Base to Base Biotech

Jim Cornall
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The Base to Base Biotech podcast is a weekly look at what's happening in the world of biotech, with interviews with biotech leaders around the world. Whether it's a new drug, cutting-edge technology, product launches, new technology, major finding announcement or clinical trial results, Base to Base Biotech keeps you informed. The podcast is hosted by former biotech editor and broadcaster, the award-winning media veteran Jim Cornall. Base to Base is an Ayr Coastal Media Ltd production.

  1. Base to Base biotech podcast 45: Chronic pain, urology, Affibody molecules and radioligand therapy

    6 DAYS AGO

    Base to Base biotech podcast 45: Chronic pain, urology, Affibody molecules and radioligand therapy

    This week, we chat with Affibody CEO David Bejker, and Martin Gleave, founder and chief medical officer at Sustained Therapeutics. Times: 03:47 Affibody 23:28 Sustained Therapeutics Sustained Therapeutics A spin-out from the University of British Columbia in Canada, Sustained Therapeutics utilises a proprietary polymer gel technology to develop locally injected, long-acting medications. The platform is designed to release active pharmaceutical ingredients in a controlled manner over several weeks, aiming to replace traditional oral delivery or frequent injections. While the primary focus is on managing acute and chronic pain without the use of opioids, the company is also exploring applications for the technology in inflammatory diseases and urology. The core of the company’s pipeline involves a non-addictive, sustained-release formulation that targets the site of pain directly. By providing localized treatment, the technology seeks to minimize systemic side effects and reduce the patient's reliance on addictive substances. Beyond pain management, the firm is adapting its delivery system for oncological use, specifically targeting upper tract urothelial carcinoma, where localized, prolonged drug exposure is clinically advantageous. In January 2026, the company reported positive data from its phase II clinical trial for a long-acting non-opioid medication designed for chronic pain. The results indicated that the sustained-release mechanism effectively extended pain relief while maintaining a favourable safety profile. These findings support the continued expansion of their clinical program into other chronic pain indications, including pelvic and scrotal pain, which are slated for further study throughout the year. Affibody Affibody, a Swedish clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm, is developing a new class of small proteins known as Affibody molecules. These engineered proteins are significantly smaller than traditional monoclonal antibodies—roughly one-tenth the size—which allows for better tissue penetration and flexible formatting for multi-specific treatments. The company’s research spans two main pillars: immunology and radiopharmaceuticals, leveraging its library of more than 10bn unique protein sequences to identify highly specific binders for various disease targets. Recent activity has centred on a significant financial and clinical milestone. In late January 2026, the company launched a $29m rights issue, fully guaranteed by its lead shareholder, to fund its expanding radiopharmaceutical pipeline. This capital injection follows successful early-stage data for its RLT candidate, ABY-271; a Trial Review Committee recently recommended advancing the candidate to the second part of a phase I study in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer after initial patient cohorts showed promising safety and biodistribution. To get in touch with guest suggestions, or to sponsor or advertise on the podcast, please email jim@deeptechdigest.com

    45 min
  2. Base to Base biotech podcast 44: Treating breast cancer and how a CDMO and immun0-oncology company collaborate

    30 JAN

    Base to Base biotech podcast 44: Treating breast cancer and how a CDMO and immun0-oncology company collaborate

    This week, we chat with Pan Cancer T CEO Dr. Rachel Abbott, about – among other things – triple-negative breast cancer. We also have a conversation with Erik Manting, CEO of immunotherapy company Mendus, and Janet Hoogstraate, CEO of the CDMO helping them, North X Biologics. Times: 03:56 Pan Cancer T 20:23 Mendus/NorthX Biologics Mendus Mendus is a Swedish–Dutch immuno-oncology company developing cell-based therapies aimed at stopping cancers from coming back rather than treating only the initial tumour. Its lead product, vididencel, is an off‑the‑shelf dendritic cell vaccine being developed as a post‑remission therapy for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and more recently chronic myeloid leukaemia, who remain at high risk of relapse after standard treatment. Mendus’ pipeline explores how active immunotherapies could extend treatment‑free survival in different myeloid malignancies. In 2025, Mendus refined its strategy for vididencel on the back of positive data from a phase 2a trial in high‑risk AML, where long‑term follow‑up has shown durable remissions and an encouraging safety profile. Vididencel is also being studied in a phase 2b trial in combination with oral azacitidine, aimed at broadening its use beyond patients with measurable residual disease. NorthX Biologics North X Biologics is a contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) and national innovation hub for complex biologics in Sweden. The company provides GMP‑grade development and manufacturing services for plasmid DNA, recombinant proteins, viral vectors, and cell & gene therapies from its facilities in Matfors and on the Karolinska University Hospital campus in Stockholm. Its goal is to give emerging biotechs and academic groups access to infrastructure and regulatory expertise that would be hard to build alone. NorthX has expanded into cell therapy manufacturing, adding capabilities for multiple cell types, including pluripotent stem cells. The organisation aims to strengthen Sweden’s role as a European centre for advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs). NorthX has collaborated with Mendus since 2023. In late 2025, they announced successful GMP manufacturing certification for vididencel at NorthX’s facilities, which supports Mendus’ upcoming late‑stage clinical trials and eventual commercial supply. Pan Cancer T Pan Cancer T brings a different angle to cancer immunotherapy, focusing on engineered T cell receptor (TCR‑T) therapies for hard‑to‑treat solid tumours. Based in Rotterdam and spun out from Erasmus MC in 2020, the company is building a pipeline around tumour‑specific antigens that are consistently and strongly expressed across multiple cancers. Its lead programme, PCT1:CO‑STIM, is being developed for women with triple‑negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease with limited treatment options and poor survival once it has spread. By focusing on shared antigens across different tumour types, Pan Cancer T aims to develop treatments that could, in time, be applied beyond breast cancer to other solid tumours including melanoma and cancers of the skin, colorectum, stomach, oesophagus, ovary and uterus. In December 2025, the company announced €10m financing to move PCT1:CO‑STIM into its first‑in‑human clinical trial in the Netherlands. To get in touch with guest suggestions, or to advertise on the podcast, contactjim@deeptechdigest.com

    47 min
  3. Base to Base biotech podcast 43: Natural killer cell therapy and attacking tumours

    23 JAN

    Base to Base biotech podcast 43: Natural killer cell therapy and attacking tumours

    This week, we have a conversation with Lisa Guerrettaz, executive director, Pharmacology and Translational Science at Artiva Biotherapeutics; and Avacta Therapeutics’ CEO Christina Coughlin. Times: 04:12 Artiva Biotherapeutics 21:30 Avacta Therapeutics Artiva Biotherapeutics Artiva Biotherapeutics is a clinical‑stage cell therapy company developing off‑the‑shelf (allogeneic) natural killer (NK) cell therapies for autoimmune diseases and cancer. Headquartered in San Diego and founded in 2019, the company was created as a spin‑out from GC Cell (formerly GC Lab Cell) in South Korea, alongside a strategic partnership granting Artiva exclusive rights (outside Asia, Australia and New Zealand) to GC Cell’s NK manufacturing technology and associated programmes.​ Artiva’s lead programme is AlloNK, a non‑genetically modified, cryopreserved NK cell therapy designed to enhance antibody‑dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) when paired with monoclonal antibodies. The company positions this approach to achieve deep B‑cell depletion in outpatient settings without the complexity and cost associated with bespoke autologous cell therapies.​ In terms of clinical activity, AlloNK is being evaluated across three ongoing trials in B‑cell‑driven autoimmune diseases, including company‑sponsored and investigator‑initiated basket studies covering indications such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus nephritis and Sjögren’s disease. Artiva has treated more than 100 patients with AlloNK across oncology and autoimmune disease and is planning FDA interactions in the first half of 2026 aimed at enabling a pivotal trial pathway in rheumatoid arthritis. Avacta Therapeutics Avacta is a life sciences company best known for its Affimer platform—engineered binding proteins positioned as an alternative to antibodies for use in diagnostics, reagents and therapeutics. ​ The company’s activities span both life science reagents/diagnostics and oncology therapeutics, with the latter centred on its pre|CISION technology, which is designed to activate drugs selectively in the tumour microenvironment. ​ In therapeutics, Avacta’s most advanced programme is faridoxorubicin (AVA6000), which uses a fibroblast activation protein (FAP)‑targeted mechanism intended to release an active form of doxorubicin preferentially at tumour sites. The programme has moved into phase 1b expansion cohorts to assess efficacy in more homogeneous patient populations and help guide expectations for later‑stage studies.​ Earlier this month, the company announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for its FAP-Exd programme, the first pre|CISION peptide drug conjugate based on the highly potent topoisomerase I inhibitor, exatecan. To get in touch with guest suggestions, or to sponsor or advertise on the podcast, please email jim@deeptechdigest.com

    50 min
  4. Base to Base biotech podcast 42: Treating blood cancers, Scottish Brain Sciences and One BioHub Aberdeen, and is speech the new blood?

    16 JAN

    Base to Base biotech podcast 42: Treating blood cancers, Scottish Brain Sciences and One BioHub Aberdeen, and is speech the new blood?

    This week, three interviews, and five guests. We have conversations with Ulrik Tirsted Zeuthen, CEO, and Katarina Cantell, founder/CSO of Adalyon; Nisit Khandelwal, co-founder/CEO, Cycuria Therapeutics; and Craig Ritchie, founder/CEO of Scottish Brain Sciences and Deborah O’Neil, CEO/CSO of NovaBiotics as well as chair of the Life Sciences board of Opportunity Northeast, which runs ONE BioHub, and BioAberdeen. Times: 02:38 Adalyon 32:44 Cycuria Therapeutics 53:43 Scottish Brain Sciences/One BioHub Cycuria Therapeutics Cycuria Therapeutics is a preclinical oncology company based in Graz, Austria, which is developing first‑in‑class protein therapeutics for hard‑to‑treat blood cancers. Its lead programme, CUR‑101, is designed to target both acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) tumour cells and the tumour stem cells thought to drive relapse, while sparing healthy blood formation. The company combines cytokine biology with protein engineering to deliver durable efficacy alongside a better safety profile in preclinical models. Cycuria recently announced significant public grant funding to support the translation of CUR‑101 and follow‑on assets into the clinic. Scottish Brain Sciences Scottish Brain Sciences runs brain health research centres that specialise in clinical trials for early detection and treatment of neurodegenerative disease, with a particular focus on Alzheimer’s. Scottish Brain Sciences is building one of the world’s largest biobanks of genetic, blood and imaging data in neurodegenerative conditions. It has helped more than 100 people with Alzheimer’s enrol into drug trials, and is leading the IONA longitudinal cohort study to characterise very early disease changes and prevent progression to dementia. The company recently opened a new office at ONE BioHub in Aberdeen. One BioHub ONE BioHub is a £40m life sciences innovation hub on Aberdeen’s Foresterhill Health Campus, created for high‑growth life science ventures in the north‑east of Scotland. The facility brings together start‑ups, spin‑outs and scaling companies with flexible labs, offices and grow‑on space, alongside commercialisation and skills programmes. Led and co‑funded by Opportunity North East with support from the UK and Scottish governments, Scottish Enterprise and regional partners, ONE BioHub can accommodate up to 400 bio‑entrepreneurs. The aim is to accelerate research from the University of Aberdeen, Robert Gordon University and NHS Grampian into market‑ready solutions, diversifying the regional economy and creating life sciences jobs. Adalyon Adalyon develops AI‑driven speech biomarkers to serve as digital endpoints in clinical trials, helping sponsors detect treatment response earlier and manage patient engagement. Its platform analyses natural speech from voice journalling or guided conversations to extract behavioural, emotional and paralinguistic features relevant to psychiatric and neurological conditions. The company combines AI engineering, clinical research operations and behavioural science to build tools that align with regulatory expectations for digital endpoints. Its technology is designed to automate aspects of psychometric assessment, flag dropout risk and shorten trial timelines by enabling earlier, objective insight into how patients are responding to therapy. To get in touch, please email jim@deeptechdigest.com

    1h 16m
  5. Base to Base biotech podcast 41: Eyes, mitochondria and a growing hub

    9 JAN

    Base to Base biotech podcast 41: Eyes, mitochondria and a growing hub

    This week, we’re talking about eye treatments with Oculis CEO, Riad Sherif, we have a conversation about mitochondria, with the CEO of Vandria, Klaus Dugi, and there’s also a short discussion about GoCo Health Innovation City in Gothenburg, Sweden, with Moa Dicksdotter, Partnership and Ecosystem. Times: 02:35 Vandria 20:03 GoCo Health Innovation City 25:54 Oculis Looking to the eyes Oculis is a Swiss ophthalmology company developing topical and biologic treatments for retinal disease and neuro‑ophthalmic conditions. Its pipeline spans diabetic macular oedema, dry eye disease, and optic neuropathies, with a focus on non‑invasive delivery formats that can replace or reduce the need for injections. The company’s lead asset, OCS‑01, is in late‑stage development as a topical alternative for diabetic macular oedema. In December, the U.S. FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to Oculis’ neuroprotective candidate, Privosegtor (OCS‑05), for optic neuritis. The decision followed phase 2 data showing clinically meaningful improvements in low‑contrast visual acuity. The designation allows for closer FDA interaction as the programme moves toward registrational studies. Oculis is now preparing for multiple clinical milestones across 2026, including pivotal readouts for OCS‑01. The company continues to position itself around differentiated delivery technologies in ophthalmology, with programmes spanning both front‑ and back‑of‑the‑eye disorders. Mitochondrial therapeutics Vandria is a Lausanne‑based biotech developing small‑molecule mitophagy activators aimed at restoring mitochondrial quality control in age‑related and chronic diseases. Its approach centres on orally available compounds designed to improve cellular resilience in neurological and muscular disorders. The company’s lead programme, VNA‑318, is being advanced for neurodegenerative indications. In November 2025, Vandria released phase 1 results for VNA‑318, reporting that the study met its safety and pharmacokinetic objectives and showed biomarker evidence of target engagement. The data support progression into phase 2 development for Alzheimer’s disease, with trial planning now under way. The company is also preparing for its next financing round to support clinical expansion and further development of its mitochondrial therapeutics platform. GoCo Health Innovation City GoCo Health Innovation City is a life‑science district in Mölndal, south of Gothenburg, Sweden, designed as a mixed ecosystem for research, industry, and healthcare organisations. The campus brings together established companies, scale‑ups, and academic groups across health, biotech, and medtech, with a focus on co‑located labs, offices, and community‑driven programmes. Recently, the site marked a major milestone with the opening of Mölnlycke Health Care’s new global headquarters on the campus. The inauguration brought renewed attention to GoCo’s role as a strategic hub for Swedish life‑science activity and its ability to attract multinational tenants. The district is continuing to expand its research infrastructure. Thermo Fisher Scientific is establishing a new bioanalytical laboratory on the campus, scheduled to open in late 2025. The facility will support pharmaceutical and biotech clients with GLP‑compliant services and is expected to add significant analytical capacity to the region. To get in touch with guest suggestions, or to sponsor or advertise on the podcast, please email jim@deeptechdigest.com

    54 min
  6. Base to Base biotech podcast 40: Anchored immunotherapy, and healing the skin

    19/12/2025

    Base to Base biotech podcast 40: Anchored immunotherapy, and healing the skin

    This week, we’re talking about skin and wounds, with Ned Swanson, president and chief medical officer at PolarityBio, and Nikolai Sopko, chief operating officer, chief scientific officer and director at PolarityBio; and we discuss anchored immunotherapy with Howard Kaufman, CEO of Ankyra Therapeutics. 04:03 Ankyra Therapeutics 34:31 PolarityBio Anchored immunotherapies Ankyra Therapeutics, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, develops anchored immunotherapies that tether cytokines at the injection site to stimulate local immune responses while limiting systemic toxicity. The company’s technology is designed to unlock cytokines that have historically been limited by safety concerns. Its lead programme, ANK‑101 (tolododekin alfa), is an anchored IL‑12 construct. Early trials have demonstrated safety and local immune activation, and the company is now testing the drug in combination with checkpoint inhibitors for non‑small cell lung cancer. The platform is modular, allowing other immune payloads to be developed using the same anchoring chemistry. Ankyra recently began dosing patients in its phase 1b LANTERN trial, combining ANK‑101 with PD‑1/PD‑L1 inhibitors in non‑small cell lung cancer. The science of skin Utah-headquartered PolarityBio focuses on regenerative skin therapies for chronic wounds. Its flagship product, SkinTE, is an autologous heterogeneous skin construct designed to restore functional skin architecture in Wagner Grade 1 diabetic foot ulcers. The company’s development strategy centres on pivotal trials to demonstrate healing rates, durability, and safety, with regulatory and reimbursement pathways treated as critical for adoption. SkinTE has Breakthrough Therapy designation from the FDA. PolarityBio recently announced completion of its pivotal phase III trial, with final results expected in early 2026. To get in touch with guest suggestions, or to sponsor or advertise on the podcast, please email jim@deeptechdigest.com

    1h 10m
  7. Base to Base biotech podcast 39: Gene therapy for eye problems, GAIA, and separation science

    12/12/2025

    Base to Base biotech podcast 39: Gene therapy for eye problems, GAIA, and separation science

    This week, we have conversations with Jakob Andersson, vice president of engineering at Anaphora and founder and chairman of GAIA; Coave Therapeutics’ CEO Rodolphe Clerval; and MOBILion Systems’ CEO, Melissa Sherman. Times: 03:13 Coave Therapeutics 24:43 GAIA Conference 36:55 MOBILion Systems Genetic medicine for ophthalmology Coave Therapeutics is a Paris‑based biotechnology company focused on developing genetic medicines using its ALIGATER platform. The company has pioneered ligand‑conjugated AAV vectors, enabling precision capsids that are highly tissue‑specific, safer, and more effective. In October 2025, Coave presented data at the European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy Congress in Seville, demonstrating the superiority of its lead suprachoroidal capsid, coAAV‑SCS‑01. The vector showed up to 26‑fold improved performance in targeting retinal cells compared to other capsids. This work supports the company’s focus on treatments for retinal vascular diseases. Coave also recently announced the nomination of its lead gene therapy programme, CoTx‑101, for conditions such as wet age‑related macular degeneration and diabetic macular oedema. Delivered via an in‑office suprachoroidal procedure, CoTx‑101 aims to provide durable vision gains. Artificial intelligence and the GAIA Conference Jakob Andersson is the vice president of engineering at Swedish company Anaphora, a company active in artificial intelligence and complex systems. He is also the founder and chairman of the Gothenburg Artificial Intelligence Alliance (GAIA), a non‑profit association established in 2018 to promote interest in AI, machine learning, and data science in the Gothenburg region. GAIA hosts the annual GAIA Conference, which has become a recognised event for researchers, developers, and industry leaders to share advances in artificial intelligence. At the 2025 GAIA Conference, Andersson delivered the opening remarks, outlining the state of AI and expectations for the future. The conference continues to attract international participation, with sessions ranging from lightning talks to open discussions shaped by attendees. Separation science MOBILion Systems is a US‑based company specialising in separation science and advanced proteomics technologies. Its proprietary platforms, including MOBIE and BILLIE, are designed to improve ion mobility and mass spectrometry workflows, enabling deeper proteome coverage and faster analysis. The company has gained recognition for its innovations in parallel accumulation mobility aligned fragmentation (PAMAF), a technique that enhances sensitivity and throughput in proteomics and multi‑omics research. In November 2025, MOBILion presented transformative advances in proteomics at the HUPO World Congress in Toronto. Its CTO, Daniel DeBord, highlighted how PAMAF technology delivers near‑complete ion utilisation, improving analysis of post‑translational modifications and proteoforms. To get in touch with guest suggestions, or to sponsor or advertise on the podcast, please email jim@deeptechdigest.com

    1h 6m
  8. Base to Base biotech podcast 38: Obesity, life sciences in the Netherlands, and killing cancer cells

    05/12/2025

    Base to Base biotech podcast 38: Obesity, life sciences in the Netherlands, and killing cancer cells

    This week, we have conversations with Sjanna Bosma, international relations officer at Health Holland; Mark Bagnall, CEO of Phenomix; and PDS Biotechnology CEO Frank Bedu-Addo. 04:17 Phenomix 32:53 Health Holland 44:02 PDS Biotechnology Phenomix takes on obesity Phenomix Sciences is a biotechnology company focused on precision obesity medicine. The firm has developed the MyPhenome test, a saliva‑based assay that uses machine‑learning algorithms and genetic risk scores to classify obesity phenotypes and predict treatment outcomes. The company positions itself as the first commercial precision obesity medicine biotech, aiming to improve patient stratification and guide therapeutic decisions for obesity management. Its work is closely tied to the Mayo Clinic, where co‑founder Andres Acosta has led much of the underlying research. Recent studies have expanded the evidence base for MyPhenome, particularly in relation to GLP‑1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide and liraglutide. At Obesity Week 2025, Phenomix presented data showing the test’s ability to predict weight‑loss response across diverse patient populations, including those who had undergone bariatric surgery. PDS Biotechnology harnesses immune system to kill cancer cells PDS Biotechnology is a late‑stage immunotherapy company in New Jersey. It develops novel treatments that harness the immune system to target and kill cancer cells, with its lead candidate PDS0101 designed for HPV16‑positive cancers. The company’s pipeline is based on its Versamune platform, which is intended to activate both CD4+ helper and CD8+ killer T cells to generate durable anti‑tumour responses. PDS Biotech has advanced multiple clinical programmes, with head and neck cancer as a primary focus. PDS0101 could become a new immunotherapy option for patients with HPV‑related cancers, addressing a significant unmet medical need. The Netherlands life sciences industry The Dutch life sciences industry was represented at the Nordic Life Science Days in Gothenburg. Health Holland, the public‑private partnership that promotes the Dutch life sciences and health sector, coordinated the Dutch Lounge at the event. This brought together biotech, medtech, and contract research organizations from the Netherlands, highlighting the country’s strengths in innovation, collaboration, and international partnerships. The Netherlands has established itself as a hub for advanced therapies, biopharma, and medical technologies. At NLS Days, more than 30 Dutch companies emphasised their expertise in areas such as cell and gene therapy, diagnostics, and digital health. The event provided opportunities to showcase collaborations with Scandinavian partners and explore new avenues into the Nordic market. The Netherlands continues to develop international cooperation and attract investment into the life sciences sector and continues to position itself as a leading European life sciences hub, leveraging events like NLS Days to build visibility and connect with key stakeholders across the region. To get in touch with guest suggestions, or to sponsor or advertise on the podcast, please email jim@deeptechdigest.com

    1h 19m
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About

The Base to Base Biotech podcast is a weekly look at what's happening in the world of biotech, with interviews with biotech leaders around the world. Whether it's a new drug, cutting-edge technology, product launches, new technology, major finding announcement or clinical trial results, Base to Base Biotech keeps you informed. The podcast is hosted by former biotech editor and broadcaster, the award-winning media veteran Jim Cornall. Base to Base is an Ayr Coastal Media Ltd production.

Information

  • Creator
    Jim Cornall
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ayr Coastal Media Ltd 2025
  • Show Website
    Base to Base Biotech