This is the podcast that pulls back the curtain on life sciences explaining the scientific breakthroughs that are literally changing our lives. Presented by Eli...
In this bonus episode, which concludes the first series of
the ‘Life Sci Fantastic’, Eliot steps back from examining the science of biotech to look at the business of this rapidly developing industry. Eliot asks, what is driving those entrepreneurs to bring new treatments to patients, and what are the financial challenges in bringing these drugs to market?
Answering those questions is Bill Hicks, who has brokered
deals and helped numerous companies and individuals chart the legal and financial challenges in the industry. As co-chair of the life sciences practice at the US law firm Mintz, Bill has ridden the highs and lows of drug development, finance, stock market fluctuations, and more. In his conversation
with Eliot, he reflects upon the business of bio-tech.
--------
14:22
UNDERSTANDING (AND TREATING) AGING
Across the world, people can now expect to live longer. These advances are thanks to better sanitation, vaccination, access to food and healthcare. But aging inevitably involves decline in many of our biological functions, making people more susceptible to disease. What - if anything - can be done to address the underlying mechanisms of aging to both prevent and treat illness? Can aging be ‘cured’?
That is the focus of cutting edge research being undertaken by a company called Juvenescence. Its CEO, Richard Marshall, is a highly distinguished doctor and scientist who is leading efforts to understand aging, and developing drugs that can treat its consequences. In this episode Eliot finds out what his work involves and what are the chances of success?
--------
22:42
FROM THE BENCH TO THE BEDSIDE
In an age of rapid technological development in medical science, how does a new treatment come about? What is the process by which it goes from the mind of the scientist at the laboratory bench to the patient’s bedside? In this episode Eliot meets someone who has travelled that path.
Simon Westbrook is the founder of Levicept a company that has developed a breakthrough medicine for osteoarthritis. It’s a disease that affects about one
in six people in the UK, and hundreds of millions around the world. There has not been a breakthrough in its treatment for almost fifty years. So how did Simon come up with his drug and what has been his path to success?
--------
23:01
CELLS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
Cells are the basic buildings blocks of living organisms and are the smallest unit of life that can exist on their own. But what differentiates a healthy cell by from one that is harmful to our bodies?
In this episode Eliot finds out how new scientific developments are enabling cells to be used as a potentially powerful tool to fight disease. He meets Harpreet Singh who is the CEO of a company called Immatics based in Germany. Harpreet is an immunologist by training who has devoted his career to discovering
innovations in cell technology to aid good health.
--------
22:41
BUGS FOR DRUGS?
In this episode Eliot explores the little understood world of microbes and bacteria that live inside all of us. Collectively they are called the microbiome, and its well-being is something that is vital to our health. New research is now opening up the possibility of using these
bugs as drugs to address a range of diseases.
To find out more Eliot meets two fascinating individuals, Trevor Lawley and Tim Sharpington, who run a company called Microbiotica that is on the cutting edge of this exciting new area of treatment.
This is the podcast that pulls back the curtain on life sciences explaining the scientific breakthroughs that are literally changing our lives. Presented by Eliot Forster, a scientist and entrepreneur with over thirty years experience, the series will - with expert guests - demystify and explain the science of our bodies, and the exciting developments that are bringing fresh treatments to some old and new diseases.
UK