Explore every episode of the podcast Touching Base
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMS’s New Facility, Recursion–Genentech Partnership, Long-COVID and Persistent C.auris | 13 août 2026 | 00:37:49 | |
Bristol Myers Squibb has selected Houston as the site for a new $2.3 billion multi-modal manufacturing campus designed to support drug product and finished goods manufacturing from late development through launch. Recursion, Roche, and its Genentech subsidiary have announced plans to co-develop a neuroscience discovery program based on the first validated target discovered through an AI map. Editors reminisce over the changes in science since the COVID-19 pandemic in light of a new large NIH-funded study that shows COVID-19 can reactivate dormant viruses, including Epstein-Barr and cytomegalovirus. In other infectious disease news, drug-resistant Candida auris was found to persist in hair follicles by exposing chitin, triggering interferon-γ that suppresses skin defenses and creates a niche for fungal colonization. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, and Julianna LeMieux, PhD, for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base: BMS Chooses Houston for $2.3B Manufacturing Facility By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, Aug 10, 2026 Next 10 U.S. Biopharma Clusters By Alex Philippidis, GEN, Aug 12, 2026 Recursion Partners with Genentech to Advance First Validated Neuro Target Discovered Through AI Map By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, Aug 5, 2026 COVID-19 Reactivates Dormant Viruses, Offering New Clues to Long COVID GEN, Aug 5, 2026 Trump’s Treatments: Regeneron’s Antibodies and Gilead’s Remdesivir Explained By Alex Philippidis, GEN, Oct 5, 2020 Lessons from the COVID Crisis: An Interview with Peter Hotez By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, Oct 19, 2022 How to Conquer Coronavirus: Top 35 Treatments in Development By Alex Philippidis, GEN, March 2, 2020 Candida auris Persists in Hair Follicles, Hijacks Immune Signaling GEN, August 10, 2026 September 23, 2026
Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD
The State of Biologics Testing 2026 Charles River Laboratories and GEN, June 10, 2026 Subscribe to GEN’s newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Axiom’s Hong Kong Bet, Latigo’s Positive Phase II, and Base Editors for Huntington’s | 31 juil. 2026 | 00:32:16 | |
In the business news section of this week’s episode, Axiom Biosciences recently announced its plans to go public and made headlines for its plans to do so on the Hong Kong Exchange rather than a U.S. market. We dig into the company’s reasoning. Then we turn our attention to Latigo’s report of positive Phase IIb data for its non-opioid acute pain candidate, and its plans to go through a planned IPO soon. Switching to some science news, we discuss findings from a study that identified genetic risk factors for fibromyalgia syndrome as well as links to other neurodegenerative, autoimmune, and metabolic diseases. And lastly, a potential base editing therapy for Huntington’s disease that has shown promise in mice. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base: StockWatch: Axiom CEO Explains Plans for Hong Kong IPO By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, July 27, 2026 Latigo Reports Positive Phase IIb Data for Non-Opioid Acute Pain Candidate By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, July 30, 2026 Genetic Study of Fibromyalgia Points to Neurological Basis GEN, July 29, 2026 Base Editing Strategy Alleviates Huntington’s Disease in Mice GEN, July 29, 2026 Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD The State of Biologics Testing 2026 Charles River Laboratories and GEN, June 10, 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Parkinson’s in the Clinic, Insilico enters Phase III, Vertex Acquires Crinetics | 17 juil. 2026 | 00:32:22 | |
Promise hits Parkinson’s disease therapy, as a Phase I/II clinical study has demonstrated the feasibility of transplanting stem-cell-derived dopamine progenitor cells into the brain. In preclinical research, a new platform uses the brain’s fluid transport pathways to effectively deliver AAVs to therapeutic targets in mice. We’ll also cover the accelerating infrastructure moment for AI-driven drug discovery, with billion-dollar investments flowing into end-to-end platforms driven by models and compute, rather than single drug assets. In business, Insilico’s revenue leaps as the company’s AI-developed lead candidate moves to Phase III, while Vertex acquires Crinetics for $10 billion.
Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
Engineered AAVs Harness Glymphatic System to Reach Brain Targets in Mice GEN, July 9, 2026
Stem Cell Therapy Shows Promise in First Human Parkinson’s Disease Trial GEN, July 9, 2026
Pharma Races to Scale AI as Billions Flow into Drug Discovery By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, July 6, 2026
By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, July 12, 2026
Vertex Eyes Expansion Beyond Cystic Fibrosis with Planned $10B Crinetics Buyout By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, July 7, 2026
Top 20 Drugs Heading for the Patent Cliff, 2026-2029 By Alex Philippidis, GEN Magazine, Nov 1, 2025
Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD
The State of Biologics Testing 2026 Charles River Laboratories and GEN, June 10, 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Merck and Insilico Make Deals, Claude Science’s Debut, Vaccines for Neglected Diseases | 02 juil. 2026 | 00:35:34 | |
More big biotech deals on the docket this week. First, Merck KGaA is buying Bio-Techne for $11.3 billion to expand its presence in high-growth life science markets. We dive into the details of this deal and then turn our attention to a $2.5 million collaboration to use artificial intelligence to find drug candidates for neuroimmune disorders. That deal involves Insilico Medicine and SK Biopharmaceuticals. Still on the theme of AI, we discuss Anthropic’s Claude Science, the latest entrant to the growing ecosystem of tech platforms specialized for biology, and a set of models for antibiotic design and vaccine target prediction. Lastly, we dig into two recent publications that discuss vaccines for Nipah virus and one of its relatives, and for treating schistosomiasis. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
Merck KGaA to Acquire Bio-Techne for $11.3B, Expanding Life Science Tools Presence By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, June 25, 2026 Insilico, SK Launch Up-to-$2.5B Neuroimmune AI Drug Collaboration By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, June 28, 2026 Claude Science Is Here, Antibiotics Designed by Text Prompt Among Applications By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, June 30, 2026 Schistosomiasis Vaccine Shows Strong Immune Memory in Early Clinical Trials GEN, June 29, 2026
Nipah and Hendra Viruses: Antibody Cocktail Provides Complete Protection in Hamster Model GEN, June 26, 2026 Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Historic Biotech IPO, Merck, Protillion’s AI Deal, Testing a Lassa–Rabies Vaccine | 18 juin 2026 | 00:34:42 | |
We are still talking about big pharma deals and biotech fundraising in this episode. The big news this week was Parabilis Medicines’s history-making IPO. We dive into the drug developer’s plans for the eye-popping $770.5 million that it raised. Next, we discuss the details of a collaboration between Merck and Protillion Biosciences to use artificial intelligence to discover multiple therapeutic candidates. Turning to some newly published research, we discuss the early results of a first-in-human clinical trial that is testing a dual vaccine against Lassa fever and rabies, a CRISPR system engineered to selectively trigger cancer cell death by chromatin shredding, and a novel mRNA delivery platform for delivering gene therapies starting with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Uduak Thomas, and Fay Lin, PhD, for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
StockWatch: Parabilis Medicines Makes Wall Street History with $770.5M IPO By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, June 14, 2026 Merck, Protillion Launch AI Drug Discovery Collaboration with Up-to-$510M in Milestone Payments By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, June 16, 2026 First-in-Human Trial Reports Promising Dual Lassa–Rabies Vaccine Data GEN, June 9, 2026 CRISPR Shreds Undruggable Cancer Cells with Precision By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, June 8, 2026 New mRNA Delivery Platform Restores Muscle Function in DMD Models GEN, June 11, 2026 Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| A Billion-Dollar Deal, Trial Trouble, Biohub Updates, and Vaccine Research News | 04 juin 2026 | 00:37:21 | |
In this week’s episode, we start with news that Fulcrum Therapeutics is scrapping its lead pipeline program for sickle cell disease following concerns from the FDA about the drug’s risks and benefits. Also on the docket, news of Eli Lilly’s latest spending. The pharma giant has added its genetic medicines pipeline and capabilities by signing a $1.9 billion agreement with Ascidian Therapeutics to develop RNA exon editors for treating inherited kidney diseases. Next up, updates to an open-source model for binder design and protein function mapping. Finally, on the peer-review front, we dive into some of the latest vaccine research including insights into the mechanisms that cross-reactive T cells use to target multiple viral species in a single family and an improvement to standard polio vaccines.
Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
Fulcrum Halts Development of SCD Candidate Pociredir, Sets Strategic Review By Alex Philippidis and Kevin Davies, PhD, GEN Edge, June 2, 2026
Lilly, Ascidian Launch Up-to-$1.9B RNA Exon Editor Collaboration Targeting Inherited Kidney Diseases By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, June 3, 2026
Biohub Releases Protein Biology World Model to Address Disease By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, May 27, 2026
Cross-Reactive T Cells Could Point to Broad Vaccines or Treatments for Measles, Nipah Virus GEN, June 2, 2026 Experimental Adjuvant Could Strengthen Mucosal Immunity with Injectable Polio Vaccines GEN, June 4, 2026 Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| AI Scientists, Stock Tumble, Patent Lawsuit, and New Partnerships | 22 mai 2026 | 00:32:13 | |
Agentic AI is growing in its applications. Google DeepMind and Edison are leveraging the growing capabilities by developing AI Scientists. These platforms are poised to streamline the scientific process, aiding human scientists with a variety of tasks. Meanwhile, despite positive data in its Phase III DMD therapy trial, Regenxbio’s stock fell for a variety of reasons. 10X Genomics and Harvard University are suing Element Biosciences over patents for a multiomics platform. Finally, Bristol Meyers Squibb is partnering with Hengrui Pharma to develop 13 early-stage programs with the potential to grow their investment to a predicted $15 billion in sales.
Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
Google DeepMind and Edison Are Building the AI Scientist By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, May 19, 2026 StockWatch: Regenxbio Tumbles Despite Positive Pivotal Data for DMD Gene Therapy Candidate By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, May 17, 2026
10x Genomics, Harvard Target Element’s Multiomics Platform in Patent Lawsuit By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, May 12, 2026
BMS, Hengrui Pharma Partner on 13 Programs in Up-to-$15.2B Collaboration By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, May 13, 2026 Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD
The State of Precision Medicine Summit Join us June 3, 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Remembering J. Craig Venter, PhD | 07 mai 2026 | 00:43:51 | |
Craig Venter recently passed away at the age of 79 from complications following a cancer diagnosis. He was well known in both science and industry and was an integral part of sequencing the human genome in the late 90s, competing with the government organized Human Genome Project. Through his career, he made many other important contributions in microbiology, with the “minimal cell”, in synthetic biology, and in personalized medicine. GEN editors share anecdotes of their experiences with him, reflect on the impact that his work has had on various fields in biology, in biotech, and in how the world has responded to the disruptions caused by Venter.
Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, John Sterling, Kevin Davies, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base: Genomics Pioneer and Life Sciences Entrepreneur J. Craig Venter Dies at 79 GEN, April 30, 2026
J. Craig Venter Describes a Human Genomics Revolution Still In Progress By J. Craig Venter, PhD, GEN, June 13, 2025
By Hana El-Samad, PhD, GEN, August 21, 2023
From Sequencing to Sailing: Three Decades of Adventure with Craig Venter By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN, March 8, 2023
By Kevin Davies, PhD Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| AI in Oncology Takes Off, Tackling HIV and Liver Disease, Pharma’s Recent Gains | 23 avr. 2026 | 00:33:23 | |
Some GEN editors were in sunny San Diego covering the hottest research, trends, and products from the American Association for Cancer Research meeting. We kick things off with news from America’s Finest City, particularly around the growing role of AI in oncology. Then we dive into two new research studies. In the first, scientists used CRISPR to identify genes in primary CD4+ T cells that promote or restrict HIV infection. The second study described engineered implantable liver constructs that could eventually serve as a stopgap for patients waiting for donor transplants. Finally, the acquisitions keep coming as Eli Lilly scoops up CAR T cell therapy developer Kelonia for $7B. Also, Revolution Medicines has shared some impressive data from a Phase III trial of its pancreatic cancer drug. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Fay Lin, PhD, Alex Philippidis, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
AACR 2026: A Video Update from San Diego By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, and Damian Doherty, GEN, April 21, 2026 AACR 2026 Video Update: Cancer Research Edges Toward an AI-Driven Era By Fay Lin, PhD, and Jonathan Grinstein, PhD, GEN, April 22, 2026 Using AI in Healthcare Ethically by Considering Humanity By Corinna Singleman, PhD, IPM, November 18, 2025 10x Genomics Unveils Atera Spatial Platform at AACR Meeting By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, GEN, April 19, 2026 CRISPR Screens Map Human T‑Cell Genes That Promote or Block HIV Infection GEN, April 20, 2026 Synthetic Biology and Tissue Engineering Grow Liver Tissue In‑Body GEN, April 20, 2026
StockWatch: Revolution’s Phase III Pancreatic Cancer Data Dazzles Investors, Analysts By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 19, 2026
Lilly to Acquire Kelonia for Up to $7B, Expanding Cancer Cell Therapy Pipeline By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 20, 2026 Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Drugs from a Text Prompt, Wegovy Pill Competition Dampens Lilly’s Surge | 09 avr. 2026 | 00:31:49 | |
From designing drugs with a simple text prompt to running experiments guided by extended reality, a new wave of agentic AI is transforming the modern lab. Our editors discuss the latest autonomous systems accelerating biological discovery. In business deals, Gilead Sciences has acquired Tubulis in a transaction worth up to $5 billion, strengthening the buyer’s position in antibody–drug conjugates for cancer. Correspondingly, Eli Lilly and Biogen are each making billion-dollar-plus bets, acquiring Centessa, a sleep disorder drug developer, and Apellis, known for its work in immunology and rare diseases. Our episode rounds out by unpacking the dynamic obesity drug market, where intensifying competition from Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill is prompting Lilly to temper the 2026 sales outlook for its oral obesity drug, Foundayo. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Fay Lin, PhD and Alex Philippidis for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
Can AI Agents Automate Scientific Discovery? By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, April 1, 2026 Gilead to Acquire Tubulis for Up to $5B, Expanding Cancer ADC Capabilities By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 7, 2026 Lilly Acquires Centessa for Up to $7.8B; Biogen Buys Apellis for Up to $6.1B By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, March 31, 2026 StockWatch: Price War Dampens Lilly Surge After Oral GLP-1 Wins FDA Nod By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 5, 2026 Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Agentic AI, Virtual Cell, LNP Vaccine Boosters, Engineered Organs, and Mergers | 26 mars 2026 | 00:39:43 | |
This week, agentic AI steps into the limelight buoyed by the momentum from generative AI. And there’s a new virtual cell model in town courtesy of AI-drug developer Xaira Therapeutics. From the frontiers of AI, our discussion turned to feats of engineering in regenerative medicine and lipid nanoparticles. In one study, scientists redesigned LNPs to avoid the liver and accumulate in the lymph nodes. In the other, efforts to develop and implant a lab grown esophagus from donor pigs bear fruit. Finally, Novartis plans to spend up to $3 billion to expand its cancer pipeline with the acquisition of Pikavation Therapeutics. And Merck is acquiring Terns Pharmaceuticals for approximately $6.7 billion also with an eye towards boosting its cancer portfolio.
Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Fay Lin, PhD, Uduak Thomas and Alex Philippidis for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
NVIDIA GTC 2026: Agentic AI Inflection Hits Healthcare and Life Sciences By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, March 18, 2026 Xaira’s First Virtual Cell Model Is Largest To-Date, Toward Complex Biology By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, March 25, 2026
Modified Lipid Nanoparticles Boost mRNA Vaccine Delivery to Lymph Nodes GEN, March 24, 2026 Engineered Esophagus Rebuilds Missing Organ Segment in Pig Models GEN, March 20, 2026 Novartis Acquires Pikavation for Up to $3B, Expanding Cancer Pipeline GEN, March 22, 2026 Merck Bolsters Cancer Pipeline with $6.7B Terns Buyout By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, March 25, 2026 Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Bacteria 4D Simulation, Safer Large Gene Insertion, uniQure Roller Coaster | 13 mars 2026 | 00:41:02 | |
A new study from the J. Craig Venter Institute simulates the complete life cycle of a minimal bacterial cell in 4D space and time at nanoscale resolution. Meanwhile, in gene editing, a new technology has designed DNA donors that evade the immune system, allowing safer large gene insertion that is one step closer to scalable mutation-agnostic therapies. In brain diseases, researchers have found a novel blood-based biomarker that can predict a woman’s risk of developing dementia as many as 25 years before symptoms appear. Our episode rounds out with uniQure’s roller coaster stock, following Vinay Prasad, MD, and his second departure from the FDA.
Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Fay Lin, PhD, Uduak Thomas and Alex Philippidis for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
Simulating Life: 4D Whole-Cell Model of a Minimal Bacterium GEN, March 9, 2026
Safer Large DNA Insertion Moves Genetic Medicine Toward Scalability By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN, March 11, 2026 Blood Biomarker Predicts Women’s Dementia Risk Up to 25 Years Early GEN, March 10, 2026 StockWatch: Under Fire from FDA, uniQure Stock Roller-Coasters By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, March 8, 2026 Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| AI for Scientists, FDA Reverses Course, and Advances in Cancer Therapeutics | 27 févr. 2026 | 00:38:54 | |
In the industry news section of this week’s episode, we kick things off with Tamarind Bio’s efforts to develop user-friendly artificial intelligence tools for science researchers. Then we examine the impact of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s reversal on its earlier refusal to review Moderna’s mRNA vaccine for the flu, discuss Gilead’s acquisition of Arcellx to expand its cancer therapy pipeline, and dive into Takeda’s investment in Vir Biotech’s prostate cancer candidate. Then on the research front, we get into the science behind new protein-like polymers engineered to target and degrade some of cancer’s most challenging driver proteins. And we discuss a potential control switch for CAR T cells that could make these immunotherapies much safer.
Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Fay Lin, PhD, Uduak Thomas and Alex Philippidis for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
Tamarind Bio Secures $13.6M Series A to Make AI More Accessible for Biology By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, February 24, 2026
StockWatch: FDA Reversal Boosts Moderna, But Not Other Vaccine Companies By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, February 21, 2026 Gilead to Acquire Arcellx for $7.8B, Adding Anito-Cel to Cancer Pipeline By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, February 23, 2026 Astellas, Vir Biotechnology Launch Up-to-$1.7B Prostate Cancer Collaboration By Alex Philippidis, GEN, February 26, 2026 New Protein-Like Polymers Target, Degrade “Undruggable” Proteins Driving Cancer GEN, February 11, 2026 Drug-Controlled CAR T Cells May Enable Safer Immunotherapy GEN, February 23, 2026 Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Women in Science, Robotics, Automation, SLAS, and Lilly Updates | 13 févr. 2026 | 00:32:44 | |
Women in Science Day (February 11) was the top of the list for discussion for GEN editors in this week’s podcast. They shared an anecdote on the history of the term “scientist”—hint it was coined for a woman. A modern scientist, Medra CEO Michelle Lee, discussed with GEN how the company is integrating robotics with AI for use in biological research. GEN attended SLAS this week and we got an update on the automation updates along with endeavors to increase the presence of women in biotech leadership. Finally, we get an update on Eli Lilly’s recent major deals followed by an update on Nektar Therapeutics clinical trial updates.
Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Fay Lin, PhD, Uduak Thomas and Alex Philippidis for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
Data Is a Robotics Problem, Medra CEO Says Physical AI Will Transform Biology By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, February 11, 2026 Robots on the Red Line: A Video Update from SLAS 2026 GEN, February 11, 2026 SLAS Highlights: AI Labs, Small-Molecule SPR, Protein Interaction Assays, and Paper Labware By Uduak Thomas, GEN, February 11, 2026 SLAS Highlights: Opening Keynote Spotlights Novel Target in Genomically Unstable Tumors By Uduak Thomas, GEN, February 11, 2026 Opentrons Uses Nvidia Tech to Build Training Data That Powers Physical AI in the Lab By Uduak Thomas, GEN, February 9, 2026 Beyond Obesity: Lilly Inks Up to $11.25B in Cancer, Immune System Deals By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, February 10, 2026 Lilly, Seamless Ink Up-to-$1.12B Hearing Loss Collaboration By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, January 28, 2026 Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Ex-CEO Behind Bars, 10x’s Clinical Ambitions, and Pharma’s AI Gambit | 30 janv. 2026 | 00:34:17 | |
We kick off the very first episode of 2026 with a major legal development. This week, the former CEO of CytoDyn was sentenced to 30 months in prison, more than a year after being convicted on multiple charges including four counts of securities fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and three counts of insider trading. Also, we examine recent investments in artificial intelligence by several major drugmakers, and where they are hoping the technology can make an impact. Then, the latest from 10x Genomics and its plans to expand into clinical diagnostics through new collaboration. And for some research news, a new study that explores how functional forms of amyloid can create stable memories.
Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
Ex-CytoDyn CEO Sentenced to 30-Month Prison Term on Fraud, Insider Trading By Alex Philippidis, GEN, January 27, 2026 Pharma Bets Big on AI Platforms with Flurry of New Year Deals By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, January 22, 2026 JPM: Nvidia Launches AI Collaborations with Eli Lilly, Thermo Fisher By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, January 13, 2026 Clinical Ambitions: 10x Expands Beyond Research with Trio of Collaborations By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, January 26, 2026 Chai’s the Limit for AI Antibody Designer After $130M Series B Funding By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, December 16, 2025 Lilly Expands AI Ties to Insilico, from Customer to Drug Discovery Partner By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, November 10, 2025 How Brain May Deliberately Form Amyloids to Turn Experiences Into Memories GEN, January 26, 2026 Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Editors’ Choice: Top Stories of 2025 | 18 déc. 2025 | 00:41:00 | |
In the final episode of 2025, the GEN team came together to reflect on some of the stories over the last year that they each found impactful. Some of the stories were covered in GEN’s December issue, but our editors took the time to discuss some topics in a bit more depth during the podcast. The discussion began with an update on the progress of AI use in drug discovery. Cell and gene therapy was a big topic with the positive outcome for Baby KJ, while Sarepta dealt with a rollercoaster of a year with their DMD treatment, Elevidys. Research and biotech in Africa are growing and the discussion ranged from challenges to promise in research and development on the continent. This year’s NIH budget cuts and impacted institutions rounded out the conversation. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, Phd, Kevin Davies, Phd, John Sterling, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
GEN Editors Reflect on Six of the Biggest Stories of the Year By Alex Philippidis, Savannah Wiegel, Fay Lin, PhD, Kevin Davies, PhD, Uduak Thomas, and Julianna LeMieux, PhD, GEN, December 4, 2025 By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, August 10 StockWatch: As Prasad Exits FDA, Analysts See Benefit for Sarepta, CGT Stocks By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, August 3 FDA Probes Death of Brazilian Boy Linked to Sarepta’s Elevidys GEN Edge, July 27 Second DMD Patient Dies After Treatment with Sarepta Gene Therapy By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, June 15 DMD Patient Dies After Treatment with Sarepta Gene Therapy By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, March 18 John Sterling, December Issue of GEN
The State of CRISPR & Genome Editing Summit, June 11, 2025 By Alex Philippidis, GEN, December 4, 2025 By Alex Philippidis, and Kevin Davies, PhD, GEN Edge, June 5, 2025 Scientists in NYC Rally to Defend and Stand Up for Science By Corinna Singleman, GEN, March 10, 2025 Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Lung Organoids, Autism and Sarcopenia Insights in Mice, and a Bidding War Ends | 04 déc. 2025 | 00:35:56 | |
Stories on lung organoids and autism were some of the most read this week. We kicked things off by digging into recent breakthroughs in both areas including an automated method for manufacturing iPSC-derived lung organoids and how a combination of supplements reduced autism-linked behaviors in mice. Still on the topic of new research, we discussed how a protein in the extracellular matrix helps muscle stem cells repair aging muscles. In business news, the bidding war between Lundbeck and Alkermes over Avadel Pharmaceuticals has ended. We talk about the possible implications of Lundbeck’s decision to back out and next steps for Alkermes. Then we dive into Protego Biopharma’s recent fundraising round, and efforts to develop small-molecule pharmacological chaperones that modulate protein stability in disease.
Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
Lung Organoids Generated in Bulk Using Stirred Bioreactor Technology GEN, December 1, 2025 Autism-Linked Behaviors in Mice Reduced by Nutrient Trio GEN, December 3, 2025 Muscle Stem Cells Bolstered by ECM Protein Tenascin-C GEN, December 5, 2025
Protego Closes $130M Series B to Fund Pivotal Trial of AL Amyloidosis Candidate By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, December 3, 2025 Lundbeck Ends Bidding War for Avadel, After Alkermes’ Up-to-$2.37B Offer By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, December 1, 2025 Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| New Nasal Vaccines, Korro Stock Dips, J&J and Merck Acquisitions, and Dyno GATC | 20 nov. 2025 | 00:41:50 | |
Nasal vaccines show new promise for human papillomavirus (HPV) to address cervical cancer and whooping cough. In business news, Korro's stock craters 81% as AATD interim Phase I/II results miss expectations. Additionally, Johnson & Johnson acquires Halda to expand their cancer pipeline while Merck acquires Cidara to boost antivirals. Lastly, the inaugural Genetic Agency Technology Conference (GATC) hosted by Dyno Therapeutics brought together a diverse group of researchers, entrepreneurs, and patient advocates to discuss the mission of genetic agency, or an individual’s ability to take action at the genetic level to live a healthier life.
Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
Cervical Cancer May Be Treatable with Intranasal Nanogel Vaccine GEN, November 15, 2025 Novel Nasal Spray Vaccine for Pertussis Shows Promise By Corinna Singleman, PhD, GEN, November 12, 2025
StockWatch: Korro Craters 81% on Data; Patient Death Sours Analysts on Intellia By Alex Philippidis, GENEdge, November 16, 2025 J&J Expands Cancer Pipeline with $3B Halda Acquisition By Alex Philippidis, GENEdge, November 18, 2025 Merck to Acquire Cidara for $9.2B, Bolstering Antiviral Pipeline By Alex Philippidis, GEN, November 15, 2025
AI Meets Genetic Agency at Dyno GATC 2025 By Fay Lin, PhD, GENEdge, November 14, 2025 Genetic Agency on Display at GATC 2025 By Kevin Davies, PhD, and Fay Lin, PhD, GEN, November 13, 2025 Dyno GATC Announces AI Agents, Muscle Capsid, and Manufacturing Partner By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, November 11, 2025
Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| uniQure Staggers at FDA, Recursion's Microglia Map, and Leadership Transitions | 07 nov. 2025 | 00:31:34 | |
uniQure's “game changing” data announced in September, which showed significant slowing of Huntington’s disease (HD) progression in patients treated with its gene therapy candidate AMT-130, may not be enough to secure FDA approval. We also discuss Recursion's pivotal leadership transitions, as Najat Khan, PhD, chief R&D officer and chief commercial officer, is set to take over as the company's CEO effective January 1. The AI drug developer has made big bets filling the biology data gap and recently announced a "Google Map of the brain" to advance neurodegenerative disease targets. In open-source AI for drug discovery, the release of the latest Boltz model, BoltzGen, advances the platform from structural predictions to the design of "any" therapeutic modality, all available for commercial use.
Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
uniQure Staggers as FDA Questions Data for Huntington’s Gene Therapy Candidate By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, November 3, 2025
StockWatch: uniQure Shares Reach Five-Year High on “Game Changing” Huntington’s Data Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, September 28, 2025
Gene Therapy Significantly Slows Huntington Disease Progression GEN, September 24, 2025
Recursion, Roche Unveil Microglia Map of Neuro Disease Targets By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, October 29, 2025
BoltzGen Democratizes AI Therapeutic Design, Expands Druggable Universe By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN, October 27, 2025
The State of AI in Drug Discovery On Demand
Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Artificial Intelligence in the Emerald City and Targeting Colon Cancer Stem Cells | 24 oct. 2025 | 00:24:28 | |
We are gearing up for our annual AI in Drug Discovery summit in a few days. So, for this episode, we focused on some recent AI news coverage. First, GEN senior editor Fay Lin, PhD, visited Seattle recently for some AI-focused meetings. She discusses her experiences in the Emerald City including an exclusive in-person interview with Nobel laureate, David Baker, PhD, on what’s real and what’s hype when it comes to using AI to design proteins de novo. Then we discuss new research from University of California, San Diego, that used machine learning to identify networks of genes that could be targeted to reprogram cancer stem cells. We also go over some early studies that point to a possible drug candidate for colon cancer.
Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
Uduak Thomas, GEN, October 6, 2025
AI in Protein Design: Hype vs. Reality Explained by David Baker By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN, October 20, 2025
Nobel Anniversary: David Baker Keynotes STEM Fundraiser by ARCS Foundation Seattle By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN, October 14, 2025
AI Treatment Reprograms and Triggers Cancer Stem Cells to Self-Destruct GEN, October 20, 2025
The State of AI in Drug Discovery Registration
Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Nobel Prizes Announced and Breakthroughs for Huntington’s and Rare Diseases | 10 oct. 2025 | 00:21:00 | |
Metal-organic frameworks and peripheral immune tolerance were the big winners of the Nobel prizes in chemistry, and in physiology or medicine, respectively. In this episode of the podcast, we discuss the winners and the impacts of their discoveries. Then we move over to some business news where we discuss a novel gene therapy for Huntington’s disease from uniQure that made waves recently. Early clinical trial data for AMT-130 showed that it could meaningfully slow the progression of the disease by as much as 75%. Also in business news, a new partnership involving Arbor Biotechnologies and Chiesi Group aims to develop gene editing therapies to target rare liver diseases. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base: Uduak Thomas, GEN, October 6, 2025 Metal-Organic Frameworks Win the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Julianna LeMieux, PhD, GEN, October 8, 2025 Gene Therapy Significantly Slows Huntington Disease Progression GEN, September 24, 2025
StockWatch: uniQure Shares Reach Five-Year High on “Game Changing” Huntington’s Data Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, September 28, 2025
Chiesi, Arbor Target Rare Liver Diseases in Up-to-$2.1B Gene Editing Collaboration Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, October 8, 2025 Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| BPI 2025 Debrief and Takeaways | 26 sept. 2025 | 00:28:17 | |
GEN has been at the forefront of biotech and bioprocessing news for over 40 years. Last week, editor in chief, John Sterling and deputy editor in chief, Julianna LeMieux, PhD, attended BioProcess International (BPI). This annual meeting is a hallmark event for GEN, where we attend talks, speak with a multitude of bioprocess companies, and keep up to date on the latest products and news for the year. John and Julianna discuss their experience at this year’s event. Additionally, GEN held its first ever client appreciation reception this year at BPI and Julianna describes the atmosphere. Join GEN editors John Sterling, Julianna LeMieux, PhD, and Corinna Singleman, PhD for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base: Boston’s Bioprocessing Buzz: GEN Reports Live from BPI 2025 Julianna LeMieux, PhD and John Sterling, GEN, September 18, 2025 Top 10 U.S. Biopharma Clusters 2025 Alex Philippidis, GEN, August 1, 2025 Top 10 Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations 2025 Alex Philippidis, GEN, September 15, 2025 Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Developing New Therapies Through Partnership, Electricity, and Immunotherapy | 05 sept. 2025 | 00:27:30 | |
Novartis has agreed to license and develop Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals’ preclinical stage small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapy ARO-SNCA, a potential treatment for Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies, plus additional targets. Two stories this week covered very different types of cell reprogramming techniques for therapy development. The first approach may overcome the time delays and safety risks of traditional immunotherapies, especially for patients with aggressive, late-stage disease. Meanwhile, electrical stimulation of macrophages could represent a new therapy to boost the body’s own repair processes in a range of injury and disease situations. Finally, Eli Lilly saw its shares climb 5% this past week after announcing that its history-making oral obesity candidate, orforglipron, aced the Phase III ATTAIN-2 trial. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base: The State of Biotech Summit Registration Novartis Commits Up to $2.2B toward Developing Arrowhead siRNA Therapy Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, September 2, 2025 Off-the-Shelf Immunotherapy Demonstrates Multipronged Attack Against Cancer GEN, August 29, 2025 Human Macrophages “Reprogrammed” by Electrical Stimulation to Encourage Faster Healing GEN, September 2, 2025 StockWatch: Analysts See $10B+ in Sales for Lilly Oral GLP-1 Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, September 1, 2025 Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Stem Cells in Space and AI for Nanoparticles and Peptide Design | 22 août 2025 | 00:21:34 | |
This week’s episode explores two frontiers: space travel and artificial intelligence. First, we discuss a study testing whether mouse sperm cryopreserved and stored in the International Space Station could still produce healthy offspring back on Earth. It’s a question with real implications for the future of deep space missions and even space tourism. Then, we turn to recent advances in AI. We talk about a machine-learning model trained to predict more effective nanoparticles for delivering RNA vaccines and therapies. Also, we learn about an AI model that designs peptides for challenging targets in cancer and neurodegenerative disease without needing detailed protein structures.
Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base: The State of Biotech Summit Registration Space Station Stem Cells Successfully Produce Healthy Mice GEN, August 18, 2025 COMET's Rocket Speed: AI-Designed Nanoparticles Accelerate mRNA Therapies GEN, August 18, 2025 Protein Language Model Hits Undruggable Targets, No Structure Required By Fay Lin, PhD GEN, August 14, 2025 Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Reversing Parkinson’s in Mice, Protecting Primates from HIV, Top 10 Biotech Clusters, and Sarepta | 08 août 2025 | 00:34:22 | |
This episode of GEN's Touching Base spotlights the unexpected relationship between breathing low oxygen and restoration of neuron function in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. In addition, a single gene therapy injected at birth now offers lasting protection from HIV in infant rhesus macaques. Rounding out our episode, we discuss key factors shaping this year’s A-List of Top 10 U.S. Biopharma Clusters and recap the regulatory conflict surrounding Sarepta Therapeutics’ Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene therapy, Elevidys®—including the departure of Vinay Prasad, MD, the FDA official behind the agency’s brief get-tough approach. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base: GLP-1 Drug Semaglutide Linked to Reduced Muscle Strength in Mice GEN, August 6, 2025 Out of Thin Air: Hypoxia Reverses Parkinson’s Symptoms in Mice By Fay Lin, PhD GEN, August 6, 2025 Early Gene Therapy Provides Lasting HIV Protection in Newborn Primates GEN, July 30, 2025 StockWatch: As Prasad Exits FDA, Analysts See Benefit for Sarepta, CGT Stocks By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, August 3, 2025 Sarepta to Resume Shipping DMD Gene Therapy to Ambulant Patients By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, July 28, 2025 Sarepta Under Scrutiny, AstraZeneca’s Big Bet, and AI vs. IDRs By Alex Philippidis, Uduak Thomas, Fay Lin, PhD, Corinna Singleman, PhD, GEN, July 25, 2025 About Face: Sarepta to Pause Elevidys Shipments Temporarily By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, July 21, 2025 Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD The State of Biotech Summit Registration Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Sarepta Under Scrutiny, AstraZeneca’s Big Bet, and AI vs. IDRs | 25 juil. 2025 | 00:42:34 | |
Sarepta has temporarily paused shipments of Elevidys, its FDA-approved treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In this episode of GEN's Touching Base, we discuss the company’s response to the tragedies associated with its DMD therapy as well as with a new therapy for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Also in this episode, big updates from AstraZeneca including a $50 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing and R&D, a heartwarming story about preventing mitochondrial disease involving eight babies from the U.K., and from the lab of Nobel Prize winner David Baker, PhD, AI that designs drugs for previously “undruggable” proteins. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base: About Face: Sarepta to Pause Elevidys Shipments Temporarily By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, July 21, 2025 StockWatch: Sarepta Shares Nosedive after LGMD Gene Therapy Patient Dies By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, July 20, 2025 Sarepta Axes 500, 36% of Workforce, in Restructuring after DMD Patient Deaths By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, July 16, 2025 AstraZeneca Commits $50B More to U.S. Manufacturing, R&D Projects By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, July 22, 2025 AstraZeneca’s New $300M Plant Provides Control of Cell Therapy Production By Gareth John Macdonald, GEN, May 14, 2025
Beyond Baby KJ: Next Steps in Manufacturing Genome Editing Cures GEN Live, July 30, 2025 Mitochondrial Disease Milestone: Eight Babies Born Free of Disease via Pronuclear Transfer By Julianna LeMieux, PhD GEN, July 16, 2025 Undruggable No More: AI Hits Disordered Proteins, Unlocks Therapy Targets By Fay Lin, PhD GEN, July 18, 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Merck Acquires Verona, Virtual Cell Challenge, Gene Therapy Restores Hearing | 11 juil. 2025 | 00:31:41 | |
Merck & Co. has acquired Verona Pharma for $10 billion in a deal designed to expand the pharma giant’s portfolio of cardio-pulmonary disease treatments. In a step toward virtual cell benchmarking, the Arc Institute has launched the Virtual Cell Challenge to evaluate the ability of transcriptome AI models to generalize to new cell contexts for therapeutic applications. Fujifilm rebrands life science companies to position itself as a drug development leader. Additionally, AAV-OTOF gene therapy shows promise in restoring hearing loss while a new proteomics tool gleams insight into telomere repair. We wrap up our episode with highlights from BIO 2025, as FDA Commissioner Martin Makary, MD, shared his vision for a “New FDA” focused on accelerating drug applications, industry partnerships, and applying AI. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
Merck to Acquire Verona Pharma for $10B, Adding Fast-Growing COPD Drug By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, July 9, 2025 Arc Institute Launces Virtual Cell Challenge to Accelerate AI Model Development By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, June 26, 2025 By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, July 8, 2025 AAV-OTOF Gene Therapy Trial Restores Hearing in Both Children and Adults By GEN, July 7, 2025
Proteomics Tool Sheds Light on Cancer Cells’ Telomere Repair Tactics By GEN, July 7, 2025
Makary Calls for “New FDA” at BIO; Defends Agency’s Spring Job Cuts By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, June 18, 2025 Cell and Gene Therapy Leaders Tell FDA: “Believe in American Solutions” By Kevin Davies, PhD, and Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, June 5, 2025
Behind the Breakthroughs Podcast Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| BIO 2025, Huge Virtual Cell Dataset, AI-Designed De Novo Proteins | 18 juin 2025 | 00:28:44 | |
Acast BIO 2025, Huge Virtual Cell Dataset, AI-Designed De Novo Proteins BIO 2025 is off and running. GEN editors discuss the size and scope of the bustling conference hall and share excitement about the week’s talks and panels. News from BIO includes the announcement of Lilly’s acquisition of Verve Therapeutics. Editors discuss the implications of industry-backed therapeutics amid cautious investors and public sentiment. In the realm of AI, Xaira Therapeutics, a $1 billion-backed AI drug discovery unicorn, has capped its first year by releasing the largest publicly available Perturb-seq dataset to support its virtual cell initiative. Additionally, AlphaDesign, a new AI-driven framework, accelerates the creation of functional de novo proteins, moving protein design toward custom therapeutics and precision medicine.
Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Uduak Thomas, and Fay Lin, PhD, for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base Lilly to Acquire Verve Therapeutics for Up to $1.3B By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, June 17, 2025
Second DMD Patient Dies After Treatment with Sarepta Gene Therapy By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, June 15, 2025 Danon Disease Patient Dies in Rocket Gene Therapy Trial By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, May 27, 2025 Xaira Therapeutics Releases Largest Perturb-Seq Dataset to Power the Virtual Cell By Fay Lin, GEN Edge, June17, 2025 AI-Designed Proteins Created De Novo with New AlphaDesign GEN, June 17, 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Rocket’s Gene Therapy Trial Paused, Boltz-2 Open Source, Plasma Swap Rewinds Aging | 06 juin 2025 | 00:29:55 | |
A gene therapy clinical trial for Danon disease run by Rocket Pharmaceuticals has been suspended following the death of a patient. MIT and Recursion have released Boltz-2, an open-source tool that predicts molecular binding affinity at newfound speed and accuracy, aiming to democratize commercial drug discovery. Intellia Therapeutics saw its stock nosedive late last week after a patient in its Phase III trial of the CRISPR-based therapy experienced non-lethal liver toxicity. In other news, a therapeutic plasma exchange regimen combined with intravenous immunoglobulin reduced some biomarkers of biological age in humans. Sanofi has agreed to acquire Blueprint Medicines for up to $9.5 billion, and a universal CAR T cell therapy was produced by applying CRISPR gene editing to cells donated by healthy individuals.
Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base
Danon Disease Patient Dies in Rocket Gene Therapy Trial By Alex Philippidis, GEN, May 27, 2025
Boltz-2 Released to Democratize AI Molecular Modeling for Drug Discovery By Fay Lin, PhD, GENEdge, June 6, 2025
StockWatch: Intellia Stumbles on News of Patient’s Severe Liver Toxicity By Alex Philippidis, GEN, May 30, 2025
The State of CRISPR Summit Registration
Plasma Exchange in Humans Reduces Biological Age by Over Two Years GEN, June 1, 2025
Sanofi to Acquire Blueprint Medicines for Up to $9.5B By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, June 2, 2025
"Universal" CAR-T Immunotherapy Targets Relapsed/Refractory Blood Cancers GEN, May 30, 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Customized CRISPR for KJ, 10x and Illumina Lawsuits, Regeneron Bags 23andMe | 22 mai 2025 | 00:41:34 | |
A baby, named KJ, has become the first patient to be treated with a personalized CRISPR therapy to address a severe metabolic disorder. We discuss this story—one of the biggest science/medical stories from ASGCT 2025—and talk about the family and scientists at its center. In other news, laboratory-evolved CRISPR-associated bacterial transposases are being used to insert healthy genes into human cells. On the business front, 10x Genomics settles with Bruker and Vizgen while Illumina sues Element Biosciences for patent infringement. Also, trouble for Prime Medicine as the company pivots its pipeline and downsizes, and after months of speculation about its fate, 23andMe is acquired by Regeneron. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base ASGCT 2025: World’s First Patient Treated with Personalized CRISPR Therapy By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN, May 15, 2025 EvoCAST Harnesses CRISPR-Linked Bacterial Transposases to Insert Genes Into Human Cells GEN, May 18, 2025 eePASSIGE Engineers Gene-Sized Edits in Human Cells GEN, June 10, 2024 Illumina Sues Element Biosciences, Alleging Infringement of Flow Cell, Imaging Patents By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, May 18, 2025 10x Settles Bruker, Vizgen Patent Lawsuits By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, and Alex Philippidis, GEN, May 18, 2025
Prime Medicine Chops 25% of Workforce, Pivots Pipeline as CEO Quits By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, May 19, 2025 Regeneron to Acquire 23andMe with Winning $256M Bid GEN, May 19, 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Insights into COVID-19’s Origins, Recursion Reverses Course, and AACR Stands Up for Cancer Research | 09 mai 2025 | 00:35:34 | |
The exact origins of SARS-CoV-2 are still something of a mystery, but new research may bring scientists one step closer to an explanation for how the virus reached Wuhan. Also in the episode, we dive into GEN’s coverage of the annual AACR meeting including how the community is navigating massive research budget cuts. Then we discuss a potential colorectal cancer therapy using CRISPR-edited tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and a method for delivering protein therapies and gene editors using engineered vesicles. Lastly, in business news, Recursion rethinks its pipeline, the FDA gives Abeona’s gene therapy a chance, and Bristol Myers Squibb execs open up on artificial intelligence. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Julianna LeMieux, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base: AACR 2025: A Video Update from Chicago By Julianna LeMieux, PhD and Damian Doherty, GEN, April 29, 2025 Hope and Headwinds at AACR in Chicago By Damian Doherty, GEN, April 29, 2025 Senator Tammy Baldwin Supports Science in AACR Speech By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, GEN, April 29, 2025 CRISPR-Edited TILs Fight Advanced Colorectal Cancer in Patients By GEN, May 4, 2025 Engineered Extracellular Vesicles Could Deliver Gene Editors, Therapeutic Proteins to Cells By GEN, April 30, 2025 SARS-CoV-2 Likely Spread Through Wildlife Trade, Not Bat Migration By GEN, May 7, 2025 Chatting with Author David Quammen about SARS-CoV-2 Will Leave You “Breathless” Originally aired: November 16, 2022 Recursion Halts Four Pipeline Programs, Sharpening Cancer, Rare Disease Focus By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, May 5, 2025 StockWatch: Second Time’s the Charm for Abeona’s Gene Therapy By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, May 4, 2025 Predict First: BMS Executives Discuss Company’s AI Approach By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, March 26, 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Navigating Biotech’s New Normal, Applying AI to Cas9 Enzymes, and Sequencing Generations | 25 avr. 2025 | 00:30:26 | |
The seismic changes made by the current administration in the United States continue to impact the scientific community. The business news segment of this week’s episode covers the effects of job cuts on biotech, Roche’s manufacturing and R&D plans amid tariff threats, and shares an update on Eli Lilly’s diabetes pill. Also, in honor of DNA Day, we reminisce about how far the field has come since the discovery of the structure of DNA and the completion of the Human Genome Project. We also talk about today’s DNA-related advances that use machine learning to design tailored Cas9 proteins and multiple sequencing technologies to study mutation rates in four generations of the same family. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base: After Job Cuts, “We’re Entering a Very New Territory for Biotech. By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 17, 2025 Roche Commits $50B to U.S. Manufacturing, R&D as Tariffs Loom By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 22, 2025 StockWatch: Investors Hungry for Lilly after Diabetes Pill Aces Phase III Trial By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 20, 2025
Machine Learning Engineers Bespoke Cas9 Enzymes for Gene Editing By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN, April 22, 2025 Multi-Platform Sequencing Study of Four Generations Sheds Light on Mutation Rates GEN, April 23, 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Discussing De-Extinction, Trump’s Tariffs Touch Biopharma, and Reports from Recent Travels | 11 avr. 2025 | 00:45:26 | |
Are Dire Wolves really back? We give our take on Colossal Biosciences’ latest announcement about the de-extinction of Dire Wolves including some thoughts on their approach and some of the broader implications of their work. In other stories, we discuss the early impact of the Trump administration’s tariffs on biotech as well as the growing alarm in the scientific community in the wake of sweeping layoffs and leadership departures at the FDA, CDC, and NIH. We also share news from recent scientific conferences and meetings that we’ve attended as well as an interesting study that used human cell maps to shed new light on pediatric bone cancer. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base. Plex Research Partners with Ginkgo Bioworks to Apply AI-Based Search Engine to Drug Discovery By Uduak Thomas, GEN, April 8, 2025 Danaher-IGI Beacon for CRISPR Cures Celebrates One-Year Anniversary By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN, March 28, 2025 Human Cell Maps Uncover Insights in Pediatric Bone Cancer By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN, April 10, 2025 StockWatch: Biopharma Funds Tumble with Wall Street as Industry Spared from Worst of Tariffs—for Now By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 6, 2025 FDA, NIH, CDC Stagger as HHS Axe Falls, Eliminating 10,000 Jobs By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 1, 2025 Industry Voices Alarm as Peter Marks Departs FDA By Kevin Davies, PhD, and Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, March 30, 2025 The State of Multiomics & NGS 2025 Broadcast Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Resurrection Genomics: A Conversation with Colossal’s Chief Biology Officer Eriona Hysolli The State of Omics 2024, April 17, 2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Dravet Gene Therapy Tested in Mice, Sarepta’s Setback, and AstraZeneca Updates | 28 mars 2025 | 00:25:57 | |
Gene therapies take center stage in this week’s episode. We discuss a potential gene replacement therapy for people with Dravet Syndrome that scientists have tested in mice with good results and highlight some recent progress from two editing companies. We also break down the recent news from Sarepta about the death of a patient after treatment with its gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In other stories, new data reveals a nonviral method for introducing transgenes into human primates and AstraZeneca steps up R&D in China with new drug, vaccine, and healthcare partnerships in the billions of dollars. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Julianna LeMieux, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base Gene Therapy Tested in Mice Offers New Hope for People with Dravet Syndrome By Uduak Thomas, GEN, March 19, 2025 DMD Patient Dies After Treatment with Sarepta Gene Therapy By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, March 18, 2025 PiggyBac Transposon System Creates Transgenic Cynomolgus Monkeys By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, GEN, March 26, 2025 From Tools to Trials: Editing Therapy Companies Pivot to Development By Alex Philippidis, PhD, GEN Edge, March 20, 2025 AstraZeneca Commits up to $11B+ to Chinese Collaborations, Beijing R&D Hub By Alex Philippidis, PhD, GEN Edge, March 21, 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Genetic Engineering at Asilomar, Stand Up for Science, and Francis Collins | 14 mars 2025 | 00:32:32 | |
GEN editors discuss both the news and history of DNA and genetic engineering. We present a recap of the 50th anniversary Asilomar conference, delving into some of the history from the 1975 Asilomar conference and relating to the current discussions around genetic engineering. Science has been under fire recently and many people attended the Stand Up for Science Rally at one of a few dozen locations across the United States. One of the speakers at the rally in Washington, DC, was former NIH director Francis Collins, MD, PhD, a key member of the Human Genome Project. We discuss some of his career in this episode.
Join GEN's managing editor Corinna Singleman, PhD, editor in chief John Sterling, and editorial director Kevin Davies for a discussion of DNA news and history.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
Scientists in NYC Rally to Defend and Stand Up for Science By Corinna Singleman, PhD, GEN, March 10, 2025
By Kevin Davies, PhD, GEN, March 3, 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| AI Models Writing DNA and Designing Enzymes, Some Pre-AGBT News | 28 févr. 2025 | 00:25:42 | |
In honor of Rare Disease Day, we discuss news from Healx, a clinical-stage biotech, which has dosed the first patient in a Phase II trial of its new drug for neurofibromatosis type 1. In the world of AI, the Arc Institute in collaboration with Nvidia has dropped Evo 2, the “largest publicly accessible AI model for biology to date,” for designing genomes. Additionally, new work from Nobel Laureate, David Baker, uses AI to generate enzymes from scratch. We also dig into the big announcements from Illumina and Roche that got the community buzzing ahead of this year’s AGBT meeting. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
Healx Candidate, SpringWorks Therapy Expand NF1 Treatment Options By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, February 25, 2025
Arc Institute’s AI Model Evo 2 Designs the Genetic Code Across All Domains of Life By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, February 19, 2025
AI-Driven Protein Design Produces Enzyme that Mimics Natural Hydrolase Activity By Corinna Singleman, PhD, GEN, February 13, 2025
Illumina Unveils Spatial Technology Days Before AGBT Meeting By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, GEN, February 19, 2025
StockWatch: Illumina Tumbles on Q4 Results, China Retaliation By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, February 8, 2025
Roche Announces SBX Technology, Creates Sequencing Buzz By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, GEN, February 21, 2025
StockWatch: NIH Indirect Cost Cuts Shake Tools Stocks By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, February 17, 2025
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| Recursion Clinical Trial, CRISPR Delivery methods, preclinical Cas12 use, Gene Editing in AgBio, Top 10 Takeover Targets | 14 févr. 2025 | 00:19:20 | |
Season 2 Episode 1 (February 14, 2025): This week, the GEN editors discussed some interesting and developing stories around AI, including an in depth dialogue about what Recursion has been doing lately. They also discussed gene editing updates in delivery systems, Cas12 preclinical work, and AgBio. The discussion was rounded out with a look forward into takeover targets for 2025.
Featuring Alex Philippidis (Senior Business Editor, GEN), Fay Lin, PhD, (Editor, GEN Biotechnology), Uduak Thomas (Senior Editor, GEN), and moderated by Corinna Singleman, PhD, (Managing Editor, GEN and IPM)
Listed below are key references to the GEN stories, media, and other items discussed in this episode of Touching Base:
As Pipeline Advances, Recursion Expands AI Focus to Clinical Trials By Alex Phillipidis, GEN, Jan 30, 2025.
Recursion Announces Promising Clinical Data on Lead AI-Based Drug Candidate for Brain Disease By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, Feb 5, 2025.
AAV Delivered NanoCas CRISPR System Edits Muscle in Non-Human Primates By GEN, Feb 3, 2025.
Next-Gen Cas12a System Enables Precise Single and Multiplexed Gene Editing in Cancer By Corinna Singleman, PhD, GEN, Jan 30, 2025.
AgBio Companies Embrace Gene Editing for Stronger Food Future By Uduak Thomas, GEN Feb issue, Feb 3, 2025.
Top 10 Takeover Targets of 2025 By Alex Phillippidis, GEN, Feb 3, 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| DNA Day: Deep Dive | 26 avr. 2024 | 00:47:08 | |
Episode 19 (April 26, 2024): This week, the GEN editors celebrated DNA Day by sharing some stories about their favorite observations and applications of DNA research.
Featuring Kevin Davies, PhD (Editorial Director, GEN), John Sterling (Editor in Chief, GEN), Uduak Thomas (Senior Editor, GEN), Alex Philippidis (Senior Business Editor, GEN), Fay Lin, PhD (Senior Editor, GEN Biotechnology), Jonathan Grinstein, PhD (Senior Editor, GEN), and moderated by Corinna Singleman, PhD (Managing Editor, GEN and IPM).
Listed below are key references to the GEN stories, media, and other items discussed in this episode of Touching Base:
The Life and Times of Rosalind Franklin GEN Webinar presented by Matthew Cobb, PhD, Oct 16, 2020.
BBC film (1987).
Nobel Winner Svante Pӓӓbo Discovered the Neandertal in Our Genes By Daniela Mocker, Scientific American, Oct 4, 2022.
“Svante Pӓӓbo, reader of the Neanderthal genome” Wielgus, Danielewski, and Walkowiak, Acta Physiol, Nov 23, 2022.
Colossal’s Woolly Mammoth Project Advances as Elephant iPSCs Clear Milestones GEN, Mar 7, 2024.
GEN Summit.
“Genetic Ancestry Testing What is it and Why is it Important?” Jorde and Bamshad, JAMA, Mar 27, 2020.
A Leading Cause of Autism Spectrum Disorders May Be Prevented by Novel Approach GEN, May 21, 2023.
AI Finds Autism-Causing Mutations in “Junk” DNA GEN, May 28, 2024.
Pollution and Stress Alter Brain Development and Social Behavior in Male Mice GEN, Aug 3, 2022.
“Mechanistic Basis of Resistance to PCBs in Atlantic Tomcod from the Hudson River” Wirgin, et al., Science, Mar 11, 2011. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How Biotechs Are Plugging AI into Drug Discovery Problems | 19 avr. 2024 | 00:22:10 | |
Episode 18 (April 19, 2024):
Biology’s exploding data streams continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) tools to streamline drug development. How do we define AI in drug discovery? Who are notable players in the space? How do humans fit into these growing computational pipelines?
This week, Jonathan Grinstein, PhD (Senior Editor, GEN) and Fay Lin, PhD (Senior Editor, GEN Biotechnology) unpack one of the fastest growing topics in the biotech field, AI in drug discovery.
Listed below are key references to the GEN stories, media, and other items discussed in this episode of Touching Base:
The Difference Is the Data: Drug Discovery’s AI Revolution By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Biotechnology, April 18, 2024
Archimedes’ Box: Diagonal Therapeutics Raises $128 Million to Discover Agonist Antibodies By Jonathan Grinstein, PhD, GEN Edge, April 3, 2024
Generate:Biomedicines Raises Largest Biotech Series C of 2023 By Jonathan Grinstein, PhD, GEN Edge, September 14, 2023
Alex Zhavoronkov Aims to Take Over the Drug Development World with AI By Jonathan Grinstein, PhD, GEN Edge, June 20, 2023
Diffusion Evolution: New Artificial intelligence Models Break Barriers in Protein Design By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Biotechnology, October 16, 2023 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Launch of Nvelop Therapeutics for Delivery of Genetic Cargo, AACR Recap | 12 avr. 2024 | 00:34:15 | |
Episode 17 (April 12, 2024):
This week, the GEN editors discuss the launch of Nvelop Therapeutics, a new start-up leveraging approaches developed by gene editing pioneers David Liu, PhD, and J. Keith Joung, MD, PhD, to advance delivery of genetic cargo. The GEN editors also recap highlights from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting held in San Diego, California.
Featuring Uduak Thomas (Senior Editor, GEN), Alex Philippidis (Senior Business Editor, GEN), Julianna LeMieux, PhD (Deputy Editor-in-Chief, GEN), and Jonathan Grinstein, PhD (Senior Editor, GEN), and moderated by Fay Lin, PhD (Senior Editor, GEN Biotechnology)
Listed below are key references to the GEN stories, media, and other items discussed in this episode of Touching Base:
The State of Omics 2024 Registration GEN Summit
Cloaking Device: Liu, Joung Launch $100M Nvelop Therapeutics to Advance Delivery of Genetic Cargo By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 9, 2024
Bertozzi, Regev, and More Inspire During the Opening Plenary Session of AACR By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, GEN, April 8, 2024
AACR 2024: Aviv Regev Shows How Single-Cell Atlases Foster New Axis to Genentech’s Drug Discovery By Jonathan Grinstein, PhD, GEN, April 8, 2024
AACR 2024: A Video Update from San Diego By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, and Jonathan Grinstein, PhD, GEN, April 8, 2024
A Video Update from Day Two of the AACR Meeting By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, and Jonathan Grinstein, PhD, GEN, April 9, 2024
AACR 2024: EpiBiologics Advances Degraders of Membrane-Bound Proteins By Jonathan Grinstein, PhD, GEN, April 8, 2024
Celebrating National Robotics Week By Uduak Thomas, GEN, April 12, 2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Dried Blood COVID Dx, Cryo-Shocked Tumor Cell Delivery Vehicles, Verve Halts Trial, Iambic Starts Trial, and Diagonal Therapeutics Launches | 05 avr. 2024 | 00:31:54 | |
Episode 16 (April 5, 2024): This week, the GEN editors discussed deep proteome profiling of home-sampled dried blood spots to assess the effects of SARS-CoV-2 in mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic, rapid liquid nitrogen treatment for converting tumor cells into carriers for gene editing tools that target cancer in vivo, Verve Therapeutics’ pausing of a clinical trial due to a serious adverse event, Iambic Therapeutics’ advancement of its first AI-designed candidate into the clinic, and the launch of Diagonal Therapeutics to find agonist antibodies for heteromeric receptor complexes.
Featuring Uduak Thomas (Senior Editor, GEN), Alex Philippidis (Senior Business Editor, GEN), Jonathan Grinstein, PhD, (Senior Editor, GEN), and moderated by Corinna Singleman, PhD, (Managing Editor, GEN and IPM)
Listed below are key references to the GEN stories, media, and other items discussed in this episode of Touching Base:
The State of Omics 2024 Registration GEN Summit
COVID-19 Infections Detected in Dried Blood Spots via At-Home Proteomic Profiling By GEN, April 2, 2024.
CRISPR-Cas9 Targets Lung Cancer Using Cryo-Shocked Tumor Cells By GEN, March 31, 2024.
Iambic Rhythm: AI Drug Developer Enters the Clinic, Targeting HER2 Cancers By Alex Philipidis, GEN, April 3, 2024.
Archimedes' Box: Diagonal Therapeutics Raises $128 Million to Discover Agonist Antibodies By Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD, GEN Edge, April 3, 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| AI in Drug Discovery and Precision Medicine: Nvidia GTC and Precision Med TRI-CON | 29 mars 2024 | 00:36:28 | |
Episode 15 (March 29, 2024): From the expansion of Nvidia's generative artificial intelligence (AI) platform for drug discovery to AI notetakers that coach doctors to be more human, the GEN editors discuss the latest news in AI from two conferences in California: Nvidia GTC (San Jose) and Precision Med TRI-CON (San Diego).
Featuring Alex Philippidis (Senior Business Editor, GEN), Fay Lin, PhD (Senior Editor, GEN Biotechnology), Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD (Senior Editor, GEN), moderated by Corinna Singleman, PhD (Managing Editor, GEN and IPM).
Listed below are key references to the GEN stories, media, and other items discussed in this episode of Touching Base:
GTC 2024: Nvidia Highlights AI ‘Revolution’ in Drug Discovery, Genomics By Alex Philippidis, GEN, March 19, 2024.
GTC 2024: Nvidia’s Quantum Expansion Runs through the Cloud By Alex Philippidis, GEN, March 20, 2024.
Machines Bring Efficiency…and Empathy? Eric Topol Talks AI in Precision Medicine By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, March 28, 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Optimizing Nanoparticles and Messenger RNAs with Multiple “Tails” | 22 mars 2024 | 00:19:20 | |
Episode 14 (March 22, 2024): This week, the GEN editors cover identifying receptors and proteins for cellular uptake and intracellular processing of nanoparticles, and a new mRNA structure by adding multiple “tails” to the molecules that boosted mRNA activity levels in cells by 5 to 20 times.
Featuring Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD, (Senior Editor, GEN), Uduak Thomas (Senior Editor, GEN), and moderated by Fay Lin, PhD, (Senior Editor, GEN Biotechnology)
Listed below are key references to the GEN stories, media, and other items discussed in this episode of Touching Base:
Nanoparticle Uptake Screen Informs Nanomedicine Design By GEN, March 19, 2024.
mRNA Therapeutics May Act Longer If Given Multiple Tails By GEN, March 22, 2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| NanoString Finds a Buyer, Slide Tags Enter in Early Access as Curio Trekker, Cellares Unveils Cell Therapy Manufacturing Platform | 15 mars 2024 | 00:24:51 | |
Episode 13 (March 15, 2024): This week, the GEN editors discussed business news from NanoString, Curio, and Cellares.
Featuring Alex Philippidis (Senior Business Editor, GEN), Uduak Thomas (Senior Editor, GEN), Jonathan Grinstein, PhD, (Senior Editor, GEN), and moderated by Corinna Singleman, PhD, (Managing Editor, GEN and IPM).
Listed below are key references to the GEN stories, media, and other items discussed in this episode of Touching Base:
The State of Omics 2024 Registration GEN Summit
NanoString Agrees to be Acquired by Investment Firm for $220M By GEN, March 11, 2024.
Curio Begins Testing Commercial Spatial Barcoding Technology for Single Cell Sequencing By GEN, March 12, 2024
Cellares Unveils Clinically-Compliant Cell Therapy Manufacturing Platform By Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD, GEN, March 12, 2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| International Women’s Day, Nanoparticles and Delivery, Novo Nordisk’s Expansion, and Organoids for Congenital Conditions | 08 mars 2024 | 00:23:59 | |
Episode 12 (March 8, 2024): Featuring Julianna LeMieux (Deputy Editor-in-Chief, GEN), Uduak Thomas (Senior Editor, GEN), and Alex Philippidis (Senior Business Editor, GEN), moderated by Fay Lin (Senior Editor, GEN Biotechnology)
This week, the GEN editors cover a recent interview with the Lost Women of Science, advances in delivery with lipid nanoparticles, Novo Nordisk’s expansion in the Boston area, and how organoids derived from amniotic fluid show promise for understanding fetal diseases.
Listed below are key references to the GEN stories, media, and other items discussed in this episode of Touching Base:
At Lost Women of Science, the Unsung Are Celebrated By Julianna LeMieux, GEN, March 7, 2024.
To Mark International Women’s Day, C-Suite Women Share Leadership Insights By GEN, March 7, 2024.
Lipid Nanoparticles Engineered to Target Lung Cells Reduce Tumor Size in Mice By GEN, March 4, 2024.
Novel Thio-lipids Developed Capable of Reaching Eyes and Lungs in Animals By GEN, March 5, 2024.
Novo Nordisk Expands Boston Area Research and Early Development By Alex Philippidis, GEN, March 2, 2024. Metal-Organic Nanoparticles Enable Better Vaccine Delivery, Stronger Immune Response By GEN, March 6, 2024.
Organoids Originating from Cells in Amniotic Fluid Could Illiminate Congential Conditions By GEN, March 5, 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Moderna Gets Back to Its Roots, Form Bio and Ginkgo Bioworks Team Up, and Under-the-Radar Rare Autoimmune Diseases | 01 mars 2024 | 00:26:01 | |
Episode 11 (March 1, 2024): After being diverted by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to develop and manufacture COVID-19 vaccines, Moderna gets back to advancing rare disease mRNA therapeutics; a look at rare autoimmune diseases that fly below the public radar; Form Bio announced a partnership with Ginkgo Bioworks to bring their AI out of the computer and into gene therapy production by optimizing genetic payloads.
Listed below are key references to the GEN stories, media, and other items discussed in this episode of Touching Base:
Rare Disease Day: Moderna Gets Back to Its Roots By Jonathan D. Grinstein, GEN, February 28, 2024
Taming the Immune System When Rare Diseases Strike By Kathy Liszewski, GEN, February 27, 2024
Form Bio’s AI Ensures Gene Therapies Pass Muster, with Ginkgo’s Help GEN, February 28, 2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Prime Editing for Isogenic iPSCs, PRINT, Universal In Vivo CAR T Editing, Biogen Q4 Results Disappoint; Andrea Choe | 23 févr. 2024 | 00:43:06 | |
Episode 10 (February 23, 2024): Researchers from Francis Collins’ lab developed an efficient CRISPR prime editing protocol to generate isogenic-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines carrying heterozygous or homozygous alleles for putatively causal single nucleotide variants. An RNA-based system known as PRINT can create and introduce site-specific, safe, and stable transgenes into the human genome. Astellas Pharma and Kelonia announced a nearly $800 million research collaboration and license agreement to develop innovative universal, off-the-shelf in vivo CAR T cell therapies. Fourth-quarter earnings and revenue fell short of expectations as Biogen worked to eliminate 1,000 jobs (11.5% of its workforce), among other cost-cutting actions, and restructured its pipeline after a slow start.
Plus, an interview with Andrea Choe, founder and chief executive officer at Holoclara.
Listed below are key references to the GEN stories, media, and other items discussed in this episode of Touching Base:
Generation of Human Isogenic Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines with CRISPR Prime Editing The CRISPR Journal, February 14, 2024
Addressing Scientific Misconduct: An Interview with Elisabeth Bik By Uduak Thomas, GEN Biotechnology, February 15, 2024
StockWatch: Biogen’s Q4 Results Disappoint Analysts By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, February 18, 2024
Astellas and Kelonia Partner for $800M In Vivo CAR T Cell Therapies By Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD, GEN Edge, February 20, 2024
PRINT: Precise RNA-Mediated Insertion of Transgenes GEN, February 21, 2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| CRISPRed Pigs, Exscientia Fires CEO, & AGBT Roundup; Christian Henry | 16 févr. 2024 | 00:43:37 | |
Episode 9 (February 16, 2024): Using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, British animal genetics firm Genus has generated a population of pigs that are resistant to the deadly porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus. Exscientia has fired its founder, CEO, and principal executive officer Andrew Hopkins, PhD, and removed him from the company’s board, after it concluded that he engaged in “inappropriate” relationships with two employees. Julianna LeMieux, PhD, Deputy Editor in Chief at GEN, provides a recap of her time at AGBT 2024. Plus, an interview with Christian Henry, president and chief executive officer at PacBio.
Listed below are key references to the GEN stories, media, and other items discussed in this episode of Touching Base:
CRISPRed Pigs: Precision Porcine Gene Editing Combats PPRS Virus Threat By Uduak Thomas, GEN, February 14, 2024
Exscientia Fires CEO for “Inappropriate” Relationships with Two Employees GEN, February 13, 2024
Sun, Spatial, and Sequencing: A Report from the First Day of AGBT By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, and Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD, GEN, February 7, 2024 NanoString CSO Joe Beechem Insists the Company “Not Going Anywhere” By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, GEN, February 8, 2024
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Intellia and Ultragenyx’s Clinical Updates, Novo Holdings’ Catalent Acquisition, and NanoString Bankruptcy; Simon Barnett | 09 févr. 2024 | 00:44:39 | |
Episode 8 (February 9th, 2024): Intellia and Ultragenyx gave updates on their clinical trials for gene therapies for inherited rare diseases. Novo Holdings, which manages the assets of the foundation that controls Novo Nordisk, agreed to buy Catalent for $16.5 billion to keep up with the high demand for its hit drugs Wegovy and Ozempic. Spatial biology tools developer NanoString Technologies filed for bankruptcy, blaming the $31 million jury award assessed against it last November in a patent infringement case filed by rival 10x Genomics. Plus, an interview with Simon Barnett, research director at Dimension.
Listed below are key references to the GEN stories, media, and other items discussed in this episode of Touching Base:
Gene Therapy for Hereditary Angioedema Shows Success in Patients · GEN, February 5, 2024
Ultragenyx’s Gene Therapy Ameliorates Pediatric Neurodegenerative Disorder · By Jonathan Grinstein, GEN Edge, February 7, 2024
CRISPR-Repaired T Cells May Treat Fatal Inflammatory Diseases · GEN, February 5, 2024
NanoString Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Launches Strategic Review · By Alex Philippidis, GEN, February 5, 2024
Novo Holdings Buys Catalent for $16.5B; Sells Three Sites to Novo Nordisk for $11B · By Alex Philippidis, GEN, February 5, 2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Genome Interpretation, Nanoparticles, Gene Therapy, 2024 IPOs; Nautilus Biotechnology | 02 févr. 2024 | 00:48:47 | |
Episode 7 (February 2, 2024): Simplify Genomics launches genome interpretation platform, COUR’s nanoparticles for autoimmunity, gene replacement therapy for heart condition, CG Oncology and ArriVent IPOs; an interview with Nautilus Biotechnology co-founders, Sujal Patel and Parag Mallick. Listed below are key references to the GEN stories, media and other items discussed in this episode of Touching Base: Human Longevity Spin-Out Aims to Tap into Variant Interpretation Market By Uduak Thomas, GEN, January 31st, 2024 Light My Fire: COUR Raises $105M Series A to Advance Tolerogenic Nanoparticles for Autoimmunity By Jonathan Grinstein, GEN Edge, January 30th, 2024
Gene Replacement Therapy Halts Fatal Arrhythmogenic Condition in Mice GEN, January 30th, 2024
StockWatch: IPO Revival? CG Oncology, ArriVent Raise a Combined $555M By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, January 28th, 2024
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