Beyond Biotech - the podcast from Labiotech

Sitryx Therapeutics is a private UK biopharma company founded in 2018. It is a leader in the field of immunometabolism, an area of immunology that looks to rebalance the immune system to achieve sustained disease remission in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Sitryx already has big pharma validation following a deal with Eli Lilly in 2020 worth in excess of $1 billion and is focused on advancing its pipeline of potentially first- and best-in-class therapies, which could address a wide range of chronic conditions, including SYX-5219 for atopic dermatitis.The company has a broad pipeline of small molecules against novel targets in major autoimmune indications with high unmet need.To talk about immunometabolism, our guest on the podcast this week is CEO of Sitryx Therapeutics, Iain Kilty.00:52-01:48: About Sitryx01:48-02:32: What is immunometabolism?02:32-05:01: Approaches to address autoimmune and inflammatory diseases05:01-06:46: Drug development06:46-08:29: What is Sitryx’s approach?08:29-11:02: Finding diseases to treat11:02-13:09: About SYX-521913:09-16:08: Inflammatory response16:08-18:40: About SYX-1042 and Eli Lilly18:40-19:54: Mode of delivery19:54-20:49: The Sitryx pipeline20:49-22:08: Research on immune cell function and other companies’ work22:08-23:53: Increased interest in the field23:53-25:06: More investment and deals25:06-26:30: Future treatments of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases26:30-27:59: The future of immunometabolism27:59-29:26: Sitryx’s goalsInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter

LinkGevity, founded by two sisters, is developing anti-necrotic technologies, especially for application in kidney disease.Carina Kern is the CEO of the company, while Serena Kern-Libera is the chief operating officer. After reading an article about how space-travel is especially damaging to the kidneys, they applied for a place on the inaugural NASA Space-H Accelerator program, and how medicine can support human deep-space missions.LinkGevity was selected for the program, which is in its inaugural year. LinkGevity was selected as its research has uncovered technology with significant potential to minimize the health and performance risks in human spaceflight.LinkGevity’s anti-necrotics applications cover four major areas: organoid preservation and growth; cryopreservation; organ growth and preservation; and kidney protection.LinkGevity’s novel proprietary Blueprint Theory of Aging, developed by Kern, offers a multi-disciplinary framework for understanding the development of age-related diseases and deterioration. The theory enables the company’s AI to accurately identify and target key biological pathways involved in aging and deterioration, with necrosis being one of the most critical processes addressed.To talk about the company’s technology, and its application to space, we had a conversation with Carina Kern and Serena Kern-Libera.01:48-05:45: About LinkGevity05:45-06:39: What is the goal for LinkGevity?06:39-09:07: Is early intervention important?09:07-11:10: What is the Blueprint Theory of Aging, and how do you identify and target key biological pathways involved in aging and deterioration?11:10-13:51: Applying the theory13:51-15:03: Necrosis and LinkGevity’s Anti-Necrotic technology15:03-18:37: Blocking necrosis and treating disease18:37-19:06: Drug delivery19:06-20:54: The importance of AI20:54-24:43: Connecting LinkGevity’s work with space24:43-26:24: The SPACE-H program27:18-28:13: Other biotech involvement in the program28:13-30:13:  LinkGevity’s presentation at Space-Comm30:13-31:00: Keeping space medicine simple31:00-32:18: The future for LinkGevity32:18-33:14: LinkGevity’s timescale33:14-33:47: Clinical trials33:47-34:53: LinkGevity’s future space work34:53-35:30: Different space opportunities35:30-38:12: LinkGevity fundingInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter

Today, gene therapy is at an exciting inflection point as the industry moves beyond the first generation of these therapies. However, challenges and barriers remain in bringing gene therapies to market, particularly as they expand into more prevalent diseases. Spur Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech company dedicated to developing next generation gene therapies for people living with chronic, debilitating diseases. Its lead candidate, FLT201, is an AAV gene therapy for Gaucher disease that is poised to enter phase 3 development in 2025.This week, we have a conversation with Michael Parini, CEO of Spur Therapeutics, about the future of gene therapy.01:56-04:01: About Spur Therapeutics04:01-06:49: Where is the gene therapy field at currently?06:49-10:44: The biggest challenges for gene therapies, and potential solutions10:44-13:21: What is the next generation of gene therapy?13:21-18:08: How can gene therapy be used to take on more diseases? How can it be cheaper?18:08-19:14: Are other companies working on next-generation gene therapies?19:14-21:07: What is Gaucher disease?21:07-22:32: How are you tackling Gaucher disease?22:32-26:07: What is the measure of success?26:07-28:18: About adrenomyeloneuropathy28:18-29:32: Upcoming approvals in gene therapy29:32-31:40: How quickly is gene therapy evolving?This podcast is sponsored by Vetter, a globally leading CDMO, with over 70 years of experience as a responsible, independent family business. Driven by more than 6,600 employees worldwide, Vetter provides life-saving injectable drug products to the patients that rely on them most. Vetter partners with its customers throughout the entire product lifecycle, starting in the early phase of drug development with comprehensive expertise and support in clinical manufacturing for in-human trial material. For more information, visit vetter-pharma.comInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter

Antibody-drug conjugates have been an area of great interest in the oncology space in recent years, with a record rate of FDA approvals and dealmaking activity. However balancing efficacy and off-site toxicity has remained a challenge.Some biopharma companies are investing in what they hope will be the next-generation approach to ADCs – bispecific ADCs. More than a dozen early-stage clinical trials are evaluating whether adding a second targeting functionality can improve the preciseness of ADCs’ tumor-targeting, as well as potentially overcome the challenge of heterogeneity in solid tumor target expression. Bispecific ADCs have been a hot area for dealmaking over the past year, including BMS’ $8.4 billion purchase of a bispecific ADC candidate in December, a $690 million deal between Biotheus and Hansoh this spring, and the recently announced $325 million deal between Prague-based SOTIO Biotech and Biocytogen.SOTIO’s most advanced ADC, SOT102, is now in a phase 1/2 clinical study in the U.S. and Europe. To talk about biotechs in Czechia, and bispecific ADCs, our conversation this week is with Radek Špíšek, CEO of SOTIO.01:22-03:17: About SOTIO03:17-06:12: Are there many biotech or biopharma companies in Prague? 06:12-08:16: Are there any challenges or opportunities being in Prague?08:16-13:21: What are bispecific ADCs and how do they differ from regular ADCs?13:21-15:37: Are there any challenges using bispecific ADCs?15:37-17:07: What are the benefits of bispecific ADCs?17:07-18:40: Do bispecific ADCs address the challenge of balancing efficacy and off-site toxicity?18:40-19:42: Why are bispecific ADCs such a hot topic?19:42-21:35: Deals involving bispecific ADCs, and SOTIO’s partnership with Biocytogen21:35-24:15: What is SOT102?24:15-26:41: What else is in SOTIO’s pipeline?26:41-27:47: What is the future for bispecific ADCs? 27:47-29:01: What does this mean for patients?Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated of the latest biotech news by subscribing to our newsletter

Telomeres are structures made from DNA sequences and proteins, and they are found at the ends of chromosomes. In effect, they cap and protect the end of a chromosome. Telomerase is an enzyme that adds DNA to the ends of chromosomes, and it is reactivated in most cancers. Most human tumors not only express telomerase but also have very short telomeres. This makes telomerase a prime target for cancer therapies. MAIA Biotechnology is focused on the pioneering approach of telomere targeting through its lead therapeutic strategy, THIO. Currently, MAIA is making strides with THIO in a phase 2 clinical trial aimed at combating high-risk non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). THIO targets telomerase, thus disrupting cancer cells’ vital structures, leading to their rapid demise. To tell us about MAIA’s groundbreaking work, and the relationships between telomeres, telomerase and cancer, is the CEO and chairman of the company, Vlad Vitoc.01:16-02:13: About MAIA Biotechnology02:13-06:24: What is the role of telomerase in cancer?06:24-07:02: Do other factors affect telomeres?07:02-08:42: How does your therapy, THIO, work?08:42-09:08: Safety of THIO09:08-10:54: How is it administered?10:54-11:04: Are there other companies working on this?11:04-12;14: What else is in the MAIA pipeline?12:14-17:18: MAIA clinical trials17:18-18:19: Could THIO be a preventative treatment?18:19-19:46: Is there a lot of research on telomeres and telomerase?19:46-21:06: Are there cancers that are not telomerase positive?21:06-21:41: What is the future for telomere-targeting therapies?21:41-23:14: Are there any challenges?23:14-25:40: Is word spreading about your treatments?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

C4 Therapeutics (C4T) is a leader in the targeted protein degradation (TPD) field, with two oncology drug candidates currently in clinical trials and collaborations with pharma companies like Merck, Biogen and Roche. The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company is dedicated to creating a new generation of medicines using its TORPEDO platform to design and optimize small-molecule medicines to address difficult-to-treat diseases. TORPEDO can design molecular glues and heterobifunctional degraders, giving C4T the capability of targeting almost any disease-causing protein. C4T’s degrader medicines are designed to harness the body’s natural protein recycling system to rapidly degrade disease-causing proteins, offering the potential to overcome drug resistance, drug undruggable targets and improve patient outcomes.C4T is led by CEO and president Andrew Hirsch, who is this week’s guest on the podcast.01:17-03:01: About C4 Therapeutics03:01-05:07: What is targeted protein degradation?05:07-06:21: What kind of diseases can TPD be used to address? 06:21-10:53: What are the different TPD strategies: PROTAC, molecular glue, lysosome-targeting chimaera (LYTAC), and antibody-based PROTAC?10:53-12:43: How are those strategies applied?12:43-13:59: How is TPD improving on current treatments?15:39-18:24: What is your discovery program, TORPEDO, and how does it work?18:24-25:19: About C4T clinical trials25:19-26:13: Reaction to the ESMO presentation26:13-28:50: Partnerships with pharma companies28:50-31:26: Are there any hurdles or challenges in using TPD?31:26-33:23: The future of TPDInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter

Estonia is working on becoming the first country to implement personalized health at scale through the Estonian National Biobank.The biobank uses genetic data to create a picture of the Estonian population, leading to the potential adaptation of public health systems. The Estonian Biobank has samples from 20% of the adult population; in comparison, UK biobanks only represent 0.7% of the population. With so much data, Estonia can determine risk factors for cancer, cardiovascular disease, mental and reproductive health, informing health investments to improves patient outcomes.The project seeks to predict patients’ responses to certain medications based on their genetic makeup. As well as better patient outcomes, this approach could save health systems millions on ineffective prescriptions in the long run. It could also be a blueprint for other national health systems, including the NHS, to personalize healthcare at scale.Earlier this year, the Estonian Biobank announced the next phase of its European Commission funded project in collaboration with sequencing firm PacBio. On the podcast this week, we have Professor Lili Milani, head of the Estonian National Biobank, and Neil Ward, VP of EMEA at PacBio.01:27-04:06: What is the Estonian National Biobank?04:06-05:15: Background on PacBio05:15-06:43: What are the benefits of using genetic data to create a picture of the Estonian population?06:43-08:24: What data is collected, and how is it used?08:24-09:54: Protecting individual privacy09:54-11:24: Is the databank used regularly by Estonian citizens?11:24-12:35: Can the biobank help address disease earlier?12:35-16:30: Are there economic savings?16:30-17:16: How to expand the biobank program17:16-19:44: How does the biobank help personalize medicine?19:44-20:26: Are there regional differences?20:26-21:57: How can Estonia’s system be applied to other countries?21:57-22:57: Has there been international interest in the biobank?22:27-22:52: Are pharma companies interested in the biobank?22:52-24:05: The partnership with PacBio24:05-26:15: Is AI being used in conjunction with the biobank?26:15-27:26: Is the biobank project similar to other PacBio work?27:26-29:00: What is the future for the biobank relationship with PacBio?29:00-31:30: What is the future for the biobank?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

Inflammation appears to affect almost every part of the human body as we age, including cancer, type-2 diabetes, obesity, and neurodegenerative disorders.NLRP3 inflammasome-induced inflammation is at the root of nearly all disease pathologies including fibrotic, dermatological, rheumatological diseases as well as neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.Halia Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering a novel class of small molecule medications designed to combat inflammation.Halia Therapeutics’ candidates are the first drugs to target the protein NEK7 to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activity to resolve chronic inflammation in multiple diseases.Its lead candidate, HT-6184 is currently being evaluated in two phase II studies – for the treatment of post-procedure inflammatory pain response and cancer (lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS).The company also recently announced a new collaboration to leverage AI in the clinical development of its new Alzheimer's disease drug, HT-4253, targeting a mediator of neuroinflammation called leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2).This week, or guest is Dave Bearss, CEO of Halia Therapeutics.01:09-05:49: About Halia Therapeutics05:49-08:59: What is the difference between acute inflammation and chronic inflammation?08:59-12:02: What is NLRP3 inflammasome-induced inflammation?12:02-15:37: What is NEK7 and how does targeting it help inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activity?15:37-18:51: What diseases are related to NLRP3 inflammasome activity?18:51-22:11: What does reducing NLRP3 activity address in these conditions?22:11-26:46:  With Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s is inflammation reduction being investigated by other companies?26:46-24:14: What is Halia’s lead candidate, HT-6184?34:14-37:03: What is the balance between normal inflammation and reducing chronic inflammation?37:03-38:34: Is early intervention the key?38:34-42:18: Would your treatment be good as a preventative measure?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

Tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy uses a person’s own immune cells to fight advanced melanoma, offering new hope for patients who have limited treatment options. This week, we have a conversation with Brian Gastman, EVP of medical affairs at Iovance Biotherapeutics, about TILs and the company’s pipeline.Iovance recently submitted a marketing authorization application to the European Medicines Agency for lifileucel, a TIL cell therapy, for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma previously treated with a PD-1 blocking antibody, and if BRAF V600 mutation positive, a BRAF inhibitor with or without a MEK inhibitor. If approved, lifileucel will be the first and only approved therapy in this treatment setting in all European Union member states.The submission is supported by positive clinical data from the C-144-01 clinical trial in patients with advanced post-anti-PD1 melanoma.Iovance’s Amtagvi is the first FDA-approved T cell therapy for a solid tumor indication. 00:47-04:44: About Iovance Biotherapeutics04:44-07:57: What is polyclonal tumor infiltrating lymphocyte treatment?07:57-14:55: What is the production process for TILs?14:55-18:32: Are there any limiting factors for TIL treatment?18:32-20:59: Is early intervention important?20:59-21:22: Does better psychology help?21:22-22:06: Are other companies working on TILs?22:06-27:25: Clinical trials 27:25-29:25: How do you address cost?29:25-34:21: Iovance’s pipeline34:21-35:30: Can TILs be improved?35:30-37:21: Where does the TIL space go from here?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

The development of combination vaccines could represent a significant advancement in the fight against infectious diseases. With the potential to streamline the vaccination process and provide broader protection, these vaccines could greatly improve public health preparedness.Moderna is harnessing the power of its mRNA platform to develop vaccines that target multiple respiratory viruses at once, including COVID-19, RSV, and influenza. The breakthrough technology enables the immune system to combat multiple pathogens simultaneously, revolutionizing immunization efforts and enhancing public health preparedness.To look at combination vaccines, their usefulness and potential for the future, we had an in-depth conversation with Cesar Sanz Rodriguez, vice president, Europe & Switzerland, medical affairs, at Moderna.00:45-02:53: What is combination vaccine technology?02:53-05:33: What are the advantages of targeting multiple respiratory diseases simultaneously?05:33-06:02: Making vaccinations more friendly06:02-07:57: How does the immune system handle tackling many pathogens at the same time?07:57-10:23: Is there an effect of efficacy with combination vaccines?10:23-12:50: How do you manage different times between boosters?12:50-13:57: Are many companies working on combination vaccines?13:57-17:45: How easy is it to add vaccines, for example to tackle avian flu, into combination vaccines?17:45-19:06: Is there a limit to the number of vaccines in a combination vaccine? 19:06-20:46: How easily can vaccines be updated to address variants?20:46-22:30: What is the future of combination vaccines?22:30-23:56: What is in Moderna’s pipeline related to vaccines?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 learn more about the topic: From pandemic spotlight to post-COVID crossroads: What happened to these biotech players?