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. 4d ago

    Turning cancer cell dependencies into targeted therapies

    Today I’m delighted to welcome Andy Parker, CEO of Step Pharma. With over 25 years of experience across AstraZeneca, Shire, Zealand Pharma, and venture capital, Andy has led Step Pharma since 2019. The company is pioneering a targeted approach to cancer and blood disorders by inhibiting the enzyme CTPS1. Their lead candidate, dencatistat, blocks this pathway that certain cancer cells and activated immune cells rely on, while sparing healthy cells that use the related CTPS2 enzyme. In this episode, we’ll dive into the science behind this mechanism, explore Step Pharma’s expanding pipeline from lymphomas and solid tumours to essential thrombocythaemia, and discuss their recent €38 million Series C financing. We’ll also look ahead to the future of precision oncology. 01:17 Meet Andy Parker06:12 The biotech ecosystem around Geneva07:51 The CTPS1 enzyme and why cancer cells depend on it14:08 Pipeline-in-a-product strategy across three indications20:14 The series C: €38 million raise25:41 Partnering with big pharma: possibilities and limits28:11 The future of precision oncology and metabolic targetingInterested 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:  Step Pharma and Concr to partner on cancer treatmentStep Pharma moves into oncology clinical trialsStep Pharma announces promising pre-clinical cancer data

    31 min

  2. Jul 3

    The first PROTAC is here. What comes next in protein degradation?

    Today I'm sitting down with Randy Teel, Ph.D., President and CEO of Arvinas, a clinical-stage biotech based in New Haven, Connecticut, that is doing something genuinely new in medicine. Arvinas is pioneering a technology called PROTAC protein degradation. It's a platform that doesn't just block disease-causing proteins, but eliminates them entirely using the body's own disposal system to do it. It's a fundamental shift in how we think about drug design, and it's now reached a historic milestone: the first PROTAC ever to succeed in a Phase 3 clinical trial, with a regulatory filing now in front of the FDA. 01:19     Meet Randy Teel 03:41     Stepping into the CEO role in February 2026 13:17     What is a PROTAC and how it works 17:37     Vepdegestrant and the first PROTAC approval 23:43     Balancing partnerships versus keeping control of assets 31:57     Key milestones to watch in the next 12–18 monthsInterested 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:  From undruggable to oral therapy: The rise of STAT6 degradersBig Pharma Strikes Megadeals In Targeted Protein DegradationThis Biotech Destroys Cancer Proteins by Introducing Them to ‘Executioner’ Proteins

    36 min

  3. Jun 26

    De-risking neurology drug development with better mouse models

    Today we welcome Brandy Wilkinson, CEO of GemPharmatech, and Rikki Feng, the company’s Neuroscience Pipeline Leader.  Our discussion focuses on a persistent challenge in drug development: neurology’s stubbornly high clinical failure rates. GemPharmatech is tackling this head-on with proprietary models for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and blood-brain barrier transport that better mirror human disease biology. We explore why mouse models matter more in neurology than in other fields, the design principles behind these next-generation tools, and how smarter preclinical partnerships can help therapeutic developers de-risk programs earlier.  00:00 Welcome Brandy Wilkinson and Rikki Feng03:17 GemPharmatech's mission06:26 Why mouse models matter in neurology11:11 Common translation gaps in neurology18:09 Designing proprietary neurological disease models25:45 Building stronger CRO strategic partnerships33:58 An optimistic future of neuroscience researchThis episode was produced with the support of GemPharmatech. 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:  Neurological diseases R&D trends and breakthrough innovationsBrain Awareness Week: could ongoing R&D spur neuroscience breakthroughs?11 neuroscience biotech companies you should know about

    41 min

  4. Jun 19

    BIO International Convention 2026: practical advice from former Evotec CEO Werner Lanthaler

    This week we preview the BIO International Convention, starting next week in San Diego. This is the key partnering event of the year where biotechs connect with pharmaceutical companies and investors in partnering meetings, all to advance and fund innovative therapies. My guest is Werner Lanthaler, Founder and CEO of WLAN Holding. Werner spent 15 years as CEO of Evotec SE, scaling the company from 200 employees and €40 million revenue to over 5,000 staff and €800 million. He previously served as CFO of Intercell AG, overseeing its IPO and vaccine launch and today he leads investments and advisory in high-tech life sciences. Werner explains why partnering events like BIO are critical to advancing science in biopharma. He shares practical advice on how biotechs can prepare before the event, succeed on site, and follow up to turn meetings into partnerships. He offers clear, actionable strategies to optimize your BIO experience. 01:36              Meet Werner Lanthaler06:48              The power of partnering08:55              Uncovering unexpected value13:43              Irreplaceable in-person trust17:06              Smart pre-event planning21:00              Strategic targeting24:02              Relationship-first meetings30:18              The importance of prompt, persistent follow-upInterested 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:  Special Episode: The 2025 BIO International ConventionThe ABC of biotech partnershipsHow to optimize your biotech company for partnering, licensing, and business success

    41 min

  5. Jun 12

    Advancing corticosteroids and hormonal therapies for supply and scale

    Today we’re diving into the world of corticosteroids and hormonal therapies — essential APIs that treat everything from asthma and autoimmune diseases to diabetes and endocrine disorders. These molecules may be decades old, but their manufacturing remains highly complex and critical to patients worldwide. Our guest is Olivier Roux, a Senior Director at Curia. He shares how Curia partners with both startups and big pharma to simplify steroid API challenges, solve supply issues, and prepare for next-generation innovations. If you want to understand what it really takes to bring these life-changing therapies to patients, stay tuned — this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. 01:39 Meet Olivier Roux02:20 What corticosteroids and hormonal therapies are04:40 Evolution of steroidal hormonal therapies05:50 Common uses of corticosteroids today07:40 Key drivers of market growth10:06 Curia’s agile outsourcing solutions for steroids16:05 Importance of particle size control for steroids17:18 Aseptic processing and high potency handlingThis episode was produced with the support of Curia. 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:  Eight rare autoimmune diseases biotechs are fighting to treatA clearer path to relief: sinusitis treatments on the wayAsthma study suggests lung scarring may be reversible

    27 min

  6. Jun 5

    Episode 200 Special: Joachim Eeckhout on building Labiotech and the future of biotech media

    Welcome to episode 200! Today I’m delighted to welcome back a very special guest: Joachim Eeckhout, the co-founder of Labiotech, co-owner of Knowbio, and founder of The Science Marketer. Joachim tells the Labiotech story, one of vision, persistence, and a deep belief that the European life-sciences sector deserved better storytelling. We go back to the very beginning with someone who was there: the frustrations, a bike tour of France that became legendary, the leap to Berlin, the fundraising rounds, the acquisition, and the launch of this very podcast. We’ll also hear where Joachim is today with his new ventures, his candid take on the current biotech media landscape in Europe, and what he sees coming next for science communication and media in our industry. 01:30: Meet Joachim Eeckhout02:19: Early attraction to media creation04:32: Founding story of Labiotech platform06:35: Bike tour visiting biotech CEOs11:21: Identifying larger European market opportunity19:55: Raising seed funding for growth24:20: Acquisition by Inpart in 202130:48: Current work with Knowbio38:57: Future plans for Knowbio and biotech mediaInterested 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:  Connecting the R&D ecosystem: 150 days into the integration of Inova, IN-PART and LabiotechWe raised our second financing round to become the largest biotech media 🚀How you can get involved in helping the industry–academia community solve global challenges

    44 min

  7. May 29

    World MS Day Special: Immunic reveals new hope for progressive MS

    Today we welcome Dr. Daniel Vitt, CEO of Immunic Therapeutics.  With World MS Day being tomorrow, the 30th of May, this is the perfect moment to focus on multiple sclerosis — a disease that affects nearly three million people worldwide and still leaves many patients searching for better options. In today’s episode Daniel shares his own journey into biotechnology, walk us through what life with MS really looks like for patients, and explain the science behind Immunic’s most advanced program, IMU-838. We discuss what makes Immunic’s oral therapy different from today’s treatments, uncover the latest data from the CALLIPER and ENSURE trials, and talk about what the future of MS care could look like. 01:22 Meet Daniel Vitt04:54 Understanding multiple sclerosis07:53 Evolution of the MS treatment landscape12:08 Immunic’s lead MS therapy explained22:57 World MS Day and what's next for ImmunicInterested 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:  11 neuroscience biotech companies you should know aboutThe emergence of BTK inhibitors in multiple sclerosis treatment: Companies close in on approvalSix biotech companies advancing multiple sclerosis therapies

    28 min

  8. May 22

    The problem at the heart of drug discovery: Lexogen & Ochre Bio on the power of AI on human data

    Today I am welcoming two guests: Quin Wills, CEO of Ochre Bio, a biotech developing RNA therapies for chronic liver disease using AI models, and Stéphane Barges, CEO of Lexogen, an RNA transcriptomics company and NGS service provider. It’s a deep dive into cutting edge transcriptomics, human-first data, and artificial intelligence. 00:55: The challenges of liver disease 04:44: How Lexogen supports NGS drug discovery 07:29: Major transcriptomics developments 10:05: Designing high quality AI data 15:47: How the Ochre-Lexogen partnership began 17:17: Why a specialist partner is essential for scale 18:21: Lexogen delivers on the massive sequencing project 21:50: Why high quality data is crucial 27:02: Lexogen's role in AI discovery 34:51: Future plans and directions This episode was produced with the support of Lexogen. 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:  Deep phenotyping brings accuracy to precision medicineSpatial Transcriptomics: A window into diseaseSpatial Transcriptomics Landscape Shifts With Two Major Acquisitions

    39 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3.3
out of 5
3 Ratings

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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