Next‑generation UTI diagnostics: delivering results in just 35 minutes
Urinary Tract infections, or UTIs, affect millions worldwide, driving sepsis, antibiotic overuse, and microbial resistance. Current diagnostics rely on either slow lab cultures or unreliable dipsticks, and often lead to delayed or unnecessary treatment. Llusern’s Lodestar DX changes that: a point-of-care test that detects 96% of key UTI pathogens in just 35 minutes, no lab required.In this episode I’m joined by Emma Hayhurst who shares her journey into diagnostics, Llusern’s mission, and the emergence of Wales as a biotech hub with a growing life sciences sector fueling local innovation. We discuss UTI prevalence, diagnostic gaps, and how rapid, accurate testing can transform patient care and antimicrobial stewardship. 02:14 Meet Emma Hayhurst04:37 Introducing Llusern Scientific07:21 Collaboration between Llusern and the academy08:50 The life science ecosystem in Wales12:10 Urinary tract infections (UTIs)15:45 UTI patient demographics16:54 Health impacts of UTIs: sepsis, antibiotic resistance, and more19:01 Existing UTI diagnostic options and their shortcomings24:41 Llusern’s Lodestar DX29:03 A point-of-care test, not a lab test31:44 Applications beyond UTIs36:03 Looking forward at LlusernInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: Life sciences in Wales: biotechs in the scene in 2025Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance with Fast Molecular DiagnosticsUltra-Fast Diagnostics Could Transform Sexual Health
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How AI Is revolutionizing synthetic biology and biomanufacturing
Today, I’m joined by Héctor García Martín, a Staff Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. A pioneer in metabolic engineering and computational biology, Héctor has spent over a decade decoding microbial systems, everything from termite guts to genome-scale flux models, to unlock sustainable biomanufacturing.Now, he’s leading the charge in self-driving labs: AI-powered, robotic systems that automate experiments, predict biological behavior, and accelerate the design of microbes that produce fuels, medicines, and materials.In this episode, we’ll dive into why biology has traditionally proven so hard to engineer, how AI and robotics are changing that, and where this revolution is headed next. I hope you enjoy my discussion with Hector Garcia Martin.01:12 Meet Hector Garcia Martin12:47 Introduction to the Berkeley National Laboratory14:42 Challenges in synthetic biology17:21 How unpredictability complicates biomanufacturing19:30 Self-driving labs at the nexus of AI, robotics, and biomanufacturing22:23 How is AI integrated into optimize enzyme expression28:01 Where is the market for self-driving labs?28:47 The future of synthetic biology32:24 The most exciting trends in AI-driven biomanufacturing34:10 The expected impacts of self-driving labs on everyday life35:28 Advice for aspiring scientistsInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: Synthetic Biology @ LabiotechEuropean biotech: trends to watch in 2025The coming of age of European synthetic biology
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Pichia pastoris: the microbial protein expression platform you’re probably underestimating
Today we’re diving into the world of expression systems with Iskandar Dib, of Validogen and we’ll explore the remarkable potential of Pichia pastoris, a methylotrophic yeast that’s revolutionizing pharmaceutical protein production and beyond. From industrial enzymes to biomaterials, food, feed, and diagnostics, Pichia offers a reliable, scalable, and cost-efficient platform for recombinant protein expression. Iskandar explains how biotechs can unlock Pichia’s full potential through Validogen’s sophisticated tools and strategies, fine-tuning protein expression with innovative genetic approaches and robust screening systems to deliver unmatched yields and quality. 01:06 Why Pichia is often overlooked or underestimated03:29 The basics of Pichia pastoris05:25 How Pichia compares to microbial hosts like E.coli08:14 Key advantages over mammalian cell systems10:21 Pichia as a system for secreted production11:30 Pichia and post-translational modifications14:30 The challenges of working with Pichia16:25 Strain optimization and genetic engineering17:29 Meet Iskandar Dib and Validogen19:03 The UNLOCK PICHIA platform24:00 Real-world applications of Pichia pastoris in biopharma27:19 When Pichia outperforms expectations28:25 Adapting Pichia for emerging fields30:23 Advice for those considering Pichia pastoris for protein expression33:23 Learn more about ValidogenThis episode is sponsored by Validogen.Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: Pichia case studiesUnlocking Pichia for industry
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Biotech royalty deals on the rise and here to stay
In today's episode, we welcome Clarke Futch, Chairman and CEO of HealthCare Royalty Partners, or HCRx. HCRx are pioneers in royalty-based financing, with a thirty year track record in biopharma investing. Clarke has led more than 60 royalty acquisitions totaling nearly $4 billion and raised over $8 billion across various vehicles, executing more than 165 transactions that have fueled breakthroughs in life sciences.In this interview we examine the evolution of alternative funding models, the transformative impact of alternative funding models on biotech innovation, partnerships, and M&A, and take a macro view on the financial health of the industry amid economic shifts. 02:10 Meet Clarke Futch07:58 HCRx and its mission18:55 Differences between a royalty firm and a venture firm21:34 Alternative funding models in biotech24:49 Are VCs pulling back? Are alternatives rising?30:20 How royalty financing impacts partnerships and M&A33:02 Do alternative financing models risk stifling innovation?36:33 A macro look at the health of the biotech sector41:33 What areas of biotech are underfunded right now?46:22 Looking forward: the 6-12 months ahead?48:10 Advice for founders navigating financial uncertaintyInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: Moving with the times: biopharma royalty deals on the riseThe ABC of biotech startup funding2025 biotech deals tracker
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Contraline's ADAM in the clinic: towards a new era of male contraception?
When it comes to contraception, most of the innovation in the last century has focused on providing contraceptive alternatives for women. The contraceptive pill was approved by the FDA in 1960, the first IUD approved in 1968, and the female condom in 1993. For men, however, there has been little advancement since the invention of the rubber condom in 1855 and the first vasectomies in humans around the turn of the 20th century.Contraline is a biotechnology company that is aiming to change that record. They are currently heading into Phase II trials with a therapy that they claim is reliable, long lasting, easy to use, and reversible. This week, I talk with Kevin Eisenfrats, CEO of Contraline, about the challenges of bringing a new contraceptive to market, how to manage clinical trials on multiple continents, and what the world might look like if the contraceptive burden passes from women to men.01:21 Kevin Eisenfrats and Contraline07:28 Contraline’s ADAM09:09 How ADAM works11:39 Reversibility is a differentiator for ADAM14:01 Hormonal gels and contraception17:14 The phase I trial in Australia21:47 The implantation process25:07 Moving into phase II27:04 The male contraception market29:30 Fundraising for male contraception33:06 The gendered burden of contraception34:54 The future of male contraception36:49 The cultural and social impact of male contraceptionInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: MedinCell Granted €17M to Develop Cheap Long-Acting ContraceptionInpart Connect: Reversible Male ContraceptiveInpart Connect: Cyclic Peptides as Non-hormonal Male Contraceptive Agents and Methods of Use ThereofInpart Connect: Noninvasive Laser Vasectomy
Welcome to the official Labiotech.eu podcast - Beyond Biotech! Each week, we talk about what's happening in the world of biotech, with news and interviews with experts from companies around the world. Join us as we cover the latest news, breakthroughs and innovations shaping the life sciences industry.A new podcast episode is available every Friday. The host is Dylan Kissane.
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