The Chain: Protein Engineering Podcast
- Episodes
- 93
- Released
- monthly
- Latest episode
- Nov 10, 2026
About the podcast
The Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
Episodes 93
Episode: 90 - Andrew Bradbury With A Reality Check For AI Antibody Design
November 10, 2026 | Andrew Bradbury (Specifica) and Ben Hackel (University of Minnesota) pressure-test AI antibody engineering against real measurements on the latest episode of The Chain. They explore where …
Show notes
November 10, 2026 | Andrew Bradbury (Specifica) and Ben Hackel (University of Minnesota) pressure-test AI antibody engineering against real measurements on the latest episode of The Chain. They explore where algorithms match results from the bench and where they still fall short. They also trace how better datasets, better blinding, and better developability thinking can make the next generation of antibody discovery more trustworthy and more useful.
Listen in to hear:
• why the field needs prospective, blinded benchmarks instead of marketing claims
• how the Nature Biotechnology antibody challenge is structured across three tasks
• about affinity maturation results where the best AI matches the best experimental outcomes
• why developability screens can overturn “best affinity” winners
• what CDR design gets right today and where it still breaks in practice
• how investor pressure and publication gaps distort perceptions of progress
• the origin of Specifica and the Gen 3 library idea of matched, developable building blocks
Please subscribe to the podcast and give us a rating. It helps other people find and join the conversation. If you've got speaker or topic ideas, we'd love to hear those too. You can send them in a podcast review.The Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
Chapters (10)
Episode: 89 - James E. Crowe, Jr. on AHEAD 100, a New Strategy for Preparing for the Next Pandemic
You can’t forecast the next epidemic with precision, so why do we keep building preparedness plans that depend on guessing? Host Dennis Burton, Ph.D., sits down with Jim Crowe, Jr., M.D., professor and director …
Show notes
You can’t forecast the next epidemic with precision, so why do we keep building preparedness plans that depend on guessing? Host Dennis Burton, Ph.D., sits down with Jim Crowe, Jr., M.D., professor and director of the Vaccine Center at Vanderbilt University, to map a more durable approach: AHEAD 100—Advanced Human Epidemic Antibody Defenses 100—an index-fund-style program to create and stockpile human monoclonal antibody drugs for the 100 infections most likely to spark major outbreaks. The goal is to take best-in-class neutralizing antibodies, move them beyond early clinical testing, and get them ready to deploy when the world needs them. They also honestly discuss scientific accountability, what the public is asking of researchers, and how to think about gain-of-function research without slogans.
Links from this episode:
The Scripps Research Institute
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterThe Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
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Episode: 88 - Janice Reichert on the Evolution of Antibody Therapeutics
How have antibody trends changed over the decades? Janice Reichert, Ph.D., founder and editor-in-chief of mAbs, joins host Paul Carter, Ph.D., to discuss the evolution of monoclonal antibody therapeutics and …
Show notes
How have antibody trends changed over the decades? Janice Reichert, Ph.D., founder and editor-in-chief of mAbs, joins host Paul Carter, Ph.D., to discuss the evolution of monoclonal antibody therapeutics and their experiences with shaping—and documenting—the field. Their conversation covers the advances that have transformed the industry, evolving success rates for antibody therapeutics, and the growing sophistication of multispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and more. Plus, they discuss both AI and China's emergence as major forces in antibody development.
Links from this episode:
Genentech
mAbsThe Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
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Episode: 87 - Jack Elands on How Novel ADC Payloads Could Improve Cancer Care
July 14, 2026 | Most ADCs today lean on the same Topo-1 payloads—and resistance is catching up. Jack Elands, Ph.D., founder and CEO of Adcytherix, speaks with host Rakesh Dixit, Ph.D. about what …
Show notes
July 14, 2026 | Most ADCs today lean on the same Topo-1 payloads—and resistance is catching up. Jack Elands, Ph.D., founder and CEO of Adcytherix, speaks with host Rakesh Dixit, Ph.D. about what “next-generation ADCs” should mean if we care about patients, not just pipeline counts. Their conversation gets specific about where differentiation comes from: novel payloads with new mechanisms of action, better therapeutic index choices, and smarter design decisions that reduce the toxicities that make patients quit therapy early. They also pressure-test the hype around bispecific ADCs and dual-payload ADCs.
Links from this episode:The Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
Chapters
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Episode: 86 - PANEL DISCUSSION: Near-Term Challenges for ML/AI in Biotherapeutic R&D
At this year’s PEGS Boston, industry experts gathered on a panel to explore how AI and machine learning are deployed in biologics R&D today. Moderated by Peter M. Tessier, Ph.D., Albert M. Mattocks professor of …
Show notes
At this year’s PEGS Boston, industry experts gathered on a panel to explore how AI and machine learning are deployed in biologics R&D today. Moderated by Peter M. Tessier, Ph.D., Albert M. Mattocks professor of pharmaceutical sciences and chemical engineering at University of Michigan, the panel consisted of Andrew Buchanan, Ph.D., head of discovery at a stealth-mode biotech company; Norbert Furtmann, Ph.D., head of biologics AI and design of large molecules research at Sanofi; Konrad S. Krawczyk, Ph.D., founder and CSO at NaturalAntibody SA; Andrew C.R. Martin, Ph.D., emeritus professor of bioinformatics and computational biology at University College London; Melody Shahsavarian, Ph.D., senior director of data strategy and digital transformation of biotherapeutics discovery research at Eli Lilly & Company; and Bernhardt L. Trout, Ph.D., professor of chemical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Links from this episode:Pharmaceutical Sciences & Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan
Biosciences Computational Biology, UCL
The Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
Chapters
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Episode: 85 - Daniel Chen on Building Multi-Target Drugs with Logic Gating
May 12, 2026 | When it comes to drug discovery, either you find a rare, clean target and everything clicks, or you spend a decade chasing biology that refuses to cooperate. Daniel Chen, M.D., Ph.D., founder and …
Show notes
May 12, 2026 | When it comes to drug discovery, either you find a rare, clean target and everything clicks, or you spend a decade chasing biology that refuses to cooperate. Daniel Chen, M.D., Ph.D., founder and CEO of Synthetic Design Lab, makes the case for a different playbook: objective-driven protein engineering, where we start with the outcome and design biologics that can execute it with built-in logic. With host Andrew Bradbury, Chen unpacks the SYNTHBODY platform and what “multi-tier logic gating” means in real drug design. They dive into logic-gated antibody drug conjugates, where target summation can boost binding, internalization, trafficking, and payload delivery and where an additional AND gate can trigger multiplier functions that go beyond cytotoxic payloads.
Links from this episode:
Specifica
Synthetic Design LabThe Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
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Episode: 84 - Martin Pacesa on BindCraft: An Automated Pipeline for De Novo Protein Binder Design
How is BindCraft, the automated pipeline for de novo protein binder design, changing the protein design industry? Martin Pacesa, assistant professor of pharmacology at the University of Zurich, joins The Chain …
Show notes
How is BindCraft, the automated pipeline for de novo protein binder design, changing the protein design industry? Martin Pacesa, assistant professor of pharmacology at the University of Zurich, joins The Chain to discuss how BindCraft is helping non-protein designers learn how to design proteins—and how the role of the protein designer will evolve. With host Chris Bahl, their conversation explores how BindCraft may help with drug development, its role in the democratization of tools and resources, and how to work more collaboratively with AI models. Pacesa will also be speaking at May’s PEGS Summit in Boston.
Links from this episode:
UZH - Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology
The Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
Chapters
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Episode: 83 - Patrick Baeuerle and Jeffrey Miller on T Cell and Immune Cell Engagement
T cell and immune cell engagement is gaining traction, but what makes it different from other therapies? Patrick Baeuerle, Ph.D., chief scientific advisor at Cullinan Therapeutics, and Jeffrey Miller, M.D …
Show notes
T cell and immune cell engagement is gaining traction, but what makes it different from other therapies? Patrick Baeuerle, Ph.D., chief scientific advisor at Cullinan Therapeutics, and Jeffrey Miller, M.D., deputy director of Masonic Cancer Center, join The Chain to discuss the advantages, similarities, and differences of T cell and immune cell engagers, and how they compare to other modalities such as CAR T cells. Hosted by Laszlo Radvanyi, Ph.D., their conversation covers engineering recognition of multiple targets, prospects for peptide MHC engagers and NK cells engagers, and the application of these modalities to oncology and beyond.
Links from this episode:
University of Toronto, Department of Immunology
University of Toronto
Cullinan Therapeutics
Masonic Cancer CenterThe Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
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Episode: 82 - PANEL DISCUSSION: Future of Biologic Therapeutics: Will Half-Life Extended Peptides Replace Multispecific Antibodies?
During last year’s PEGS Europe, industry experts gathered on a panel to discuss the future of biologic therapeutics. The panel kicked off with a presentation on 50 years of monoclonals, from hybridomas to …
Show notes
During last year’s PEGS Europe, industry experts gathered on a panel to discuss the future of biologic therapeutics. The panel kicked off with a presentation on 50 years of monoclonals, from hybridomas to next-gen antibody therapeutics, followed by a conversation featuring Paul Carter, Ph.D., Genentech Fellow of Antibody Engineering, G. Jonah Rainey, Ph.D., associate vice president of Eli Lilly and Company, and Janine Schuurman, Ph.D., biotech consultant at Lust for Life Science B.V. Moderated by Daniel Chen, M.D., Ph.D., founder and CEO of Synthetic Design Lab, the discussion centered around whether half-life extended peptides will eventually replace multispecific antibodies.
Links from this episode:PEGS Europe
PEGS
Synthetic Design Lab
Genentech
Eli Lilly and Company
Lust for Life Science B.V.The Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
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Episode: 81 - Laszlo Radvanyi on Pushing Boundaries in Cancer Immunotherapy Research
How has immunotherapy evolved in the last decade? In this episode of The Chain, Laszlo Radvanyi, professor of immunology at the University of Toronto, discusses his years-long research on cancer immunotherapy …
Show notes
How has immunotherapy evolved in the last decade? In this episode of The Chain, Laszlo Radvanyi, professor of immunology at the University of Toronto, discusses his years-long research on cancer immunotherapy, including his time at MD Anderson, with host Rakesh Dixit. He shares his thoughts on agonist antibodies, the true breakthroughs that are moving the needle for patients, reducing the CD-28 pathway so that it doesn’t produce cytokine toxins, and what is the next frontier in immunotherapy.
Links from this episode:
EpiVax
University of Toronto, Department of Immunology
University of TorontoThe Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
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Episode: 80 - Vibha Jawa Discusses the Impact of Biologic Molecules and the Future of Immunogenicity
December 13, 2025 | What is next for immunogenicity? In this episode of The Chain, Vibha Jawa, chief scientific officer at EpiVax, provides her thoughts and insights on BiTE molecules, pegylated molecules, and …
Show notes
December 13, 2025 | What is next for immunogenicity? In this episode of The Chain, Vibha Jawa, chief scientific officer at EpiVax, provides her thoughts and insights on BiTE molecules, pegylated molecules, and other biologic molecules and their impact on cancer treatment and research with host Rakesh Dixit. Jawa shares the most rewarding project she’s worked on and what therapeutic modality she sees being picked up in the next decade, as well as advice for the next generation of scientists, such as why it’s important to be hands-on with research and be collaborative with others.
Links from this episode:
EpiVaxThe Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
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Episode: 79 - Conversation with Bahija Jallal on the Biggest Anticipated Transformations and Breakthroughs
November 11, 2025 | What is the next modality to focus on in the next 10 years? For Bahija Jallal, CEO of Immunocore, it would be T-cell engagers. In this episode of The Chain, host Rakesh Dixit speaks with …
Show notes
November 11, 2025 | What is the next modality to focus on in the next 10 years? For Bahija Jallal, CEO of Immunocore, it would be T-cell engagers. In this episode of The Chain, host Rakesh Dixit speaks with Jallal on the potential advantages of bispecific T-cell engager therapy versus T-cell receptor therapy, biggest anticipated changes in drug discovery and development in the next 10 years, and how AI is going to impact the next generation of scientists. Plus, Jallal shares her experiences as the previous president of MedImmune and at AstraZeneca, what her most rewarding project was, and the transformations and achievements that occurred under her leadership.
Links from this episode:
ImmunocoreThe Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
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Episode: 78 - Shamit Shrivastava on an Interdisciplinary Approach to Antibody Biophysics and Developability
As drug development pushes into more complex antibody formats, the big question is: how do you really assess developability? In this episode, host Nimish Gera speaks with Shamit Shrivastava, Ph.D., founder and …
Show notes
As drug development pushes into more complex antibody formats, the big question is: how do you really assess developability? In this episode, host Nimish Gera speaks with Shamit Shrivastava, Ph.D., founder and CEO of Apoha, to dive into Liquid Brain, his interdisciplinary innovation that’s changing the way researchers tackle developability of challenging antibody-based drugs. Shamit breaks down what makes Liquid Brain different from traditional developability methods, reveals how it’s unlocking new possibilities for complex format development, and shares a glimpse into Apoha’s future-including an exclusive preview of what’s coming at PEGS Europe this November.
The Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
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Episode: 77 - Derek Lowe on AI and the US Biotech Ecosystem
September 16, 2025 | With the rise of AI and automation, what is the core human skill in drug discovery that is and will be valuable in the future? Derek Lowe, director of Chemical Biology Therapeutics at …
Show notes
September 16, 2025 | With the rise of AI and automation, what is the core human skill in drug discovery that is and will be valuable in the future? Derek Lowe, director of Chemical Biology Therapeutics at Novartis and author of the In the Pipeline blog, discusses the impact of AI—and non-AI technologies—on the business of drug making. With host Christopher Bahl, cofounder and CEO of AI Proteins, their conversation covers the value of a PhD in the tech world today, the long-term impacts of knowledge creation in US leadership positions, how the industry can navigate a biotech winter, and more.
Links from this episode:
AI Proteins
Novartis
In the PipelineThe Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
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Alexey Lugovskoy Shares Decades of Experience in Starting Out and Founding Companies
August 12, 2025 | Diagonal Therapeutics founder and CEO Alexey Lugovskoy discusses the key lessons learned over his illustrious career, starting from his childhood in the Soviet Union to founding his own …
Show notes
August 12, 2025 | Diagonal Therapeutics founder and CEO Alexey Lugovskoy discusses the key lessons learned over his illustrious career, starting from his childhood in the Soviet Union to founding his own company, Diagonal Therapeutics. With host Tariq Ghayur, Lugovskoy shares insights gained from working with organizations of different sizes, taking on the obstacles of building a pipeline, and integrating AI/ML into discovery programs, as well as his most memorable achievement—and most memorable failure. He also offers advice to young scientists and entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of challenging problems and surrounding yourself with the right people.
The Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
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Episode: 75 - Are Licensing Fees Required or Gatekeeping?
July 15, 2025 | Are licensing fees required or gatekeeping? In this episode of The Chain, host Nimish Gera, vice president of Biologics at Mythic Therapeutics, and Ian Wilkinson, CEO of Gamma Proteins, discuss …
Show notes
July 15, 2025 | Are licensing fees required or gatekeeping? In this episode of The Chain, host Nimish Gera, vice president of Biologics at Mythic Therapeutics, and Ian Wilkinson, CEO of Gamma Proteins, discuss accessing antibody discovery technology through licensing fees and royalties—and whether these fees are justified or not. Wilkinson delves into the current landscape of antibody discovery technologies, including if AI-based technology warrants fees, how royalties affect both small companies and big pharma, and his background as one of the first experts in the field who offered purely free-for-service options. He also shares what excites him about antibody engineering and beyond.
Links from this episode:
Mythic Therapeutics
Gamma ProteinsThe Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
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Episode: 74 - Keith Flaherty, President-Elect of AACR, on Public and Private Collabs, AI Optimism, and More
June 10, 2025 | In this bonus episode of The Chain, Daniel Chen, MD, PhD, founder and CEO of Synthetic Design Lab, returns for the Science Commune segment and speaks with Keith Flaherty, MD, FAACR, professor of …
Show notes
June 10, 2025 | In this bonus episode of The Chain, Daniel Chen, MD, PhD, founder and CEO of Synthetic Design Lab, returns for the Science Commune segment and speaks with Keith Flaherty, MD, FAACR, professor of Medicine of Harvard Medical School and president-elect of AACR. They discuss Flaherty’s prolific career; how his background led him to pursue a career in medicine; how public and private sectors are coming together in oncology around collaborations; reflections on targeted therapies and technologies; optimism around how AI will impact society and the future of medicine positively; and how we need to detect and treat disease early.
Links from this episode:
Engineering Bispecific Antibodies
The Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
Episode: 73 - PANEL DISCUSSION: Near-Term Challenges for AI/ML in Biotherapeutic R&D
June 10, 2025 | This episode of The Chain features a panel discussion from May’s PEGS Boston. Moderated by Peter Tessier, Albert M. Mattocks professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemical Engineering at the …
Show notes
June 10, 2025 | This episode of The Chain features a panel discussion from May’s PEGS Boston. Moderated by Peter Tessier, Albert M. Mattocks professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan, the panelists include Sarel Fleishman, professor of Biomolecular Sciences at the Weizmann Institute of Science; Kadina Johnston, senior specialist of Discovery Biologics at Merck & Co.; Vincent Ling, chief business officer of Morphocell Technologies; Arvind Rajpal, SVP of Xaira; and Max Vasquez, chief computing officer of Adimab. Together they discuss benchmarking AI/ML methods compared to traditional approaches, development of human-relevant training data, identifying and addressing core challenges in de novo designs, and more.
Links from this episode:Engineering Bispecific Antibodies
University of Michigan Chemical Engineering
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
Episode: 72 - Pamela Barney on HR Lessons to Meet the Needs of Biotech
In this episode of The Chain, host Tariq Ghayur, PhD, Tariq Ghayur Consulting, LLC, talks with Pamela Barney, former associate director of HR, AbbVie, about her career within biotech/pharma organizations and …
Show notes
In this episode of The Chain, host Tariq Ghayur, PhD, Tariq Ghayur Consulting, LLC, talks with Pamela Barney, former associate director of HR, AbbVie, about her career within biotech/pharma organizations and some key lessons learned, such as taking advantage of your contacts and network, managing diverse workforces, and HR’s role in creating an engaged team. Barney also discusses why she entered the HR field and the challenges of culture changes when transitioning from a small organization to a large company.
AbbVie: https://www.abbvie.com/
The Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
PEGS Young Scientist Keynote Jessica Stark on the Role of Glycans in Cancer Research
In this episode of The Chain, host Brandon DeKosky, associate professor, speaks with MIT colleague Jessica Stark, Underwood-Prescott career development professor, about glycans and why they are important in …
Show notes
In this episode of The Chain, host Brandon DeKosky, associate professor, speaks with MIT colleague Jessica Stark, Underwood-Prescott career development professor, about glycans and why they are important in cancer research. Stark discusses how she became interested in immunology, what her PhD and post-doctoral training was like, her thoughts on singlets operating as part of a network of checkpoint molecules, and what’s currently going on in glycobiology. She also talks about her keynote presentation at PEGS 2025 and what her new lab is working on.
LINKS:
MIT Department of Chemical Engineering
MIT Department of Biological Engineering
MITThe Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
Episode: 70 - Views on Machine Learning and AI in the Antibody and Protein Engineering Space
March 11, 2025 | In this episode of The Chain, host Andrew Buchanan, principal scientist at AstraZeneca, and Andreas Plückthun, professor and head of biochemistry at the University of Zurich, discuss AI/ML …
Show notes
March 11, 2025 | In this episode of The Chain, host Andrew Buchanan, principal scientist at AstraZeneca, and Andreas Plückthun, professor and head of biochemistry at the University of Zurich, discuss AI/ML technologies in the antibody and protein engineering space. Plückthun shares his perspectives on what technologies show promise and success, why the definition of epitope is important when developing a drug, and what aspects he expects to improve in the ML field in the future.
The Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
Episode: 69 - Conversation with Sir Greg Winter on the 50th Anniversary of the Milstein and Köhler Paper
February 21, 2025 | This episode marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most influential papers in biomedical science—the 1975 Milstein and Köhler paper on hybridoma technology, which paved the way for …
Show notes
February 21, 2025 | This episode marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most influential papers in biomedical science—the 1975 Milstein and Köhler paper on hybridoma technology, which paved the way for monoclonal antibodies. Ralph Minter, Biotech CSO/CTO, discusses this important milestone with a true pioneer in the field, Sir Greg Winter, Nobel Laureate and one of the key figures in the development of therapeutic antibodies.
The Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
Episode: 68 - Changing the Game of Protein-Protein Interactions With Randolph Lopez
In this episode of The Chain, host Andrew Bradbury, CSO of Specifica, an IQVIA business, speaks with Randolph Lopez, CTO and co-founder of A-Alpha Bio, about how A-Alpha Bio is changing the game of …
Show notes
In this episode of The Chain, host Andrew Bradbury, CSO of Specifica, an IQVIA business, speaks with Randolph Lopez, CTO and co-founder of A-Alpha Bio, about how A-Alpha Bio is changing the game of protein-protein interactions with their platform AlphaSeq. Lopez delves into the origins, the process, the successes, and the possibilities of the company’s platform and how it can help with epitope mapping, affinity predictions, and off-target binding. With the data the platform generates, Lopez also discusses how this affects the potential of AI and ML.
LINKS:
Bionavigen
A-Alpha Bio
SpecificaThe Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
Episode: 67 - Anthony Tolcher Discusses Oncology, Dual-Payload Technology, and the ADC Field
November 12, 2024 | In this episode of The Chain, host Rakesh Dixit, PhD, DABT, president and founder of Bionavigen Oncology and Regio Biosciences, speaks with Anthony Tolcher, M.D., FRCPC, cofounder of NEXT …
Show notes
November 12, 2024 | In this episode of The Chain, host Rakesh Dixit, PhD, DABT, president and founder of Bionavigen Oncology and Regio Biosciences, speaks with Anthony Tolcher, M.D., FRCPC, cofounder of NEXT Oncology, about antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) including the role of the bystander effect, approaching targets in oncology, dual-payload technologies, the potency of new payloads, and bispecific targeting. Tolcher also shares what inspired him to pursue oncology, how he came across ADCs, and where he sees ADCs heading in the future.
LINKS:
Bionavigen
NEXT OncologyThe Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
Episode: 66 - John Lambert on Antibody Drug Conjugates Then, Now, & Beyond
October 15, 2024 | In this month’s episode of The Chain, host Rakesh Dixit, PhD, DABT, president and founder of Bionavigen Oncology and Regio Biosciences, and John Lambert, PhD, consultant, about antibody drug …
Show notes
October 15, 2024 | In this month’s episode of The Chain, host Rakesh Dixit, PhD, DABT, president and founder of Bionavigen Oncology and Regio Biosciences, and John Lambert, PhD, consultant, about antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) then, now, and beyond. Lambert shares his experiences from his decades-long career at ImmunoGen, why ADCs are more successful now compared to in the past, and where he sees ADCs going forward. He also discusses his thoughts on the half-life of diffusible payloads, the toxicity of the bystander effect, and more.
LINKS:
Bionavigen
ImmunoGenThe Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
Episode 65- Tariq Ghayur on the Renaissance of Bispecifics and ADCs, AI, and More
September 10, 2024 | In this episode of The Chain, host Nimish Gera speaks with Tariq Ghayur, of Tariq Ghayur Consulting, LLC and Entrepreneur in Residence, FairJourney Biologics (and a fellow host of the …
Show notes
September 10, 2024 | In this episode of The Chain, host Nimish Gera speaks with Tariq Ghayur, of Tariq Ghayur Consulting, LLC and Entrepreneur in Residence, FairJourney Biologics (and a fellow host of the podcast), about the current renaissance of bispecifics and ADCs, the impact of AI in pharmaceuticals, and what to watch out for in the biopharma space in the next few years. Ghayur also shares his journey from BASF Pharma to AbbVie, what it was like when the industry shifted its focus from small molecules to biologics, and the major differences between doing a postdoc in academia versus in the industry.
The Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
Episode: 64 - Peyton Greenside on AI’s Role in Antibody Engineering, Optimization, and More
In this episode of The Chain, host Nimish Gera, Ph.D., vice president of biologics at Mythic Therapeutics, speaks with Peyton Greenside, CSO and co-founder of BigHat Biosciences, about the role of AI and …
Show notes
In this episode of The Chain, host Nimish Gera, Ph.D., vice president of biologics at Mythic Therapeutics, speaks with Peyton Greenside, CSO and co-founder of BigHat Biosciences, about the role of AI and machine learning in antibody engineering and targeting complex modalities, including bispecifics and ADCs. Greenside also discusses the work her organization does, what BigHat is doing to ensure the quality of data to train their AI models with, the methods of approaching harder targets such as GPCRs, and certain properties that AI can optimize better.
The Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
Episode: 63 - Discussing Protein Signaling and Structural Biology With Andrew Kruse
In this episode of The Chain, host Brandon DeKosky, associate professor at MIT, speaks with Andrew Kruse, PhD, professor of biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology at Harvard University, about protein …
Show notes
In this episode of The Chain, host Brandon DeKosky, associate professor at MIT, speaks with Andrew Kruse, PhD, professor of biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology at Harvard University, about protein signaling and structural biology. Kruse explains what exactly bias signaling is and discusses the problems he and his team are working to resolve, as well as the tools they use to work out the dynamics of structures. He also shares the findings in signaling receptors and biology that he’s most excited about, recent advancements that have caught his attention, and the new directions for him and his lab.
The Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
Episode: 62 - AI/ML in Antibody Discovery and Engineering: Reality, Hope, Future, and Hype
his special episode of The Chain features a panel of industry experts who discussed AI and ML in antibody discovery and engineering at this year’s PEGS Boston event. Peter Tessier, professor at the University …
Show notes
his special episode of The Chain features a panel of industry experts who discussed AI and ML in antibody discovery and engineering at this year’s PEGS Boston event. Peter Tessier, professor at the University of Michigan; Andrew Bradbury, CSO at Specifica; Andrew Waight, Senior Director of Machine Learning, Discovery Biologics & Protein Sciences at Merck Research Labs; Peyton Greenside, Co-Founder & CSO of BigHat Biosciences; and Paolo Marcatili, Director of Antibody Design at Novo Nordisk take on where AI/ML has the biggest impact, what the hype is in the use of AI/ML in antibody discovery, how new AI/ML methods are being benchmarked against traditional discovery methods, and what controls should be used in an AI/ML discovery or optimization campaign.
The Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
Episode: 61 - Tomoyuki Igawa Discusses Leadership and His Experiences in Discovery and Development
In this episode of The Chain, host Tariq Ghayur, PhD, consultant and entrepreneur in residence, FairJourney Biologics, speaks with Tomoyuki Igawa, PhD, chief executive officer, Chugai Pharmabody Research in …
Show notes
In this episode of The Chain, host Tariq Ghayur, PhD, consultant and entrepreneur in residence, FairJourney Biologics, speaks with Tomoyuki Igawa, PhD, chief executive officer, Chugai Pharmabody Research in Singapore, about his 20+ years of experience in drug discovery and development. Igawa possesses a unique perspective that has allowed him and his team to develop innovative concepts, such as recycling sweeping antibodies and bispecific platforms. He discusses how the discovery and development organizations work together to provide a steady supply of products, how he builds the right team when starting a new project, and how to keep team members engaged and motivated. He also offers advice for young scientists on the importance of enjoying their work and how to maintain work-life balance.
The Chain explores the lives, careers, research, and discoveries of protein engineers and scientists, the impact their work is having on the field, and where the industry is headed. Tune in to stay up to date on the newest advancements and to hear the stories that are impacting the world of biologics.
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