Intro

In this special panel episode recorded in Zurich, the founders of Apricot Bio, Michael Zering (CEO), Lucas Pelkmans (Scientific Founder), and Independent Professor Andreas Wicki from the University of Zurich explore the new field of functional precision oncology—an approach that goes beyond genomics to test how living cancer cells actually respond to treatment. The conversation covers the limits of genetic diagnostics, the promise of ex vivo drug testing, AI-driven decision-making, and how smarter trial design could transform cancer care. The panel also dives into Switzerland’s biotech ecosystem, venture capital realities, and what it takes to bring high-risk, high-impact science from the lab to the clinic.

00:00 – 03:30 | Introduction & Panel Setup
Recorded in Zurich, this special panel episode introduces functional precision oncology and why current diagnostic paradigms are reaching their limits.

03:30 – 12:00 | The Limits of Genomics in Cancer Care
Why genetic screening alone can’t capture tumor complexity, molecular heterogeneity, and real-world treatment response.

12:00 – 22:00 | What Is Functional Precision Oncology?
Testing patient-derived cancer cells ex vivo to understand drug response, cellular context, and therapeutic combinations.

22:00 – 32:00 | “The Google Maps of the Cell” Analogy
How contextual, real-time cellular data improves decision-making compared to static genetic snapshots.

32:00 – 43:00 | Clinical Trials Reimagined
Why traditional drug-centric trials struggle—and how diagnostic-led, patient-specific trials could change oncology research.

43:00 – 53:00 | AI, Data Science & Cellular Context
How machine learning models integrate phenotypic, spatial, and functional data to predict treatment response.

53:00 – 1:03:00 | Drug Combinations & Repurposing
Why single agents often fail—and how functional testing uncovers synergistic therapies missed by standard screens.

1:03:00 – 1:12:00 | Beyond Oncology: What Comes Next?
Potential applications in immunology, hematology, neurology, and other diseases driven by cellular dysfunction.

1:12:00 – 1:20:00 | Switzerland’s Biotech Ecosystem
Strengths, gaps, venture capital realities, and how Swiss innovation compares globally.

1:20:00 – 1:23:00 | Founder Advice, Books & Closing Thoughts
Lessons for scientist-founders, navigating tough funding environments, and recommended reading.