Beyond Biotech - the podcast from Labiotech

Labiotech
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Welcome to the official Labiotech.eu podcast - Beyond Biotech! Each week, we talk about what's happening in the world of biotech, with news and interviews with experts from companies around the world. Join us as we cover the latest news, breakthroughs and innovations shaping the life sciences industry.A new podcast episode is available every Friday. The host is Dylan Kissane.

  1. 2D AGO

    Next‑generation UTI diagnostics: delivering results in just 35 minutes

    Urinary Tract infections, or UTIs, affect millions worldwide, driving sepsis, antibiotic overuse, and microbial resistance. Current diagnostics rely on either slow lab cultures or unreliable dipsticks, and often lead to delayed or unnecessary treatment. Llusern’s Lodestar DX changes that: a point-of-care test that detects 96% of key UTI pathogens in just 35 minutes, no lab required. In this episode I’m joined by Emma Hayhurst who shares her journey into diagnostics, Llusern’s mission, and the emergence of Wales as a biotech hub with a growing life sciences sector fueling local innovation. We discuss UTI prevalence, diagnostic gaps, and how rapid, accurate testing can transform patient care and antimicrobial stewardship.  02:14               Meet Emma Hayhurst 04:37               Introducing Llusern Scientific 07:21               Collaboration between Llusern and the academy 08:50               The life science ecosystem in Wales 12:10               Urinary tract infections (UTIs) 15:45               UTI patient demographics 16:54               Health impacts of UTIs: sepsis, antibiotic resistance, and more 19:01               Existing UTI diagnostic options and their shortcomings 24:41               Llusern’s Lodestar DX 29:03               A point-of-care test, not a lab test 31:44               Applications beyond UTIs 36:03               Looking forward at Llusern Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here!  Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter To dive deeper into the topic:  Life sciences in Wales: biotechs in the scene in 2025Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance with Fast Molecular DiagnosticsUltra-Fast Diagnostics Could Transform Sexual Health

    39 min

  2. OCT 31

    How AI Is revolutionizing synthetic biology and biomanufacturing

    Today, I’m joined by Héctor García Martín, a Staff Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. A pioneer in metabolic engineering and computational biology, Héctor has spent over a decade decoding microbial systems, everything from termite guts to genome-scale flux models, to unlock sustainable biomanufacturing. Now, he’s leading the charge in self-driving labs: AI-powered, robotic systems that automate experiments, predict biological behavior, and accelerate the design of microbes that produce fuels, medicines, and materials. In this episode, we’ll dive into why biology has traditionally proven so hard to engineer, how AI and robotics are changing that, and where this revolution is headed next. I hope you enjoy my discussion with Hector Garcia Martin. 01:12              Meet Hector Garcia Martin 12:47              Introduction to the Berkeley National Laboratory 14:42              Challenges in synthetic biology 17:21              How unpredictability complicates biomanufacturing 19:30              Self-driving labs at the nexus of AI, robotics, and biomanufacturing 22:23               How is AI integrated into optimize enzyme expression 28:01               Where is the market for self-driving labs? 28:47               The future of synthetic biology 32:24               The most exciting trends in AI-driven biomanufacturing 34:10               The expected impacts of self-driving labs on everyday life 35:28               Advice for aspiring scientists Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here!  Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter To dive deeper into the topic:  Synthetic Biology @ LabiotechEuropean biotech: trends to watch in 2025The coming of age of European synthetic biology

    38 min

  3. OCT 24

    Pichia pastoris: the microbial protein expression platform you’re probably underestimating

    Today we’re diving into the world of expression systems with Iskandar Dib, of Validogen and we’ll explore the remarkable potential of Pichia pastoris, a methylotrophic yeast that’s revolutionizing pharmaceutical protein production and beyond.  From industrial enzymes to biomaterials, food, feed, and diagnostics, Pichia offers a reliable, scalable, and cost-efficient platform for recombinant protein expression.  Iskandar explains how biotechs can unlock Pichia’s full potential through Validogen’s sophisticated tools and strategies, fine-tuning protein expression with innovative genetic approaches and robust screening systems to deliver unmatched yields and quality.  01:06               Why Pichia is often overlooked or underestimated 03:29               The basics of Pichia pastoris 05:25               How Pichia compares to microbial hosts like E.coli 08:14               Key advantages over mammalian cell systems 10:21               Pichia as a system for secreted production 11:30               Pichia and post-translational modifications 14:30               The challenges of working with Pichia 16:25               Strain optimization and genetic engineering 17:29               Meet Iskandar Dib and Validogen 19:03               The UNLOCK PICHIA platform 24:00               Real-world applications of Pichia pastoris in biopharma 27:19               When Pichia outperforms expectations 28:25               Adapting Pichia for emerging fields 30:23               Advice for those considering Pichia pastoris for protein expression 33:23               Learn more about Validogen This episode is sponsored by Validogen. Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here!  Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter To dive deeper into the topic:  Pichia case studiesUnlocking Pichia for industry

    36 min

  4. OCT 17

    Biotech royalty deals on the rise and here to stay

    In today's episode, we welcome Clarke Futch, Chairman and CEO of HealthCare Royalty Partners, or HCRx. HCRx are pioneers in royalty-based financing, with a thirty year track record in biopharma investing. Clarke has led more than 60 royalty acquisitions totaling nearly $4 billion and raised over $8 billion across various vehicles, executing more than 165 transactions that have fueled breakthroughs in life sciences. In this interview we examine the evolution of alternative funding models, the transformative impact of alternative funding models on biotech innovation, partnerships, and M&A, and take a macro view on the financial health of the industry amid economic shifts.  02:10               Meet Clarke Futch 07:58               HCRx and its mission 18:55               Differences between a royalty firm and a venture firm 21:34               Alternative funding models in biotech 24:49               Are VCs pulling back? Are alternatives rising? 30:20               How royalty financing impacts partnerships and M&A 33:02               Do alternative financing models risk stifling innovation? 36:33               A macro look at the health of the biotech sector 41:33               What areas of biotech are underfunded right now? 46:22               Looking forward: the 6-12 months ahead? 48:10               Advice for founders navigating financial uncertainty Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here!  Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter To dive deeper into the topic:  Moving with the times: biopharma royalty deals on the riseThe ABC of biotech startup funding2025 biotech deals tracker

    51 min

  5. OCT 10

    Contraline's ADAM in the clinic: towards a new era of male contraception?

    When it comes to contraception, most of the innovation in the last century has focused on providing contraceptive alternatives for women. The contraceptive pill was approved by the FDA in 1960, the first IUD approved in 1968, and the female condom in 1993. For men, however, there has been little advancement since the invention of the rubber condom in 1855 and the first vasectomies in humans around the turn of the 20th century. Contraline is a biotechnology company that is aiming to change that record. They are currently heading into Phase II trials with a therapy that they claim is reliable, long lasting, easy to use, and reversible. This week, I talk with Kevin Eisenfrats, CEO of Contraline, about the challenges of bringing a new contraceptive to market, how to manage clinical trials on multiple continents, and what the world might look like if the contraceptive burden passes from women to men. 01:21                      Kevin Eisenfrats and Contraline 07:28                      Contraline’s ADAM 09:09                      How ADAM works 11:39                      Reversibility is a differentiator for ADAM 14:01                      Hormonal gels and contraception 17:14                      The phase I trial in Australia 21:47                      The implantation process 25:07                      Moving into phase II 27:04                      The male contraception market 29:30                      Fundraising for male contraception 33:06                      The gendered burden of contraception 34:54                      The future of male contraception 36:49                      The cultural and social impact of male contraception Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here!  Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter To dive deeper into the topic:  MedinCell Granted €17M to Develop Cheap Long-Acting ContraceptionInpart Connect: Reversible Male ContraceptiveInpart Connect: Cyclic Peptides as Non-hormonal Male Contraceptive Agents and Methods of Use ThereofInpart Connect: Noninvasive Laser Vasectomy

    41 min

  6. OCT 3

    Raising money in uncertain times: how Splice Bio secured $135 million for its gene therapy play

    Raising money in the gene therapy space can be tough right now but, for the right company and with the right team, there is still cash to be found. But how do you connect with investors, how do you get your science in front of the right people, and how do you move from ‘I’m interested’ to ‘I’m signing on the dotted line’? This week I talk with Gerard Caelles, Chief Business Office of Splice Bio, a company that just closed a $135 million series B fundraising round. I quiz him on the practical steps that biotechs need to take to move from a series A to a series B, the key members of the team that pulled the deal together, how to keep existing investors engaged while bringing new money on-board, and how it feels when it is all done.  01:14               Meet Gerard Caelles 04:34               The Splice Bio platform 12:34               Raising $135 million in uncertain times 15:31               Laying the groundwork for a series B 18:15               Building a fundraising team 20:45               Identifying and approaching new investors 22:38               Fundraising challenges in 2025 26:37               Refining the strategy and pitch 29:00               Choosing lead investors  31:59               Keeping existing investors on board 34:12               A look behind the scenes  37:52               What’s next for Splice Bio 42:10               Learn more about Splice Bio Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here!  Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter To dive deeper into the topic:  Labiotech's 2025 Biotech Funding TrackerThe ABC of biotech startup fundingBudget blues: where are cell and gene therapies heading?

    45 min

  7. SEP 26

    What’s next in immunology & inflammation R&D: The trends to watch

    Immunology and inflammation are hot topics in biotech and biopharma, and innovations are emerging that can change the game for patients suffering from autoimmune, gastrointestinal, and metabolic disease. For top pharma companies, identifying these innovations early is essential and, for university labs, spinouts and startups, getting their science in front of the right industry partners is key. So how does science meet industry, and how can top pharma and venture investors find the next blockbuster? This week I sat down with Joseph Ferner of Inpart, the author of a new R&D Trends Report on Immunology and Inflammation. He explained the shape of the research landscape, the areas that are generating the most interest amongst industry and investors, and the ways in which digital platforms are helping innovative scientists connect with those who have the experience and finance to bring their technologies and therapies to market. Download the Immunology & Inflammation R&D Trends ReportCreate a free Inpart Connect accountSpeak with the Inpart team02:18               The 2025 Immunology and Inflammation R&D Trends Report 08:30               Priorities and challenges in immunology and inflammation research 10:18               The impact of immune system complexity on drug development 13:12               The challenge of clinical heterogeneity 15:33               The role of organoids in immunology and inflammation R&D 17:10               Comparing organoid models to animal models 19:51               The R&D landscape in 2025 22:40               Popular modalities in immunology and inflammation research 24:45               The top innovations in the 2025 R&D Trends Report 28:56               How to score and rank innovations in a rapidly evolving market 33:22               Engagement trends between researchers and industry partners 37:09               Why companies decline to engage with academic researchers 43:36               The Inpart Connect platform and how it works 48:49               Looking forward to the next R&D Trends Report Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here!  Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter To dive deeper into the topic:  Why is the immunology and inflammation market suddenly attracting a wave of investment?

    51 min

  8. SEP 19

    BIOSPAIN 2025: Why 1000 companies from more than 40 countries will gather in Barcelona this year

    Partnering conferences are where many deals in the biotech industry get made. With investors and top pharma companies on hand to meet with founders, learn about new science, and put money on the table for promising biotech, it’s little wonder that the biggest partnering events attract hundreds of innovators and thousands of attendees. One of the largest industry partnering events in Europe is BIOSPAIN. This year BIOSPAIN will take place in Barcelona, and the Catalan city will welcome participants from more than 40 countries for three days of exhibitions, partnering meetings, and presentations from industry leaders. Labiotech will be on the ground reporting from BIOSPAIN this year, and so we sat down with Stewart Medina fromBIOSPAIN to find out exactly what’s in store. Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here!  Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter To dive deeper into the topic:  Catalonia: A biotech hub going from strength to strength, with Barcelona at its core10 biotech companies you should know about in Spain20 years of BIOSPAIN – The evolution of an international biotech event

    45 min
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About

Welcome to the official Labiotech.eu podcast - Beyond Biotech! Each week, we talk about what's happening in the world of biotech, with news and interviews with experts from companies around the world. Join us as we cover the latest news, breakthroughs and innovations shaping the life sciences industry.A new podcast episode is available every Friday. The host is Dylan Kissane.

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