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Cofounders Jeremy Wohlwend and Gabriele Corso join the a16z podcast to discuss the launch of Boltz, a public benefit company building AI infrastructure for molecular biology. The conversation explains how breakthroughs following AlphaFold moved the field beyond protein structure prediction into modeling biomolecular interactions and binding strength, why open-source Boltz models saw rapid adoption across pharma and biotech, and how that work is now being productized. They outline the launch of Boltz Lab, a platform that brings protein and small-molecule design agents into scientist workflows, Boltz's decision to operate as an infrastructure company rather than a therapeutics company, and how AI could reduce early drug discovery bottlenecks by improving molecular design and speeding iteration between computation and the lab. Resources: Follow Gabriele on X: https://twitter.com/GabriCorso Follow Jeremy on X: https://twitter.com/jeremyWohlwend Follow Jorge X: https://twitter.com/jorgecondebio Follow Zak on X: https://twitter.com/zakdoric Stay Updated:If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends!Find a16z on X:https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zListen to the a16z Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYXListen to the a16z Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711Follow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg](https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ sits down with Jurek Kozyra, founder and CEO of Nanovery, to explore how DNA nanotechnology and AI are revolutionizing molecular medicine. Discover how tiny nanorobots made from DNA could dramatically accelerate drug development, make diagnostics faster and more affordable, and potentially cure diseases that were previously untreatable. From detecting diseases in hours instead of days to cutting years off the drug development process, this conversation reveals the cutting-edge science that's transforming healthcare. Four Key Takeaways: The Promise of Oligonucleotide Therapeutics (9:06) Traditional medicine targets defective proteins, but many diseases can't be cured because we can't find the right molecule. Oligonucleotide therapeutics target mRNA—the underlying mechanism of disease—meaning you could potentially cure all diseases since all proteins come from mRNA. DNA Nanorobots for Rapid Detection (14:12) Nanovery's DNA nanorobots can detect diseases in blood samples within 2-4 hours compared to traditional lab tests that take two days. These self-assembling machines produce fluorescent signals when they find specific DNA or RNA molecules, enabling point-of-care diagnostics. Accelerating Drug Development (17:13) Pharmaceutical companies race against 20-year patents while drugs take 10+ years to develop. Nanovery's technology provides more accurate data at lower cost and time, potentially shaving years off the development process and helping more drugs successfully reach the market. Real-World Clinical Validation (20:26) In a hospital study with 170 patient samples, Nanovery's technology delivered same or better results than traditional tests in just two hours instead of two days—a game-changer for emergency situations like drug overdoses where immediate answers are critical. Quote of the Show (9:05):"If you can target mRNA very specifically, that means that in theory you could potentially cure all diseases. That's why this area is so exciting right now." – Jurek Kozyra Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome. Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval Ways to connect with Jurek Kozyra: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j3ny/ Company Website: https://nanovery.co.uk How to get more Disruption/Interruption: Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlDSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This roundtable on the role of AI in the biotech sector features Frank Yocca, Senior VP and Chief Scientific Officer at BioXcel Therapeutics, Joanne Taylor, Senior VP for Research at Gain Therapeutics, and Martin Brenner, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer at iBio. The conversation covers the historical adoption of AI in biotech, its current use in drug discovery, and future possibilities. AI is not a new phenomenon in biotech and has evolved from data processing to sophisticated models that can screen vast amounts of data. There is a critical need for high-quality, structured data to train effective AI models, and these experts caution about the hype surrounding AI-generated discoveries and emphasize the need for real-world biological and human testing. Frank explains, "We are all about AI right from the get-go. We sort of inherited that from the parent company, BioXcel, which is now BioXcel, LLC. The company started by deploying data science on big biomedical and other datasets. Much of the data was unstructured and required significant curation, which at first was largely manual. Later, we began deploying more natural language processing and knowledge graphs to predict whether drugs that initially failed but were safe could be repurposed for other indications. More recently, the latest evolution has really been to use large language models and more agentic workflows to generate hypotheses and insights." Joanne explains, "So Gain has had for many years, I think 10 years also, a virtual drug discovery platform where we've been able to screen millions of compounds virtually to discover allosteric binding molecules. But about three or so years ago, we made the change from screening millions of compounds to screening, now we're up to the capability of screening trillions of compounds." "We can screen in days, whereas it would take you months and maybe a year to do high-throughput screening. But in terms of having introduced AI into this system, it means that we can do things better because obviously, if you can screen trillions of compounds, you're screening more of the possibilities, you are going to be making better drugs. At least that's the hypothesis than if you are screening fewer compounds. So it's the fact that this is a fast tool set that makes you able to do things that you wouldn't have been otherwise able to do, but it doesn't necessarily make the process itself that much faster because you are doing much more." Martin elaborates, "So we had the good fortune to start from scratch. We're a very small company. We have made from the get-go the decision that our scientists would be bilingual. They're not only data and AI scientists, but they're also biologists. That makes it a lot easier to translate between the two disciplines. We literally started, or Rubrik Therapeutics started, on the hypothesis that would be a model of structure prediction for proteins. So the company was clearly ahead of its time, and we started by making molecules that set up better than existing ones. And that's, I think, a very low hurdle that a lot of people are doing right now. And you hear sometimes this overreaching argument, we make AI drugs. First of all, tomorrow medicines take 10,000 steps, and enabling three of them is not making an AI drug, but making better molecules. This was the first important step." #BioXcel #GainTherapeutics #iBio #AI #ClinicalAI #ArtificialIntelligence #Biotechnology #DrugDiscovery #PersonalizedMedicine #HealthcareInnovation #BiopharmaAI #ClinicalTrials #RareDisease #Neuroscience #PrecisionMedicine #HealthTech #BiotechLeadership #AIinHealthcare #DrugDevelopment #MedicalInnovation bioxceltherapeutics.com gaintherapeutics.com ibioinc.com Download the transcript here
This roundtable on the role of AI in the biotech sector features Frank Yocca, Senior VP and Chief Scientific Officer at BioXcel Therapeutics, Joanne Taylor, Senior VP for Research at Gain Therapeutics, and Martin Brenner, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer at iBio. The conversation covers the historical adoption of AI in biotech, its current use in drug discovery, and future possibilities. AI is not a new phenomenon in biotech and has evolved from data processing to sophisticated models that can screen vast amounts of data. There is a critical need for high-quality, structured data to train effective AI models, and these experts caution about the hype surrounding AI-generated discoveries and emphasize the need for real-world biological and human testing. Frank explains, "We are all about AI right from the get-go. We sort of inherited that from the parent company, BioXcel, which is now BioXcel, LLC. The company started by deploying data science on big biomedical and other datasets. Much of the data was unstructured and required significant curation, which at first was largely manual. Later, we began deploying more natural language processing and knowledge graphs to predict whether drugs that initially failed but were safe could be repurposed for other indications. More recently, the latest evolution has really been to use large language models and more agentic workflows to generate hypotheses and insights." Joanne explains, "So Gain has had for many years, I think 10 years also, a virtual drug discovery platform where we've been able to screen millions of compounds virtually to discover allosteric binding molecules. But about three or so years ago, we made the change from screening millions of compounds to screening, now we're up to the capability of screening trillions of compounds." "We can screen in days, whereas it would take you months and maybe a year to do high-throughput screening. But in terms of having introduced AI into this system, it means that we can do things better because obviously, if you can screen trillions of compounds, you're screening more of the possibilities, you are going to be making better drugs. At least that's the hypothesis than if you are screening fewer compounds. So it's the fact that this is a fast tool set that makes you able to do things that you wouldn't have been otherwise able to do, but it doesn't necessarily make the process itself that much faster because you are doing much more." Martin elaborates, "So we had the good fortune to start from scratch. We're a very small company. We have made from the get-go the decision that our scientists would be bilingual. They're not only data and AI scientists, but they're also biologists. That makes it a lot easier to translate between the two disciplines. We literally started, or Rubrik Therapeutics started, on the hypothesis that would be a model of structure prediction for proteins. So the company was clearly ahead of its time, and we started by making molecules that set up better than existing ones. And that's, I think, a very low hurdle that a lot of people are doing right now. And you hear sometimes this overreaching argument: we make AI drugs. First of all, tomorrow medicines take 10,000 steps, and enabling three of them is not making an AI drug, but making better molecules. This was the first important step." #BioXcel #GainTherapeutics #iBio #AI #ClinicalAI #ArtificialIntelligence #Biotechnology #DrugDiscovery #PersonalizedMedicine #HealthcareInnovation #BiopharmaAI #ClinicalTrials #RareDisease #Neuroscience #PrecisionMedicine #HealthTech #BiotechLeadership #AIinHealthcare #DrugDevelopment #MedicalInnovation bioxceltherapeutics.com gaintherapeutics.com ibioinc.com Listen to the podcast here
Send us a textIn this premiere of Season 4, the Qubit Value podcast focuses on the life sciences sector, providing a candid engineering assessment of quantum computing's potential in drug discovery as of early 2026. The episode cuts through the excitement of "quantum-inspired" results to reveal significant technical hurdles: even with recent advances, the "Barren Plateau" problem remains a critical bottleneck, causing quantum machine learning models to stop learning as they scale up to complex molecules. The hosts highlight that while new algorithms like "qubit-ADAPT-VQE" show promise for small spin models, simulating a commercially relevant drug molecule still requires millions of physical qubits to maintain coherence—far beyond current hardware capabilities. The discussion concludes by urging pharmaceutical executives to view quantum not as an immediate solution for drug design, but as a long-term research investment.
Good morning from Pharma Daily: the podcast that brings you the most important developments in the pharmaceutical and biotech world. Today, we delve into the significant events of 2025, a year marked by pivotal scientific breakthroughs, regulatory changes, and industry trends that have reshaped drug development and patient care.One of the standout advancements was Novo Nordisk gaining FDA approval for an oral version of Wegovy, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist for obesity management. This marks a notable shift in treatment accessibility, as it provides an easier alternative to injectables for those managing weight and cardiovascular risks. This development could significantly enhance patient adherence and broaden access to this critical therapy.However, not all news was positive. Pfizer faced a challenging situation when a patient death occurred in the extension of their Hympavzi hemophilia study. Such incidents highlight the intrinsic risks of clinical trials, especially within gene therapy realms where safety monitoring is paramount. These events remind us of the delicate balance between innovation and patient safety in advanced biologic therapies.In legal news, Johnson & Johnson was ordered by a Baltimore jury to pay $1.56 billion in a talc-related cancer case. This ruling underscores heightened scrutiny on product safety and consumer protection within the pharmaceutical industry, potentially influencing future litigation and regulatory measures.Clinical trial outcomes also presented mixed results. Neurocrine Biosciences' Ingrezza did not meet efficacy endpoints in its phase 3 trial for cerebral palsy-related dyskinesia. Although it is approved for other movement disorders, this setback reflects the complexities involved in expanding drug indications. Such challenges highlight ongoing hurdles in translating preclinical successes into clinical realities.Despite geopolitical tensions, particularly between China and the U.S., Chinese biotech firms thrived, maintaining robust deal activity. China's continued growth as an innovation hub is driven by strategic investments and collaborations that bolster global drug development efforts, underscoring its increasing influence in life sciences.Regulatory landscapes also shifted with proposals from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation to align U.S. drug prices with international rates under Medicare Parts B and D. These proposed models could significantly impact pricing strategies and market dynamics within the U.S., requiring pharmaceutical companies to adapt while ensuring equitable access to medications.Ethical challenges surfaced as six individuals were charged with insider trading involving biotech stocks. Such incidents highlight the necessity for stringent ethical standards and regulatory oversight to maintain investor confidence and market integrity.Meanwhile, AstraZeneca's extended partnership with Niowave for actinium-225 supply reflects an interest in radiopharmaceuticals as targeted cancer therapies. This collaboration highlights the potential of radiopharmaceuticals in oncology, opening promising avenues for precision medicine approaches.As 2025 closes, it's clear that this year has been one of both triumphs and trials for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Scientific innovations like Novo Nordisk's oral GLP-1 receptor agonist offer new hope for patients, yet challenges such as clinical trial setbacks and legal battles indicate ongoing hurdles in drug development and commercialization. These developments will likely influence industry strategies and regulatory policies as we advance into 2026.The sustained momentum of China's biotech industry amid global trade tensions remains notable. This trend reflects China's strategic investments in biotech capabilities and its growing role in global markets despite geopolitical frictions.In clinical research, Hope BioscienceSupport the show
“There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of drug repurposing opportunities just waiting to be uncovered,” explains David Fajgenbaum, M.D. David Fajgenbaum, M.D., physician-scientist, bestselling author of Chasing My Cure, co-founder of Every Cure, and leader in the global push for drug repurposing, joins us today to explain why the cures of tomorrow may already be on pharmacy shelves today—and how his team is racing to uncover them. - From college athlete to ICU (~3:15) - Finding a cure (~7:20) - Hope needs to drive action (~9:45) - Repurposing drugs (~11:10) - Use cases of generic drugs (~13:30) - Lithium for bipolar & Alzheimer's (~16:00) - Lidocaine & breast cancer (~17:25) - GLP-1 for longevity benefits (~19:20) - Increasing awareness in the healthcare system (~20:10) - The 3 main hurdles for repurposing drugs (~22:00) - Opportunities in the space (~23:10) - 14 advanced repurpose treatments (~28:00) - The power of AI (~32:50) - Using AI for personalized medicine (~34:30) - AI for treatment options (~37:45) - Common drugs with big potential (~41:00) - The future of healthcare & drug discovery (~44:50) - How you can help (~49:30) Referenced in the episode: - Follow Fajgenbaum on Instagram (@dfajgenbaum) - Check out his website (https://davidfajgenbaum.com/) - Pick up his book, Chasing My Cure (https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-My-Cure-Doctors-Action/dp/1524799637/) - Listen to his TED Talk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb34MfJjurc) - Learn more about Every Cure (https://everycure.org/) We hope you enjoy this episode, and feel free to watch the full video on YouTube! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: podcast@mindbodygreen.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dr. Christina Smolke runs a brewery, except the yeast isn't making alcohol. It's making medicine. At Antheia, Smolke has turned a long-shot Stanford research project into a new way to manufacture critical pharmaceutical ingredients, using biology instead of traditional chemistry.The approach is already being used to produce opioid precursors for Narcan, with more drugs in the pipeline aimed at chronic shortages and supply-chain failures. Smolke talks about regulation, security, and why some of the hardest problems in science are worth chasing—especially when everyone says they won't work. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Richard Bonneau, Vice President of Machine Learning for Drug Discovery at Genentech and Roche, provides Pitt's HexAI podcast host, Jordan Gass-Pooré, with an insider view on how his team is fundamentally changing and accelerating how new drug candidate molecules are designed, predicted, and optimized.Geared for students in computational sciences and hybrid STEM fields, the episode introduces listeners to uses of AI and ML in molecular design, the biomolecular structure and structure-function relationships that underpin drug discovery, and how distinct teams at Genentech work together through an integrated computational system.Richard and Jordan use the opportunity to touch on how advances in the molecule design domain can inspire and inform advances in computational pathology and laboratory medicine. Richard also delves into the critical role of Explainable AI (XAI), interpretability, and error estimation in the drug design-prototype-test cycle, and provides advice on domain knowledge and skills needed today by students interested in joining teams like his at Genentech and Roche.
Rick Pierce, Co-Founder and CEO of Decoy Therapeutics. is using AI and machine learning to accelerate drug discovery and is developing broad-acting antivirals using peptide conjugates that target a shared invasion mechanism of hundreds of viruses. The company is using small language models and a high-speed peptide synthesizer to dramatically reduce drug creation time. Rick predicts that the future of drug discovery will combine AI-driven design with advanced biological models, such as organoids, to better predict drug toxicity and efficacy. Rick explains, "Decoy Therapeutics was founded years ago, during the COVID era. And what we've learned during that was that in order to develop drugs rapidly and scale up their manufacturing, we needed to use machine learning and AI. And the drugs that we're looking at developing today as a result of that are broad-acting antivirals that can be used against multiple viruses. So one drug can be used against multiple viruses like Flu, COVID, and RSV." "So we chose antivirals as a space because viruses have what is called polypharmacology, and in plain layman's terms, what that means is that about 250 of these viruses share the same invasion machinery, meaning the way the virus enters the healthy cells is shared across all those viruses. It's slightly different in each of those viruses, but effectively for drug development, very similar." "That allows us to use peptides, which are also alpha helices, to be able to design drugs with AI and machine learning that physically block the invasion machinery and thus basically the virus from binding to a healthy cell. Peptides are uniquely positioned as drugs for this set of viral targets. Again, it's a rich set of targets among 250 viruses across multiple viral families." #DecoyTherapeutics #PeptideConjugates #BroadSpectrumAntiviral #AIinBiotech #NextGenMedicine decoytx.com Listen to the podcast here
Rick Pierce, Co-Founder and CEO of Decoy Therapeutics. is using AI and machine learning to accelerate drug discovery and is developing broad-acting antivirals using peptide conjugates that target a shared invasion mechanism of hundreds of viruses. The company is using small language models and a high-speed peptide synthesizer to dramatically reduce drug creation time. Rick predicts that the future of drug discovery will combine AI-driven design with advanced biological models, such as organoids, to better predict drug toxicity and efficacy. Rick explains, "Decoy Therapeutics was founded years ago, during the COVID era. And what we've learned during that was that in order to develop drugs rapidly and scale up their manufacturing, we needed to use machine learning and AI. And the drugs that we're looking at developing today as a result of that are broad-acting antivirals that can be used against multiple viruses. So one drug can be used against multiple viruses like Flu, COVID, and RSV." "So we chose antivirals as a space because viruses have what is called polypharmacology, and in plain layman's terms, what that means is that about 250 of these viruses share the same invasion machinery, meaning the way the virus enters the healthy cells is shared across all those viruses. It's slightly different in each of those viruses, but effectively for drug development, very similar." "That allows us to use peptides, which are also alpha helices, to be able to design drugs with AI and machine learning that physically block the invasion machinery and thus basically the virus from binding to a healthy cell. Peptides are uniquely positioned as drugs for this set of viral targets. Again, it's a rich set of targets among 250 viruses across multiple viral families." #DecoyTherapeutics #PeptideConjugates #BroadSpectrumAntiviral #AIinBiotech #NextGenMedicine decoytx.com Download the transcript here
In this episode, we sit down with Caitlyn Krebs, Co-founder and CEO of Nalu Bio, to discuss how her company is leveraging generative AI to revolutionize drug discovery. Caitlyn shares how they are creating novel chemical entities five times faster than traditional methods to tackle massive unmet needs like endometriosis and post-surgical pain.We also dive deep into the business of biotech: the looming $250 billion "Patent Cliff" facing big pharma, the reality of the fundraising "rollercoaster," and why bringing innovation back to the US is critical for the industry's future.If you are interested in the intersection of AI and biology, the future of pain management, or the grit required to build a life sciences startup, you won't want to miss this conversation.⭐ Sponsored by Podcast10x - Podcasting agency for VCs - https://podcast10x.comKey Topics Covered:- The Next GLP-1? Why the endocannabinoid system is the largest regulator in the human body.- AI in Biotech: How Nalu Bio uses "digital twins" and virtual patients to de-risk drug development.- The $250B Opportunity: Understanding the massive patent cliff approaching the pharma industry.- Women's Health: Solving endometriosis with non-hormonal, non-opioid therapeutics.- Founder Resilience: Caitlyn's story of a lead investor walking away at the final document stage and how she bounced back.- Building Moats: How to protect IP and technology in a competitive market.Connect with Caitlyn & Nalu Bio:* Website: https://nalubio.com* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlynkrebs* Email: caitlyn@nalubio.comVC10X website - https://VC10X.comDon't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications for more deep dives into the future of technology and healthcare!#Biotech #AI #DrugDiscovery #Endometriosis #Startup #NaluBio #HealthTech #Entrepreneurship #GLP1 #Pharma
As AI promises to accelerate drug development, a critical question emerges: can pharmaceutical manufacturing keep pace? In this episode, Martin Wood and Adrian La Porta examine how artificial intelligence could transform the entire pharmaceutical value chain, from quality control paradigms to facility design.Recorded as a preview to Bryden Wood's Accelerate Pharmaceuticals event on 25th November, the discussion explores fundamental questions about the future of drug manufacturing. Adrian argues that current quality systems are essentially compensations for our limited understanding of manufacturing processes - and that AI could enable a complete reversal of this paradigm through real-time, data-driven quality monitoring.The conversation ranges from the potential for patient data feedback loops that could reshape manufacturing in near real-time, to whether facilities should be designed around autonomous systems rather than people. They examine why continuous manufacturing has struggled to gain traction, whether digital twins could eliminate traditional scale-up challenges, and how distributed manufacturing models might reshape global supply chains.A thought-provoking exploration of whether AI can finally bridge the longstanding gap between drug development innovation and manufacturing industrialisation - and what it will take to get there.Send us a textTo learn more about Bryden Wood's Design to Value philosophy, visit www.brydenwood.com. You can also follow Bryden Wood on LinkedIn.
Biotech Bytes: Conversations with Biotechnology / Pharmaceutical IT Leaders
AI in Drug Discovery | #aidrugdiscovery #biotechinnovation #medicalinnovationAmid a rapidly changing biotech landscape, AI is transforming how we discover and develop new medicines. Please visit our website to get more information: https://swangroup.net/ In this episode, I sit down with Smbat Rafayelyan, founder and CEO of Bioneex, a platform that connects early-stage biotech innovators with investors and pharma companies using AI-driven insights. He shares his journey from big pharma to entrepreneurship and how his team is reshaping drug discovery.We explore how personalized large language models are being applied in biotech, the role of data integration in connecting biotech, pharma, and investors, and why China's biotech ecosystem is fueling a surge of innovation.✅ How personalized AI models improve drug discovery and evaluation✅ The role of data integration in connecting biotech, pharma, and investors✅ Global opportunities, including China's emerging biotech sectorIf you've ever wondered how AI is making sense of scientific data chaos, this episode is a must-watch.Links from this episode:✅ Get to know more about Smbat Rafayelyan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-smbat-rafayelyan/?originalSubdomain=de ✅ Learn more about Bioneex: https://bioneex.com
Marc Tessier-Lavigne, CEO of South San Francisco-based Xaira Therapeutics, on reinventing drug discovery with AI.
November 11, 2025 | What is the next modality to focus on in the next 10 years? For Bahija Jallal, CEO of Immunocore, it would be T-cell engagers. In this episode of The Chain, host Rakesh Dixit speaks with Jallal on the potential advantages of bispecific T-cell engager therapy versus T-cell receptor therapy, biggest anticipated changes in drug discovery and development in the next 10 years, and how AI is going to impact the next generation of scientists. Plus, Jallal shares her experiences as the previous president of MedImmune and at AstraZeneca, what her most rewarding project was, and the transformations and achievements that occurred under her leadership. Links from this episode: Immunocore
AI and digital twins are redrawing the boundaries of drug discovery. Once defined by lab benches, animal studies, and years of trial and error, the field is now embracing virtual methodologies that promise faster, safer, and more precise innovation. But could these technologies ever make animal testing obsolete?In this episode of Tech Tomorrow, David Elliman speaks with Professor Julie Frearson, SVP and Chief Scientific Officer at Charles River Laboratories, about how artificial intelligence is transforming early-stage drug discovery. Julie explains how AI is already accelerating small-molecule design and enabling the use of virtual control animals, reducing the need for live testing without compromising scientific integrity.They also unpack the growing challenges of explainability, bias, and regulation in AI-driven science. From ensuring transparency and accountability in complex models to understanding how regulators like the FDA are beginning to accept hybrid data sets that combine in vivo results with AI predictions, the discussion balances optimism with realism in a rapidly evolving field.Ultimately, Professor Julie and David agree that while AI is reshaping discovery, humans must remain firmly in the loop. For now, it is the only way to ensure that innovation remains both ethical, trustworthy, and safe.Episode Highlights:01:31 – Areas of drug discovery already transformed by AI and digital twins.03:25 – Digital twins in animal testing and the creation of “virtual animals.”05:50 – David's thoughts: What executives often get wrong about digital twins.07:30 – How digital twins accurately recreate parts of animals.10:11 – How regulation currently views AI models in drug discovery.13:30 – The timeline for regulators to become more comfortable with hybrid data sets.14:37 – David's thoughts: How ‘black box' AI processes create challenges, and how to address them.16:31 – The role of humans in the drug discovery loop.17:37 – Will technology outpace regulation?20:34 – Could AI and digital twins make animal testing in drug discovery obsolete?About Zühlke:Zühlke is a global transformation partner, with engineering and innovation at its core. We help clients envision and build their businesses for the future – running smarter today while adapting for tomorrow's markets, customers, and communities.Our multidisciplinary teams specialise in technology strategy and business innovation, digital solutions and applications, and device and systems engineering. We thrive in complex, regulated sectors such as healthcare and finance, connecting strategy, implementation, and operations to help clients build more effective and resilient businesses.Links:Zühlke WebsiteZühlke on LinkedInDavid Elliman on LinkedInProfessor Julie Frearson on LinkedInCharles River Laboratories Website
Editor's Summary by Linda Brubaker, MD, and Preeti Malani, MD, MSJ, Deputy Editors of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, for articles published from November 1-7, 2025.
Tessara Therapeutics, a pioneering biotech start-up based in Melbourne, has developed a platform which creates 3D human brain models using stem cells.Its RealBrain technology generates reproducible, scalable micro-tissues that mimic the complexity of the human brain. Ready to accelerate neural drug discovery – without using animal models.From working with CSIRO's Kickstart program, receiving a CRC-P grant with Xylo Bio, and the University of Sydney to develop neuroplastogens to research the treatment of addiction disorders and inking a new agreement with Swiss based InSphero, Tessara Therapeutics is helping to unlock human neuroscience. Joining us on the MTPConnect podcast is Tessara Therapeutics CEO and Managing Director, Dr Christos Papadimitriou to tell us more about their innovation to accelerate neural drug discovery and their plans to take this technology global.
On this episode of #TheShot of #DigitalHealth Therapy, Jim Joyce and I had the pleasure of chatting with the globally minded and endlessly curious Alette Ramos Hunt, PhD, Global Director, Digital Innovation & AI for Drug Discovery at Novartis. From being a third culture kid (Danish dad, Filipino mom, born in Japan, raised in Hong Kong) to becoming one of the sharpest voices connecting biotech, digital health, and AI, Alette brings perspective that's as international as it is insightful. We explored her fascinating path from studying proteins in Glasgow to driving AI innovation in pharma, and how she's bridging the gap between molecules, humans, and machines. She reminded us that practical AI and game-changing AI both have a place - one makes us efficient, the other makes us dream bigger. It's an episode filled with humility, humor, and yes.. human intelligence - proving that even in a world of algorithms, empathy still leads the way. Fun mentions as always: Chandana Fitzgerald Jeff Weness Milind Kamkolkar [00:00-02:00] Bloopers, sunshine, and background banter. [00:03-05:00] Alette's third-culture upbringing — Japan, Hong Kong, Denmark. [00:05-07:00] Boarding school, biochemistry, and falling in love with proteins. [00:10-12:00] From academia to Pfizer — bringing science to life. [00:13-15:00] Leap to HealthXL — discovering digital health beyond the lab. [00:18-21:00] Entering Novartis — pre-ChatGPT AI strategy and innovation cycles. [00:22-25:00] Practical AI vs. game-changing AI — redefining productivity. [00:24-28:00] AI and drug discovery — startups, partnerships, and collaboration. [00:29-34:00] Lessons on open-minded leadership and partnering with purpose. [00:36-39:00] Jim's classic closing story and Alette's advice: Value your strengths, cherish your partners.
In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Vik Bajaj, CEO and Co-founder of Foresite Labs and Interim President at Xaira Therapeutics, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore how AI is revolutionizing life sciences and healthcare. With a distinguished background spanning physics, structural biology, radiology at Stanford, and pioneering work at Google, Vik brings a unique perspective on the intersection of AI and medicine.The conversation delves into the stark realities of drug discovery—where 2 million researchers globally struggle against success rates so low that most will be lucky to contribute to one or two successful drugs in their entire careers. Vik explains how AI, particularly David Baker's groundbreaking protein design work, is poised to transform this landscape by enabling drugs for previously "undruggable" targets and moving healthcare from reactive treatment to predictive, personalized medicine.From genetic tests that could provide actionable insights for 75% of people to AI models that can predict 5-year mortality from a simple chest X-ray, this episode reveals how we're approaching a future where disease prevention replaces disease treatment. If you're interested in understanding how AI will fundamentally reshape healthcare economics and why Vik compares this transformation to the industrial revolution, this episode is essential listening.Chapters: [01:48] From Physics to Life Sciences: Vik's Interdisciplinary Journey [04:13] The Google Years: Early AI Revolution in Science [06:56] Xaira Therapeutics and David Baker's Protein Design Breakthrough [09:28] The Optimistic Future of AI in Drug Discovery [15:17] The Four-Stage Evolution of AI in Medicine [19:53] Healthcare Cost Crisis and AI Solutions [23:27] The Promise of Personalized Medicine [28:39] Foresite Labs: Specializing in Science and Engineering AI [32:00] Why Healthcare AI is Harder Than Software Engineering [36:27] Two Words for the Future: Industrial RevolutionContact Info:Connect with Vik Bajaj● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drvikbajaj/ Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy● X: boazashkenazy● Email: info@shiftai.fm
Subscribe to UnitedHealthcare's Community & State newsletter.Health Affairs' Rob Lott interviews Tris Dyson, Founder of Challenge Works on his efforts in cultivating challenge prizes as an opportunity to nurture innovation in science and health care, the newly launched Longitude Prize on ALS, the transformation of drug discovery, and more.Currently, more than 70 percent of our content is freely available - and we'd like to keep it that way. With your support, we can continue to keep our digital publication Forefront and podcast Subscribe to UnitedHealthcare's Community & State newsletter.
When Dalila Sabaredzovic's sons were diagnosed with an ultra-rare genetic condition, she faced more questions than answers. But through resilience, advocacy, and the power of collaboration, her family's story has become a beacon of hope in rare disease research. In this deeply moving episode of Sounds of Science, Dalila shares her journey from despair to discovery—and how a global village of scientists came together to pursue a personalized treatment that could change everything.Show NotesTaking a Customized and Collaborative Approach to Therapeutic DevelopmentDrug Discovery Services | Charles RiverASO Screening Services | Charles RiverRare Disease Research for Drug Development | Charles RiverTwo in Eight Billion | Eureka blog
Serial entrepreneur Michael Heltzen, CEO of Exozymes, reveals how his NASDAQ-listed company is "liberating enzymes from cells" to create a new generation of chemical manufacturing. Instead of using living cells as factories, Exozymes isolates enzymatic pathways to work as pure chemistry—achieving engineering-level control previously deemed impossible in conventional synthetic biology. Michael discusses Exozymes' AI-powered enzyme evolution, six-week development timelines, bold IPO strategy during biotech's funding winter, and applications in pharmaceuticals like NCT for liver disease. This is synthetic biology's next chapter: sustainable, scalable enzyme-based manufacturing that could replace both petrochemicals and natural harvesting. Make sure to check out eXoZymes' website: https://exozymes.com/ Follow our Instagram @insidebiotech for updates about episodes and upcoming guests! To learn more about BCLA's events and consulting visit our website.Follow BCLA on LinkedIn
This episode captures Walid Mehanna's perspective on how Merck KGaA has approached enterprise AI adoption through a federated strategy that prioritizes people over technology. The core message is that successful AI implementation requires building organizational capability across three dimensions - people, processes, and technology - rather than seeking a single transformative solution. Walid argues that companies must establish a broad foundation of AI literacy (exemplified by their internal MyGPT tool reaching 25,000 users) before pursuing specialized applications, while maintaining human accountability to prevent complacency. He emphasizes that AI works best when it's treated as an experimental, iterative capability distributed across the organization rather than controlled centrally, with success depending on persistence through the inevitable J-curve of initial productivity drops. The conversation reveals how a large multinational navigates the practical realities of AI deployment - from managing regulatory complexity across different geographies to making pragmatic build-versus-buy decisions - while maintaining focus on the fundamental principle that AI should augment human expertise rather than replace human judgment and responsibility. (0:00) Intro(0:29) How AI is Used at Merck(2:18) AI Applications Across the Value Chain(4:31) Challenges and Risks of AI Implementation(5:35) Federated Approach to AI Prioritization(6:44) Future AI Use Cases and Data Challenges(10:38) Building and Partnering for AI Solutions(15:11) AI in Drug Discovery and R&D(26:47) Quickfire Out-Of-Pocket: https://www.outofpocket.health/
In this episode of IDEA Collider, we are joined by Alex Telford, a biotech founder, writer, and thinker based in the San Francisco Bay Area. As the co-founder of Convoke Bio, Alex discusses his journey from studying biochemistry at UCL to founding a company that develops software tools for streamlining biopharmaceutical workflows.The conversation dives into the impact of AI and language models on the biotech industry, addressing inefficiencies in drug development, and exploring the potential of synthetic biology and personalized medicine. The discussion also touches on the future of drug discovery, China's role in biotech, and the challenges of understanding neuroscience and consciousness. Don't miss this insightful discussion on the future of biopharma innovation! 00:00 Welcome to Idea Collider00:04 Introducing Alex Telford01:59 Alex's Journey from UCL to Convoke Bio05:29 The Mission and Work of Convoke Bio07:57 Challenges in Pharma Decision Making14:05 The Role of AI in Pharma18:26 Knowledge Management and AI27:58 Staying Updated in the Fast-Moving AI Field30:25 AI's Impact on Industry Economics31:38 AI in Clinical Trials and Drug Development35:56 China's Role in Drug Discovery39:24 Neuroscience and AI: Blurring the Lines46:05 Future Predictions in Pharma51:20 Addressing Cognitive Bias in Pharma53:13 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions Keep up with Alex Telford;LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-telford/Website: atelfo.github.ioX: https://twitter.com/atelfoSubstack: atelfo.substack.com Follow Mike Rea On;Website: https://www.ideapharma.com/X: https://x.com/ideapharmaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bigidea/ Listen to more fantastic podcast episodes: https://podcast.ideapharma.com/
In this episode, Jacob sits down with Joshua Meier, co-founder of Chai Discovery and former Chief AI Officer at Absci, to explore the breakthrough moment happening in AI drug discovery. They discuss how the field has evolved through three distinct waves, with the current generation of companies finally achieving success rates that seemed impossible just years ago. The conversation covers everything from moving drug discovery out of the lab and into computers, to why AI models think differently than human chemists, to the strategic decisions around open sourcing foundational models while keeping design capabilities proprietary. It's an in-depth look at how AI is fundamentally changing pharmaceutical innovation and what it means for the future of medicine. Check out the full Chai-2 Zero-Shot Antibody report linked here: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.07.05.663018v1.full.pdf (0:00) Intro(1:25) The Evolution of AI in Drug Discovery(5:14) Current State and Future of AI in Biotech(10:08) Challenges and Modalities in Therapeutics(14:44) Data Generation and Model Training(22:52) Open Source and Model Development at Chai(29:52) Open Source Models and Their Impact(34:36) How Should Chai-2 Be Used?(38:53) The Future of AI in Pharma and Biotech(42:46) Key Milestones and Metrics in AI-Driven Drug Discovery(47:20) Critiques and Hesitation(54:01) Quickfire Out-Of-Pocket: https://www.outofpocket.health/
Rahul Gupta, MD, MPH, MBA, FACP, is a physician, President of GATC Health Corp, and the former Director of the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). He was the first medical doctor to lead ONDCP, and he served as the Director from November 2021 - January 2025. Through his work, particularly at ONDCP, Dr. Gupta has made important contributions to protecting public health, which is an important component of the PCC's mission. In this interview, he discussed drug control policy in the U.S., positive outcomes from the initiatives he has led, his role in safeguarding clean sport, his experience as keynote speaker at our recent PCC Conference, and his current innovative endeavors in drug discovery and healthcare.
Dr. Matt Harlow, PhD, Senior Scientist at TRIANA Biomedicines, shares his path since Vanderbilt and his daily work life in drug discovery.
Robert Abel, chief scientific officer at Schrödinger, says advanced computational tools are changing the pace and accuracy of drug discovery. In a recent episode of The Top Line podcast, Abel outlined three areas where AI and machine learning are making the greatest impact: understanding disease biology, predicting protein structures and designing drug molecules. Schrödinger’s platform uses physics-based simulations alongside AI to evaluate millions of molecules in days, compared with the thousands traditionally synthesized in a year. Abel pointed to real-world results, including a program that reached a clinical trial candidate in just 10 months — far faster than industry averages. He said the technology also helps overcome challenges such as improving drug selectivity and reducing the need for animal testing, aligning with FDA priorities. Abel will share more insights during his upcoming talk at AAPS PharmSci 360 in San Antonio this November. His session abstract is available here. To hear more about Schrödinger’s work in computational drug discovery, listen to the full interview.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to the Olink® Proteomics in Proximity podcast! Below are some useful resources mentioned in this episode: Olink tools and software· Olink® Explore HT, Olink's most advanced solution for high-throughput biomarker discovery, measuring 5400+ proteins simultaneously with a streamlined workflow and industry-leading specificity: https://olink.com/products-services/exploreht/ UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project (UKB-PPP), one of the world's largest scientific studies of blood protein biomarkers conducted to date, https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/learn-more-about-uk-biobank/news/uk-biobank-launches-one-of-the-largest-scientific-studies World Health Organization (2003). Adherence to long-term therapies: evidence for action (PDF). Geneva: World Health Organisation. ISBN 978-92-4-154599-0 Research articles and news· Thermo Fisher Scientific's Olink Platform Selected for World's Largest Human Proteome Studyhttps://ir.thermofisher.com/investors/news-events/news/news-details/2025/Thermo-Fisher-Scientifics-Olink-Platform-Selected-for-Worlds-Largest-Human-Proteome-Study/default.aspx· Hamilton Se-Hwee Oh et al 2025. Plasma proteomics links brain and immune system aging with healthspan and longevityhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03798-1. Nature Medicine (2025)· Song, Y., Abuduaini, B., Yang, X. et al. Identification of inflammatory protein biomarkers for predicting the different subtype of adult with tuberculosis: an Olink proteomic study. Inflamm. Res. 74, 60 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-025-02020-9· Ferhan Qureshi et al 2023. Analytical validation of a multi-protein, serum-based assay for disease activity assessments in multiple sclerosis. Proteomics clinical application 2023· Dhindsa, R.S., Burren, O.S., Sun, B.B. et al. Rare variant associations with plasma protein levels in the UK Biobank. 2023 Nature, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06547-xhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06547-x· Sun, B.B., Chiou, J., Traylor, M. et al. Plasma proteomic associations with genetics and health in the UK Biobank. 2023 Nature, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06592-6 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06592-6 https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehac495/6676779· Eldjarn GH, et al. Large-scale plasma proteomics comparisons through genetics and disease associations. Nature. 2023 Oct;622(7982):348-358. doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-06563-xhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06563-x#Sec44· Carrasco-Zanini et al 2024 Proteomic prediction of common and rare diseases. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03142-z . NatureMedicine volume 30, pages2489–2498 (2024)· Watanabe K, Wilmanski T, Diener C, et al. Multiomic signatures of body mass index identify heterogeneous health phenotypes and responses to a lifestyle intervention.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02248-0· Petrera A, von Toerne C, Behlr J, et al. Multiplatform Approach for Plasma Proteomics: Complementarity of Olink Proximity Extension Assay Technology to Mass Spectrometry-Based Protein Profiling. (2020) Journal of Proteome Research, https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acs.jproteome.0c00641· Multicenter Collaborative Study to Optimize Mass Spectrometry Workflows of Clinical Specimens. Kardell O, von Toerne C, Merl-Pham J, König AC, Blindert M, Barth TK, Mergner J, Ludwig C, Tüshaus J, Eckert S, Müller SA, Breimann S, Giesbertz P, Bernhardt AM, Schweizer L, Albrecht V, Teupser D, Imhof A, Kuster B, Lichtenthaler SF, Mann M, Cox J, Hauck SM. J Proteome Res. 2024 Jan 5;23(1):117-129. doi: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00473. Epub 2023 Nov 28. PMID: 38015820 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00473· Wei, S., Shen, R., Lu, X. et al. Integrative multi-omics investigation of sleep apnea: gut microbiome metabolomics, proteomics and phenome-wide association study. Nutr Metab (Lond) 22, 57 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-025-00925-0· Liu, L., Li, M., Qin, Y. et al. Childhood obesity and insulin resistance is correlated with gut microbiome serum protein: an integrated metagenomic and proteomic analysis. Sci Rep 15, 21436 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07357-z· Zhang, Xiaotao et al.Modulating a prebiotic food source influences inflammation and immune-regulating gut microbes and metabolites: insights from the BE GONE trial. eBioMedicine, Volume 98, 104873 (2023.). 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104873· &nb...
In this episode of Idea Collider, host Mike Rea interviews Dr. Christian Rommel from Bayer. Dr. Rommel discusses his journey in molecular oncology from the Max Planck Institute, through roles at Roche, to overseeing global R&D at Bayer. He shares insights on turning scientific discovery into novel medicines, collaboration between scientists and commercial teams, and the importance of maintaining scientific integrity. Dr. Rommel also delves into the impact of AI in drug development, the potential of genetic medicines, and the complexities of launching new medicines on a global scale. The conversation also touches on embracing failure, internal and external partnerships, and the evolving landscape of clinical translation. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:25 Christian Rommel's Journey in Oncology03:02 The Importance of Collaboration in Innovation05:16 Balancing Risk and Reward in Drug Development18:07 The Role of AI and Data in Modern R&D22:33 Partnerships and External Learning26:16 Balancing Legacy and Innovation in Biotech27:18 Global Expansion and Leadership Diversity27:27 Courage in Biotech Management27:54 Inspiration from Roche Genentech30:26 Commitment to Product Supply and Market Readiness32:23 Challenges of Global Launches35:53 Emerging Trends in Pharma: AI and Genetic Medicines42:20 Decision-Making in Pharma47:30 Reflections on Academic and Professional Journey Don't forget to Like, Share, Subscribe, Rate, and Review! Keep up with Christian Rommel;LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-rommel/Website: https://www.bayer.com/en/innovation/science-research-and-innovation Follow Mike Rea On;Website: https://www.ideapharma.com/X: https://x.com/ideapharmaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bigidea/ Listen to more fantastic podcast episodes: https://podcast.ideapharma.com/
In this episode of Sounds of Science, learn how the Retrogenix® platform is reshaping drug development by identifying off-target risks earlier, reducing animal use, and gaining traction with regulators—now as part of the FDA's ISTAND pilot program. Guests Nick Brown and Mark Aspinall-O'Dea from Charles River Discovery Services share real-world insights on their role in advancing NAMs and supporting safer, faster therapeutic development.Show Notes Maximize Safer, Targeted Biologic Development with Smarter NAMs-Based Off-Target Screening Paving the Way for Enhanced Drug Development A Status Report on Cell-Based Protein Arrays Retrogenix® Human Protein Library Retrogenix®: The Screen Door of Drug Development Retrogenix® CAR Specificity Testing Charles River Launched New Retrogenix Non-Human Protein Library
Send us a textIn this episode of the Life Science Success Podcast my guest is Mark Stead, Head of Business Development at Atomic AI, a pioneering biotech company using artificial intelligence and structural biology to develop innovative RNA-targeted therapeutics. Mark brings over 12 years of experience in biotechnology, with a proven track record of negotiating high-value partnerships and driving strategic collaborations in drug discovery.00:00 Introduction to the Life Science Success Podcast00:30 Meet Mark Stead: Journey into Life Sciences03:26 Career Insights: From Amgen to Atomic AI11:20 Innovations at Atomic AI: Leveraging AI and Structural Biology19:37 The Future of AI in Drug Discovery31:03 Leadership and Personal Insights39:38 Conclusion and Farewell
We've long marveled at how efficiently plants convert sunlight into energy—but no one guessed they were using quantum mechanics to do it.In this episode, we speak with Greg Engel, a pioneering University of Chicago biophysicist who helped launch the field of quantum biology. Engel explains how plants and bacteria evolved to exploit quantum effects for photosynthesis—and how understanding these systems could spark a revolution in quantum sensing, medicine, and neuroscience.Engel's team has already built quantum sensors inspired by nature's designs, with the potential to transform how we detect disease, develop drugs, and even read neural signals. The ultimate goal? A new era of quantum medicine, powered by the weird and wonderful physics found in leaves.
In this episode, Jacob sits down with Joshua Meier, co-founder of Chai Discovery and former Chief AI Officer at Absci, to explore the breakthrough moment happening in AI drug discovery. They discuss how the field has evolved through three distinct waves, with the current generation of companies finally achieving success rates that seemed impossible just years ago. The conversation covers everything from moving drug discovery out of the lab and into computers, to why AI models think differently than human chemists, to the strategic decisions around open sourcing foundational models while keeping design capabilities proprietary. It's an in-depth look at how AI is fundamentally changing pharmaceutical innovation and what it means for the future of medicine. Check out the full Chai-2 Zero-Shot Antibody report linked here: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.07.05.663018v1.full.pdf [0:00] Intro[2:10] The Evolution of AI in Drug Discovery[6:09] Current State and Future of AI in Biotech[11:15] Challenges and Modalities in Therapeutics[15:19] Data Generation and Model Training[23:59] Open Source and Model Development at Chai[28:35] Protein Structure Prediction and Diffusion Models[30:57] Open Source Models and Their Impact[35:41] How Should Chai-2 Be Used?[39:34] The Future of AI in Pharma and Biotech[43:51] Key Milestones and Metrics in AI-Driven Drug Discovery[48:24] Critiques and Hesitation[55:06] Quickfire With your co-hosts: @jacobeffron - Partner at Redpoint, Former PM Flatiron Health @patrickachase - Partner at Redpoint, Former ML Engineer LinkedIn @ericabrescia - Former COO Github, Founder Bitnami (acq'd by VMWare) @jordan_segall - Partner at Redpoint
George Congdon joins Morning Movers to look at an AI player in the healthcare space: Tempus AI (TEM). Shares of TEM have rallied higher after its 2Q earnings. George breaks down the latest results and the company's raised guidance. He says customers like AstraZeneca (AZN) like TEM's ability to provide data-driven insights that can potentially provide accelerated drug discovery.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day. Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/ About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about
In episode #91 of The Weekly Bioanalysis, John and Dom return to a two-person format to tackle the "gray areas" of bioanalysis, focusing on drug discovery, biomarkers, tissues, and emerging technologies. They discuss how traditional PK assay validation is highly standardized, but areas like early-stage discovery, biomarker qualification, and tissue analysis require more nuanced, fit-for-purpose approaches. A key theme is the need for flexibility and client collaboration, particularly when defining what constitutes validation versus qualification. The hosts emphasize how evolving technologies and commercially available reagents are enabling more streamlined, context-driven assays, though terminology differences—especially between U.S. and EU practices—continue to cause confusion. They close with a discussion on tissue assay limitations, particularly the inherent variability introduced during sample homogenization.“The Weekly Bioanalysis” is a podcast dedicated to discussing bioanalytical news, tools and services related to the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biomarker industries. Every month, KCAS Bio will bring you another 60 minutes (or so) of friendly banter between our two finest Senior Scientific Advisors as they chat over coffee and discuss what they've learned about the bioanalytical world the past couple of weeks. “The Weekly Bioanalysis” is brought to you by KCAS Bio.KCAS Bio is a progressive growing contract research organization of well over 250 talented and dedicated individuals with growing operations in Kansas City, Doylestown, PA, and Lyon, France, where we are committed to serving our clients and improving health worldwide. Our experienced scientists provide stand-alone bioanalytical services to the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, animal health and medical device industries.
In this episode of Tech Bytes, host Dan Hafner delves into the Trump administration's ambitious AI action plan aimed at securing US global leadership. Discover how this comprehensive strategy seeks to accelerate innovation, expand AI infrastructure, and enhance international leadership, all while addressing regulatory challenges and prioritizing AI education. Join us as we explore the implications of this bold move and its potential to reshape the global AI landscape. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the future of AI and its role in maintaining US economic and military superiority. #AI #USLeadership #Innovation
Want the ultimate guide to Google's Gemini? Get it here: https://clickhubspot.com/evt Episode 68: How is Google DeepMind pushing the boundaries of AI to tackle drug discovery, robotics, and even autonomous AI agents? Matt Wolfe (https://x.com/mreflow) sits down with DeepMind CEO Sir Demis Hassabis (https://x.com/demishassabis), a neuroscientist, AI pioneer, Nobel laureate, and knight, to peel back the curtain on Google's latest advances—and the ethical challenges that come with them. In this episode, Matt and Demis go deep on what's powering the newest generation of AI agents, how models like AlphaFold and AlphaEvolve are accelerating scientific breakthroughs, and why world models are so important for the future of robotics. Demis shares why he believes AI is poised to reshape society—for better and for worse—and what Google is doing to build public trust in its systems. Check out The Next Wave YouTube Channel if you want to see Matt and Nathan on screen: https://lnk.to/thenextwavepd — Show Notes: (00:00) AI Revolutionizing Drug Discovery (03:35) Advanced Model Training Methods (07:06) Accelerating Drug Discovery with AI (11:12) AI's Responsible Role in Society (13:56) AI Revolutionizing Science & Life — Mentions: Sir Demis Hassabis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/demishassabis/ Google DeepMind: https://deepmind.google/ AlphaFold: https://alphafold.ebi.ac.uk/ AlphaEvolve: https://deepmind.google/discover/blog/alphaevolve-a-gemini-powered-coding-agent-for-designing-advanced-algorithms/ Isomorphic Labs: https://www.isomorphiclabs.com/ Android XR glasses: http://blog.google/products/android/android-xr-gemini-glasses-headsets/ Get the guide to build your own Custom GPT: https://clickhubspot.com/tnw — Check Out Matt's Stuff: • Future Tools - https://futuretools.beehiiv.com/ • Blog - https://www.mattwolfe.com/ • YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@mreflow — Check Out Nathan's Stuff: Newsletter: https://news.lore.com/ Blog - https://lore.com/ The Next Wave is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by Hubspot Media // Production by Darren Clarke // Editing by Ezra Bakker Trupiano
Synopsis: What do courtroom litigation, computational biology, and fibrosis drug development have in common? In this episode of Biotech 2050, host Alok Tayi speaks with Ahmed Mousa, CEO of Vicore Pharma, to explore his unconventional journey from biotech law to the C-suite. Ahmed shares how Vicore is advancing a first-in-class therapy targeting the angiotensin II type 2 receptor to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)—a devastating disease with limited options and poor survival. The conversation dives into how AI is reshaping drug discovery, the promise of precision in early-stage candidate design, and the regulatory and data challenges biotech must overcome. Ahmed also reflects on leading a Swedish-listed biotech as an American CEO, and how a patient-first mission continues to fuel bold innovation across continents. Biography: Ahmed Mousa is the Chief Executive Officer of Vicore Pharma (VICO.ST), where he leads the company's mission to advance angiotensin II type 2 receptor agonists for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and other serious diseases. Under his leadership, Vicore continues to expand its clinical pipeline and global presence in respiratory and fibrotic diseases. Previously, Ahmed served as Senior Vice President, Chief Business Officer, and General Counsel at Pieris Pharmaceuticals (PIRS). In this role, he was the site head for the company's Boston office and oversaw business development, portfolio strategy, centralized project leadership, and quality assurance. He also led Pieris' legal and intellectual property functions, including licensing, corporate governance, and management of the company's global patent portfolio. Before joining Pieris, Ahmed was an attorney at Covington & Burling LLP, where he advised pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies on a range of regulatory and intellectual property matters. He also served as a law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and began his legal career as an IP associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Ahmed holds dual undergraduate degrees in Molecular Biology and Government from Cornell University, a Master's in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University, and a J.D. with honors from Georgetown Law, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Georgetown Journal of International Law.
No Priors: Artificial Intelligence | Machine Learning | Technology | Startups
AI has already fueled breakthroughs in biotechnology—but now, further advances in AI are poised to fuel pharmaceutical discoveries as well. Sarah Guo sits down with Joshua Meier and Jack Dent, co-founders of Chai Discovery, whose newly launched Chai-2 designs bespoke antibodies that bind to their targets at a jaw-dropping 20% rate. Jack and Joshua talk about the implications for Chai-2's success rate at discovering antibodies for the pharmaceutical industry, how structure prediction is pivotal in making the model work, and future potential for using the model to optimize other molecular properties. Plus, they talk about what they believe bioscientists should be learning to best utilize Chai-2's technology. Sign up for new podcasts every week. Email feedback to show@no-priors.com Follow us on Twitter: @NoPriorsPod | @Saranormous | @EladGil | @_jackdent | @joshim5 Chapters: 00:00 – Joshua Meier and Jack Dent Introduction 01:09 – Genesis of Chai Discovery 06:12 – Chai-2 Model 10:13 – Criteria for Specifying Targets for Chai-2 13:12 – How the Chai-2 Model Works 16:12 – Emergent Vocabulary from Chai-2 18:15 – Hopes for Chai-2's Impact 20:33 – Reception of the Chai-2 Model 22:16 – Future of Wet Lab Screening and Biotech 27:08 – Optimizing Other Molecule Properties 31:37 – Where Chai Invests From Here 36:20 – What Bioscientists Should Learn for Chai-2 40:23 – How Jack and Josh Oriented to the Biotech Space 43:38 – Platform Investment and Chai-2 46:53 – Scaling Chai Discovery 48:21 – Hiring at Chai Discovery 49:09 – Conclusion
What if a mouse could help shape the future of cancer treatment? In this episode of Sounds of Science, host Mary Parker speaks with Julia Schüler, DVM, PhD, Research Director and Therapeutic Area Lead for Oncology at Charles River. Julia shares how patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models—often described as “avatars” of human tumors—are transforming preclinical oncology research. From preserving tumor heterogeneity to improving translational relevance, PDX models are accelerating the discovery of more effective, personalized therapies. Tune in as we explore how these advanced models are driving innovation across the drug development pipeline—from target discovery to clinical trial design.Show NotesPDX Tumor Organoids : A New Tool in Drug Discovery Testing Realm Organoids: Some Assembly Required Patient-Derived Xenografts- PDX Models 3D Tumor Models In Vitro PDX Assays
Today's guest is Annabel Romero, Specialist Leader focusing on AI for Drug Discovery at Deloitte and a structural biologist by training. Deloitte is a global consulting firm known for its work in digital transformation, data strategy, and AI adoption across regulated industries. Annabel joins Emerj Editorial Director Matthew DeMello to explore how AI systems are being designed to think more like scientists—particularly in protein modeling and life sciences research. She shares how tools like AlphaFold and large language models are accelerating drug targeting, predicting allergen cross-reactivity, and translating learnings from human biology to agricultural innovation. This episode is sponsored by Deloitte. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the ‘AI in Business' podcast!
In this episode of Breaking Health, host Steve Krupa speaks with Matt Bettonville, investor at Yosemite, about the state of oncology research and his hunt for investments in discovery and treatment tools. Bettonville delves into the key to cancer treatment, where deals are flowing towards in the market, and how the AI revolution is helping with drug discovery and cancer treatment breakthroughs. He also discusses the complications (and frustrations) of making treatments affordable, finding new targets in primary cancers most frequently seen in the population, and the importance of early detection. Links from this episode: HealthEdgeYosemite
On today's show we're excited to welcome Rick Peng, the Innovation Hub Manager and Digital Licensing Professional at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. We talk about how your organization can build an outside-in, external innovation program to deliver outsized results. Rick breaks down the secret sauce of the MSK Innovation Hub, an accelerator program designed to encourage collaborations between Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and digital health companies, focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of cancer patients. We discuss their new Innovation Hub Challenge focused on AI Drug Discovery – and why the access to data sets, is a key unlock for ai driven solutions.
Origins - A podcast about Limited Partners, created by Notation Capital
Zach Weinberg, co-founder and CEO of Curie.Bio, is redefining early-stage biotech investing with an operator's mindset and a founder-first philosophy. His approach combines funding with operational support and direct access to world-class drug hunters to dramatically increase odds of success. Today, Zach sits down with Nick Chirls, GP at Asylum Ventures and Beezer Clarkson, LP at Sapphire Partners to discuss the massive risk associated with traditional therapeutics startups, how pairing a drug discovery partner with a seed investor solves those inefficiencies, and how biotech, the global economy and the political landscape are all closely connected.Learn more about Sapphire Partners: sapphireventures.com/sapphire-partnersLearn more about OpenLP: openlp.vcLearn more about Asylum Ventures: asylum.vcLearn more about Curie.Bio: curie.bioFor a monthly roundup of the latest venture insights, including the newest Origins episodes, subscribe to the OpenLP newsletter – delivered straight to your inbox: subscribe.openlp.vcCHAPTERS:(0:00) Welcome to Origins(5:08) Was Hunter High School Harder Than Penn?(10:22) Transitioning From SaaS to Biotech(20:55) Why Is Building a Biotech Venture Firm So Hard?(27:55) Building Curie.Bio(32:24) Zach on Drug Discovery(43:12) Biotech in China(49:42) AI in Biotech(54:51) "The Manhattan Project of Biology"
Welcome back to Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu. In this episode, I sit down with my co-host Drew to rip into one of the most turbulent weeks in global politics and economics we've seen in a long time. We break down not just the moves, but the motives and the possible massive consequences behind Trump's high-octane foreign policy—from slashing tariffs with China and locking in a colossal Saudi investment deal, to taking the unprecedented step of targeting Big Pharma with an executive order to lower drug prices. We get into whether all this fast action is actually helping America or just stirring up more chaos. Are we leveraging our moment, or just getting played by the likes of Xi and Putin? Does tough talk and bold negotiating end with real results for America, or are we setting ourselves up for long-term headaches, especially with midterms on the horizon? Then we peel back the layers on some of the rawest culture war issues, from immigration crackdowns in the UK, the controversy about a Muslim-majority city in Texas, to the viral video of world leaders acting out-of-pocket on a train to Kiev. SHOWNOTES 00:00 – China's 90-Day Tariff Pause: Progress or a Lifeline for Xi? 01:42 – Negotiation Tactics: Deal-Making or Getting Played? 03:48 – The Real Purpose of the 90-Day Pause 05:16 – China Can Print Money: Central Banks and Sinister Power 07:13 – Trump's Aggressive Approach: Productive Chaos? 09:14 – What's Actually Getting Done—And What's Just PR? 10:57 – Accepting a Gold-Plated Jet: Smart Move or Trojan Horse? 13:29 – Why “Greedy Capitalist” Isn't Always an Insult 15:51 – When Deals Cross the Line 18:38 – Global Trade Rebalancing: Is Win-Win Possible with China? 21:17 – Breaking Down the $600 Billion Saudi Deal 24:23 – Why Innovation Stalled—and What Competition With China Could Spark 25:54 – Instilling Inspiration vs. Self-Loathing in American Youth 29:31 – Price Fixing Big Pharma: Popular, but Ultimately Dangerous? 32:15 – Central Banks: The Fungus Beneath the Free Market 36:07 – How Drug Pricing Actually Gets Decided (and Where It Breaks Down) 39:04 – Why Price Fixing Backfires 42:36 – Cigarettes, Prisons, and the True Nature of Supply & Demand 47:14 – Drug Discovery, Innovation, and Unintended Consequences 54:58 – Culture Wars: Immigration Policy in the UK and the US 58:34 – Building the Modern Middle East—Without Western Intervention 60:48 – The Harsh Realities of Assimilation and Cultural Conflict 65:35 – What Happens When Zoning and Religion Collide? 71:19 – Demographics as Destiny: What History Teaches About Outnumbering 74:00 – Respecting Law, Freedom, and What It Means to Be American CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS ButcherBox: Ready to level up your meals? Go to https://ButcherBox.com/impact to get $20 off your first box and FREE bacon for life with the Bilyeu Box! Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to https://www.vitalproteins.com and entering promo code IMPACT at check out Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://shopify.com/impact Netsuite: Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at https://NetSuite.com/THEORY iTrust Capital: Use code IMPACTGO when you sign up and fund your account to get a $100 bonus at https://www.itrustcapital.com/tombilyeu Mint Mobile: If you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Shop plans at https://mintmobile.com/impact. DISCLAIMER: Upfront payment of $45 for 3-month 5 gigabyte plan required (equivalent to $15/mo.). New customer offer for first 3 months only, then full-price plan options available. Taxes & fees extra. See MINT MOBILE for details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Logan is joined by Zach Weinberg (Co-Founder/CEO @ Curie.Bio) and Derek Thompson (writer at The Atlantic) for a candid discussion on the state of U.S. healthcare and scientific progress. They unpack what went right, and wrong, with COVID vaccine policy, the public backlash against mRNA technology, and the ripple effects on trust in science. The conversation also dives into the real reasons behind NIH budget cuts, the economics of drug discovery, and the business incentives in medical R&D. It's a sharp, thought-provoking look at the intersection of policy, innovation, and public perception. (00:00) Introduction to Drug Pricing in the US (00:23) Broad Healthcare Topics and Open-Ended Discussion (02:37) COVID-19 Vaccines: Successes and Public Perception (06:21) The Evolution of COVID-19 and Vaccine Efficacy (07:59) Public Policy and Vaccine Mandates (13:10) Impact of School Closures and Public Sentiment (19:23) NIH Funding and the Importance of Basic Research (25:04) Challenges in Science Funding and Public Perception (35:19) Government vs. Private Investment in Science (36:40) Operation Warp Speed: A Case Study (39:07) Antibiotic Resistance Crisis (43:22) The Drug Pricing Debate (44:05) Challenges in Drug Discovery (54:06) Regulatory Hurdles in Medical R&D (58:06) The Future of Drug Development (01:04:19) Concluding Thoughts Executive Producer: Rashad Assir Producer: Leah Clapper Mixing and editing: Justin Hrabovsky Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUl-s_Vp-Kkk_XVyDylNwLA