Beyond Biotech - the podcast from Labiotech

Last week saw more than 5,900 people from 3,200 companies gather in Vienna, Austria, for the continent’s largest biopharma partnering conference, BIO-Europe. Over three days the world’s top pharma companies, most innovative biotechs, and life science professionals from 60 countries took more than 32,000 one-on-one meetings, made the connections, and sealed deals that will drive the industry forward into 2026 and beyond.Among the highlights of BIO-Europe this year was the Startup Spotlight contest. This exciting competition offers biotech entrepreneurs an affordable opportunity to engage with top-tier investors and other important players in the biotech industry and to take their business to the next level. Eight finalists made their pitches at BIO Europe and one, Fusix Biotech from Germany, came out on top.This week on Beyond Biotech I’m joined by Fusix Biotech’s Managing Director and co-founder, Jennifer Altomonte, who tells me about her journey through the industry, Fusix’s InFUSE platform, and what it’s like to pitch – and win – one of the most important biopharma startup competitions of the year.01:34               Meet Jennifer Altomonte05:12               Co-founding Fusix Biotech10:37               Fusix Biotech and the InFUSE platform18:50               Intellectual property for a young company20:04               The BIO-Europe Startup Spotlight23:47               The impact of the competition win29:05               The milestones ahead30:33               What does a successful 2026 look like for Fusix Biotech?31:56               Learn more about Fusix BiotechThis episode is supported by EBD Group.Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: BIO-Europe partnering: Australian biotech companies share their experiencesFour New Technologies That Will Change Cancer TreatmentWhy is the immunology and inflammation market suddenly attracting a wave of investment?

Urinary Tract infections, or UTIs, affect millions worldwide, driving sepsis, antibiotic overuse, and microbial resistance. Current diagnostics rely on either slow lab cultures or unreliable dipsticks, and often lead to delayed or unnecessary treatment. Llusern’s Lodestar DX changes that: a point-of-care test that detects 96% of key UTI pathogens in just 35 minutes, no lab required.In this episode I’m joined by Emma Hayhurst who shares her journey into diagnostics, Llusern’s mission, and the emergence of Wales as a biotech hub with a growing life sciences sector fueling local innovation. We discuss UTI prevalence, diagnostic gaps, and how rapid, accurate testing can transform patient care and antimicrobial stewardship. 02:14               Meet Emma Hayhurst04:37               Introducing Llusern Scientific07:21               Collaboration between Llusern and the academy08:50               The life science ecosystem in Wales12:10               Urinary tract infections (UTIs)15:45               UTI patient demographics16:54               Health impacts of UTIs: sepsis, antibiotic resistance, and more19:01               Existing UTI diagnostic options and their shortcomings24:41               Llusern’s Lodestar DX29:03               A point-of-care test, not a lab test31:44               Applications beyond UTIs36:03               Looking forward at LlusernInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: Life sciences in Wales: biotechs in the scene in 2025Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance with Fast Molecular DiagnosticsUltra-Fast Diagnostics Could Transform Sexual Health

Today, I’m joined by Héctor García Martín, a Staff Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. A pioneer in metabolic engineering and computational biology, Héctor has spent over a decade decoding microbial systems, everything from termite guts to genome-scale flux models, to unlock sustainable biomanufacturing.Now, he’s leading the charge in self-driving labs: AI-powered, robotic systems that automate experiments, predict biological behavior, and accelerate the design of microbes that produce fuels, medicines, and materials.In this episode, we’ll dive into why biology has traditionally proven so hard to engineer, how AI and robotics are changing that, and where this revolution is headed next. I hope you enjoy my discussion with Hector Garcia Martin.01:12              Meet Hector Garcia Martin12:47              Introduction to the Berkeley National Laboratory14:42              Challenges in synthetic biology17:21              How unpredictability complicates biomanufacturing19:30              Self-driving labs at the nexus of AI, robotics, and biomanufacturing22:23               How is AI integrated into optimize enzyme expression28:01               Where is the market for self-driving labs?28:47               The future of synthetic biology32:24               The most exciting trends in AI-driven biomanufacturing34:10               The expected impacts of self-driving labs on everyday life35:28               Advice for aspiring scientistsInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: Synthetic Biology @ LabiotechEuropean biotech: trends to watch in 2025The coming of age of European synthetic biology

Today we’re diving into the world of expression systems with Iskandar Dib, of Validogen and we’ll explore the remarkable potential of Pichia pastoris, a methylotrophic yeast that’s revolutionizing pharmaceutical protein production and beyond. From industrial enzymes to biomaterials, food, feed, and diagnostics, Pichia offers a reliable, scalable, and cost-efficient platform for recombinant protein expression. Iskandar explains how biotechs can unlock Pichia’s full potential through Validogen’s sophisticated tools and strategies, fine-tuning protein expression with innovative genetic approaches and robust screening systems to deliver unmatched yields and quality. 01:06               Why Pichia is often overlooked or underestimated03:29               The basics of Pichia pastoris05:25               How Pichia compares to microbial hosts like E.coli08:14               Key advantages over mammalian cell systems10:21               Pichia as a system for secreted production11:30               Pichia and post-translational modifications14:30               The challenges of working with Pichia16:25               Strain optimization and genetic engineering17:29               Meet Iskandar Dib and Validogen19:03               The UNLOCK PICHIA platform24:00               Real-world applications of Pichia pastoris in biopharma27:19               When Pichia outperforms expectations28:25               Adapting Pichia for emerging fields30:23               Advice for those considering Pichia pastoris for protein expression33:23               Learn more about ValidogenThis episode is sponsored by Validogen.Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: Pichia case studiesUnlocking Pichia for industry

In today's episode, we welcome Clarke Futch, Chairman and CEO of HealthCare Royalty Partners, or HCRx. HCRx are pioneers in royalty-based financing, with a thirty year track record in biopharma investing. Clarke has led more than 60 royalty acquisitions totaling nearly $4 billion and raised over $8 billion across various vehicles, executing more than 165 transactions that have fueled breakthroughs in life sciences.In this interview we examine the evolution of alternative funding models, the transformative impact of alternative funding models on biotech innovation, partnerships, and M&A, and take a macro view on the financial health of the industry amid economic shifts. 02:10               Meet Clarke Futch07:58               HCRx and its mission18:55               Differences between a royalty firm and a venture firm21:34               Alternative funding models in biotech24:49               Are VCs pulling back? Are alternatives rising?30:20               How royalty financing impacts partnerships and M&A33:02               Do alternative financing models risk stifling innovation?36:33               A macro look at the health of the biotech sector41:33               What areas of biotech are underfunded right now?46:22               Looking forward: the 6-12 months ahead?48:10               Advice for founders navigating financial uncertaintyInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: Moving with the times: biopharma royalty deals on the riseThe ABC of biotech startup funding2025 biotech deals tracker

When it comes to contraception, most of the innovation in the last century has focused on providing contraceptive alternatives for women. The contraceptive pill was approved by the FDA in 1960, the first IUD approved in 1968, and the female condom in 1993. For men, however, there has been little advancement since the invention of the rubber condom in 1855 and the first vasectomies in humans around the turn of the 20th century.Contraline is a biotechnology company that is aiming to change that record. They are currently heading into Phase II trials with a therapy that they claim is reliable, long lasting, easy to use, and reversible. This week, I talk with Kevin Eisenfrats, CEO of Contraline, about the challenges of bringing a new contraceptive to market, how to manage clinical trials on multiple continents, and what the world might look like if the contraceptive burden passes from women to men.01:21                      Kevin Eisenfrats and Contraline07:28                      Contraline’s ADAM09:09                      How ADAM works11:39                      Reversibility is a differentiator for ADAM14:01                      Hormonal gels and contraception17:14                      The phase I trial in Australia21:47                      The implantation process25:07                      Moving into phase II27:04                      The male contraception market29:30                      Fundraising for male contraception33:06                      The gendered burden of contraception34:54                      The future of male contraception36:49                      The cultural and social impact of male contraceptionInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: MedinCell Granted €17M to Develop Cheap Long-Acting ContraceptionInpart Connect: Reversible Male ContraceptiveInpart Connect: Cyclic Peptides as Non-hormonal Male Contraceptive Agents and Methods of Use ThereofInpart Connect: Noninvasive Laser Vasectomy

Raising money in the gene therapy space can be tough right now but, for the right company and with the right team, there is still cash to be found. But how do you connect with investors, how do you get your science in front of the right people, and how do you move from ‘I’m interested’ to ‘I’m signing on the dotted line’?This week I talk with Gerard Caelles, Chief Business Office of Splice Bio, a company that just closed a $135 million series B fundraising round. I quiz him on the practical steps that biotechs need to take to move from a series A to a series B, the key members of the team that pulled the deal together, how to keep existing investors engaged while bringing new money on-board, and how it feels when it is all done. 01:14               Meet Gerard Caelles04:34               The Splice Bio platform12:34               Raising $135 million in uncertain times15:31               Laying the groundwork for a series B18:15               Building a fundraising team20:45               Identifying and approaching new investors22:38               Fundraising challenges in 202526:37               Refining the strategy and pitch29:00               Choosing lead investors 31:59               Keeping existing investors on board34:12               A look behind the scenes 37:52               What’s next for Splice Bio42:10               Learn more about Splice BioInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: Labiotech's 2025 Biotech Funding TrackerThe ABC of biotech startup fundingBudget blues: where are cell and gene therapies heading? 

Immunology and inflammation are hot topics in biotech and biopharma, and innovations are emerging that can change the game for patients suffering from autoimmune, gastrointestinal, and metabolic disease. For top pharma companies, identifying these innovations early is essential and, for university labs, spinouts and startups, getting their science in front of the right industry partners is key. So how does science meet industry, and how can top pharma and venture investors find the next blockbuster?This week I sat down with Joseph Ferner of Inpart, the author of a new R&D Trends Report on Immunology and Inflammation. He explained the shape of the research landscape, the areas that are generating the most interest amongst industry and investors, and the ways in which digital platforms are helping innovative scientists connect with those who have the experience and finance to bring their technologies and therapies to market.Download the Immunology & Inflammation R&D Trends ReportCreate a free Inpart Connect accountSpeak with the Inpart team02:18               The 2025 Immunology and Inflammation R&D Trends Report08:30               Priorities and challenges in immunology and inflammation research10:18               The impact of immune system complexity on drug development13:12               The challenge of clinical heterogeneity15:33               The role of organoids in immunology and inflammation R&D17:10               Comparing organoid models to animal models19:51               The R&D landscape in 202522:40               Popular modalities in immunology and inflammation research24:45               The top innovations in the 2025 R&D Trends Report28:56               How to score and rank innovations in a rapidly evolving market33:22               Engagement trends between researchers and industry partners37:09               Why companies decline to engage with academic researchers43:36               The Inpart Connect platform and how it works48:49               Looking forward to the next R&D Trends ReportInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: Why is the immunology and inflammation market suddenly attracting a wave of investment?

Partnering conferences are where many deals in the biotech industry get made. With investors and top pharma companies on hand to meet with founders, learn about new science, and put money on the table for promising biotech, it’s little wonder that the biggest partnering events attract hundreds of innovators and thousands of attendees.One of the largest industry partnering events in Europe is BIOSPAIN. This year BIOSPAIN will take place in Barcelona, and the Catalan city will welcome participants from more than 40 countries for three days of exhibitions, partnering meetings, and presentations from industry leaders. Labiotech will be on the ground reporting from BIOSPAIN this year, and so we sat down with Stewart Medina fromBIOSPAIN to find out exactly what’s in store.Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: Catalonia: A biotech hub going from strength to strength, with Barcelona at its core10 biotech companies you should know about in Spain20 years of BIOSPAIN – The evolution of an international biotech event

How can you guarantee that top pharma will be interested in investing in your biotech startup? How can you be sure that the target you are focused on will be attractive to industry partners? And can AI help drive this interest and deliver these partnerships?These are questions that this week’s guest, Mati Gill, CEO of AION Labs in Israel, is perfectly positioned to answer.AION Labs has an innovative company creation process that empowers scientists and startups to tackle high-impact pharma challenges with AI, backed by top-tier data, funding, and expertise from global pharma partners. In the middle of a transformative decade for AI-driven drug discovery, and with Israel poised to play an increasingly significant part, Mati explains how venture studios are helping to foster groundbreaking solutions for global health challenges.01:07               Meet Mati Gill07:19               The biotech industry in Israel09:38               How the Israeli biotech industry is changing with AI and other technologies13:01               The biggest challenges facing Israeli biotechs and biopharma18:07               AION Labs and its mission20:27               AION Building and AION Seeding24:03               Why top pharma wants to partner with AION Labs startups27:53               Workshopping startup ideas with top pharma companies32:04               The future of venture studios like AION Labs36:33               At the intersection of AI, biotech, and Israel’s innovation ecosystem39:24               Advice for entrepreneurs and scientistsInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: AION Labs launches AI startup to improve drug trialsThe 5 hottest biotech companies making waves in IsraelWhat to look for in a biotech incubator