Data in Biotech

In this episode of Data in Biotech, host Ross Katz talks with Jesper Ryge, Director of Computational Biology at Merck Germany. Jesper shares his journey from neuroscience labs to leading computational teams, offering deep insights into disease modeling, target discovery, and multi-omics integration. Discover how AI and spatial transcriptomics are shaping the future of pharma R&D. ​​What You'll Learn in This Episode >> How single-cell and spatial transcriptomics enhance disease mechanism discovery >> Why data integration and knowledge graphs are critical for target validation >> How computational biology teams interface with wet lab research >> What makes Merck Germany's data strategy unique in biotech >> How generative AI is changing how pharma interprets complex datasets Meet Our Guest Jesper Ryge is Director of Computational Biology at Merck Germany. A biophysicist by training, he brings deep expertise in neuroscience, single-cell analysis, and bioinformatics to pharmaceutical R&D. About The Host Ross Katz is Principal and Data Science Lead at CorrDyn. Ross specializes in building intelligent data systems that empower biotech and healthcare organizations to extract insights and drive innovation. Connect with Our Guest: Sponsor: CorrDyn, a data consultancyFind out more about MerckConnect with Jesper Ryge on LinkedIn  Connect with Us: Follow the podcast for more insightful discussions on the latest in biotech and data science.Subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!Connect with Ross Katz on LinkedIn Sponsored by… This episode is brought to you by CorrDyn, the leader in data-driven solutions for biotech and healthcare. Discover how CorrDyn is helping organizations turn data into breakthroughs at CorrDyn.

To mark our 50th episode, host Ross Katz brings back three visionary leaders—Dave Johnson (Dash Bio), Wolfgang Halter (Merck Life Science), and Jacob Oppenheim (RAVen)—together for a reflection on the evolution of biotech. They unpack the realities behind AI hype, the future of data-driven innovation, and what’s really changing in drug development. ​​What You'll Learn in This Episode: >> Where real innovation is emerging across startups, big tech, and academia >> The biggest misconceptions about data in biotech—and why they persist >> What it takes to build trust in AI-powered biotech tools >> Why progress in biotech depends as much on execution as it does on breakthroughs >> How industry veterans see the future of automation, regulation, and global competition Meet Our Guests Dave Johnson is CEO and Co-Founder of Dash Bio and former Chief Data & AI Officer at Moderna. He’s pioneering automation in clinical bioanalysis to accelerate drug development. Wolfgang Halter leads Data Science at Merck Life Science, developing tools like BayBE to optimize R&D through smarter data modeling and open-source innovation. Jacob Oppenheim is a Venture Partner at RAVen and co-founder of Fresnel. With a PhD in Biological Physics, he champions the transition to digital-native biopharma. About The Host Ross Katz is Principal and Data Science Lead at CorrDyn. Ross specializes in building intelligent data systems that empower biotech and healthcare organizations to extract insights and drive innovation. Connect with Our Guest: Sponsor: CorrDyn, a data consultancyConnect with Dave Johnson  on LinkedIn Connect with Wolfgang Halter on LinkedInConnect with Jacob Oppenheim on LinkedIn Connect with Us: Follow the podcast for more insightful discussions on the latest in biotech and data science.Subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!Connect with Ross Katz on LinkedIn Sponsored by… This episode is brought to you by CorrDyn, the leader in data-driven solutions for biotech and healthcare. Discover how CorrDyn is helping organizations turn data into breakthroughs at CorrDyn.

In this episode of Data in Biotech, Yaron David, CTO and Co-Founder of BioRaptor, joins host Ross Katz to explore how biotech companies can gain a holistic view of bioprocessing through real-time data integration, visualization, and modeling. Learn how BioRaptor’s full-stack platform helps scientists replace clunky spreadsheets with actionable insights—accelerating experiments and optimizing yields. ​​What You'll Learn in This Episode: >> Why Excel is holding back innovation in bioprocessing labs >> How BioRaptor enables holistic bioprocess understanding across experiments >> The role of virtual sensors in enhancing real-time data visibility >> How BioRaptor drives ROI by onboarding customers in weeks, not months >> The difference between operational and optimization AI in biotech Meet Our Guest Yaron David is CTO and Co-Founder of BioRaptor, an AI-powered analytics platform transforming bioprocess data into scientific insights. With an MD and PhD in neuroscience, he blends medical, software, and startup experience to revolutionize data infrastructure for biotech. About The Host Ross Katz is Principal and Data Science Lead at CorrDyn. Ross specializes in building intelligent data systems that empower biotech and healthcare organizations to extract insights and drive innovation. Connect with Our Guest: Sponsor: CorrDyn, a data consultancyFind out more about BioRaptorConnect with Yaron David on LinkedIn  Connect with Us: Follow the podcast for more insightful discussions on the latest in biotech and data science.Subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!Connect with Ross Katz on LinkedIn Sponsored by… This episode is brought to you by CorrDyn, the leader in data-driven solutions for biotech and healthcare. Discover how CorrDyn is helping organizations turn data into breakthroughs at CorrDyn.

In this episode of Data in Biotech, Jesse Paquette, co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Tag.bio, joins Ross Katz to explore how data mesh architecture and FAIR data principles are transforming clinical and research workflows in life sciences. From harmonizing legacy systems to enabling AI-readiness, Jesse shares how Tag.bio empowers domain experts to make data-driven decisions faster and more effectively. ​​What You'll Learn in This Episode: >> How Tag.bio leverages data mesh and FAIR principles to democratize biomedical data access. >> The challenges biotech firms face with legacy infrastructure and clinical trial data. >> The importance of harmonized, version-controlled data products in AI-driven research. >> Why smaller pharma and life sciences firms benefit most from Tag.bio’s agile platform. Meet Our Guest Jesse Paquette is the co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Tag.bio, where he leads scientific strategy for AI-powered analytics. With over two decades in life sciences, he specializes in building tools that help researchers interpret complex biomedical data independently. About The Host Ross Katz is Principal and Data Science Lead at CorrDyn. Ross specializes in building intelligent data systems that empower biotech and healthcare organizations to extract insights and drive innovation. Connect with Our Guest: Sponsor: CorrDyn, a data consultancyFind out more about Tag.bioConnect with Jesse Parquette on LinkedIn  Connect with Us: Follow the podcast for more insightful discussions on the latest in biotech and data science.Subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!Connect with Ross Katz on LinkedIn Sponsored by… This episode is brought to you by CorrDyn, the leader in data-driven solutions for biotech and healthcare. Discover how CorrDyn is helping organizations turn data into breakthroughs at CorrDyn.

In this episode of Data in Biotech, Ross Katz sits down with Kenny Workman, co-founder and CTO of LatchBio, to unpack how biotech’s data infrastructure must evolve to meet the demands of next-gen assays. From scalable workflows to high-performance visualization tools, Kenny breaks down the shift from traditional biotech to a future defined by data-driven research and agile cloud platforms. ​​What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why spatial biology and high-throughput assays require new data infrastructure strategiesHow LatchBio’s five core components streamline molecular data processingThe challenges of selling into biotech vs. solution providers and the strategic pivot LatchBio made to address thisHow large language models are revolutionizing public data curation for biotechsWhy scientific innovation demands better tech adoption across the industry Meet Our Guest Kenny Workman is co-founder and CTO of LatchBio, a company transforming biological data infrastructure. A UC Berkeley alum, Kenny brings deep expertise in bioengineering, machine learning, and cloud systems. He was named to Forbes' 2023 "30 Under 30" list for his contributions to computational biology. About The Host Ross Katz is Principal and Data Science Lead at CorrDyn. Ross specializes in building intelligent data systems that empower biotech and healthcare organizations to extract insights and drive innovation. Connect with Our Guest: Sponsor: CorrDyn, a data consultancyFind out more about Latch BioConnect with Kenny Workman  on LinkedIn  Connect with Us: Follow the podcast for more insightful discussions on the latest in biotech and data science.Subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!Connect with Ross Katz on LinkedIn Sponsored by… This episode is brought to you by CorrDyn, the leader in data-driven solutions for biotech and healthcare. Discover how CorrDyn is helping organizations turn data into breakthroughs at CorrDyn.

Entrepreneur Jeremy Shane joins host Ross Katz to discuss Life for Health, a revolutionary framework aiming to tackle chronic disease through the integration of life insurance, longitudinal data, and preventative care.  From drug discovery feedback loops to outcomes-based pricing, Shane outlines a bold new path for biotech and healthcare convergence. ​​What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why today's healthcare system fails chronic disease patients and how Life for Health aims to fix it.How longitudinal data and life insurance can realign healthcare incentives for better outcomes.The economic logic behind outcomes-based annuity pricing for breakthrough drugs like GLP-1s.What biotech companies gain from a proactive, participant-driven health model.How clinical trials could transform through pre-qualified data-rich populations. Meet Our Guest Jeremy Shane, Venture Partner at NextGen Venture Partners, is a healthcare innovator focused on chronic disease. With leadership experience at HealthCentral, WebMD, and 2U, he now pioneers Life for Health, blending life insurance with preventative care to realign incentives and extend health span. Life for Health, the book, will be released in July 2025.  To learn more about Life For Health or get involved, go to www.lifeforhealth.com About The Host Ross Katz is Principal and Data Science Lead at CorrDyn. Ross specializes in building intelligent data systems that empower biotech and healthcare organizations to extract insights and drive innovation. Connect with Our Guest: Sponsor: CorrDyn, a data consultancyConnect with Jeremy Shane on LinkedIn or on Twitter @jeremylshane Connect with Us: Follow the podcast for more insightful discussions on the latest in biotech and data science.Subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! Sponsored by… This episode is brought to you by CorrDyn, the leader in data-driven solutions for biotech and healthcare. Discover how CorrDyn is helping organizations turn data into breakthroughs at CorrDyn.

In this episode of Data in Biotech, host Ross Katz sits down with Scott Lipnick, Co-Founder and President of Etiome, to explore how preemptive medicine is changing the way biotech approaches therapeutic modeling and intervention.  Discover how Etiome’s recently launched, AI-driven platform is built to detect disease earlier, identify precise biomarkers, and create stage-specific treatments—all before symptoms arise.  It’s a visionary approach to healthcare focused on preserving health, not just managing illness. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why Scott Lipnick believes the future of medicine lies in preemptive care.How Etiome uses AI to map disease progression at the cellular level.The role of biomarkers in identifying disease before symptoms surface.How Etiome applies its Temporal Biodynamics platform across diseases.What venture creation looks like at Flagship Pioneering. Meet Our Guest Scott Lipnick is the Co-founder and President of Etiome. At the forefront of preemptive medicine, Scott’s work focuses on predicting disease progression and delivering personalized, early-stage interventions using cutting-edge AI and molecular tools. About The Host Ross Katz is Principal and Data Science Lead at CorrDyn. Ross specializes in building intelligent data systems that empower biotech and healthcare organizations to extract insights and drive innovation. Connect with Our Guest: Sponsor: CorrDyn, a data consultancyFind out more about EtiomeConnect with Scott on LinkedIn Connect with Us: Follow the podcast for more insightful discussions on the latest in biotech and data science.Subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! Sponsored by… This episode is brought to you by CorrDyn, the leader in data-driven solutions for biotech and healthcare. Discover how CorrDyn is helping organizations turn data into breakthroughs at CorrDyn.

In this episode of Data in Biotech, host Ross Katz speaks with Patrick Torbey, CEO and Co-Founder of Neoplants, about using genetic engineering and microbiome innovation to tackle indoor air pollution. Patrick explains how Neoplants is turning everyday houseplants into powerful air purifiers using synthetic biology, offering insights into VOC degradation, enzyme pathways, and data-driven R&D. ​​What You'll Learn in This Episode: How genetically modified plants and microbiomes can reduce indoor air pollution by targeting VOCs like formaldehyde and benzeneThe scientific and engineering challenges of modifying indoor plants at the genomic levelWhy data-driven testing and simulation are critical to optimizing plant function and user impactThe role of synthetic biology in creating sustainable, scalable biotech productsPatrick’s vision for solving climate challenges through engineered plant ecosystems ​​Meet Our Guest: Patrick Torbey is the CEO and Co-Founder of Neoplants, a Paris-based biotech startup engineering plants to purify indoor air. With a PhD in genetic editing and deep expertise in synthetic biology, Patrick leads Neoplants in building functional, aesthetically unique, and sustainable plant systems for the future. About The Host: Ross Katz is the Principal Data Scientist at CorrDyn. He brings decades of experience across biotech, energy, and non-profit sectors, with a focus on building smarter data systems, machine learning pipelines, and actionable insights for complex industries. Connect with Our Guest: Sponsor: CorrDyn, a data consultancyFind out more about NeoplantsConnect with Patrick Torbey on LinkedIn Connect with Us: Follow the podcast for more insightful discussions on the latest in biotech and data science.Subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

Phage therapy is stepping into the spotlight as antibiotic resistance rises - and Jessica Sacher is helping lead the charge. In this episode, Ross Katz speaks with Jessica, Co-Founder of Phage Directory and Staff Scientist at Stanford, about sourcing phages, operationalizing therapy, and predicting efficacy through data. This conversation explores how personalized phage therapy works, its scalability, and the data challenges shaping its future. ​​What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why phage therapy is a promising solution to antibiotic-resistant infectionsHow Phage Directory connects researchers and clinicians to accelerate treatmentWhat operational hurdles exist in scaling personalized phage productionHow data science is being applied to predict effective phage-bacteria matchesWhy building infrastructure and awareness is essential to adoption in clinical care Connect with Our Guest: Sponsor: CorrDyn, a data consultancyFind out more about Phage DirectoryConnect with Jessica on LinkedIn Connect with Us: Follow the podcast for more insightful discussions on the latest in biotech and data science.Subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! Resources Mentioned:  Why Language Itself Might Be Holding Back AI – by Ross Katz: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-language-itself-might-holding-back-ai-ross-katz-rcl9e/?trackingId=Y6%2FH45W%2BxImfl%2By2geB6%2Bg%3D%3DBacteriophage Therapy for Multidrug-Resistant Infections – PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40026251/Cystic Fibrosis Australia and Phage Australia Survey – medRxiv: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.05.14.24307275v1Phage Directory: https://phage.directory/

How do you drug the undruggable? In this episode of Data in Biotech, Ross Katz sits down with Will Fondrie, Head of Data Science and Engineering at Talus Bio, to explore how machine learning, mass spectrometry, and innovative computational models are transforming drug discovery. Learn how Talus Bio is targeting transcription factors—once considered out of reach—with scalable, high-impact data science. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why transcription factors are historically hard to drug and how Talus Bio is changing thatHow mass spectrometry offers high-throughput, unbiased views of protein-DNA interactionsThe role of recommender systems in prioritizing compound testingStrategies for balancing build vs. buy in data infrastructure at scaleWhy open-source software is essential for scientific transparency and progress Links: Find out more about Talus Bio: https://talus.bioConnect with Ross Katz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/b-ross-katz/ Connect with Will Fondrie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wfondrie/ Meet Our Guest Will Fondrie is the Head of Data Science and Engineering at Talus Bio, a biotech company pioneering the development of small molecule drugs targeting transcription factors. With a PhD in molecular medicine and a background in proteomics, Will brings deep expertise in computational biology, machine learning, and scalable data systems. About the Host Ross Katz is the Principal and Data Science Lead at CorrDyn. He hosts Data in Biotech to spotlight innovative thinkers and data-driven leaders pushing the boundaries of biotechnology. Enjoying the show? If you liked this episode, consider sharing it with a colleague and exploring more conversations at Data in Biotech. Your support helps us keep delivering expert insights on the future of biotech. Sponsored by CorrDyn This episode is brought to you by CorrDyn, a leader in data-driven solutions for biotech and healthcare. Learn more at CorrDyn.

In this episode of the Data and Biotech Podcast, host Ross Katz sits down with Dr. Jonathan Usuka to discuss Usuka’s extensive background in bioinformatics and genomics, leading to his current role as CEO of Sapient.  The conversation dives into the importance of deep molecular characterization of diseases, the role of proteomics and metabolomics in drug discovery, and the gaps between real-world data and clinical trial data.  As a leader with a small but impactful team, Jonathan discusses the complexities of the dark proteome and metabolites, emphasizing the opportunity for deeper biological insights in pharmaceutical research using repeated, deep profiling of the same cohorts of patients. Jonathan also explores how advancements in computational approaches allow Sapient to build a robust data foundation for insight generation in biopharma.  ​​What You'll Learn in This Episode: The significance of longitudinal patient samplingWhy we need robust conclusions in biotechnology How the role of the FDA is evolving for drug approval and personalized medicine applications Connect with Our Guest: Sponsor: CorrDyn, a data consultancyFind out more about Sapient Connect with Dr. Jonathan Usuka on LinkedIn Connect with Us: Follow the podcast for more insightful discussions on the latest in biotech and data science.Subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

How can AI improve clinical trials and accelerate drug development?  In this episode of Data in Biotech, Ross Katz sits down with Patrick Leung, CTO of Faro Health, to explore how AI-driven tools are reshaping clinical trial design. Patrick shares insights into document generation, patient burden analysis, and AI governance in biotech.  Learn how Faro Health is developing clinical protocols and leveraging AI to optimize trial success while ensuring regulatory compliance. Whether you're in biotech or healthcare, this conversation offers valuable takeaways on the future of AI in increasing clinical trial efficiency.  What You'll Learn in This Episode: How AI is used to generate clinical trial protocols and reduce inefficiencies.The role of AI in assessing patient burden and optimizing trial designs.How data model development enables specialized biomedical AI workflows.How large language models (LLMs) support clinical trial automation.Future trends in AI-driven clinical trial optimization. Links: Find out more about Faro Health: https://www.farohealth.comConnect with Ross Katz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/b-ross-katz/ Connect with Patrick Leung on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/puiwah/ Meet Our Guest: Patrick Leung is the Chief Technology Officer at Faro Health, where he leads AI-driven innovations in clinical trial design. With a background in data science and software engineering from companies like Google and Two Sigma, Patrick brings a fresh perspective to life sciences, focusing on optimizing clinical trials through AI and structured data models. About the Host: Ross Katz is the Principal and Data Science Lead at CorrDyn, specializing in applying data science to biotech and healthcare. As the host of Data in Biotech, Ross explores the latest trends and innovations shaping the industry. Enjoying the Show? Visit Faro Health to learn more about AI-driven clinical trial optimization. Don’t forget to rate and review Data in Biotech on Apple Podcasts! Sponsored by CorrDyn This episode is brought to you by CorrDyn, a leader in data-driven solutions for biotech and healthcare. Learn more at CorrDyn.

In this episode of Data In Biotech, Ross Katz interviews Naren Tallapragada, CEO and Co-founder of Tessel Bio, about his background in electrical engineering and physics and how personal circumstances led to him pivoting his focus to enter biotech and start Tessel Bio. Naren breaks down Tessel Bio’s unique approach to drug discovery, which involves "reverse engineering" chronic diseases. Instead of starting with a potential drug and testing its effects, they begin with a clear picture of the disease itself—specifically, how it appears and behaves in the body. A key part of their method is using human organoids—tiny, lab-grown versions of human tissues—to closely replicate real diseases and see how different treatments interact with them. This “small data” approach is made substantially more efficient with the addition of active learning. Join us for a fascinating conversation about Tessel Bio’s approach to finding cures for chronic diseases that impact hundreds of thousands of people every day.  ​​What You'll Learn in This Episode: Naren’s journey into biotech and personal motivationUnderstanding Tessel Bio's approach to drug discoveryThe role of organoids in disease modelingData gathering and target identification strategiesActive learning in drug discovery at Tessel Bio Connect with Our Guest: Sponsor: CorrDyn, a data consultancyFind out more about Tessel Bio Connect with Naren on LinkedIn Connect with Us: Follow the podcast for more insightful discussions on the latest in biotech and data science.Subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

In this episode of the Data and Biotech Podcast, host Ross Katz sits down with Alexander Junge, Co-Founder and CTO of amass, to break down how AI is reshaping scientific research in life sciences.  Alex walks us through how his platform is creating professional tools for researchers, biotech companies, and venture firms to navigate the (rapidly!) growing breadth and depth of scientific knowledge by leveraging artificial intelligence - and what this will look like in the future.  Alex also shares insights into his company’s work with Nordic Bio Ventures and how amass delivers reliability and builds trust in its platform. ​​What You'll Learn in This Episode: What challenges researchers face in formulating questions and retrieving relevant answers from the breadth of scientific knowledge.The importance of design and user experience in life sciences, and how the company adopts a rigorous approach to information retrieval. How amass helps life sciences professionals navigate complex scientific domains by building trust in answers generated by AI. A real-world case study of how amass is assisting Nordic BioVentures a venture firm to build a biotech company.Alex’s predictions for AI's impact on scientific discovery over the next decade. Connect with Our Guest: Sponsor: CorrDyn, a data consultancyFind out more about amassConnect with Alex on LinkedIn Connect with Us: Follow the podcast for more insightful discussions on the latest in biotech and data science.Subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

In this episode of Data in Biotech, Ross sits down with Dipen Sangurdekar, VP of Data Sciences at KSQ Therapeutics, to discuss the role of data-driven approaches in therapeutic design and development. The conversation explores the intersection of computational biology, machine learning, and bioinformatics in advancing personalized medicine and improving patient outcomes. Dipen shares his journey in the industry, emphasizing the importance of integrating data science with biological research and the challenges associated with working in the rapidly evolving field of cell therapies. From hypothesis-driven research to leveraging multimodal data for actionable insights, this episode explores the nuances of using statistical methods and AI to enhance drug development. Key Takeaways: Successful data science in therapeutics requires a deep understanding of both statistical methods and biological processes.High-dimensional but low-sample-size data demands a guided hypothesis-driven approach to avoid false positives.Data integration and collaboration between computational and biological teams are critical for generating meaningful insights.Emerging AI and machine learning tools are enhancing productivity but must be carefully applied in therapeutic research.Picking a problem you’re passionate about and going deep into it is crucial for long-term success in the field. Connect with Our Guest: Sponsor: CorrDyn, a data consultancyFind out more about KSQ Therapeutics Connect with Dipen on LinkedIn Connect with Us: Follow the podcast for more insightful discussions on the latest in biotech and data science.Subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

This week on Data in Biotech, we welcome Timothy Jenkins, the Head of Data Science and Associate Professor at DTU Bioengineering, a leading scientific community dedicated to advancing areas of biotechnology, food technology, and health through innovative teaching and research.  Timothy starts the conversation by walking us through his background and early career beginnings, from the first time he expressed interest in zoology and venomous snakes to now leading a research group focused on AI-guided drug discovery for snake antivenom. He and our host, Ross Katz, dive into one of DTU’s most exciting recent publications about "de novo" designed proteins to neutralize lethal snake venom toxins.  Inspired by Nobel Prize winner David Baker’s groundbreaking paper and in collaboration with the Baker Lab on computational design methodology, this project holds great promise in therapeutic discovery and drug development. Tim explains how computational protein design and protein structure prediction are revolutionizing his field, highlighting compelling examples and milestones from his research on antivenom. He also provides an overview of the process used to discover new antivenoms, including the sourcing of biological data, model training, and integration of experimental feedback. Finally, we get Tim’s perspective on the future of AI-powered therapeutic discovery, and his take on the integration of quantum computing into protein design. Data in Biotech is a fortnightly podcast exploring how companies leverage data innovation in the life sciences. Useful Links Nature - De novo designed proteins neutralize lethal snake venom toxins Timothy’s LinkedIn DTU Bioengineering Website UW Institute for Protein Design “de novo” designed proteins project Information on Nobel Prize winner David Baker

In this episode, Ross Katz sits down with Fred Manby, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Iambic Therapeutics, to explore how cutting-edge AI technologies are reshaping the landscape of drug discovery. From building advanced machine learning platforms to designing user-friendly interfaces for scientists, Fred shares insights into the company’s approach to tackling some of the biggest challenges in biotech. Fred dives into the unique capabilities of Iambic’s Enchant multi-modal transformer model, its differentiation from other biological foundation models, and the importance of aligning model architecture with data creation and acquisition in modern drug discovery. We also discuss Iambic’s data-driven approach to developing oncology drugs, the exciting possibilities of incorporating new modalities like imaging, and the recent breakthroughs in protein-ligand structure prediction with NeuralPLexer3.  Highlights: Enchant Multi-Modal Transformer Model: How it systematically surpasses state-of-the-art molecular AI technologies.Uncertainty Quantification: The role of probabilities and predictions in streamlining drug discovery. Interface Design for Scientists: Iambic’s approach to integration between AI platforms and experimental workflows. Connect with Our Guest: Sponsor: CorrDyn, a data consultancyFind out more about Iambic’s work on their website  Connect with Fred Manby on LinkedIn

In this episode of Data in Biotech, Ross Katz explores the transformative role of AI in microscopic imaging and life sciences with Ilya Goldberg, Chief Science Officer, and Reese Findley, an AI Data Scientist at ViQi.  They discuss the cutting-edge applications of AI in automating high-content screening (HCS), enabling more efficient drug discovery, and unraveling complex biological processes. From streamlining time-course analysis to detecting off-target effects in drug compounds, ViQi’s tools are revolutionizing how scientists approach image-based data. Key Highlights: How AI-powered "eyes" analyze thousands of microscopy images to identify phenotypic changes.The benefits of using brightfield imaging and live-cell dyes to capture time-course data efficiently.Real-world applications of AutoHCS for high-content screening, including drug efficacy studies, stem cell differentiation tracking, and phenotypic clustering for toxicity detection.Insights into how automation empowers researchers by reducing repetitive tasks and enhancing focus on innovation.The broader implications of AI in medicine, from radiology to pathology, and how it's redefining workflows for specialists. Data in Biotech is a fortnightly podcast exploring how companies leverage data innovation in the life sciences. Learn more about who was featured on the podcast: CorrDyn, an enterprise data specialist that enables excellent companies to make smarter strategic decisions, at www.corrdyn.com ViQi – helping virologists accelerate, automate and simplify infectivity assays:  www.viqiai.com  Connect with Reese and Ilya on LinkedIn

In this episode of Data in Biotech, Ross Katz reflects on what he’s learned from one year of hosting the podcast. Diving deep into the intersection of data science and biotechnology, this episode covers topics like: The need for predictive models in biotech that are grounded in real-world experimentation.The challenges of biases in model evaluation and designing experiments that maximize collecting information for iterative improvements.The balance between leveraging computational methods and validating insights through experimental data.  As we look to 2025, Ross shares his vision of the emerging democratization of the biotech data ecosystem by making domain knowledge, datasets and tools more accessible. He discusses the possibility of a future where decentralized collaboration, akin to open-source software projects, can tackle specific diseases through computational pipelines and cloud labs, enabling experiments without the need for costly infrastructure. Or where emerging trends like foundation models and ensemble modeling in drug discovery, cell and gene therapy, and the role of new data from advanced imaging and assay technologies can be unlocked to create novel insights. Finally, he invites regular listeners to contribute ideas, guest suggestions and resources as we build community and embrace more curiosity and openness.  Data in Biotech is a fortnightly podcast exploring how companies leverage data innovation in the life sciences.

In this episode of Data in Biotech, Ross Katz sits down with Dave Johnson, CEO and co-founder of Dash Bio, a next-gen drug development services company with a mission to revolutionize clinical bioanalysis and streamline drug development. Dave begins the episode by taking us back to the early research days in Moderna, where he helped lay the groundwork for mRNA technology, which later enabled the development of a vaccine for COVID-19 at unprecedented speed. As he explains, this automated work and pre-built systems ultimately played a central role in responding to urgent health challenges. He also shares his firsthand experience of working in a rapidly scaling pharma company, discussing the potential challenges that arose along the way and the lessons he learned to overcome them. Dave then proceeds to highlight the most significant insufficiencies in drug development—particularly the lack of industrialization and standardization. He explains how Dash Bio aims to address these issues, focusing on clinical bioanalysis now and expanding to broader standardization later. The goal is ultimately to develop a more efficient, high-quality end-to-end system and improve the overall efficacy of the drug development process. Finally, Dave and Ross discuss the misconceptions surrounding lab automation and emphasize the need for a shift of perspective within the drug development space. They also touch upon Dave’s vision for the future of Dash Bio, plus his advice for aspiring biotech data leaders eager to contribute to industry transformation.  Data in Biotech is a fortnightly podcast exploring how companies leverage data innovation in the life sciences. Chapter Markers: [1:38] Introduction to Dave Johnson and his career journey from Moderna to founding a next-gen drug development company [2:57] Establishing mRNA technology groundwork in Moderna [4:36] The challenges of scaling up COVID-19 vaccine development [7:55] How rapid company growth impacts the organizational structure and engaging models [11:03] The role of AI, automation, and machine learning in drug development [12:45] Addressing the most significant insufficiencies in drug development and potential solutions [16:31] The need for standardization and automation in drug development [18:04] Current focus of Dash Bio on clinical bioanalysis [19:37] The misconceptions surrounding lab automation and the need for a shift of perspective within the drug development space [22:33] Dave’s vision for the future of Dash Bio and streamlining drug development [25:16] The current state of lab automation [27:41] The role of experimentation in Dash Bio's approach [29:47] Advice for aspiring data scientists and leaders in the biotech sector Useful Links Dave Johnson LinkedIn Dash Bio Website