Flot.bio x Philip Hemme

Why have early AI drug-discovery companies often overpromised but underdelivered? Biology is still complex and hard to solve, Werner told Philip in Vienna.We revisit Werner in Vienna after he left Evotec and went on a sabbatical in 2024. We talk about his new missions as FairJourney CEO and founder of WLAN Holdings, and discuss the global CDMO scene and Europe’s competitivity in biotech.And while it's still early days yet, we find out AI will transform the way we work in biopharma going forward, with new generations of companies shaping their business models around it.⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERWerner is the new CEO of FairJourney Biologics and invests with his holding. He served as CEO of Evotec from 2009 to 2024, expanding the company’s revenues and workforce. Prior to this, he was the CFO of Intercell in Austria for nine years.🔗 LINKS MENTIONEDWLAN Holding’s website - [](https://tiltbio.com/) https://wlanholding.com/Werner Lanthaler, Evotec | Leading AI in Biotech | E02 -- https://flot.bio/episode/werner-lanthaler-evotec-ai-in-biotech/Antoine Papiernik, Sofinnova | Billion Investing with Balance | E01 — https://flot.bio/episode/antoine-papiernik-sofinnova-ebillion-biotech-investing-with-balance/Alex Zhavoronkov, Insilico Medicine | AI Drug Development, Longevity | E39 — https://flot.bio/episode/alex-zhavoronkov-insilico-medicine-ai-drug-development-longevity/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/werner-lanthaler-biopharma-ai/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW USNewsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmHLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 25k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS[00:00:00] Intro[00:02:09] Werner Lanthaler: from Evotec to new roles[00:06:01] WLAN Holding and the benefits of a sabbatical[00:10:58] Inside the Evotec departure[00:13:13] Joining FairJourney Biologics[00:20:33] The job market in Europe[00:23:49] CDMO competition and China[00:28:07] Letting European biotech compete globally[00:34:50] How AI has overpromised in biopharma[00:48:09] Quick-fire questions

Valneva now has three commercialized vaccines, and a Lyme disease candidate in Phase 3. Philip quizzes CEO Thomas Lingelbach about everything. They also discuss the current political turbulence with vaccines, especially in the US, and how it is impacting the industry.⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERA veteran in the development of more than ten vaccines, Thomas has spent over 30 years in the vaccine space and has served in senior roles at the companies Intercell, Novartis and Chiron. Thomas was with Intercell since 2006 and was the CEO when the company merged with Vivalis to form Valneva in 2013.🔗 LINKS MENTIONEDValneva’s website - https://valneva.com/Valneva’s Half Year 2025 Financial Results - https://valneva.com/press-release/valneva-reports-half-year-2025-financial-results-and-provides-corporate-updates/Lovisa Afzelius, Flagship Pioneering 🇸🇪 | Company building, AI | E24https://flot.bio/episode/lovisa-afzelius-flagship-pioneering/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/thomas-lingelbach-valneva-vaccines/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW USNewsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmHLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 25k monthly views. Free.⏰ Timestamps[00:00:00] Intro[00:03:09] Duck cell vaccines[00:04:55] The grandpa of French and Austrian biotech[00:15:09] Products for chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis and cholera[00:22:04] Valneva and Pfizer’s Lyme disease vaccine[00:29:46] Navigating US anti-vaccine turbulence[00:33:33] The stormy biotech investment market[00:36:32] Thomas Lingelbach talks financials[00:39:46] Quick-fire questions

When Abivax released stunning phase 3 results for ulcerative colitis, its 600% stock price surge froze Euronext for 45 minutes.Philip meets Abivax CEO Marc de Garidel in Vienna, Austria, to go behind the scenes of a remarkable biotech turnaround.Marc discusses the processes involved in executing the phase 3 trial that beat even Abivax’s own phase 2 data. He also talks about France’s biotech ecosystem and the importance of having the right team.⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERMarc de Garidel joined Abivax as CEO in 2023. Prior to this, he led two biotech companies through billion-dollar exits (CinCor Pharma and Corvidia Therapeutics). He also served as CEO of Ipsen from 2010 to 2016, and has worked at the likes of Amgen and Eli Lilly.🔗 LINKS MENTIONEDAbivax’s website - https://www.abivax.com/Phase 3 results - https://ir.abivax.com/news-releases/news-release-details/abivax-announces-positive-phase-3-results-both-abtect-8-week$747.5 million public offering - https://ir.abivax.com/news-releases/news-release-details/abivax-announces-closing-7475-million-public-offeringMarc de Garidel, Abivax | How to make two Billion-dollar exits (“smoothly”) | E09 - https://flot.bio/episode/marc-de-garidel-abivax-exit/Chris Martin, Verona Pharma 🇬🇧 | Ohtuvayre, COPD, Execution | E34 - https://flot.bio/episode/chris-martin-verona-pharma-copd/Christophe Bourdon, LEO Pharma 🇩🇰 | Biopharma Turnaround | E31https://flot.bio/episode/christophe-bourdon-leo-pharma-biopharma/Nanobiotix episode - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Krhyy6a-nw&pp=0gcJCQMKAYcqIYzvFabrice Chouraqui, Pharming 🇳🇱 | Transgenic Rabbits, Rare Diseases | E43 - https://flot.bio/episode/fabrice-chouraqui-pharming-transgenic-rabbit/📜 TRANSCRIPT Read the full transcript here:💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIP Ready to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW USNewsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmHLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIO Flot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 25k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS0:44: Abivax’s crazy Ph3 data and stock price jump4:06: Surging investor demand on NASDAQ and Euronext8:58: Future directions11:02: Executing a Phase 3 home run17:20: Marc de Garidel's leadership style21:58: Abivax: origins34:51: France's billion-dollar biotechs44:11: Quick-fire questions

As Philip travels to France, Nanobiotix CEO Laurent Lévy discusses how the company broke into Europe’s exclusive $1 billion biotech club, alongside the likes of Abivax and Medincell. They also chat about what it means to partner with giants like Johnson & Johnson, and how Laurent’s leadership style has evolved over his long tenure.⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERLaurent Lévy co-founded Nanobiotics in 2003 and has served as CEO ever since. Before this, he worked in a variety of roles with companies including Altran Technologies, Valbiotis and Sanofi.He has a doctorate in nanomaterials-focused physical chemistry from the Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris.🔗 LINKS MENTIONEDNanobiotix website -- https://nanobiotix.com/Nanobiotix's $71 million deal with Healthcare Royalty -- https://ir.nanobiotix.com/news-releases/news-release-details/nanobiotix-announces-strategic-royalty-monetization-agreementNanobiotix's first phase 1 data -- https://ir.nanobiotix.com/news-releases/news-release-details/nanobiotix-announces-first-data-phase-1-study-evaluating-jnj📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/laurent-levy-nanobiotix-nanoparticles-radiotherapy/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmHLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 25k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS[00:00:00] Intro[00:02:11] Soaring stocks with clinical results[00:04:08] Nanobiotix's history[00:07:39] Nanoparticles and radiotherapy[00:13:42] Developing NBTXR3[00:25:02] Universal cancer radiotherapy enhancers[00:28:28] Few competitors[00:33:37] Biotech in France, Europe and the US[00:37:19] Laurent Lévy’s leadership style[00:42:16] Quick-fire questions

As Philip tours Amsterdam, he visits the biotech tools startup LUMICKS. Founded in 2014, the firm offers products analyzing the binding interactions between molecules and cells, with applications in drug development, CAR-T therapies, and manufacturing.Philip sits down with co-founder Gerrit Sitters to discuss the company’s trajectory, the cyclic biotech investment market, and lessons from spinning the firm out from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.---Explore how LUMICKS' technology helps develop biologics and cell therapies with unique cell avidity data — http://bit.ly/lumicks---⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERGerrit co-founded LUMICKS in 2014 following a PhD at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and co-invented the technology behind LUMICKS’ main products. Gerrit now serves as Head of Product, where he aims to deploy the company’s products to tackle challenges in the life sciences.🔗 LINKS MENTIONEDLUMICKS’ website - https://www.lumicks.com/NanoTemper: https://flot.bio/episode/philipp-baaske-nanotemper-boostrapping-biotech/DNA Script: https://flot.bio/episode/thomas-ybert-dna-script-dna-printing/Adaptimmune: https://flot.bio/episode/adrian-rawcliffe-adaptimmune/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/gerrit-sitters-lumicks-car-t-therapy/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW USNewsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmHLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 25k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS[00:00:00] Intro[00:02:09] The history of LUMICKS[00:08:33] Visualizing microscopic interactions[00:14:29] Improving drug development[00:20:33] AI and digital labs[00:29:53] Quality control and manufacturing applications[00:31:58] Single-cell analysis and CAR-T[00:46:13] LUMICKS’ future milestones[00:47:13] Cyclic biotech market[01:00:15] Gerrit Sitters’ career takeaways[01:18:01] Quick-fire questions

We travel to the offices of Pharming Group in Leiden, the Netherlands, to chat with the newcomer CEO Fabrice Chouraqui.Fabrice discusses the fascinating history of Pharming, with its first commercial drug RUCONEST produced in the milk of transgenic rabbits. He also talks about the growth of Pharming from a protein therapy-focused biotech into a European multi-asset heavyweight, with a market cap of at least €800 million. ⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERFabrice Chouraqui has been the CEO of Pharming Group since March 2024. Prior to this, he was a CEO-Partner at the US biotech venture capital firm Flagship Pioneering as well as CEO of the Flagship portfolio company Cellarity.He also served at Novartis and Bristol-Myers-Squibb for 10 years each, with his career beginning in R&D at pharmaceutical companies that were predecessors to today’s Sanofi. 🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- Pharming Group’s website - https://www.pharming.com/- Pharming Group’s second quarter and first half 2025 financial results - [https://www.pharming.com/sites/default/files/imce/Presentations/Pharming 2Q25_1H 2025 presentation_31JUL2025_website.pdf](https://www.pharming.com/sites/default/files/imce/Presentations/Pharming%202Q25_1H%202025%20presentation_31JUL2025_website.pdf)- Stefano Portolano, Azafaros 🇳🇱 🇨🇭 | Rare Diseases, Small Molecules | E40 -https://flot.bio/episode/stefano-portolano-azafaros-rare-disease/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/fabrice-chouraqui-pharming-transgenic-rabbit/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 25k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS- [00:00:00] Intro- [00:02:12] Kicking off at Pharming- [00:04:26] RUCONEST and transgenic rabbits- [00:06:57] Path to profitability- [00:13:43] Encouraging stock price trends- [00:17:39] The protein and small molecules portfolio- [00:28:13] Switching gear to commercialization - [00:33:40] European biotech success stories- [00:39:55] Lessons from Fabrice Chouraqui’s career- [00:47:29] Quick-fire questions

Hot on the heels of CUTISS’ $60M Series C round, we catch up once more with CEO and co-founder Daniela Marino. We chat about the company’s mission to develop an engineered tissue therapy to reduce the need for skin grafts in patients with severe burns. She also explains the decentralization of tissue manufacturing with automation and the need for perseverance as a founder and CEO.---This episode is sponsored by CUTISS, the only TechBio company in the advanced clinical stage of developing skin tissue therapies. Learn how you can support CUTISS on its path to Series C success: https://bit.ly/flotbio-cutiss---⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERIn 2023, Daniela Marino was named as one of the 30 Rising Leaders in the healthcare industry, thanks to the impact of CUTISS, the company she co-founded as a spin-off from the University of Zurich. Here, she and her team have made waves for people suffering from severe skin injuries and defects through regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and skin pigmentation.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- CUTISS’ website – https://cutiss.swiss/- CUTISS’ Series C round – https://cutiss.swiss/cutiss-closes-chf-56m-series-c-round-and-signs-agreement-with-leading-european-burn-center/- CUTISS’ Phase II trial data – https://cutiss.swiss/phase-2-clinical-trials-update-from-cutiss/- Daniela Marino, CUTISS 🇨🇭 | Skin Tissue Therapeutics, TechBio | E33 – https://flot.bio/episode/daniela-marino-cutiss-skin-tissue-therapeutics/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/daniela-marino-cutiss-tissue-engineering/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW USNewsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 25k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS[00:00:00] Intro- [00:02:31] Investors in CUTISS’ Series C round [00:06:45] Expanding a hospital collaboration [00:08:34] Decentralized manufacturing drive [00:11:50] Tissue therapeutics vs skin grafts [00:24:35] Reimbursement and health economics [00:38:39] CUTISS’ partnering and exit options [00:47:54] Automation and artificial intelligence [00:56:32] Europe can show its strength in biotech [00:58:52] Daniela Marino answers quick-fire questions

Philip meets up with Dragan Grabulovski, CEO of the startup Araris, at Lake Zurich to chat about the company’s work with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).They talk about Araris’ huge $400M upfront buyout by Taiho Pharma of Japan, Dragan’s extensive history as a biotech entrepreneur, and Araris’ vision to replace chemotherapy with ADCs.⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERDragan Grabulovski is a co-founder of the startup Araris and became CEO in 2023. He previously worked as a biotech consultant and startup coach in Switzerland. He co-founded the biotech company Covagen in 2007, which was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 2014. Dragan has a Master’s degree and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from ETH Zurich.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- Araris’ website: https://www.ararisbiotech.com/- Taiho Pharma acquires Araris: https://www.ararisbiotech.com/docs/250316_250317-araris-taiho-pr.pdf- Robin Carr, Myricx Bio 🇬🇧 | New ADC Payloads, London Biotech Startups | E38: https://flot.bio/episode/robin-carr-myricx-bio-adc/- Dominik Schumacher, Tubulis 🇩🇪 | Founder-led ADC Biotech ⭐️ | E19: https://flot.bio/episode/dominik-schumacher-tubulis/- ETH entrepreneurship and terms: https://ethz.ch/staffnet/en/news-and-events/internal-news/archive/2025/07/new-business-creation-regulations-and-equity-and-licensing-policy.html 📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/dragan-grabulovski-araris-adc/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 25k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS- [00:00:00] Intro- [00:02:08] Araris’ acquisition by Taiho Pharma- [00:08:29] Covagen: Dragan Grabulovski’s first exit- [00:12:54] The origins of Araris and its ADC tech- [00:22:14] How to value a technology platform - [00:29:34] The burgeoning ADC market- [00:41:53] ADCs replacing chemotherapy- [00:46:15] The Swiss biotech ecosystem- [01:00:53] Quickfire questions

On a trip to Basel, Switzerland, Philip catches up with Stefano Portolano, CEO of the European firm Azafaros. They chat about Azafaros’ massive $147M Series B round in May 2025, which is being used to develop a small molecule treatment for rare diseases known as lysosomal storage disorders.Stefano also explains how rare diseases went in and out of fashion with big pharma, the revival of small molecule drugs relative to gene therapies and biologics, and his extensive experience in big biotech firms.⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERWith more than 20 years of experience in orphan diseases under his belt, Stefano Portolano joined Azafaros in 2021. He previously served as Vice President, Strategy & Commercial Operations at Celgene and Head of Europe at Ultragenyx Pharmaceuticals.Stefano first received his Doctor of Medicine from Università degli Studi di Napoli ‘Federico II,’ Italy and carried out research in autoimmunity as an adjunct assistant professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, USA.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- Azafaros website - https://www.azafaros.com/- Azafaros Series B round - https://www.azafaros.com/news/azafaros-secures-132m-in-oversubscribed-series-b-financing-to-advance-phase-3-clinical-programs-of-innovative-therapies-in-lysosomal-storage-disorders/l211c14- Joris Pezzini, Alira Health | Hottest Biotech Insights - https://flot.bio/episode/joris-pezzini-alira-health-biotech-trend/- Marc de Garidel, Abivax | How to make two Billion-dollar exits (“smoothly”) - https://flot.bio/episode/marc-de-garidel-abivax-exit/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/stefano-portolano-azafaros-rare-disease/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 20k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS- [00:00:00] Intro- [00:01:45] Azafaros’ origin and $147M B round- [00:04:39] Developing nizubaglustat- [00:11:17] Competition in Niemann-Pick disease type C- [00:18:44] The small molecule revival- [00:24:29] Keeping options open- [00:27:23] Europe’s growing role in biotech investments- [00:30:12] The rare disease fashion- [00:51:20] Getting personal with Stefano Portolano- [01:11:11] Quickfire

We chat about longevity with Alex Zhavoronkov, CEO and founder of the artificial intelligence (AI) specialist Insilico Medicine.Born in Latvia, Alex founded Insilico in 2014, with the company raising a huge $110M Series E round this year.Alex gives us a tour of Insilico’s sprawling pipeline, a blunt rundown of the competitive landscape in AI drug development, and explains how Insilico is navigating the huge challenges faced by longevity-focused startups.⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERAlex founded Insilico in 2014 after serving in senior roles at ATI Technologies, NeuroGNeuroinformatics, and the Biogerontology Research Foundation.With an academic background in biomedicine and computer technology, he has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles, and has bachelor’s degrees from Queen's University, Canada, a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University, US, and a PhD from Moscow State University, Russia.🔗 LINKS MENTIONEDInsilico Medicine’s website: https://insilico.com/Insilico Medicine’s phase 2a results: https://insilico.com/blog/1112Insilico Medicine’s Series E round: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/insilico-medicine-secures-110-million-series-e-financing-to-advance-ai-driven-drug-discovery-innovation-302401040.htmlThomas Clozel, Owkin | What does AI Biotech really mean | E10: https://flot.bio/episode/thomas-clozel-ai-biotech/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/alex-zhavoronkov-insilico-medicine-ai-drug-development-longevity/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW USNewsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmHLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 20k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPSIntro [00:00:00][00:01:43] Longevity: work, romances and bromances[00:07:56] Survival in the graveyard of longevity drugs[00:14:57] Insilico Medicine comes of age[00:23:12] Landmark efficacy in AI drug program[00:28:15] A sprawling pipeline for Insilico Medicine[00:36:34] Small molecules vs biologics[00:40:57] Competition and benchmarks[00:52:20] Alex Zhavoronkov on longevity myths

We jet off to Central London to meet Robin Carr, CEO of Myricx Bio, a startup developing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to treat cancer.The team’s idea – using a novel ADC payload inhibiting molecules called N-myristoyltransferases (NMTs) – helped them to bag an impressive £90M ($114M) Series A round in 2024.Robin outlines Myricx’s journey from small molecule antivirals to the booming market of cancer ADCs, and how the transition from big pharma to biotech has been an energising experience for him.--------------------This episode is sponsored by Kadans. Learn more about Kadans’ London Innovation Centre where life sciences companies grow from start-up to global player: https://bit.ly/kadans-myricxbio--------------------⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERRobin kicked off his Myricx experience as chief development officer in November 2019, before rising to the CEO seat in August 2022. Before this, he was VP of drug discovery at Astex Therapeutics, before spending more than a decade in research executive roles at GSK. ending up as SVP Drug Design and Selection.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- Myricx Bio’s website: (https://tiltbio.com/)https://myricxbio.com/- Myrcix Bio’s Series A round: (https://tiltbio.com/userassets/uploads/2025/05/TILT-Series-B-press-release-May-2025.pdf)https://myricxbio.com/myricx-bio-announces-90m-114m-series-a-financing-to-advance-its-novel-nmti-adc-therapeutics-into-clinical-development/- A winding road – the many adventures of a promising ADC - Cancer Research UK: https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2024/07/09/a-winding-road-the-many-adventures-of-a-promising-adc/- Dominik Schumacher, Tubulis 🇩🇪 | Founder-led ADC Biotech ⭐️ | E19: https://flot.bio/episode/dominik-schumacher-tubulis/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/robin-carr-myricx-bio-adc/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 20k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS[00:00:00] Intro[00:02:43] Navigating biotech networking[00:07:30] Myricx’s Series A and transformation[00:10:45] The pivot to ADCs[00:22:10] NMT ADCs in cancer[00:32:09] The big pharma to biotech leap[00:42:39] ADCs in Europe, the US and Asia[00:46:17] ADCs are a booming market[00:52:35] Quick-fire questions

We dive into the world of cutting-edge cancer treatments with Aino Kalervo, Chief Operating Officer of TILT Biotherapeutics and occasional tennis legend in her spare time.TILT recently closed a $25M series B round, backed by leading Finnish investors, to finance the clinical development of its oncolytic virus candidate to supercharge cancer immunotherapies.We also explore the challenging space of oncolytic viruses and the untapped potential of biotech innovation in Finland.______For transparency, this episode has been sponsored by TILT.______⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERAino Kalervo is the Chief Operating Officer of TILT Biotherapeutics, responsible for fundraising and business development. She has also served as the president of TILT’s US affiliate since 2022. Prior to joining TILT, she worked for Sanofi and the French therapeutic vaccine company Theravectys.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- TILT Biotherapeutics’ website: https://tiltbio.com/- TILT’s Series B round: https://tiltbio.com/userassets/uploads/2025/05/TILT-Series-B-press-release-May-2025.pdf- Marina Udier, Nouscom 🇨🇭 | Cancer Vaccines, Neoantigens | E21 - Flot.bio: https://flot.bio/episode/marina-udier-nouscom-cancer-vaccines/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/aino-kalervo-tilt-immunotherapy/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 20k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS[00:00:00] Intro[00:01:44] Inside TILT’s $25M series B round[00:04:04] Multi-action oncolytic viruses[00:10:54] Learning from their peers[00:14:07] Phase 1 for melanoma[00:21:14] Collaborations and competitors[00:23:17] From Helsinki to global trials[00:33:03] Finland’s biotech ecosystem[00:39:00] Aino Kalervo’s personal path[00:45:43] Quickfire

Fresh after leading Calliditas Therapeutics through a $1.1B acquisition, Renee Aguiar-Lucander takes us through her new CEO role at Hansa Biopharma 🇸🇪.We learn how Hansa is commercialising Idefirix, its lead product for improving outcomes in kidney transplantation. We also cover the hot area of immunology, the behind-the-scenes story behind Calliditas’ takeover and the complex world of biotech financing.-----Launching a biotech startup? Grab your Biotech Starter Kit through Merck’s New Lab Starter Program and get the tools and support you need from day one: https://bit.ly/biotech-starter-kit----⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERRenee Aguiar-Lucander became the CEO of Hansa Biopharma in April 2025 after a seven-year tenure as CEO of Calliditas Therapeutics, which Asahi Kasei Corporation acquired in September 2024. Before her CEO roles, she also had a long career in healthcare investments with senior roles in funds including Omega Fund Management and 3i Group.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- Hansa Biopharma’s Interim Report Q1 April 2025: https://www.hansabiopharma.com/files/Main/1219/4138498/20250423-hnsa--q1-2025-quarterly-report-eng.pdf- The acquisition announcement of Calliditas Therapeutics by Asahi Kasei: https://asahi-kasei.eu/acquire-calliditas-therapeutics-ab/- Hansa Biopharma’s website: https://www.hansabiopharma.com/- Marc de Garidel, Abivax | How to make two Billion-dollar exits ("smoothly") | E09: https://flot.bio/episode/marc-de-garidel-abivax-exit/- Christophe Bourdon, LEO Pharma 🇩🇰 | Biopharma Turnaround | E31: https://flot.bio/episode/christophe-bourdon-leo-pharma-biopharma/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/renee-aguiar-lucander-hansa/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 20k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS- [00:00:00] Intro- [00:02:18] Joining Hansa Biopharma- [00:03:23] How Idefirix works- [00:06:45] Commercialization and competition- [00:15:24] Navigating biotech finances- [00:19:51] Lessons from Calliditas’ exit- [00:27:11] Sofinnova and European crossover funds- [00:41:23] Immunology is hot- [00:44:04] Financing to management- [00:47:54] Women leading biotech- [00:50:20] Quickfire

We’re with Stephane Bancel, CEO of the US mRNA giant Moderna. The company’s 15-year trajectory has taken it from the startup seed stage to a commercial heavyweight with three mRNA-based products in the market 🧬We go in-depth into Stephane’s leadership style and background before delving into Moderna’s research and the evolution of the mRNA space.⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERStéphane Bancel joined mRNA therapeutics company Moderna as CEO in 2011 and led its efforts to develop a commercial COVID-19 vaccine during the global pandemic in 2020. Prior to this, he held senior roles in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, including CEO of bioMérieux and Country Manager for Belgium at Eli Lilly.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- Moderna website: https://www.modernatx.com/- Moderna partners with OpenAI: http://investors.modernatx.com/news/news-details/2024/Moderna-and-OpenAI-Collaborate-To-Advance-mRNA-Medicine/default.aspx- Ingmar Hoerr, CureVac | Founding a €20B Biotech | E03: https://flot.bio/episode/ingmar-hoerr-curevac-founding-a-20b-biotech-and-almost-dying-as-ceo/- Harpreet Singh, Immatics 🇩🇪 | PRAME, TCR Based Therapeutics | E20:https://flot.bio/episode/harpreet-singh-immatics/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/stephane-bancel-moderna-mrna/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 20k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS- [00:00:00] Intro- [00:01:44] Building an effective team- [00:04:10] The Boston biotech mafia- [00:09:10] mRNA as a platform- [00:09:10] mRNA as a platform- [00:12:25] The transition to entrepreneurship- [00:27:31] mRNA pionners- [00:36:32] Innovation at scale- [00:47:12] Beyond vaccines- [00:53:38] AI everywhere- [00:55:16] Quickfire

We’re online with Chris Martin, COO of the 6th most valuable biotech in Europe, Verona Pharma. Their amazing story sees them bring a fully-owned respiratory drug to market and multiply its valuation by 120x within the last 5 years (from $50M to $6B today) 💸We talk about the commercial rollout of Ohtuvayre, Verona’s drug. We also discuss the British roots of the company and why execution is the most important in biotech.⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERChris Martin joined Verona Pharma as their COO in 2020. He’s at the helm of Verona’s commercial strategy, driving the company’s progress in respiratory medicine. Before Verona, Chris played a key role as Executive Director of Marketing at SK Life Science, where he helped launch the CNS treatment XCOPRI® (cenobamate tablets). He also led the marketing efforts at Cempra, guiding the launch of their first product, and spent a decade at Salix Pharmaceuticals, where he led the Xifaxan® marketing team through its acquisition by Valeant Pharmaceuticals.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- Verona Pharma’s corporate presentation: https://www.veronapharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/VRNA-Presentation-May-2025.pdf- Verona website: [http://veronapharma.com](http://veronapharma.com/)- Ohtuvayre website: [http://ohtuvayre.com](http://ohtuvayre.com/)- Q1 2025 results: https://www.veronapharma.com/news/verona-pharma-reports-first-quarter-2025-financial-results-and-provides-corporate-update/- Royalty pharma website: [https://www.royaltypharma.com](https://www.royaltypharma.com/)- Adrian Rawcliffe, Adaptimmune 🇬🇧 | Tecelra, TCR Cell Therapy | E22: https://flot.bio/episode/adrian-rawcliffe-adaptimmune/- Bahija Jallal, Immunocore 🇬🇧 | Commercial, Diversity, and AI | E14: https://flot.bio/episode/bahija-jallal-immunocore/- The 25 Most Valuable Biotech Companies in Europe in 2025: https://flot.bio/most-valuable-biotech-companies-europe-2025/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/chris-martin-verona-pharma-copd/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 20k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS- [00:00:00] Intro- [00:02:04] Commercial rollout of Ohtuvayre- [00:06:42] Fierce competition in COPD- [00:10:34] UK origins of Verona Pharma- [00:21:24] Strong Clinical data for Chronic Disease Patients- [00:26:01] Reaching Profitability for Verona Pharma- [00:30:58] Chris Martin Joining Verona Pharma- [00:34:51] Execution is Key to Success in Biotech- [00:42:48] How to get to the top in Biotech without a background in science- [00:46:33] Royalty model in Biotech- Quickfire

We’re online with Daniela Marino, CEO and co-founder of one of the best companies in Europe for tissue therapeutics, CUTISS.We discussed the story behind CUTISS and its current series C fundraising. We also discussed cell therapy in general and why kids are good at preventing burnout.---This episode is sponsored by CUTISS, the only TechBio company in the advanced clinical stage of developing skin tissue therapies. Learn how you can support CUTISS on its path to Series C success: https://bit.ly/flotbio-cutiss---⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERIn 2023, Daniela Marino was named as one of the 30 Rising Leaders in the healthcare industry, thanks to the impact of CUTISS, the company she co-founded as a spin-off from the University of Zurich. Here, she and her team have made waves for people suffering from severe skin injuries and defects through regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and skin pigmentation.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- CUTISS Homepage (technology, about us): [https://cutiss.swiss](https://cutiss.swiss/)- CUTISS Deck Series C: https://cutiss.swiss/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CUTISS-AG-Teaser-Q1-2025_Series-C.pdf- Thomas Ybert, DNA Script 🇫🇷 | DNA Printing & Synthesis | E27: https://flot.bio/episode/thomas-ybert-dna-script-dna-printing/- Ingmar Hoerr, CureVac | Founding a €20B Biotech | E03: https://flot.bio/episode/ingmar-hoerr-curevac-founding-a-20b-biotech-and-almost-dying-as-ceo/- Giammaria Giuliani profile https://www.forbes.com/profile/giammaria-giuliani/- Hansjorg Wyss profile - [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hansjörg_Wyss](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hansj%C3%B6rg_Wyss)📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/daniela-marino-cutiss-skin-tissue-therapeutics/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 20k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS[00:00:00] Intro[00:01:41] Story of CUTISS[00:04:47] Positive Phase 2 Data[00:16:03] Raising a Series C[00:26:34] Next steps for CUTISS[00:31:46] Cell Therapy and Tissue Therapy landscape[00:42:36] US Biotech Market[00:45:12] TechBio, Hardware and Automation[00:50:58] Kids preventing burnout[00:54:18] Daniela Marino, Academic and Female Founder[01:01:10] Quickfire

We’re in Barcelona 🇪🇸  with Joris Pezzini from Alira Health to discuss the hottest biotech insights right now, including obesity, I&I, radiopharmaceuticals and ADCs.---This episode is sponsored by Alira Health, an advisor and clinical development partner for life sciences companies. Learn more at https://bit.ly/alirahealth-flotbio-1---⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERJoris Pezzini has been in the biotech world for over 15 years. Before joining Alira Health in 2019, he had worked in some top pharma and biotech companies across the US, UK and France, including UCB, LFB, and Bionest Partners. Through this combo of roles as a Biopharma executive in start-ups, mid-sized, pharma, and consulting firms, Joris has a good eye on the industry with a wealth of experience and knowledge.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- Roche pads out obesity pipeline, paying Zealand $1.6B upfront to codevelop amylin asset: https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/roche-fattens-obesity-pipeline-paying-zealand-165b-upfront-co-develop-amylin-asset- Medicine 3.0: What It Is and Why You Need It - Hone Health: https://honehealth.com/edge/medicine-3-0-peter-attia/- Why ADCs and Radiopharmaceuticals Are Big Pharma’s New Obsession: https://flot.bio/adcs-radiopharmaceuticals-alira-health/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/joris-pezzini-alira-health-biotech-trend/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 20k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS- [00:00:00] Intro- [00:02:17] Hottest biotech industry trends according to Joris Pezzini- [00:11:14] Medicine 3.0- [00:13:22] ADCs and Radiopharmaceuticals- [00:17:00] The “end” of the blockbuster model- [00:20:35] Challenges to raise money- [00:27:41] Transatlantic & China- [00:33:04] The success story of Alira- [00:44:50] Investing in real-world evidence and AI- [00:48:53] Background in bioprocessing- [00:58:20] Bridging biotech and healthy lifestyle- [01:05:42] Quickfire

We’re in Copenhagen 🇩🇰 with Christophe Bourdon, the CEO who turned a 116-year-old biopharma company from the brink of failure to success.We discuss the lessons behind the turnaround, innovation in dermatology, especially biologicals and I&I, and living in eight different countries.⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERChristophe Bourdon came to be CEO of LEO Pharma in 2022, where he was tasked with the massive assignment of transforming the financially failing company into a success. Luckily, he had gained experience in roles of increasing leadership importance in many EU biotech companies, Sanofi, Amgen, and Alexion, as well as leading the smaller biotech, Orphazyme A/S, as their CEO. No,w Leo Pharma is in the green.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- Marc de Garidel, Abivax | How to make two Billion-dollar exits (“smoothly”) | E09: https://flot.bio/episode/marc-de-garidel-abivax-exit/- Jens Nielsen, BII | How to make translation of life science research work | E12: https://flot.bio/episode/jens-nielsen-translation-of-life-science-research/- On the Origin of Species: Charles Darwin: https://tinyurl.com/2nbhkecs- Gilead roars into JPM25, inking $1.7B inflammation deal with Leo Pharma: https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/gilead-roars-jpm25-250m-upfront-research-deal-leo-pharma- Homepage LEO Pharma, history and pipeline: http://leo-pharma.com/📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/christophe-bourdon-leo-pharma-biopharma/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 20k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS[00:00:00] Intro[00:01:54] Turnaround of LEO Pharma[00:08:47] Current products at LEO Pharma[00:17:28] STAT6 Protein Degrader, deal with Gilead[00:23:34] Immunology & Inflammation is hot[00:28:26] Pipeline of LEO Pharma & Dealmaking[00:38:20] Finance & IPO[00:45:03] Living & working in 8 countries[00:48:17] Quickfire

We’re in Munich 🇩🇪 with Cristoph Broja, Partner at EQT Life Sciences, the top venture capital firm in Europe.We talk about his lessons up until becoming a partner at the firm. We also talk about how to invest in hot areas such as obesity or ADCs, and the importance of being curious. ⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERCristoph Broja has been a Partner at EQT Life Sciences since 2022. Prior to this, he found himself in a myriad of biotechs, such as being part of the investment team of the Boston-based Gurnet Point Capital, as well as B-Flexion Capital in London.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED- Dominik Schumacher, Tubulis 🇩🇪 | Founder-led ADC Biotech ⭐️ | E19: https://flot.bio/episode/dominik-schumacher-tubulis/- Claudia Ulbrich, Cardior 🇩🇪 | Being the Founder of a Rare €1B Exit | E15: https://flot.bio/episode/claudia-ulbrich-cardior/- René Kuijten, Head of EQT Life Sciences, on BioStock: [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rené-kuijten-b503a1_collaboration-startups-investors-ugcPost-7293582558116663297-9Q-M](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ren%C3%A9-kuijten-b503a1_collaboration-startups-investors-ugcPost-7293582558116663297-9Q-M?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAXuQREBNiVcFS8XPp62vaHeZfMBR6F5yK0)📜 TRANSCRIPTRead the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/christoph-broja-eqt-vc/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIPReady to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/- X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEWDid you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIOFlot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 20k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS- [00:00:00] Intro- [00:01:51] Becoming partner at EQT Life Sciences- [00:02:48] Getting to the top in biotech without a life science degree- [00:10:40] Moving back to Europe- [00:13:19] Investments in ADCs, Tubulis, Cardior- [00:28:28] LSP 7, biggest venture fund in Europe- [00:35:07] Observing the Chinese biotech scene very closely- [00:39:05] Marriage between LSP and EQT- [00:48:41] Focus on M&A vs IPO- [00:59:17] Quickfire

We’re in Munich with Philipp Baaske, one of the best life science tool founders in Europe.We talked about the lessons of building this life science tools business, specialized in protein interactions. We also talked about the difficulties and rewards of entrepreneurship and the impact of life science tools.___This episode is sponsored by NanoTemper Technologies, which performs protein characterization. Learn more at https://bit.ly/flotbio_nanotemper___⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERPhilipp Baaske, a German biophysicist, co-founded NanoTemper Technologies in 2008 with Stefan Duhr. He earned his PhD from Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, specializing in biophysics. Baaske pioneered MicroScale Thermophoresis, advancing drug discovery research. He was Co-CEO for 16 years before becoming Executive Chairman in 2024. An award-winning innovator, he supports biotech and entrepreneurship as a business angel.🔗 LINKS MENTIONEDAbout Nanotemper - https://nanotempertech.com/about/Thomas Ybert, DNA Script 🇫🇷 | DNA Printing & Synthesis | E27 - https://youtu.be/tF25lyAPUGI📜 TRANSCRIPT Read the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/philipp-baaske-nanotemper-boostrapping-biotech/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIP Ready to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact nick@flot.bio and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW USNewsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmHLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEW Did you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIO Flot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 20k monthly views. Free.⏰ TIMESTAMPS[00:02:01] Bootstrapping NanoTemper[00:06:30] The science behind NanoTemper[00:17:55] Venture capital or not[00:24:44] I’ve never had a job[00:28:40] Impact of Biotech on Cancer[00:33:40] Importance of Europe[00:43:00] Chinese expansion[00:47:26] Manufacturing in house[00:50:41] Next 10 years[01:07:38] Quick fire