Flot.bio x Philip Hemme

Hot on the heels of CUTISS’ $60M Series C round, we catch up once more with CEO and co-founder Daniela Marino. We chat about the company’s mission to develop an engineered tissue therapy to reduce the need for skin grafts in patients with severe burns. She also explains the decentralization of tissue manufacturing with automation and the need for perseverance as a founder and CEO.---This episode is sponsored by CUTISS, the only TechBio company in the advanced clinical stage of developing skin tissue therapies. Learn how you can support CUTISS on its path to Series C success: https://bit.ly/flotbio-cutiss---⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERIn 2023, Daniela Marino was named as one of the 30 Rising Leaders in the healthcare industry, thanks to the impact of CUTISS, the company she co-founded as a spin-off from the University of Zurich. Here, she and her team have made waves for people suffering from severe skin injuries and defects through regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and skin pigmentation.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- CUTISS’ website – https://cutiss.swiss/- CUTISS’ Series C round – https://cutiss.swiss/cutiss-closes-chf-56m-series-c-round-and-signs-agreement-with-leading-european-burn-center/- CUTISS’ Phase II trial data – https://cutiss.swiss/phase-2-clinical-trials-update-from-cutiss/- Daniela Marino, CUTISS 🇨🇭 | Skin Tissue Therapeutics, TechBio | E33 – https://flot.bio/episode/daniela-marino-cutiss-skin-tissue-therapeutics/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/daniela-marino-cutiss-tissue-engineering/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW USNewsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 25k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS[00:00:00] Intro- [00:02:31] Investors in CUTISS’ Series C round [00:06:45] Expanding a hospital collaboration [00:08:34] Decentralized manufacturing drive [00:11:50] Tissue therapeutics vs skin grafts [00:24:35] Reimbursement and health economics [00:38:39] CUTISS’ partnering and exit options [00:47:54] Automation and artificial intelligence [00:56:32] Europe can show its strength in biotech [00:58:52] Daniela Marino answers quick-fire questions

Philip meets up with Dragan Grabulovski, CEO of the startup Araris, at Lake Zurich to chat about the company’s work with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).They talk about Araris’ huge $400M upfront buyout by Taiho Pharma of Japan, Dragan’s extensive history as a biotech entrepreneur, and Araris’ vision to replace chemotherapy with ADCs.⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERDragan Grabulovski is a co-founder of the startup Araris and became CEO in 2023. He previously worked as a biotech consultant and startup coach in Switzerland. He co-founded the biotech company Covagen in 2007, which was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 2014. Dragan has a Master’s degree and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from ETH Zurich.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- Araris’ website: https://www.ararisbiotech.com/- Taiho Pharma acquires Araris: https://www.ararisbiotech.com/docs/250316_250317-araris-taiho-pr.pdf- Robin Carr, Myricx Bio 🇬🇧 | New ADC Payloads, London Biotech Startups | E38: https://flot.bio/episode/robin-carr-myricx-bio-adc/- Dominik Schumacher, Tubulis 🇩🇪 | Founder-led ADC Biotech ⭐️ | E19: https://flot.bio/episode/dominik-schumacher-tubulis/- ETH entrepreneurship and terms: https://ethz.ch/staffnet/en/news-and-events/internal-news/archive/2025/07/new-business-creation-regulations-and-equity-and-licensing-policy.html 📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/dragan-grabulovski-araris-adc/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 25k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS- [00:00:00] Intro- [00:02:08] Araris’ acquisition by Taiho Pharma- [00:08:29] Covagen: Dragan Grabulovski’s first exit- [00:12:54] The origins of Araris and its ADC tech- [00:22:14] How to value a technology platform - [00:29:34] The burgeoning ADC market- [00:41:53] ADCs replacing chemotherapy- [00:46:15] The Swiss biotech ecosystem- [01:00:53] Quickfire questions

On a trip to Basel, Switzerland, Philip catches up with Stefano Portolano, CEO of the European firm Azafaros. They chat about Azafaros’ massive $147M Series B round in May 2025, which is being used to develop a small molecule treatment for rare diseases known as lysosomal storage disorders.Stefano also explains how rare diseases went in and out of fashion with big pharma, the revival of small molecule drugs relative to gene therapies and biologics, and his extensive experience in big biotech firms.⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERWith more than 20 years of experience in orphan diseases under his belt, Stefano Portolano joined Azafaros in 2021. He previously served as Vice President, Strategy & Commercial Operations at Celgene and Head of Europe at Ultragenyx Pharmaceuticals.Stefano first received his Doctor of Medicine from Università degli Studi di Napoli ‘Federico II,’ Italy and carried out research in autoimmunity as an adjunct assistant professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, USA.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- Azafaros website - https://www.azafaros.com/- Azafaros Series B round - https://www.azafaros.com/news/azafaros-secures-132m-in-oversubscribed-series-b-financing-to-advance-phase-3-clinical-programs-of-innovative-therapies-in-lysosomal-storage-disorders/l211c14- Joris Pezzini, Alira Health | Hottest Biotech Insights - https://flot.bio/episode/joris-pezzini-alira-health-biotech-trend/- Marc de Garidel, Abivax | How to make two Billion-dollar exits (“smoothly”) - https://flot.bio/episode/marc-de-garidel-abivax-exit/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/stefano-portolano-azafaros-rare-disease/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 20k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS- [00:00:00] Intro- [00:01:45] Azafaros’ origin and $147M B round- [00:04:39] Developing nizubaglustat- [00:11:17] Competition in Niemann-Pick disease type C- [00:18:44] The small molecule revival- [00:24:29] Keeping options open- [00:27:23] Europe’s growing role in biotech investments- [00:30:12] The rare disease fashion- [00:51:20] Getting personal with Stefano Portolano- [01:11:11] Quickfire

Alex Zhavoronkov, CEO of Insilico Medicine, discusses the game-changing role of AI in drug discovery and its potential impact on longevity. He shares insights into Insilico's impressive pipeline and the challenges faced by longevity startups. Alex emphasizes the importance of developing demonstrable benchmarks and the shift towards creating in-house assets. With a bold vision for manipulating aging, he advocates for increased investments in this field to drive innovation and breakthroughs.

We jet off to Central London to meet Robin Carr, CEO of Myricx Bio, a startup developing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to treat cancer.The team’s idea – using a novel ADC payload inhibiting molecules called N-myristoyltransferases (NMTs) – helped them to bag an impressive £90M ($114M) Series A round in 2024.Robin outlines Myricx’s journey from small molecule antivirals to the booming market of cancer ADCs, and how the transition from big pharma to biotech has been an energising experience for him.--------------------This episode is sponsored by Kadans. Learn more about Kadans’ London Innovation Centre where life sciences companies grow from start-up to global player: https://bit.ly/kadans-myricxbio--------------------⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERRobin kicked off his Myricx experience as chief development officer in November 2019, before rising to the CEO seat in August 2022. Before this, he was VP of drug discovery at Astex Therapeutics, before spending more than a decade in research executive roles at GSK. ending up as SVP Drug Design and Selection.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- Myricx Bio’s website: (https://tiltbio.com/)https://myricxbio.com/- Myrcix Bio’s Series A round: (https://tiltbio.com/userassets/uploads/2025/05/TILT-Series-B-press-release-May-2025.pdf)https://myricxbio.com/myricx-bio-announces-90m-114m-series-a-financing-to-advance-its-novel-nmti-adc-therapeutics-into-clinical-development/- A winding road – the many adventures of a promising ADC - Cancer Research UK: https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2024/07/09/a-winding-road-the-many-adventures-of-a-promising-adc/- Dominik Schumacher, Tubulis 🇩🇪 | Founder-led ADC Biotech ⭐️ | E19: https://flot.bio/episode/dominik-schumacher-tubulis/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/robin-carr-myricx-bio-adc/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 20k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS[00:00:00] Intro[00:02:43] Navigating biotech networking[00:07:30] Myricx’s Series A and transformation[00:10:45] The pivot to ADCs[00:22:10] NMT ADCs in cancer[00:32:09] The big pharma to biotech leap[00:42:39] ADCs in Europe, the US and Asia[00:46:17] ADCs are a booming market[00:52:35] Quick-fire questions

We dive into the world of cutting-edge cancer treatments with Aino Kalervo, Chief Operating Officer of TILT Biotherapeutics and occasional tennis legend in her spare time.TILT recently closed a $25M series B round, backed by leading Finnish investors, to finance the clinical development of its oncolytic virus candidate to supercharge cancer immunotherapies.We also explore the challenging space of oncolytic viruses and the untapped potential of biotech innovation in Finland.______For transparency, this episode has been sponsored by TILT.______⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERAino Kalervo is the Chief Operating Officer of TILT Biotherapeutics, responsible for fundraising and business development. She has also served as the president of TILT’s US affiliate since 2022. Prior to joining TILT, she worked for Sanofi and the French therapeutic vaccine company Theravectys.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- TILT Biotherapeutics’ website: https://tiltbio.com/- TILT’s Series B round: https://tiltbio.com/userassets/uploads/2025/05/TILT-Series-B-press-release-May-2025.pdf- Marina Udier, Nouscom 🇨🇭 | Cancer Vaccines, Neoantigens | E21 - Flot.bio: https://flot.bio/episode/marina-udier-nouscom-cancer-vaccines/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/aino-kalervo-tilt-immunotherapy/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 20k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS[00:00:00] Intro[00:01:44] Inside TILT’s $25M series B round[00:04:04] Multi-action oncolytic viruses[00:10:54] Learning from their peers[00:14:07] Phase 1 for melanoma[00:21:14] Collaborations and competitors[00:23:17] From Helsinki to global trials[00:33:03] Finland’s biotech ecosystem[00:39:00] Aino Kalervo’s personal path[00:45:43] Quickfire

Fresh after leading Calliditas Therapeutics through a $1.1B acquisition, Renee Aguiar-Lucander takes us through her new CEO role at Hansa Biopharma 🇸🇪.We learn how Hansa is commercialising Idefirix, its lead product for improving outcomes in kidney transplantation. We also cover the hot area of immunology, the behind-the-scenes story behind Calliditas’ takeover and the complex world of biotech financing.-----Launching a biotech startup? Grab your Biotech Starter Kit through Merck’s New Lab Starter Program and get the tools and support you need from day one: https://bit.ly/biotech-starter-kit----⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERRenee Aguiar-Lucander became the CEO of Hansa Biopharma in April 2025 after a seven-year tenure as CEO of Calliditas Therapeutics, which Asahi Kasei Corporation acquired in September 2024. Before her CEO roles, she also had a long career in healthcare investments with senior roles in funds including Omega Fund Management and 3i Group.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- Hansa Biopharma’s Interim Report Q1 April 2025: https://www.hansabiopharma.com/files/Main/1219/4138498/20250423-hnsa--q1-2025-quarterly-report-eng.pdf- The acquisition announcement of Calliditas Therapeutics by Asahi Kasei: https://asahi-kasei.eu/acquire-calliditas-therapeutics-ab/- Hansa Biopharma’s website: https://www.hansabiopharma.com/- Marc de Garidel, Abivax | How to make two Billion-dollar exits ("smoothly") | E09: https://flot.bio/episode/marc-de-garidel-abivax-exit/- Christophe Bourdon, LEO Pharma 🇩🇰 | Biopharma Turnaround | E31: https://flot.bio/episode/christophe-bourdon-leo-pharma-biopharma/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/renee-aguiar-lucander-hansa/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 20k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS- [00:00:00] Intro- [00:02:18] Joining Hansa Biopharma- [00:03:23] How Idefirix works- [00:06:45] Commercialization and competition- [00:15:24] Navigating biotech finances- [00:19:51] Lessons from Calliditas’ exit- [00:27:11] Sofinnova and European crossover funds- [00:41:23] Immunology is hot- [00:44:04] Financing to management- [00:47:54] Women leading biotech- [00:50:20] Quickfire

Stephane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, discusses his journey from leading a biotech startup to spearheading advancements in mRNA therapeutics. He emphasizes the crucial role of team dynamics and company culture in biotechnology success. Bancel elaborates on the cutting-edge innovations in mRNA technology and how AI has transformed drug development at Moderna. He also shares insights on the vibrant biotech community in Cambridge and reflects on the challenges and leadership lessons faced in the industry.

We’re online with Chris Martin, COO of the 6th most valuable biotech in Europe, Verona Pharma. Their amazing story sees them bring a fully-owned respiratory drug to market and multiply its valuation by 120x within the last 5 years (from $50M to $6B today) 💸We talk about the commercial rollout of Ohtuvayre, Verona’s drug. We also discuss the British roots of the company and why execution is the most important in biotech.⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERChris Martin joined Verona Pharma as their COO in 2020. He’s at the helm of Verona’s commercial strategy, driving the company’s progress in respiratory medicine. Before Verona, Chris played a key role as Executive Director of Marketing at SK Life Science, where he helped launch the CNS treatment XCOPRI® (cenobamate tablets). He also led the marketing efforts at Cempra, guiding the launch of their first product, and spent a decade at Salix Pharmaceuticals, where he led the Xifaxan® marketing team through its acquisition by Valeant Pharmaceuticals.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- Verona Pharma’s corporate presentation: https://www.veronapharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/VRNA-Presentation-May-2025.pdf- Verona website: [http://veronapharma.com](http://veronapharma.com/)- Ohtuvayre website: [http://ohtuvayre.com](http://ohtuvayre.com/)- Q1 2025 results: https://www.veronapharma.com/news/verona-pharma-reports-first-quarter-2025-financial-results-and-provides-corporate-update/- Royalty pharma website: [https://www.royaltypharma.com](https://www.royaltypharma.com/)- Adrian Rawcliffe, Adaptimmune 🇬🇧 | Tecelra, TCR Cell Therapy | E22: https://flot.bio/episode/adrian-rawcliffe-adaptimmune/- Bahija Jallal, Immunocore 🇬🇧 | Commercial, Diversity, and AI | E14: https://flot.bio/episode/bahija-jallal-immunocore/- The 25 Most Valuable Biotech Companies in Europe in 2025: https://flot.bio/most-valuable-biotech-companies-europe-2025/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/chris-martin-verona-pharma-copd/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 20k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS- [00:00:00] Intro- [00:02:04] Commercial rollout of Ohtuvayre- [00:06:42] Fierce competition in COPD- [00:10:34] UK origins of Verona Pharma- [00:21:24] Strong Clinical data for Chronic Disease Patients- [00:26:01] Reaching Profitability for Verona Pharma- [00:30:58] Chris Martin Joining Verona Pharma- [00:34:51] Execution is Key to Success in Biotech- [00:42:48] How to get to the top in Biotech without a background in science- [00:46:33] Royalty model in Biotech- Quickfire

We’re online with Daniela Marino, CEO and co-founder of one of the best companies in Europe for tissue therapeutics, CUTISS.We discussed the story behind CUTISS and its current series C fundraising. We also discussed cell therapy in general and why kids are good at preventing burnout.---This episode is sponsored by CUTISS, the only TechBio company in the advanced clinical stage of developing skin tissue therapies. Learn how you can support CUTISS on its path to Series C success: https://bit.ly/flotbio-cutiss---⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERIn 2023, Daniela Marino was named as one of the 30 Rising Leaders in the healthcare industry, thanks to the impact of CUTISS, the company she co-founded as a spin-off from the University of Zurich. Here, she and her team have made waves for people suffering from severe skin injuries and defects through regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and skin pigmentation.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- CUTISS Homepage (technology, about us): [https://cutiss.swiss](https://cutiss.swiss/)- CUTISS Deck Series C: https://cutiss.swiss/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CUTISS-AG-Teaser-Q1-2025_Series-C.pdf- Thomas Ybert, DNA Script 🇫🇷 | DNA Printing & Synthesis | E27: https://flot.bio/episode/thomas-ybert-dna-script-dna-printing/- Ingmar Hoerr, CureVac | Founding a €20B Biotech | E03: https://flot.bio/episode/ingmar-hoerr-curevac-founding-a-20b-biotech-and-almost-dying-as-ceo/- Giammaria Giuliani profile https://www.forbes.com/profile/giammaria-giuliani/- Hansjorg Wyss profile - [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hansjörg_Wyss](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hansj%C3%B6rg_Wyss)📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/daniela-marino-cutiss-skin-tissue-therapeutics/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 20k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS[00:00:00] Intro[00:01:41] Story of CUTISS[00:04:47] Positive Phase 2 Data[00:16:03] Raising a Series C[00:26:34] Next steps for CUTISS[00:31:46] Cell Therapy and Tissue Therapy landscape[00:42:36] US Biotech Market[00:45:12] TechBio, Hardware and Automation[00:50:58] Kids preventing burnout[00:54:18] Daniela Marino, Academic and Female Founder[01:01:10] Quickfire