Smart Biotech Scientist | Master Bioprocess CMC Development, Biologics Manufacturing & Scale-up, Cell Culture Innovation

40 Episodes
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By: David BrĂĽhlmann - CMC Development Leader, Biotech C-level Advisor, Business Strategist

The Go-to Podcast for Biotech Scientists Who Want to Master Biopharma CMC Development and Biomanufacturing.**TOP 10 LIFE SCIENCES PODCAST**Are you ready to simplify bioprocess development and scale with confidence to reduce time to market?Are you feeling overwhelmed by the complexity and guesswork of biologics development and biomanufacturing?Do you wish you had more time to enjoy the beauty of science, without worrying about failing your cell culture process development and commercialization?There's a way to simplify and streamline so you can remove complexity, skip trials and errors, deliver your groundbreaking therapy to clinics and market without delay, and...

172: Reimagining Chromatography for Advanced Therapies: From Diffusion to Convection with Scott Wheelwright - Part 2
#172
Today at 3:00 AM

Downstream processing remains one of the most complex and critical steps in biomanufacturing, especially as new therapeutic modalities like cell and gene therapies push current technologies to their limits. The industry faces ongoing pressure to innovate, reduce costs, and improve efficiency, while still ensuring robust and reliable results.

In this practical, energetic episode, host David Brühlmann welcomes Scott Wheelwright, Chairman, CTO and Co-Founder of BioChromatographix International (BCI). With a career spanning continents - Asia, Europe, and North America - Scott's perspective is forged from hands-on manufacturing, technology transfer, and building high-growth companies from scratch. He’s not...


171: Reimagining Chromatography for Advanced Therapies: From Diffusion to Convection with Scott Wheelwright - Part 1
#171
Last Tuesday at 3:00 AM

For decades, chromatographic purification has made use of bead-based diffusion - a reliable but limiting approach, especially as new modalities like gene therapies, mRNA, and viruses push the boundaries of what’s possible. But what if the future of downstream processing lies not in incremental improvement, but in a dramatic reimagining - from slow diffusion to rapid convection?

In this episode, David BrĂĽhlmann meets Scott Wheelwright, Chairman, CTO and Co-Founder of BioChromatographix International (BCI). Scott brings decades of expertise in biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing. Prior to BCI, he co-founded Biolnno Bioscience, a leading CDMO, and co-founded Inn...


170: Why Your DNA Is a Terrible Disease Predictor (And How Multi-Omics Changes Everything) with Mo Jain - Part 2
#170
07/10/2025

For years, disease diagnosis and treatment have focused on a few biomarkers, overlooking thousands of vital biological signals. Despite biotech advances, most therapies are still based on limited data, missing countless breakthroughs.

Multiomics changes that. By analyzing tens of thousands of proteins, metabolites, and lipids, it reveals hidden insights, paving the way for smarter, faster, and more effective medical discoveries.

In this must-listen episode, David BrĂĽhlmann welcomes Mo Jain, founder and CSO of Sapient, a pioneering force in bringing multiomic platforms out of academia and into the heart of drug development. A physician-scientist by t...


169: Why Your DNA Is a Terrible Disease Predictor (And How Multi-Omics Changes Everything) with Mo Jain - Part 1
#169
07/08/2025

What if the secret to truly personalized precision medicine lies not in your genetic code, but in your zip code?

For years, biotech has focused on genomics to explain disease and drug response, but DNA only accounts for a fraction of the story. The real breakthrough? Multi-omics: the large-scale analysis of proteins, metabolites, and lipids, powered by advanced mass spectrometry and AI, offering a fuller picture of human health.

In this episode, David BrĂĽhlmann meets Mo Jain, founder and CSO of Sapient, a leader in multi-omics analytics. With over two decades of experience across p...


168: How Generative AI Is Revolutionizing Biotech Regulatory Compliance with Abhijeet Satwekar - Part 2
#168
07/03/2025

The promise of generative AI in pharma and biotech is huge, but it's also fraught with complexity, especially when it comes to integrating these systems into highly regulated environments. From monitoring evolving guidelines to balancing operational efficiency and data integrity, the journey from hype to real-world impact is filled with both opportunity and skepticism.

In this episode, David Brühlmann sits down with Abhijeet Satwekar, Innovation Manager at Merck Healthcare’s Global Analytical Development. Abhijeet has spent years on the front lines of digital transformation in the biotech sector, and his current mission: implementing generative AI for reg...


167: How Generative AI Is Revolutionizing Biotech Regulatory Compliance with Abhijeet Satwekar - Part 1
#167
07/01/2025

Ever feel like you’re drowning in an ocean of constantly shifting regulatory guidelines? The world of biotech is a whirlwind of evolving standards, making compliance not just a headache, but sometimes the stumbling block between life-changing therapies and the patients who need them. But what if artificial intelligence could turn regulatory chaos into your biggest competitive advantage?

In this episode, David Brühlmann sits down with Abhijeet Satwekar, Innovation Manager at Merck KGaA’s Global Analytical Development. Abhijeet shares how he’s pioneering the use of generative AI, not as a hype machine, but as a practic...


166: Why Your Funding Pitches Fail Despite Brilliant Science (And How to Fix It) - Part 2
#166
06/26/2025

Have you ever presented a major scientific breakthrough, only to be met with blank stares and distracted executives? You're not alone. In this episode, David BrĂĽhlmann shares how he went from drowning in data to winning an innovation contest, not through better tech, but through the power of scientific storytelling.

Many scientists default to methods and data, but as David notes, “it’s like being fluent in a language nobody else in the room speaks.” Without a clear link to human impact, even the most brilliant work can go unnoticed.

Key insights from the episode...


165: Why Your Funding Pitches Fail Despite Brilliant Science (And How to Fix It) - Part 1
#165
06/24/2025

Have you ever poured months of research into a brilliant innovation, only to watch executives’ eyes glaze over during your presentation? You’re not alone. In this episode, host David Brühlmann describes a familiar frustration: scientists are trained to perfect data, not to sell ideas. But in today’s fast-paced biotech landscape, even the most groundbreaking technology risks fading into obscurity if it isn’t communicated effectively.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

Why Good Science Needs Great Storytelling: David BrĂĽhlmann shows that the most funded projects are often the best-commu...


164: How Moss Enables Production of Unproducible Protein Therapeutics with Andreas Schaaf - Part 2
#164
06/19/2025

From lab curiosity to commercial reality. Here's what happens when moss meets the brutal economics of bioprocessing.

In Part 1, you've heard the science behind moss-based protein production. Now comes the real test: Can it survive the gauntlet of regulatory scrutiny, cost pressures, and manufacturing scale-up that crushes most biotech innovations?

In Part 2 of this groundbreaking conversation, David Brühlmann and Andreas Schaaf, Managing Director and CSO of Eleva, dive into the nuts and bolts of what it actually takes to commercialize a revolutionary production platform. Andreas doesn't just theorize—he's lived through 15+ years of transforming Ele...


163: How Moss Enables Production of Unproducible Protein Therapeutics with Andreas Schaaf - Part 1
#163
06/17/2025

What if the future of "impossible" protein therapeutics is hiding in your backyard?

For decades, CHO cells have ruled the biotech kingdom as the undisputed champions of complex protein production. But here's the uncomfortable truth: countless breakthrough therapies are gathering dust on laboratory shelves—not because the science failed, but because traditional hosts can’t produce them.

Enter moss. Yes, moss. That humble green organism clinging to rocks and trees might just be the biotech industry's best-kept secret.

In this eye-opening episode, David BrĂĽhlmann sits down with Andreas Schaaf, Managing Director and CSO o...


162: How to Achieve 85%+ Cell Recovery Without DMSO's Toxic Side Effects with Jeffrey Allen - Part 2
#162
06/12/2025

The world of cell therapy is changing rapidly, with revolutionary advancements in cryopreservation and bioprocessing protocols leading the way. In a recent episode of the Smart Biotech Scientist Podcast, host David Brühlmann sat down with Jeffrey Allen, Chairman and CEO of Evia Bio, to dive deep into the “how” of implementing cutting-edge techniques in the lab and the strategic mindset needed to move therapies from concept to clinic successfully.

Jeffrey Allen is a passionate leader with a diverse background in shaping strategy, building high-performing teams, and driving exceptional results across public and private equity-backed organizations. With exten...


161: How to Achieve 85%+ Cell Recovery Without DMSO's Toxic Side Effects with Jeffrey Allen - Part 1
#161
06/10/2025

If you’ve ever worked in a cell therapy lab or handled biologics, you’ve probably experienced the pitfalls of cryopreservation. We’ve all mourned the loss of precious samples after a freeze-thaw cycle gone wrong or watched viability figures plummet, wondering where it all went awry.

In this episode of The Smart Biotech Scientist Podcast, Jeffrey Allen, Chairman and CEO of Evia Bio, shares how nature-inspired solutions are changing the cell preservation game. With a background spanning finance, operations, and leadership across the biotech landscape, Jeffrey brings a unique perspective on bridging science and practical manufacturing needs...


160: The Ultimate Guide to Accelerating Perfusion Process Development Using 96-Deep-Well Plates with Tom Valentin - Part 2
#160
06/05/2025

In this concluding episode of our deep dive into miniaturized perfusion systems, we tackle the most challenging aspect: implementing meaningful process analytical technology (PAT) at microscale while keeping costs realistic for high-throughput applications.

Tom Valentin, group leader at CSEM for Automated Sample Handling, continues sharing CSEM's pioneering work in automated sample handling, revealing both the breakthrough opportunities and stubborn technical barriers that define the current state of small-scale perfusion development.

Critical insights you'll gain from this episode:

The PAT miniaturization challenge is about more than size: While optical density sensors...


159: The Ultimate Guide to Accelerating Perfusion Process Development Using 96-Deep-Well Plates with Tom Valentin - Part 1
#159
06/03/2025

In bioprocess development, the ability to rapidly screen conditions and predict scale-up performance can mean the difference between a successful therapy launch and costly delays. Today's Smart Biotech Scientist episode features Tom Valentin from CSEM, who's pioneering revolutionary approaches to miniaturized perfusion systems that could transform how we develop biologics.

Tom is a group leader at CSEM for Automated Sample Handling within the Life Sciences and Industry 4.0 business unit. As a mechanical and biomedical engineer, he brings a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to solving bioprocessing's most challenging miniaturization problems.

What makes this conversation essential listening:<...


158: How to Detect Endotoxins Without Bleeding a Single Horseshoe Crab with Anika Hoffmann - Part 2
#158
05/29/2025

In this concluding episode of our series on revolutionary endotoxin detection, we continue our conversation with Anika Hoffmann about transitioning from theory to practice in the quest for more reliable, sustainable testing methods. Anika is a postdoctoral researcher in analytical chemistry at HES-SO Valais-Wallis, Switzerland.

Having established why traditional LAL testing falls short in Part 1, we now explore how Anika's innovative KDO-based chemical analytical approach compares in real-world applications:

Greater accuracy you can trust: The new method delivers impressive 5-10% coefficient variation (compared to LAL's 25%), works across broader pH and formulation conditions, but is...


157: How to Detect Endotoxins Without Bleeding a Single Horseshoe Crab with Anika Hoffmann - Part 1
#157
05/27/2025

In biopharmaceutical manufacturing, endotoxins represent a silent but deadly threat – bacterial fragments capable of triggering severe immune responses at picogram levels, potentially leading to septic shock, organ failure, or even death in patients.

In this eye-opening first episode, we speak with Anika Hoffmann, a postdoctoral researcher in analytical chemistry at HES-SO Valais-Wallis, Switzerland, who's challenging the decades-old status quo of endotoxin testing. For nearly 50 years, the industry has relied on horseshoe crab blood (LAL assay) despite its significant limitations and sustainability concerns.

Anika reveals the troubling truth about traditional testing methods:

The LAL re...


156: The Hidden Economics of Continuous Processing That Most Biotech Companies Overlook
#156
05/22/2025

The world of biologics manufacturing is undergoing a major transformation. Once dominated by traditional batch processes, the industry is now experiencing a marked shift toward continuous bioprocessing.

But as companies contemplate this transition, two questions dominate strategic discussions: Will regulators accept continuous manufacturing? And, perhaps more pressingly, Does the business case justify making the switch?

In this podcast episode of the Smart Biotech Scientist Podcast, David BrĂĽhlmann dives into these pivotal topics - drawing insights from real-world case studies, regulatory updates, and economic analyses.

Top three takeaways:

Regulators Are On Board: T...


155: From Process Bottlenecks to Seamless Production: How Continuous Bioprocessing Changes Everything
#155
05/20/2025

In this episode of the Smart Biotech Scientist Podcast, host David BrĂĽhlmann dives into continuous bioprocessing - a major shift in biologics manufacturing that's turning traditional batch processes into streamlined, real-time operations.

Imagine running your biologics process non-stop for 30 days, with smart monitoring and smaller, more efficient systems replacing massive reactors. It’s not just possible - it’s already happening across the industry, from Amgen’s 80% smaller facility to Sanofi’s modular "Factory of the Future."

David explores how companies - big and small - are increasing productivity, cutting costs, and reducing waste through c...


154: The Future of Bioprocessing: Industry 4.0, Digital Twins, and Continuous Manufacturing Strategies with Tiago Matos - Part 2
#154
05/15/2025

In this episode, Tiago Matos, Associate Principal Scientist/Associate Director in Bioprocess Drug Substance and Commercialization at Merck & Co., shares a critical insight: continuous manufacturing in biologics currently demands 2–3x more time and FTEs than traditional fed-batch approaches. This highlights both the complexity of the shift - and the urgency for smarter digital tools and cross-functional collaboration.

With over a decade of experience and a strong track record in biologics and smart manufacturing, Tiago brings a balanced view of the promise and practical challenges of digital transformation in bioprocessing.

Top 3 Takeaways:

Continuous Manufacturing is...


153: The Future of Bioprocessing: Industry 4.0, Digital Twins, and Continuous Manufacturing Strategies with Tiago Matos - Part 1
#153
05/13/2025

As the biotechnology sector races toward digital transformation, the buzz around Industry 4.0 - with its promise of interconnected systems, automation, and data-driven operations - has never been louder. But is the industry truly ready?

In this episode, we speak with Tiago Matos, Associate Principal Scientist/Associate Director in Bioprocess Drug Substance and Commercialization at Merck & Co., who brings a grounded, insider view. Despite the hype, he says most of biopharma is still operating at an “Industry 3.2” level.

With over a decade of experience in biologics and vaccines, Tiago leads teams pushing digital innovation forward - thro...


152: Is an Indian CDMO the Right Move for Your Biologics Pipeline? with Abdelaziz Toumi - Part 2
#152
05/08/2025

Is an Indian CDMO the right move for your biologics CMC development?

Pulling back the curtain on what might be your next strategic manufacturing advantage, this episode reveals the hidden capabilities emerging from India that leading biotech companies are racing to access. As supply chain vulnerabilities continue to expose risks in traditional manufacturing models, could the solution lie halfway around the world?

Joining us to reveal the inside story is Abdelaziz Toumi, CEO of Lupin Manufacturing Solutions and veteran of global pharma giants like Bayer, Merck and Lonza. With over 20 years in biotech, Abdelaziz brings...


151: Is an Indian CDMO the Right Move for Your Biologics Pipeline? with Abdelaziz Toumi - Part 1
#151
05/06/2025

Is an Indian CDMO the right move for your biologics pipeline?

As Western biotech companies seek new strategic advantages, one question keeps surfacing: Is India truly becoming the next biotech manufacturing powerhouse? And what hidden capabilities are emerging that leading companies are racing to access?

In this episode of the Smart Biotech Scientist Podcast, Abdelaziz Toumi, CEO of Lupin Manufacturing Solutions and veteran of global pharma giants like Bayer, Merck, and Lonza, joins host David BrĂĽhlmann to reveal the inside story on when and why you might want to look beyond traditional Western manufacturing p...


150: How to Leverage AI in Media Development Without Sacrificing Process Understanding with Tom Fletcher - Part 2
#150
05/01/2025

As biotech labs rush to adopt AI tools for cell culture media development, a critical question emerges: Are we creating a generation of scientists who know which buttons to push but not why they're pushing them? The automation trap that once transformed laboratory workflows now threatens to fundamentally alter how we understand the complex dynamics of culture media composition and performance.

In this second part of our conversation with Tom Fletcher, R&D Director at Fujifilm Irvine Scientific, host David BrĂĽhlmann explores the practical challenges of implementing AI in cell culture media development while preserving the s...


149: How to Leverage AI in Media Development Without Sacrificing Process Understanding with Tom Fletcher - Part 1
#149
04/29/2025

From closely-guarded secrets to complex chemical interactions, cell culture media development has transformed from an afterthought to a critical competitive advantage in modern bioprocessing. But as AI and automation revolutionize the field, are we at risk of gaining speed while losing understanding?

In this eye-opening episode of the Smart Biotech Scientist Podcast, host David BrĂĽhlmann speaks with Tom Fletcher, R&D Director at Fujifilm Irvine Scientific, who brings over 30 years of experience and a unique perspective on balancing technological innovation with scientific rigor.

Key Insights from Their Conversation:

The Evolution o...


148: Lab-Grown Blood: How Stem Cells Transform Transfusions with Ari Gargir - Part 2
#148
04/24/2025

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fragility of global blood supply systems became undeniably clear. Recognizing the urgent need for a more reliable and universal solution, Ari Gargir and his team at RedC Biotech are leading an ambitious effort to transform blood supply as we know it. Their mission? To develop lab-grown red blood cells that not only address chronic shortages but also overcome blood type compatibility - an innovation with the potential to reshape modern medicine.

As the CEO and founder of RedC Biotech, Ari brings a powerful personal story to this mission. After...


147: Lab-Grown Blood: How Stem Cells Transform Transfusions with Ari Gargir - Part 1
#147
04/22/2025

Blood is critical to global healthcare - vital for surgeries, trauma care, cancer treatment, and maternal health. Yet despite 120 million donations each year, a 100 million unit shortfall means nearly half the world’s needs go unmet.

One person who understands this crisis firsthand is Ari Gargir, CEO & Founder of RedC Biotech. After surviving a paragliding accident thanks to a life-saving transfusion, he set out to tackle the global blood shortage. His team is now developing universal, lab-grown red blood cells, eliminating the need for donors.

The added transitional phrase creates a smoother flow between the gl...


146: Beyond ELISA: The 10-Minute Immunoassay Enabling Real-Time Bioprocess Control with Bruno Oesch - Part 2
#146
04/17/2025

Stuck with outdated analytics while trying to develop cutting-edge therapies? Part 2 of our conversation with Bruno Oesch, CEO and founder of Elionova, reveals how biotech scientists can finally break free from incremental improvements and embrace the revolutionary immunoassay technology that's transforming bioprocessing workflows worldwide.

For years, ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) has been vital in biotechnology, but its time-consuming protocols and complex washing steps slow bioprocess development, creating bottlenecks in advancing therapies.

Bruno's team is transforming the field of immunoassays with an innovative technology that delivers quantitative results in just 10 minutes—without the need for washing st...


145: Beyond ELISA: The 10-Minute Immunoassay Enabling Real-Time Bioprocess Control with Bruno Oesch - Part 1
#145
04/15/2025

Tired of waiting overnight for ELISA results? Serial entrepreneur Bruno Oesch reveals how his groundbreaking 10-minute immunoassay technology is eliminating the biggest bottleneck in bioprocessing workflows.

From contributing to Nobel Prize-winning prion research to founding Prionics (the first commercial BSE test) and now revolutionizing immunoassays with Elionova, Bruno transforms high-end science into practical solutions that work for everyday labs.

Here are three takeaways from this podcast episode:

ELISA - The Lab Workhorse That Still Matters: Since the 1970s, ELISA assays have been a cornerstone of bioprocessing and diagnostics. As Bruno Oesch puts...


144: The Future of Biotech: Making Biotherapeutics More Accessible Faster
#144
04/10/2025

Imagine a future where every patient can access life-saving therapies and sustainable, high-quality food is within everyone’s reach. In this episode of the Smart Biotech Scientist, David Brühlmann explores how innovative biotech developments are making this vision a reality.

Here’s a sneak peek of the breakthroughs covered:

AI-Powered Picoliter Scale Testing: Discover how companies like Triple Bar Bio are pushing the boundaries of what's possible with their innovative microfluidic technology that screens individual cells. Their approach enables rapid identification the best cell producers, paving the way for more efficient and precise bio-m...


143: Bioprocess Breakthroughs: How Smart Bioprocessing Is Democratizing Life-Saving Treatments
#143
04/08/2025

In the rapidly evolving world of biotechnology, innovation is not just happening at the molecular level. Industry leaders are making groundbreaking advancements in bioprocessing - a crucial component in making life-saving therapies more accessible and affordable.

The journey to affordable therapies starts with the production process itself. In this podcast episode, David BrĂĽhlmann sheds light on innovations in bioprocess design that are setting new standards in efficiency and efficacy. At the heart of this transformation is the shift from traditional process formats like fed-batch to continuous process formats, quality by design approaches, and the implementation of b...


142: How Microalgae Cuts Antibody Costs by 70% and Redefines Biomanufacturing with Muriel Bardor - Part 2
#142
04/03/2025

What if we could revolutionize biotechnology by slashing antibody production costs by 70%? In a world where traditional mammalian cell cultures struggle with scalability and cost-effectiveness, an unexpected hero emerges from the depths of our oceans - microalgae.

The use of microalgae in biotechnology is not just a novelty but a necessity, given the current demands for more efficient and cost-effective production methods. Muriel Bardor, co-founder, CEO and CSO of Alga Biologics, highlights a particularly startling statistic: microalgae can reduce the cost of antibody production by an impressive 70%. This innovation could revolutionize the biotechnology industry by making life-saving...


141: How Microalgae Cuts Antibody Costs by 70% and Redefines Biomanufacturing with Muriel Bardor - Part 1
#141
04/01/2025

The world of biologics manufacturing is about to be transformed by a breakthrough that slashes antibody production costs by 70%. This revolutionary approach leverages the untapped potential of microalgae to deliver a sustainable, cost-effective solution that could make life-saving therapeutics more accessible than ever before. Enter microalgae, the star of this groundbreaking development.

In this episode of the Smart Biotech Scientist, Muriel Bardor, the co-founder, CEO and CSO of Alga Biologics, shared insights into how her team's pioneering work with microalgae could redefine the landscape of immunotherapy.

Here are some takeaways from her conversation with David...


140: Regulatory Secrets Revealed: Why Your CMC Strategy Could Make or Break Your Biotech Startup with Rivka Zaibel - Part 2
#140
03/27/2025

In this episode, we explore the important steps in preparing for regulatory meetings, address the dangers of cross-contamination in biotechnology facilities, and debunk common misconceptions that could derail your CMC development strategy.

As the founder and president of ADRES - Advanced Regulatory Services Ltd., Rivka Zaibel brings over 36 years of industry experience and practical strategies to help navigate the intricacies of CMC development and regulatory compliance.

Here are three key takeaways:

Risk Assessment is Paramount: Start risk assessments in parallel with facility design to prevent cross contamination. Remember, areas for both mammalian...


139: Regulatory Secrets Revealed: Why Your CMC Strategy Could Make or Break Your Biotech Startup with Rivka Zaibel - Part 1
#139
03/25/2025

In biotherapeutic drug development, the journey from discovery to clinic involves navigating a labyrinth of regulatory requirements and strategic considerations, particularly in Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Control (CMC).

In this episode of the Smart Biotech Scientist, host David BrĂĽhlmann engaged with Rivka Zaibel, President and Founder of ADRES - Advanced Regulatory Services Ltd. - to demystify the regulatory intricacies of biologics development and provide actionable insights for biotech leaders.

With over three decades of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, Rivka Zaibel highlights that understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial for the success of biologics development.


138: Skip 90% of Bioreactor Runs: The In Silico Revolution in Bioprocess Development with Yossi Quint - Part 2
#138
03/20/2025

In the fast-evolving world of biotechnology, the pursuit of efficiency and faster development has never been more critical. The computational tools and models currently being integrated into bioprocessing present a groundbreaking approach that promises radical shifts in drug development timelines and capabilities.

In the second part of our conversation, Yossi Quint, founder and CEO of Ark, shows us that the horizon of bioprocessing is lined with possibilities that could revolutionize biotherapeutics accessibility, cost, and speed in pharmaceutical innovations.

Here are three key takeaways you don't want to miss:

De-risking with Simulation: Yossi...


137: Skip 90% of Bioreactor Runs: The In Silico Revolution in Bioprocess Development with Yossi Quint - Part 1
#137
03/18/2025

The integration of AI into drug discovery has already led to groundbreaking advancements, uncovering patterns in vast datasets that were previously invisible to human researchers. Now, AI is set to revolutionize bioprocessing as well.

In this episode of the Smart Biotech Scientist Podcast, Yossi Quint, founder and CEO of Ark, and David BrĂĽhlmann explore how AI and computational tools are reshaping bioprocess development. Yossi envisions a future where 90% of bioreactor experiments could be replaced by in silico simulations, dramatically accelerating time to market and increasing throughput.

Key takeaways from the conversation with Y...


136: 5 Roadblocks to Affordable Biologics (And How to Overcome Them)
#136
03/13/2025

Sickle cell disease affects thousands with severe daily pain. While FDA-approved gene therapies exist, their $2.2 million cost per treatment makes them largely inaccessible.

In this episode of the Smart Biotech Scientist Podcast, David BrĂĽhlmann explores five key challenges facing the bioprocessing industry in making these therapies more accessible:

Moving Away from Platform Technologies

Traditional bioprocessing relies on platform technologies for antibody production. However, new therapies require more flexible, adaptable systems that can accommodate novel modalities.

Increased Personalization and Smaller Batch Sizes

Personalized medicine, especially a...


135: Beyond Breakthroughs: Making Biotherapeutics Affordable for All
#135
03/11/2025

In a world of rapid advancements in medical science and biotechnology, bioprocessing is at the forefront of healthcare innovation. Yet, despite remarkable progress, life-saving biotherapeutics remain out of reach for much of the global population.

A staggering 80% of patients worldwide lack access to the biotherapeutics they need. While bioprocessing has made impressive strides, the high cost and slow development of these treatments create significant barriers. Addressing these challenges is critical to making innovative therapies widely available.

David Brühlmann is launching a special four-part series based on his keynote at the Amphacademy, exploring bioprocessing’s rev...


134: Seamless Seed Trains: Simplify Without Sacrificing Quality with François Carruzzo - Part 2
#134
03/06/2025

The biotechnology industry is on a transformative path. With emerging technologies and innovative ideas, bioprocessing professionals are poised to revolutionize how therapies are developed and delivered. In this episode of the Smart Biotech Scientist Podcast, host David Brühlmann continues his conversation with François Carruzzo, the CTO of Bioscibex, as they delve into the challenges and opportunities present in the biotech landscape.

Bioprocess automation boosts efficiency and scalability in therapeutic production. François Carruzzo explores how automation and sensors simplify processes, cut costs, and enhance reliability - key to making biologics more accessible worldwide.

Her...


133: Seamless Seed Trains: Simplify Without Sacrificing Quality with François Carruzzo - Part 1
#133
03/04/2025

Biologics manufacturing relies heavily on optimizing various stages, yet the seed train step - often overlooked - plays a critical role in determining overall efficiency. The seed train involves expanding cells from a small working cell bank to scales suitable for production bioreactors.

Francois Carruzzo, Co-founder and CTO of Bioscibex, is rethinking how this process can be simplified, streamlined, and made more reliable, using a fully automated, closed system. However, the complexity of scaling introduces several risks, including handling errors, contamination, and delays that could derail production timelines.

Today, seed train processes involve multiple vessels...