finalizes global patent coverage for modified lactic acid bacteria to treat wounds Ilya Pharma, a Swedish clinical stage biopharma company focused on delivering local immunotherapies to patients, has announced the issue of four new patents. These are: one in India, and continuation patents in China, Australia and the U.S. This means the company’s method for using modified bacteria for treatment of both mucosal and cutaneous wounds in humans and animals has patent protection in all major markets. Ilya is currently developing a portfolio of three first-in-class immunotherapies for skin and mucosal diseases, including ILP100-Topical for treatment surgical wounds in diabetic, prediabetic and obese patients especially at risk, ILP100-Topical for diabetic ulcers and ILP100-Oral for patients with immune mediated enterocolitis resulting from cancer treatment with checkpoint inhibitors. Krystal Biotech gets green light for cystic fibrosis trial U.S. company Krystal Biotech is set to start a clinical trial for cystic fibrosis after the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted its investigational new drug (IND) application. The gene therapy company will be evaluating KB407, a modified HSV-1 vector carrying two copies of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene to the respiratory cells in the lungs. By inducing expression of full length, normal CFTR protein in the lung, treatment with KB407 has the potential to restore ion and water flow into and out of lung cells to correct the lung manifestations of the disease in patients regardless of their underlying genetic mutation. Phase Genomics using ProxiMeta for phage-bacteria interactions Phase Genomics, Inc., a developer of proximity ligation-based genomic solutions, recently received $5.5M in combined non-dilutive funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. With the new funding, Phase Genomics will leverage its phage-bacteria interactome repository to power the development of an AI-driven predictive engine for therapeutic phage discovery. The new financing will allow the company to harness its proximity-guided metagenomics platform, ProxiMeta, to develop the world’s largest atlas of phage-bacteria interactions and use machine learning tools to identify phages that can be used in therapeutic settings such as C. difficile infections, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. | |||
| Beyond Biotech podcast 10: Endpoint Health, Nevrargenics, Triastek | 19 Aug 2022 | 00:52:42 | |
This week our guests on the podcast are Xianghao Zuo, deputy director of R&D at Triastek; Endpoint Health CEO Jason Springs; and Andy Whiting, CEO of Nevrargenics. Triastek and Lilly working together on 3D printing for drugs A new research collaboration between Chinese company Triastek, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company will leverage 3D printing technology to achieve precise targeting and programmed drug release in the intestine. Triastek has developed 3D printing technology to provide solutions for drug development. According to the agreement, Triastek and Lilly will focus on improving the bioavailability of drugs in the intestine. Triastek will first conduct in-depth studies of the excipient – inert ingredients added to a drug product for specific functional roles -- to ensure drug stability is maintained during development and 3D printing. Then, Triastek will identify the optimum 3D structure design for achieving targeted and programmed drug release. Triastek has already received two investigational drug clearances from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its 3D printed drugs, T19 and T20. Endpoint Health receives funding for precision immunology pipeline Endpoint Health, Inc., a therapeutics company dedicated to addressing unmet needs in immune-mediated acute and chronic diseases, recently recveived $52 million in equity and debt financing. Proceeds from the financing round are being used to extend the company’s Precision-First platform and expand its therapeutic pipeline to include programs for chronic immune-mediated diseases. In addition, proceeds will be used to advance Antithrombin III, the company’s first precision therapy, to a phase II clinical trial for the treatment of sepsis. The company expects to submit its Investigational New Drug application and Investigational Device Exemption to the US Food and Drug Administration for its Antithrombin III program later this year. Completion of the Series A financing follows Endpoint Health’s announcement of a global collaboration and licensing agreement with Grifols to develop and commercialize Antithrombin III in sepsis. Nevrargenics Nevrargenics Ltd is a UK drug discovery and development company focused on innovative and novel medicines for neurodegenerative disease. Developed through a commercial team, the research aims to bring a series of drug solutions to market and to service disease areas of major unmet need. The focus area of the company is the development of drugs to target neurodegenerative conditions. Two research groups, based at Aberdeen and Durham universities, have been collaborating for several years, and through this collaboration, have designed, synthesized and identified a lead drug candidate with the potential for establishing new treatment approaches. The strategy is to employ new dual-acting retinoic acid receptor modulators (RAR-M) as the basis for developing a series of new rationally designed, effective treatments, meeting that most severe of unmet needs: neurodegeneration. Leave a review on Apple podcasts Connect with us | |||
| Beyond Biotech podcast 9: ARCH Venture Partners, Micropep, PTC Therapeutics, Valneva | 12 Aug 2022 | 00:55:01 | |
This week's guests are ARCH Venture Partners’ managing director Kristina Burow; founder and CEO of Micropep Thomas Laurent; Kylie O’Keefe, SVP, commercial & corporate strategy at PTC Therapeutics, and Juan Carlos Jaramillo, chief medical officer of Valneva. ARCH Venture Partners closes $2.97B biotech fund ARCH Venture Partners has announced the closing of ARCH Venture Fund XII, with $2.975 billion to invest in the creation, development and funding of early stage biotechnology companies. ARCH Venture Partners is one of the largest early-stage technology venture firms in the U.S. It invests primarily in companies it co-founds with leading scientists and entrepreneurs, bringing innovations in life sciences and physical sciences to market. Upstaza gets EC green light PTC Therapeutics, Inc. says Upstaza (eladocagene exuparvovec) has been given marketing authorization by the European Commission. Upstaza is the first approved disease-modifying treatment for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency, and the first marketed gene therapy directly infused into the brain. It is approved for patients 18 months and older. Upstaza also reduced symptoms that cause potentially life-threatening and morbid complications. The marketing authorization is applicable to all 27 European Union member states, as well as Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Micropep raises €8.75M to develop alternative crop-protection products French ag-biotech company Micropep, which develops biological micropeptide-based solutions for agriculture, has completed an €8.75 million ($9.3 million) series A1 financing round. Based in Toulouse, Micropep has developed a technological platform that makes it possible to precisely regulate a plant’s gene expression, without altering its DNA, by the exogenous application of micropeptides, a family of proteins naturally produced by plants to respond to stress and regulate their development. The new investment also marks the first step towards the commercialization of Micropep’s products. Micropep is using this funding to accelerate the development phase of its first micropeptide candidates in the U.S. and will build a locally-recruited team to deploy its solutions. Pfizer and Valneva to start phase 3 Lyme disease vaccine study Pfizer Inc. and Valneva SE have initiated a phase 3 clinical study, Vaccine Against Lyme for Outdoor Recreationists (VALOR), to investigate the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of their investigational Lyme disease vaccine candidate, VLA15. “With increasing global rates of Lyme disease, providing a new option for people to help protect themselves from the disease is more important than ever,” said Annaliesa Anderson, senior vice president and head of vaccine research and development at Pfizer. Juan Carlos Jaramillo, chief medical officer of Valneva, said, “We are extremely pleased to reach this important milestone in the development of VLA15. Lyme disease continues to spread, representing a high unmet medical need that impacts the lives of many in the northern hemisphere. We look forward to further investigating the VLA15 candidate in phase 3, which will take us a step closer to potentially bringing this vaccine to both adults and children who would benefit from it.” Leave a review on App | |||
| Beyond Biotech podcast 8: Biotech Growth Trust, Deep Science Ventures, Endogena Therapeutics, eureKARE | 05 Aug 2022 | 01:00:51 | |
This week’s podcast guests are Laura Fletcher, head of business development and strategic partnerships at Deep Science Ventures; Matthias Steger, CEO of Endogena Therapeutics; Rodolphe Besserve, CEO, and Georges Rawadi, chief of biotech studio development, at eureKARE; and Biotech Growth Trust portfolio manager, Geoff Hsu. Endogena Therapeutics Inc. has announced the first patient has been treated in a phase 1/2a clinical study of its lead product, EA-2353, a photoreceptor regeneration treatment for retinitis pigmentosa (RP). RP is a group of inherited diseases causing slow and progressive retinal degeneration and loss of vision, for which there is currently no treatment for most patients. It is a leading cause of inherited blindness, with an estimated 1.5 million people worldwide presently affected. eureKARE, an investment company focused on financing and building next generation biotech companies in the fields of synthetic biology, has launched its first synthetic biology studio in Belgium. eureKARE is developing a pan-European biotech studio network covering several areas where synthetic biology can create solutions and high market value products. The synthetic biology studios will focus on biomedical and other thematic applications in different European innovation hotspots. The strategy is based on identifying, selecting, and nurturing high-quality European science. The venture builder Deep Science Ventures (DSV) has expanded an existing alliance with Cancer Research UK’s innovation-focused arm Cancer Research Horizons, with the mission to establish new oncology startups in the U.K. Just months after Cancer Research UK (CRUK) established its industry-orientated division Cancer Research Horizons, the research charity has doubled down on a collaboration with DSV, a U.K. venture builder operating in a range of sectors including biotech, agriculture and computation. According to the latest agreement, the partners will co-found startups working in up to 10 areas of oncology, such as improving the number of patients that can benefit from immuno-oncology treatments. The Biotech Growth Trust PLC, based in the UK, seeks capital appreciation through investment in the worldwide biotech industry. It invests in a diversified portfolio of shares and related securities in companies on a worldwide basis. Its portfolio is operated by U.S.-headquartered OrbiMed Capital LLC. Following the strong results of the previous year, the company’s NAV (net asset value) per share total return dropped by 33.8%, compared to a 55.1% increase in 2021, and the share price total return was down 37.0%. However, overall, since OrbiMed’s appointment in 2005, and to the year end, The Biotech Growth Trust’s NAV has increased by 861.6% or 14.3% per annum. In its annual report, the portfolio manager stated the company remains confident that there are a number of potential catalysts that could lead to a recovery in the biotechnology sector this year and into the future, and their overall investment strategy remains unchanged. Leave a review on Apple podcasts | |||
| Beyond Biotech podcast 7: World Hepatitis Day | 29 Jul 2022 | 00:45:18 | |
This week's podcast features three interviews related to hepatitis. Our guests are Ahmed Elsharkawy, consultant transplant hepatologist and honorary senior clinical lecturer at the University of Birmingham in the UK; Ziv Ben-Ari, director of the Liver Diseases Center at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel, and James McIlroy, chief executive officer at EnteroBiotix. Taking place on July 28 every year, World Hepatitis Day unites the world under a single theme to raise awareness of the global burden of viral hepatitis with the intention of influencing real change. This year’s theme is ‘I Can’t Wait’. Professor Ziv Ben-Ari is director of the Center for Liver Diseases and Liver Research Laboratory at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel and Professor of Medicine at Tel-Aviv University. She has more than 25 years of experience in evaluating candidates for liver transplantation and monitoring liver transplants including five years as a fellow in Hepatology and Liver Transplantation at the Royal Free Hospital, London. She has chaired the Israeli Liver Research Society, chairs the Liver Committee of the National Council of Gastroenterology and is an active member of the American and European Association for the Study of the Liver. She has published more than 175 studies in leading medical journals. Dr James McIlroy is a qualified medical doctor and biopharmaceutical entrepreneur widely recognized as a pioneer and thought leader in the application of the microbiome to treat disease. He founded EnteroBiotix with the vision of building one of the world’s leading microbiome drug development companies. Leave a review on Apple podcasts Connect with us | |||
| Beyond Biotech podcast 6: Mogrify, +ND Capital, Poolbeg Pharma | 22 Jul 2022 | 00:46:05 | |
On this week’s podcast, our guests are Jeremy Skillington, CEO of Poolbeg Pharma; Dani Bach, and Eric Moessinger, both partners at +ND Capital; and Louise Modis, chief scientific officer at Mogrify. The deal saw the Lausanne-based team of US venture capital firm, +ND Capital, mark its second successful exit in the European biotech market. Leave a review on Apple podcasts Connect with us
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| Beyond Biotech podcast 5: ANeuroTech, ISA Pharmaceuticals, Life Length | 14 Jul 2022 | 00:58:17 | |
This week’s guests are Erik Buntinx, CEO and founder of ANeuroTech; Stephen J. Matlin, CEO of Life Length; and Kees Melief, chief scientific officer at ISA Pharmaceuticals. Sponsor Leave a review on Apple podcasts Connect with us
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| Beyond Biotech podcast 4: CorePath, Rensselaer, Versameb | 14 Jul 2022 | 00:46:51 | |
This week’s guests are Erik Buntinx, CEO and founder of ANeuroTech; Stephen J. Matlin, CEO of Life Length; and Kees Melief, chief scientific officer at ISA Pharmaceuticals. Leave a review on Apple podcasts Connect with us
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| Beyond Biotech podcast 3: Ariceum Therapeutics, TWB, Unilever | 01 Jul 2022 | 00:41:30 | |
On this week’s Labiotech.eu podcast, we have three guests. Leave a review on Apple podcasts Connect with us
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| How ADCs can deliver death cap mushroom toxins to treat cancer | 21 Jun 2024 | 00:28:09 | |
Heidelberg Pharma is a clinical stage biotech company developing antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). Its lead amanitin-based ADC product candidate, HDP-101, targets relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. HDP-101 recently received orphan drug designation; it is currently in a phase I/IIa clinical trial, demonstrating first signs of clinical efficacy. To tell us about how HDP-101 works, and what Heidelberg Pharma is doing in the space, we had a conversation with the company’s CEO, Prof. Andreas Pahl. 00:55-02:05: About Heidelberg Pharma Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| Beyond Biotech podcast 2: Asabys, Asebio, MOA Foodtech | 24 Jun 2022 | 00:39:13 | |
This week’s podcast is dedicated to Spain. We have conversations with bioindustry association AseBio’s CEO, Ion Arocena; Clara Campàs, managing partner and co-founder of venture capital company Asabys, and Susana Sánchez Gómez, co-founder and chief scientific officer at MOA Foodtech. Leave a review on Apple podcasts Connect with us
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| Beyond Biotech 01: June 17, 2022 | 17 Jun 2022 | 00:48:53 | |
Three interviews on the show this week, with Ros Deegan, CEO of OMass; David Solomon, CEO of PharNext; and two guests from Forbion - Sander Slootweg, managing partner, and Dirk Kersten, general partner. Leave a review on Apple podcasts Connect with us
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| Beyond Biotech: Preview | 10 Jun 2022 | 00:06:09 | |
A quick preview of the new, weekly podcast on what's new in the world of biotech, from Labiotech.eu Leave a review on Apple podcasts Connect with us
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| Looking to cure Type 1 diabetes | 14 Jun 2024 | 00:23:40 | |
Diamyd Medical develops precision medicine therapies for the prevention and treatment of Type 1 diabetes and LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes in adults). Diamyd is an antigen-specific immunomodulatory therapeutic for the preservation of endogenous insulin production. It has been granted Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. as well as Fast Track Designation. DIAGNODE-3, a confirmatory phase 3 trial, uses injections into a superficial lymph node can to optimize the treatment response. This week on the podcast we have a conversation about treatments of type 1 diabetes, including the company’s development of Diamyd. Our guest is Anders Essen-Möller, founder and chairman of Diamyd Medical. 00:51-19:16: Diamyd Medical’s approach to Type 1 diabetes Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| Developing treatments for rare pediatric diseases | 07 Jun 2024 | 00:29:17 | |
Rare diseases affect around 1 in 2,000 people. Many of the thousands of rare diseases are difficult to diagnose. Of the known rare diseases, about 80% have genetic causes. Leukodystrophies are a group of rare genetic disorders for which there is currently no curative therapy. This week on the podcast we are discussing novel treatments of rare pediatric diseases in a conversation with Dan Williams, CEO, executive director and co-founder of Synaptix Bio. Synaptix Bio is working on developing treatments for severe leukodystrophies. The company has partnered with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to take a TUBB4a leukodystrophy therapy to the clinic and beyond. 01:41-05:08: About Synaptix Bio This week’s podcast was sponsored by KBI Biopharma. Visit their facility in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 27, to join the discussion on solving biotherapeutic challenges. Register at kbibiopharma.com/conferences. Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| Can cell therapy tackle hearing loss? | 31 May 2024 | 00:31:00 | |
Hearing loss is a huge – and growing – global challenge. Using its OSPREY platform, UK-based Rinri Therapeutics is developing a portfolio of off-the-shelf regenerative cell therapy products to address sensorineural hearing loss, a significant global medical challenge. The company’s lead asset, Rincell-1, is designed to regenerate auditory neurons and provide a novel treatment for patients with severe-to-profound age-related hearing loss or auditory neuropathy. The company is looking to start first-in-human trials in 2025. Today, on the podcast we have a conversation with Rinri CEO Simon Chandler about the different kinds of hearing loss, what’s being done to tackle them, and Rinri’s novel approach to treatments. 01:08-03:19: About Rinri Therapeutics Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| How biotech is tackling myasthenia gravis | 24 May 2024 | 00:28:50 | |
June is myasthenia gravis awareness month. Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune disorder where antibodies destroy the communication between nerves and muscle, and this results in weakness of the skeletal muscles. It especially affects the voluntary muscles of the eyes, mouth, throat and/or limbs. It is most frequent in women from 20 and 30 and men aged 50 and older. To talk about the disease, how it is being treated, and what is in the pipeline for future treatments, we had a conversation with Dana Vigier, head of Central Eastern and Northern Europe at Alexion. 01:07-04:26: Background on Dr Dana Vigier Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| Antisense oligonucleotides | 17 May 2024 | 00:27:22 | |
German-headquartered Isarna Therapeutics is developing a portfolio of antisense therapies targeting an emerging therapeutic field in human biology – transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B) signaling. The company’s lead compound, ISTH0036, is in clinical development in ophthalmology. On the podcast this week we chat with René Rückert, chief operating officer at Isarna Therapeutics, who explains TGF-B and antisense oligonucleotides’ role in tackling disease.
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| Making waves in cardiovascular disease treatment | 10 May 2024 | 00:21:02 | |
Cytokinetics is a late-stage, specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class muscle activators and next-in-class muscle inhibitors as potential treatments for debilitating diseases in which cardiac muscle performance is compromised. This week, we have a conversation with the CEO of Cytokinetics, Robert Blum, about the company’s aficamten, its next-in-class cardiac myosin inhibitor, prior to results from a phase 3 clinical trial in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
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| New ways to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy | 03 May 2024 | 00:23:56 | |
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder with progressive muscle degeneration and weakness due to changes in the protein dystrophin, which helps keep muscle cells intact. There are few treatments for DMD, although recent advances mean that males – who are primarily affected by DMD – can now sometimes survive into their 30s. More drugs are being developed in the fight against DMD, and this week we had a conversation with Frank Gleeson, CEO of Satellos Bioscience, about recent work on addressing DMD, including the company’s own work in the field.
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| Overcoming clinical trial challenges | 26 Apr 2024 | 00:26:00 | |
This week, we have a conversation about clinical trial design with Gen Li, the president and founder of Phesi, a global provider of patient-centric data analysis. Earlier this year, Phesi’s global analysis of all clinical trials conducted in 2023 revealed that more than a quarter (28%) of trials were cancelled during phase II – above the average attrition rate of 20% before 2020.
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| New German biotech spins out to develop radiotherapeutics | 23 Aug 2024 | 00:18:35 | |
Pentixapharm is a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical development company targeting a range of diseases. While it is currently owned by the Eckert & Ziegler Group, it will soon be spun off as a separate company. Pentixapharm’s clinical pipeline includes PENTIXATHER, am Yttrium-90 based therapeutic against CNS lymphoma, and PENTIXAFOR, a Gallium-68 based companion diagnostic. Additionally, PENTIXAFOR is being developed as a diagnostic tool for primary aldosteronism (PA), a significant cause of hypertension. Recently, the company announced the acquisition of the target discovery business of Glycotope. The deal includes a portfolio of preclinical antibodies against multiple oncology targets that can be developed into radiopharmaceuticals. It also includes Glycotope’s laboratories, cell banks, tumor target data base, and the equipment needed to exploit the discovery platform, along with a range of patents, licenses, and other tangible assets. This week, we had a conversation with Andreas Eckert, founder and chairman of the supervisory board at Pentixapharm. 00:57-03:07: About the Pentixapharm spinout Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| The biotech investment landscape in 2024 | 19 Apr 2024 | 00:28:32 | |
RTW is a global multi-strategy investment firm focused on supporting innovative biotech and biopharma companies across the US, Europe, and China. The company invests in both public and private companies across their entire life cycle, with a focus on those addressing next-generation gene and RNA therapies, rare diseases, targeted oncological, cardiovascular, and neurological disorders, and more.
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| Redefining chronic pain treatment | 12 Apr 2024 | 00:35:42 | |
Doloromics is a precision neuropharmaceuticals company. It was set up four years ago, to use newer technologies, particularly in the omics space, to take advantage of different single-cell transcriptomic technologies or proteomic technologies to better understand the progression of neurological diseases like chronic pain. The Doloromics pipeline is built upon a proprietary discovery and validation platform DOLOReS. Jackson Brougher, chief scientific officer and co-founder of Doloromics, is our guest on this week’s Beyond Biotech podcast.
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| Colossal aims to bring back mammoth by 2028 | 05 Apr 2024 | 00:38:24 | |
Based in Austin, Texas, biotech Colossal Biosciences is at the forefront of de-extinction, critically endangered species protection and the repopulation of critical ecosystems. Its mission is to use CRISPR technology to bring back extinct animals, such as the mammoth, the thylacine, and the dodo. Since DNA was recovered in 2021 from mammoths frozen in the Arctic tundra, the company has been working on splicing bits of the recovered DNA into the genome of its closest relative, the Asian elephant, as it shares 99.6% of its DNA.
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| New treatments being developed for schizophrenia | 22 Mar 2024 | 00:25:31 | |
It would appear that 2024 is shaping up to be a big year for the development of treatments for schizophrenia, with several clinical trials under way. Recently, Boehringer Ingelheim and Sosei Group Corporation (Sosei Heptares) announced a global collaboration and exclusive option-to-license agreement. This is to develop and commercialize Sosei Heptares’ portfolio of first-in-class GPR52 agonists, a novel G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) target. The goal is to improve patient outcomes by addressing the positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Clíona MacSweeney, Sosei Heptares’ GPR52 program leader, spoke with us about that partnership, as well as other developments in the field of schizophrenia treatments.
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| Reformulating psychedelics for neurodegenerative diseases | 15 Mar 2024 | 00:41:37 | |
There is a clear demand for novel, neurological treatments. While it’s widely known psychedelics hold enormous therapeutic potential, there are a host of challenges, including dosing and potential side effects for the patient. Our guest this week is Dr Sam Clark, who founded Terran Biosciences to develop a safe, effective portfolio of therapeutics and technologies for patients with neurological and psychiatric diseases.
Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here!
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| How AI immune system mapping can boost drug discovery | 08 Mar 2024 | 00:28:46 | |
Immunai is mapping the immune system at unprecedented scale and granularity. The map, paired with machine learning, looks at how the immune system will respond to drug targets, offering an affordable way to prevent expensive drug failures. The ultimate goal is to market immune treatments for diseases like cancer faster than ever before. In this week’s conversation, Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder of Immunai, covers the data gap in drug discovery and how machine learning (ML) can solve it, how to de-risk early-stage drug discovery, predictions for AI, and more. 00:41-01:05: About Immunai Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| Is Tome writing the final chapter in genomic medicine? | 01 Mar 2024 | 00:33:11 | |
Tome Biosciences recently exited stealth mode with almost a quarter of a billion dollars in funding. The company has developed a new approach to gene editing, programmable genomic integration (PGI), which it says represents the final chapter in genomic medicines. We discussed the company’s formation and approach with the CEO and president of Tome, Rahul Kakkar. 00:45-04:30: About Tome Biosciences Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| Transforming treatments for epilepsy | 23 Feb 2024 | 00:41:27 | |
After decades of lagging nearly many other disease areas, neurology is finally seeing signs of significant innovation. One of the biggest reasons it’s trailed behind has been the difficulty in teasing out complex neurobiology – an understanding necessary to design novel medicines. Rapport Therapeutics is playing a significant role in turning the tide. Rapport creates precision neuromedicines that act only in the brain regions where disease originates, avoiding the side effects that affect many of today’s treatments.
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| How does AI assist drug discovery? | 16 Feb 2024 | 00:38:26 | |
Artificial intelligence (AI) is certainly in the news constantly; however, it’s been used in drug discovery for some time. A new collaboration between artificial intelligence drug discovery company Insilico Medicine and University of Toronto biochemist and molecular geneticist Igor Stagljar will test AI-designed molecules against "undruggable" cancer targets.
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| Biosimilars and what’s new in cell and gene therapies | 09 Feb 2024 | 00:37:17 | |
This week on the podcast, we have a conversation with Fran Gregory, vice president of Emerging Therapies at Cardinal Health. 00:40-02:30: About Cardinal Health Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| Challenging the European biotech funding status quo | 16 Aug 2024 | 00:36:36 | |
There are many questions when it comes to setting up a biotech company, and raising funds. To look at questions surrounding the state of European biotech funding, and how it compares with the global scene, intellectual property, and how to challenge the status quo, we have a conversation with Dima Kuzmin, managing partner at 4BIO Capital. 4BIO is an international venture capital firm unlocking the treatments of the future by investing in advanced therapies and other emerging technologies. 00:45-02:36: About 4BIO Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| BioSenic developing severe knee osteoarthritis treatment | 02 Feb 2024 | 00:31:43 | |
BioSenic, a Belgian clinical-stage company specializing in serious autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and cell therapy, will share data on its late-clinical asset JTA-004 at the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) World Congress 2024 in Vienna, Austria. The post hoc analysis of a phase 3 study found that a single injection of JTA-004 was safe and efficacious for patients with a newly characterized severe inflammatory subtype of knee osteoarthritis (OA). This week on the podcast, we talk about the treatment with BioSenic chief scientific officer and chief operating officer, Dr Carole Nicco. 00:52-03:19: About BioSenic Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| Boosting fertility by changing the vaginal microbiome | 26 Jan 2024 | 00:32:38 | |
Freya Biosciences is a clinical-stage biotech company dedicated to reimagining women's health and redefining fertility for those previously deprived of options. With a focus on microbial immunotherapies, Freya addresses immune drivers underlying a range of reproductive health conditions. The company recently received $38 million Series A financing to advance the clinical development of its lead drug candidate, an investigational vaginal microbial immunotherapeutic. The treatment is to address infertility in women with dysbiotic vaginal microbiota who are undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART). This week’s conversation is with Freya chief science officer and co-founder Johan van Hylckama Vlieg. 00:58-01:55: About Freya Biosciences Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| Epic Bio - gene editing without cutting DNA | 19 Jan 2024 | 00:32:43 | |
Epic Bio is an epigenetic editing company, leveraging the power of CRISPR without cutting DNA. This week, we discuss epigenetic editing, why it’s reversible, and how it can treat FSHD and other conditions, with Epic Bio’s founder, Dr Stanley Qi, one of the original inventors of CRISPR. 01:15-02:51: Dr Xi’s background Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| Could natural killer cells transform Alzheimer’s treatment? | 12 Jan 2024 | 00:28:14 | |
A US company, with its origins in South Korea, is using natural killer (NK) cells to treat Alzheimer’s disease, with remarkable results. This week, we have a conversation with Dr Paul Song, CEO of NKGen Biotech, a company with its sights set on changing the Alzheimer’s treatment landscape. 00:58-02:55: About NKGen Biotech Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| Gene editing in the microbiome to treat acne | 05 Jan 2024 | 00:29:02 | |
Eligo Bioscience is a gene-editing company focused on addressing diseases driven by the expression of bacterial genes from the microbiome. This week, we talk to Xavier Duportet, CEO of Eligo Bioscience, as the company looks to head to the clinic with its acne vulgaris treatment. 00:53-02:42: About Eligo Bioscience Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| Tackling challenging diseases with vaccines | 15 Dec 2023 | 00:25:47 | |
Vaxxinity, Inc. is a U.S.-based biotechnology company looking to develop vaccines for several hard-to-treat diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The company is pioneering a new class of medicines through its proprietary technology platform, which has enabled the innovation of novel synthetic peptide immunotherapy candidates to bring the efficiency of vaccines to the treatment of chronic diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, migraine, and hypercholesterolemia. In this week’s podcast, the company’s CEO, Mei Mei Hu, tells us about its work, and the aim of democratizing healthcare across the globe. 01:00-02:21: About Vaxxinity Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| Using worms to treat diseases | 08 Dec 2023 | 00:21:37 | |
Is there a connection between worms being eradicated from the gut in the early 20th Century and an increase in allergies and autoimmune disease? This week, we have a conversation with Holoclara CEO Andrea Choe, who not only believes there is a connection, but also sees secretions from worms as a way to tackle such diseases. 01:31-06:05: About Holoclara
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| Ipsen advances liver disease treatment | 01 Dec 2023 | 00:21:47 | |
Jennifer Schranz is senior vice president and global head of rare diseases in the R&D division at Ipsen. 00:56-00:49: Background information Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| New class of small molecule therapeutics introduced | 24 Nov 2023 | 00:26:35 | |
On this week’s podcast we have a conversation with Jordi Mata-Fink, co-founder and chief executive officer of the newly-launched U.S. company Gate Bioscience. 00:45-01:06: About Gate Bioscience Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| How to make vaccines affordable | 17 Nov 2023 | 00:40:36 | |
Among other things, UK-headquartered company Phenotypeca has been working with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to produce albumin for low and middle-income countries to reduce the costs of vaccines. The company’s CEO, Johnny Cordiner, and research and development director, Professor Ed Louis, tell us about the work, as well as the company and its other projects. 01:01-11:57: About Phenotypeca Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| [Rebroadcast] Epigenetic editing – the power of CRISPR without cutting DNA | 09 Aug 2024 | 00:32:57 | |
While our podcast takes a brief break, Labiotech invites you to enjoy some of our favorite episodes. We will return with a brand-new episode on August 16, 2024! Have an awesome summer! This week, we discuss epigenetic editing, why it’s reversible, and how it can treat FSHD and other conditions, with Epic Bio’s founder, Dr Stanley Qi, one of the original inventors of CRISPR. 01:15-02:51: Dr Xi’s background Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| Mending a broken heart with biotech | 10 Nov 2023 | 00:29:10 | |
French company CellProthera has seen some remarkable results treating people who have had a heart attack. On this week’s podcast, the company’s CEO Matthieu de Kalbermatten tells us how it works. 01:00-03:29: About CellProthera Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||
| How quantum computing can accelerate drug discovery | 03 Nov 2023 | 00:28:45 | |
On today’s podcast, Jean-Philip Piquemal, the chief scientific officer and co-founder of Qubit Pharmaceuticals, explains how the company’s Atlas platform is leading the way to more effective and safer drugs. 00:54-01:52: The history of Qubit Pharmaceuticals 01:52-04:04: What is the Atlas software? 04:04-05:18: Failing quickly is the key 05:19-06:53: What are digital twins? 06:54-09:00: Improving safety, reducing costs, and boosting drug discovery 09:00-10:44: Areas of interest 10:44-13:21: Recent successes 13:23-14:57: Preparing for future pandemics 14:58-17:03: Staying ahead of other companies 17:04-18:29: Enough diseases to go around 18:30-20:11: Upgrading Atlas software 20:13-21:59: How Qubit works with pharma companies 21:59-24:41: The Quantum for Bio program 24:42-27:58: Looking to the future, and helping patients Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter | |||