
The DeSci Podcast
Rethinking Science - Let's talk to the leaders of the decentralized science industry about the future of biotech. Brought to you by www.molecule.to
Want to join the stage? Apply as a speaker here: podcast@molecule.to
Latest episodes

May 7, 2025 • 40min
The Solution to Science's BIGGEST PROBLEM | Kevin Noessler
What if we could reinvent intellectual property for science? In this episode of Molecule’s DeSci Podcast, Kevin Noessler - Product Head at Molecule - joins us to talk about the next frontier of DeSci Science: Proof of Invention.Kevin unpacks how Molecule is building infrastructure for decentralized IP creation, ownership, and attribution. This episode zooms in on how DeSci tools can validate and tokenize early-stage scientific ideas—before patents or papers.We cover:• Kevin’s background and his role in shaping Molecule’s product roadmap• What “Proof of Invention” really means—and how it works onchain• Rethinking IP and scientific reputation through cryptographic primitives• UX challenges when designing for biotech DAOs• The difference between building SaaS vs protocols in DeSci• How open-source values translate into credible scientific infrastructureWhether you’re an innovator, researcher, or builder—this episode is a roadmap for the future of intellectual property in science.⏱ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro01:10 - Kevin’s background & journey to Molecule05:00 - What does a Product Head do in a decentralized org?09:20 - SaaS vs Protocol: Rethinking product building13:00 - Contributors, not customers: the shift in stakeholder models17:15 - UX challenges for onchain science tools21:40 - What makes a product work in DeSci?26:00 - Building with researchers in mind30:30 - Kevin’s long-term vision for Molecule35:00 - Advice for builders entering DeSci39:20 - Outro ________🔔 Subscribe to stay updated: https://www.youtube.com/@Molecule_dao/?sub_confirmation=1______If you prefer listening to podcasts on audio apps, feel free to search for "The DeSci Podcast" on Spotify, Google Podcasts & Apple Podcasts. You'll also find all links to the podcast apps below.If you want to join us on the show as a speaker or have guest ideas, please shoot us an mail at podcast@molecule.to______Special thanks to: - Kevin Noessler: https://x.com/Noesslek- Ella McCarthy-Page: https://x.com/EMcCarthyPage______Let's connect: Website: https://bit.ly/3d6nh2CTwitter: https://twitter.com/Molecule_daoDiscord: https://discord.gg/ZHGpJQzeTqMolecule - The future of medicine belongs to everyone

Apr 15, 2025 • 1h 1min
IP, DAOs & Cultural Ownership: Jesse Hudson Reveals the FUTURE of DeSci
Jesse Hudson, a prominent lawyer and Chief Legal Architect at Molecule, teams up with intellectual property lawyer Chris Burns to discuss the future of decentralized science. They explore the flaws in the current IP system and the power of tokenization in empowering communities. Jesse shares insights on reclaiming Indigenous cultural IP through blockchain, while Chris tackles the challenges posed by patent trolls. The duo highlights new governance models that promote collective ownership and ethical considerations in the evolving landscape of intellectual property.

Apr 2, 2025 • 1h 48min
Graham Pechenik Reveals The FUTURE of Psychedelic Patents | The DeSci Podcast
The psychedelic industry is booming, but a major battle is unfolding: Who will control the future of these powerful medicines? Will open science prevail, or will corporations dominate through patents? In this episode, we sit down with Graham Pechenik, a leading expert in psychedelic patent law, to unravel the complexities of intellectual property in the space.Graham Pechenik is the founder of Calyx Law, a law firm specializing in psychedelic and cannabis patents. With a background in neuroscience and law, he provides deep insights into the legal landscape shaping the future of psychedelic medicine.Topics Discussed:• The role of patents in psychedelic research• Controversies around corporate control and monopolization• How open-source models could challenge big pharma• What legal battles mean for researchers, startups, and patients• The future of psychedelic accessibilityTune in to get expert insights from one of the leading voices in psychedelic IP law.______If you prefer listening to podcasts on audio apps, feel free to search for "The DeSci Podcast" on Spotify, Google Podcasts & Apple Podcasts. You'll also find all links to the podcast apps below.If you want to join us on the show as a speaker or have guest ideas, please shoot us an mail at podcast@molecule.toSpecial thanks to: Ella McCarthy-Page - https://x.com/EMcCarthyPageGraham Pechenik - https://x.com/calyxlaw______Let's connect: Website: https://bit.ly/3d6nh2CTwitter: https://twitter.com/Molecule_daoDiscord: https://discord.gg/ZHGpJQzeTqMolecule - The future of medicine belongs to everyone

Mar 26, 2025 • 1h 30min
The Future of Biotech: AI, Patents, and the Innovation Battle
Biotech is at a crossroads—AI, intellectual property, and startups are reshaping the future. But who really controls the breakthroughs? In this episode, Sara Holland, an IP advisor, explores how patents impact biotech, the challenges startups face against big pharma, and whether AI will change everything.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:- The hidden barriers to biotech innovation- How AI is transforming drug discovery and synthetic biology- The role of patents in protecting—or stifling—progress- Why decentralized science (DeSci) could be the key to the future______Special Thanks To:Ella McCarthy-Page : https://x.com/EMcCarthyPageSara HollandChris BrynesMark Nichols______Let's connect: Website: https://bit.ly/3d6nh2CTwitter: https://twitter.com/Molecule_daoDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/moleculedao______Molecule - The future of medicine belongs to everyone

Mar 24, 2025 • 1h 1min
Decentralized Science vs. Rare Diseases: A Game-Changer? | Ethan Perlstein
Welcome to another episode of the DeSci Podcast. Today, we are discussing a critical issue that affects over 30 million people in the United States—Rare Diseases. Despite being more prevalent than cancer and HIV combined, rare diseases remain underfunded, overlooked by Big Pharma, and trapped in a broken system.Our Guest: This episode features Ethan Perlstein, founder of CureTopia, an initiative using Decentralized Science (DeSci) and blockchain to revolutionize rare disease research. Why does the current system fail millions of patients, and how can decentralized models change that?What You’ll Learn in This Episode:-The reality of rare diseases and why the term "rare" is misleading-How patients and parents are taking control of scientific research-Why Big Pharma does not prioritize rare diseases and the funding challenges involved-How DeSci and blockchain can disrupt traditional biotech and accelerate drug development-The vision behind CureTopia and how it is reshaping research for rare disease treatmentsResources Mentioned:CureTopia: https://curetopia.xyzDeSci Podcast: https://www.molecule.xyzFeel free to navigate through any of the topics discussed in the podcast using the timestamps below.___⭐ Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction: The Rare Disease Crisis2:14 - Why Rare Diseases Are More Common Than People Think5:13 - Challenges in Rare Disease Advocacy9:25 - How Parents Become Scientific Experts in Their Child’s Disease13:50 - Why Big Pharma Ignores Rare Diseases17:16 - The Role of Decentralized Science (DeSci) in Drug Development22:41 - The Funding Challenges in Rare Disease Research27:34 - How Blockchain and Smart Contracts Can Help Rare Disease Research33:04 - The Power of Community in Rare Disease Advocacy38:26 - What Is CureTopia and How Does It Work?43:57 - The Future of Rare Disease Research and Biotech Innovation49:14 - Ethan Perlstein’s Vision for CureTopia54:10 - Closing Thoughts and Where to Learn More______If you prefer listening to podcasts on audio apps, feel free to search for "The DeSci Podcast" on Spotify, Google Podcasts & Apple Podcasts. You'll also find all links to the podcast apps below.If you want to join us on the show as a speaker or have guest ideas, please shoot us an mail at podcast@molecule.toSpecial thanks to:Jillian Casalini: https://x.com/JillianCasaliniEthan Perlstein: https://x.com/eperlste____Let's connect: Website: https://bit.ly/3d6nh2CX: https://twitter.com/Molecule_daoDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/moleculedaoMolecule - The future of medicine belongs to everyone!

Sep 9, 2024 • 34min
Knowledge as a Public Good: Joshua Bate on DeSciWorld's Proof of Knowledge Protocol
Welcome to another episode of the DeSci Podcast! Today, we’re excited to host Joshua Bate, Founder of DeSciWorld. DeSciWorld is a community-driven initiative dedicated to facilitating the onboarding of individuals into the Decentralized Science (DeSci) space.
It provides users with the tools to view, engage with, and understand everything happening in the world of decentralized science.
In this episode, Joshua shares the vision behind DeSciWorld and its role as a global hub for the decentralized science community. We touch on Joshua's frank thoughts on the DeSci movement and how open discussion and unadultered knowledge transfer, alongside powerful incentives, are necessary to grow the space.
We also discuss the “Proof of Knowledge protocol”, DeSciWorld's upcoming technical product where users can upload data and receive incentives whenever their contributions are utilized. Joshua addresses concerns about spam and low-quality dataset submissions, as well as potential technical approaches to ensure that the data used to train AI remains high-quality and reliable.
DeSci World: https://desci.world/
SynapseDAO: https://synapse-dao.webflow.io/
Feel free to navigate through any of the topics discussed in the podcast using the timestamps below.
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⭐ Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:28 Overview of DeSci World
04:24 About “Proof of Knowledge” protocol
7:07 Ensuring high-quality datasets
14:04 Common misconceptions about DeSci
16:28 How incentives can drive DeSci adoption in Academia
20:10 Underappreciated aspects of Decentralized Science
22:10 Recommendations for getting started in DeSci
24:23 Competition vs. collaboration in the Web3 space
25:48 Scope of biotech
30:59 The future of of Decentralized Science
33:55 Outro
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If you prefer listening to podcasts on audio apps, feel free to search for "The DeSci Podcast" on Spotify, Google Podcasts & Apple Podcasts. You'll also find all links to the podcast apps below.
If you want to join us on the show as a speaker or have guest ideas, please shoot us an mail at podcast@molecule.to
Special thanks to
Lea: https://twitter.com/lealeata
Joshua: https://twitter.com/jb87ua
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Let's connect:
Website: https://bit.ly/3d6nh2C
X: https://twitter.com/Molecule_dao
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/moleculedao

Aug 19, 2024 • 1h 18min
Democratizing Early-Stage Research Funding: Inside Catalyst, Molecule’s DeSci Funding Machine
In this episode, we're diving deep into Molecule's Catalyst, an incentive-driven funding system for basic research. We begin by exploring the significant challenges posed by traditional funding models. We then touch on the "Valley of Death"—a critical juncture where many groundbreaking ideas fail often due to a lack of financial support.
We discuss why early-stage research often struggles to gain traction and the barriers that prevent innovative ideas from reaching their full potential.
Catalyst is at the forefront of addressing these issues with its decentralized approach. By realigning incentives and democratizing access to research funding, Catalyst fosters collaboration and makes science more inclusive and inviting.
We also explore the role of IP tokens (IPTs) in decentralized science and how they democratize access to and control over scientific advancements. Additionally, we explain Catalyst’s bonding curve, which features dynamic pricing that rewards early backers with lower token prices and ensures fair pricing as more tokens are minted. This system not only incentivizes early support but also maintains a transparent and equitable funding environment.
Tune in to discover the potential of decentralized funding in science and how you can get involved. Whether you're a researcher, an investor, or simply curious about the future of science, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.
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⭐ Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
18:04 Challenges of traditional funding models
19:47 The valley of death; how it impacts research
24:30 Difficulty in getting involved in early-stage ideas
31:20 Using IP as a tool to realign incentives
35:01 Why IP is the ideal use case for bringing ideas on-chain
42:05 Decentralized funding in science
48:44 Introduction to Catalyst
55:26 How Catalyst works
59:36 Catalyst bonding curve explained
1:03:22 The negotiation period in Catalyst fundraising
1:09:22 Final remarks
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If you prefer listening to podcasts on audio apps, feel free to search for "The DeSci Podcast" on Spotify, Google Podcasts & Apple Podcasts. You'll also find all links to the podcast apps below.
If you want to join us on the show as a speaker or have guest ideas, please shoot us an mail at podcast@molecule.to
Special thanks to
Jillian: https://twitter.com/JillianCasalini
Benji: https://twitter.com/benjileibo
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-noessler
Learn more about Catalyst here: https://catalyst.molecule.xyz/
____
Let's connect:
Website: https://bit.ly/3d6nh2C
X: https://twitter.com/Molecule_dao
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/moleculedao

Jul 23, 2024 • 50min
Revolutionizing Drug Development for Rare Diseases Through AI | Alok Tayi
Alok Tayi, co-founder of Vibe Bio, discusses using AI to revolutionize drug development for rare diseases. Topics include personal motivation, complexities in drug development, advantages of DAOs, AI bias, training methods, limitations, and the importance of human intuition in the biopharma industry.

Jun 30, 2024 • 52min
Decentralizing Healthcare Data Management: Hippocrat's Vision for Data Sovereignty
Welcome to another episode of the DeSci Podcast. Today, we're joined by Justin, Head of Growth at Hippocrat, a collaborative healthcare data protocol that aims to transform healthcare by empowering individuals to take control of their health data through blockchain and zero-knowledge proof technologies.
In this episode, we discuss the importance of data sovereignty, exploring how Hippocrat's innovative approach ensures secure and private data management, enabling safe and transparent data sharing with healthcare providers.
Justin emphasizes the need for decentralized data provision in healthcare, stressing that shifting from centralized to decentralized data management addresses the longstanding issue of individuals lack of control over their health data, which in turn advances personalized healthcare and research.
We also explore Hippocrat's collaboration with Research HUB, aimed at identifying potential populations and regions where Hippocrat's telemedicine application, ‘Hippodoc’, could be effectively deployed to bridge healthcare accessibility gaps.
Feel free to navigate through any of the topics discussed in the podcast using the timestamps below.
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⭐ Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:28 About Hippocrat
2:37 Why data sovereignty is important
7:55 The inspiration behind Hippocrat
11:48 Moving from Web 2 to Web 3 healthcare
13:39 How Hippocrat improves Data security
22:27 $HPO token utility and upcoming airdrop
26:58 Collaboration with Research HUB
38:25 How the Hippodoc app works
41:27 Hippocrat role in the DeSci space
45:30 Hippocrat in 10 years
49:18 How to get involved
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If you prefer listening to podcasts on audio apps, feel free to search for "The DeSci Podcast" on Spotify, Google Podcasts & Apple Podcasts. You'll also find all links to the podcast apps below.
If you want to join us on the show as a speaker or have guest ideas, please shoot us an mail at podcast@molecule.to
Special thanks to
Ella McCarthy-Page: https://twitter.com/EMcCarthyPage
Justin Kim: (email: justin@hippocrat.io / telegram: just_in_1)
Special Airdrop for DeSci Podcast listeners: https://gleam.io/cLiQO/100-hippocrat-x-desci-podcast-giveaway
Learn more about Hippocrat here: https://link3.to/hippocrat
____
Let's connect:
Website: https://bit.ly/3d6nh2C
X: https://twitter.com/Molecule_dao
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/moleculedao

6 snips
May 28, 2024 • 48min
Revolutionizing Research and Innovation Through Blockchain Technology
Dr. Sönke Bartling discusses how blockchain can revolutionize research and innovation in DeSci. Topics include funding equality, peer review transformation, and incentivizing collaboration for scientific discoveries.
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