We’re taking a short break this week and, while we’re away, we invite you to enjoy one of our favorite episodes. We will return with a brand-new episode next week!Immunai is mapping the immune system at unprecedented scale and granularity. The map, paired with machine learning, looks at how the immune system will respond to drug targets, offering an affordable way to prevent expensive drug failures. The ultimate goal is to market immune treatments for diseases like cancer faster than ever before. In this week’s conversation, Noam Solomon, CEO and co-founder of Immunai, covers the data gap in drug discovery and how machine learning (ML) can solve it, how to de-risk early-stage drug discovery, predictions for AI, and more.00:49-01:13: About Immunai01:13-01:45: Why map the immune system?01:45-02:44: Are you taking a step back to study the problem in order to move forward?02:44-03:49: How difficult is it to map the immune system?03:49-05:29: What is your AMICA platform?05:29-07:24: Where does your data come from?07:24-09:09: How do you account for differences between patients?09:09-11:35: What are the biggest challenges to drug development?11:35-14:07: How can AI improve drug development?14:07-14:55: Will AI advances speed up drug development?14:55-16:06: Is the use of AI applicable in all diseases and conditions?16:06-17:48: What sets your approach apart from other companies using AI?17:48-18:54: What partnerships does Immunai have?18:54-20:24: What are pharma companies looking for from Immunai?20:24-23:17: How can AI help with clinical trials?23:17-24:32: Can AI help with preventative care?24:32-26:30: Google Maps for the immune system26:30-27:18: What will we see from AI in drug discovery in the short term?27:18-28:06: What are the next steps for Immunai?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

Sweden's fastest growing private biotech, Anocca, is making plans for clinical trials in pancreatic cancer, with the TCR-T cell therapy trials called VIDAR-1.The CEO, Reagan Jarvis, when a researcher, pitched the company idea to a leading Swedish industrialist, who became co-founder, and provided the initial financing. The company has raised more than €100m to date.On the podcast this week, we have a conversation with Jarvis about TCR-T cell therapies, creating off-the-shelf products and partnerships with EmendoBio and Shinobi Therapeutics.00:43-02:10: About Anocca 02:10-04:16: About TCR-T cell therapies and their use in treatments04:16-06:02: Anocca’s approach to T-cell biology, cutting-edge biotechnologies and integrated software06:02-07:58: A different approach to other cell and gene therapy companies07:58-09:16: Facing challenges09:16-10:48: Addressing conditions and diseases10:48-11:54: Pancreatic cancer11:54-13:40: What represents success for Anocca?13:40-14:09: What is VIDAR-1?14:09-16:08: Partnerships16:08-18:05: Scaling up and addressing costs18:05-20:07: How is TCR-T therapy evolving?20:07-23:11: The impact of artificial intelligence23:11-25:16: Anocca timeline25:16-25:57: Closing comments  `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

Resalis Therapeutics is pursuing a groundbreaking approach to obesity treatment.Unlike current therapies that primarily focus on appetite suppression, Resalis’ lead program, RES-010, is a non-coding RNA drug candidate that targets underlying biological pathways to promote sustainable weight loss. By enhancing energy expenditure through white-to-brown adipose tissue conversion while preserving muscle mass, RES-010 is positioned as an ideal standalone therapy or a synergistic option for long-term weight management.The company recently initiated a phase 1 study in December 2024 for RES-010 in healthy and obese subjects, and they also secured an equity investment from Sanofi in October 2024.To talk about ways to tackle obesity, and Resalis’ approach, our guest on the podcast this week is Alessandro Toniolo, CEO of Resalis Therapeutics.00:57-05:06: About Resalis Therapeutics05:06-08:59: Issues of obesity08:59-13:20: Companies working on obesity treatments13:20-15:34: Does suppressing appetite affect nutrition?15:34-17:49: Introduction of new obesity treatments17:49-21:33: Approaches other than appetite suppression21:33-22:38: RES-010 mode of action22:38-24:04: Administration methods24:04-25:11: Clinical trials25:11-26:38: Resalis’ pipeline26:38-28:08: Next steps for Resalis28:08-28:36: Effect of obesity on other parts of the body28:36-29:06: Final comments `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

CatalYm is preparing to initiate its broad phase 2b clinical development program for visugromab to tackle multiple solid tumor indications. Visugromab is a monoclonal antibody that neutralizes the tumor-derived growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), a locally acting immunosuppressant fostering immunotherapy resistance. Neutralizing GDF-15 with visugromab reverses key cancer resistance mechanisms to reinstate an efficient anti-tumor response by reenabling immune cell activation, proliferation and Interferon-γ signature induction. Visugromab has demonstrated a good safety profile and potent and durable anti-tumor efficacy in combination with anti-PD-1 treatment in advanced cancer patients, as highlighted in its recent Nature publication and interim clinical data. This week we have a conversation with Eugen Leo, chief medical officer at CatalYm.01:30-03:38: About CatalYm03:38-06:59: Solid tumors and also why they are hard to treat06:59-09:04: Current treatments for solid tumors09:04-10:47: What is immunotherapy resistance?10:47-12:23: What is visugromab?12:23-13:32: CatalYm’s clinical development program13:32-15:12: What represents success for patients using visugromab?15:12-17:50: Other treatment options being developed17:50-19:50: CatalYm’s pipeline and the futureThis week’s podcast was sponsored by TCR Solutions.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

In the fall of 2024, Haya Therapeutics, based in Switzerland and San Diego, landed a $1bn deal with Eli Lilly to apply its long non-coding RNA (ncRNA) technology to obesity.The company’s lead candidate, HTX-001, is making progress towards the clinic in cardiomyopathy. CEO Samir is one of the first researchers to publish on lncRNA – which is also known as the Dark GenomeThis week, our podcast guest is Samir Ounzain, CEO and co-founder of Haya Therapeutics. Ounzain was one of the first researchers to publish on lncRNA, also known as the ‘dark genome.’00:55-03:47: About Haya Therapeutics03:47-06:37: What is the dark genome?06:37-09:29: What is the connection between lncRNA and disease?09:30-13:22: How can disease be addressed via the dark genome?13:22-16:45: Which diseases are you tackling?16:45-18:02: What is the EchoHAYA platform?18:02-21:07: How does your lead candidate, HTX-001, work?21:07-22:00: Is the objective stopping fibrosis or reversing it?22:00-23:41: Other companies in the field23:41-24:52: Working with Eli Lilly24:52-27:15: A new frontier in medicine?27:15-28:43: Cost effectiveness28:43-30:07: Clinical trials30:07-31:48: Applications to other diseasesInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter

Solid tumors present a big challenge for current treatments. However, a new approach might provide the answers - Tumor Activated Therapy. By targeting specific proteins common in all solid tumor micro-environments, Seekyo scientists think this can induce self-destruction of the tumor itself. Seekyo’s lead therapy, SKY01, can only be activated within the tumor, making it a highly-targeted solution.This differentiated approach overcomes the limits of existing treatments, such as small molecule or antibody-drug conjugates. It could also be more cost effective than many advanced, far cell and gene therapy alternatives. Seekyo is looking for clinical entry to target four of the more challenging solid cancers - pancreas, TNBC, colorectal and lung, in an umbrella PhI/IIa. This will demonstrate safety and initial efficacy readings whilst at the same time defining the lead indication to progress to later-stage development. This week, our guest is Seekyo Therapeutics’ CEO, Oury Chetboun. 00:38-01:57: About Seekyo Therapeutics01:57-03:17: The challenges of treating solid tumors03:17-06:08: What is Tumor Activated Therapy?06:08-07:46: What is SKY01?07:46-08:10: What happens to the cancer cells?08:10-09:52: Does the tumor vanish? 09:52-10:16: How is it delivered?10:16-11:30: Are other companies working on tumor-activated therapies?11:30-13:09: What treatment options are being worked on for solid tumors?13:09-13:47: Long-lasting treatment13:47-15:33: Clinical trials15:33-16:22: Timelines16:22-18:08: Does the treatment have other potential applications?18:08-19:59: Cost effectiveness19:59-21:59: Is the goal to cure people? 21:59-22:46: Treatment frequency22:46-24:00: The impact of tumor size24:00-25:23: Seekyo Therapeutics’ pipeline 25:23-27:27: Fund-raising27:27-30:33: Reaction to the therapyInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter

This week, we take a look at some of the highlights from the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, which took place in San Francisco recently.While there weren’t necessarily many financial blockbusters, there were plenty of announcements and discussions on everything from artificial intelligence to the rising influence of Chinese companies and research, to the potential ramifications of the incoming Trump administration in the U.S.To help us navigate some of the highlights of the event, we spoke with Orca Bio’s co-founder and CEO, Ivan Dimov, and also Parabilis Medicines’ chief business officer, Greg Miller.02:01-03:53: About Orca Bio 03:53-05:43: JPM highlights05:43-07:26: Stand-out deals and announcements07:26-09:01: Were any sectors more prominent than others?09:01-12:38: About Parabilis Medicines12:38-13:58: JPM highlights13:58-16:33: Stand-out deals and announcements  16:33-17:53: Were any sectors more prominent than others?17:53-19:17: Was there an optimistic mood?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

Jessica Owens and Iana Dimkova are co-founders of Initiate Ventures—a female-led venture capital firm and studio that launched recently with a $45 million debut fund.Initiate Ventures is shaking up the traditional venture capital model by blending investments in healthcare, life sciences, and technology with a company creation platform. The company is tackling some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare, and their innovative approach offers fresh insights into what it takes to scale transformative startups.Owens was the co-founder of GRAIL (acquired by Illumina for $8bn) and was a partner at Kleiner Perkins, where she helped shape some of the most successful health tech startups. Dimkova is a former healthcare technology investor at GE Ventures, who also scaled a company that raised more than $700m and built one of the largest radiation therapy networks in the US.Their approach is reflected in their dual model: funding existing companies while also co-creating ventures alongside founders in their startup studio. They helped launch groundbreaking companies like Macro Trials, a precision clinical research platform, and Persana, a leader in oncology diagnostics.This week on the podcast, we have a conversation with one of the co-founders of the company, Jessica Owens.00:40-05:19: About Initiate Ventures05:19-08:33: What sets Initiate Ventures apart from other venture funds?08:33-10:59: Revitalizing healthcare10:59-13:46: Determining realistic company visions13:46-15:15: Initiate Ventures and Initiate Studios15:15-19:50: Working with companies19:50-21:36: Working with new companies21:36-23:00: Evaluating potential success23:00-24:40: How hands on is Initiate Ventures?24:40-28:24: Is there a change in what attracts capital?28:24-30:02: Infectious disease – a neglected area30:02-33:08: How important are ESG considerations?33:08-35:42: Trends for 202535:42-36:42: Goals for 2025Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter

Brixton Biosciences, a clinical-stage life sciences company spun out from Massachusetts General Brigham, has been awarded $2m from the NIH HEAL Initiative to support the development of non-opioid, injectable pain relief solutions.As part of the NIH's efforts to tackle the U.S. opioid crisis, the funding will advance research into safer, drug-free alternatives to opioid pain management. Brixton’s Neural Ice is an injectable, drug-free pain management technology designed to provide long-lasting relief from chronic and post-operative pain.On the podcast this week, we have a conversation with Sameer Sabir, CEO and co-founder of Brixton Biosciences, to dive deeper into pain treatment, the opioid crisis, and Brixton’s mission.01:05-02:47: About Brixton Biosciences02:47-03:39: Brixton’s pipeline 03:39-07:46: The opioid crisis07:46-08:41: The extent of the crisis08:41-12:00: Current alternatives to opioids12:00-12:40: Managing pain12:40-17:19: How was Neural ice developed?17:19-18:33: Duration of treatment18:33-21:01: Suitability for different levels of pain21:01-21:31: Speed of effect21:31-22:37: Side effects22:37-24:18: Opioids vs. non-opioids24:18-25:33: Are there different responses to Neural Ice?25:33-26:29: Standardized doses26:29-27:42: Pricing 27:42-28:49: Other work on alternatives to opioids28:49-30:45: Challenges to developing new pain treatments30:45-31:57: Other priorities at Brixton31:57-32:16: Timeline for Neural Ice 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

While our podcast takes a brief break, Labiotech invites you to enjoy some of our favorite episodes. We will return with a brand-new episode on January 3rd, 2025! Have an awesome holiday season!On this podcast, we speak to Artiva Biotherapeutics’ CEO, Fred Aslan, M.D.The company has demonstrated the potential for efficacy and safety with natural killer (NK) cells in two cancer clinical trials. In August 2023, the company announced FDA clearance for an IND for lupus – marking a first for an allogeneic, off-the-shelf NK or CAR-T cell therapy in autoimmune disease.AlloNK (also known as AB-101) is a non-genetically modified, cord blood-derived, allogeneic, cryopreserved, ADCC-enhancing NK cell therapy candidate for use in combination with monoclonal antibodies or innate-cell engagers in the out-patient setting. Artiva is investigating AlloNK in a phase 1/2 multicenter clinical trial to assess the safety and clinical activity of AlloNK alone and in combination with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab, in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell-non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL). Artiva is also investigating the safety and clinical activity of AlloNK in combination with rituximab in patients with lupus nephritis. In addition, Artiva is collaborating with Affimed in a phase 2, open-label, multi-center, multi-cohort study, testing a combination therapy, comprised of AlloNK and the innate cell engager AFM13, for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory CD30-positive lymphomas. Artiva selects cord blood units with the high affinity variant of the CD16 receptor and a KIR-B haplotype for enhanced product activity. Using the company’s cell therapy manufacturing platform, Artiva can generate thousands of doses of pure, cryopreserved, infusion-ready NK cells from a single umbilical cord blood unit while retaining the high and consistent expression of CD16 and other activating NK receptors, without the need for engineering. AlloNK is being administered in the outpatient setting over multiple doses and multiple cycles.Artiva’s pipeline also includes AB-201, an anti-HER2 CAR-NK cell therapy candidate for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing tumors, such as breast, gastric, and bladder cancers, and for which an IND has been allowed by FDA, and a pipeline of CAR-NK candidates targeting both solid and hematopoietic cancers. Artiva has also entered into therapeutic NK cell collaborations with Merck Sharp & Dohme. 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