Base to Base biotech podcast 59: DIA helping biotech thrive, and Gorlin syndrome

Base to Base biotech podcast 60: Delivery method reduces prostate cancer tumour size

This week, we have a conversation with the founder, director and chief scientific advisor of Alessa Therapeutics, Pamela Munster. Alessa Therapeutics Alessa Therapeutics [https://alessatherapeutics.com/] recently announced positive preliminary phase 1 safety and efficacy data for its prostate cancer treatment Enolen. This was the first study to demonstrate that the FDA-approved prostate cancer compound enzalutamide can be safely and locally administered to the prostate via sustained drug eluting implants. Recent key data presented by researchers at the NCI at the European Association of Urology Congress in London included: All 20 patients enrolled in the initial cohort were successfully implanted. These implantations achieved very high intraprostatic enzalutamide levels with minimal systemic drug exposure and resulted in no delay to surgery. Pre-radical prostatectomy MRI’s conducted for 18/20 patients (2 pending) showed a reduction in tumour volume in 84% of the lesions over an average duration of 35 days. There were no reported effects on testosterone levels or negative effects on sexual function. To get in touch with guest suggestions, or to sponsor or advertise on the podcast, please email jim@deeptechdigest.com [jim@deeptechdigest.com]

Base to Base biotech podcast 59: DIA helping biotech thrive, and Gorlin syndrome

This week, we have a conversation with DIA chief science and regulatory officer, Maria Vassileva, and Medicus Pharma CEO, Raza Bokhari. Times: 02:53 Medicus Pharma 29:13 DIA DIA DIA [https://www.diaglobal.org/] (Drug Information Association) is a global organisation that assists life science professionals from across all areas of expertise to engage with patients, peers and thought leaders in a neutral environment on the issues of today and the possibilities for tomorrow. Starting with the controversy over the drug Thalidomide, DIA’s founders - a group of 30 pharmaceutical professionals, medical writers, and academics - came together to create a platform for necessary global communication and collaboration to solve a healthcare threat to unborn children worldwide. Today, professionals from 80 countries engage with DIA through its membership network, educational offerings, and professional development opportunities. Medicus Pharma Medicus Pharma Ltd. [https://medicuspharma.com/] has submitted an Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for SkinJect (D-MNA) for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in patients with Gorlin syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterised by the development of multiple, recurrent skin cancers. There are no FDA-approved therapies specifically for BCC in Gorlin Syndrome. The submission represents a strategic expansion of the SkinJect programme into a high unmet need orphan indication, where current treatment options are limited and often involve repeated surgical procedures associated with cumulative morbidity and disfigurement. Medicus believes SkinJect can address this through a localised, repeatable, non-surgical treatment approach. It is a doxorubicin-containing dissolvable microneedle array designed for direct intradermal delivery into BCC lesions. SkinJect has been evaluated in phase 1 and 2 clinical studies in patients with basal cell carcinoma. To get in touch with guest suggestions, or to sponsor or advertise on the podcast, please email jim@deeptechdigest.com [jim@deeptechdigest.com]

Base to Base biotech podcast 58: Congenital myotonic dystrophy

This week, we have a conversation with congenital myotonic dystrophy patient advocacy consultant Lisa Harvey-Duren, who was the founding Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation executive director in 2008, and Michael Snape, CEO and CSO of AMO Pharma, which is developing a treatment for the disease. AMO Pharma AMO Pharma [https://www.amo-pharma.com/] is a clinical-stage specialty biopharmaceutical company working to identify and advance promising therapies for the treatment of serious and debilitating diseases in patient populations with significant areas of unmet need, including rare and severe childhood onset neurogenetic disorders with limited or no treatment options. In addition to developing AMO-02 for congenital myotonic dystrophy, the company is also progressing AMO-02 as a clinical stage treatment for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. AMO-01 is being investigated for treatment of Phelan-McDermid syndrome and AMO-04 as a clinic-ready potential medicine for Rett syndrome and related disorders. To get in touch with guest suggestions, or to sponsor or advertise on the podcast, please email jim@deeptechdigest.com [jim@deeptechdigest.com]

Base to Base biotech podcast 57: Keeping drugs cool, and treatment resistant depression

This week, our conversations are with Uwe Diegel, CEO of Lifeina, about their cooling technologies, and with Dirk Beher, CEO of FundaMental Pharma, about treatment resistant depression. Times: 02:37 FundaMental Pharma 23:56 Lifeina FundaMental FundaMental Pharma [https://fundamentalpharma.com/] is a preclinical biopharmaceutical company focused on developing new treatments for treatment‑resistant depression (TRD). The company’s platform centres on proprietary dual‑acting modulators of the N‑methyl‑D‑aspartate receptor (NMDAR). These molecules simultaneously disrupt the pathological complex formed between NMDAR and the TRPM4 ion channel, while also acting as potent NMDAR antagonists. This dual mechanism is designed to intervene upstream in the neurobiological processes associated with excitotoxicity and impaired neuronal signalling, offering a differentiated strategy compared with existing antidepressant classes. FMP374 is the company’s lead candidate and has demonstrated strong antidepressant‑like effects at low nanomolar concentrations in preclinical proof‑of‑concept studies. Importantly, these studies have not shown dissociation‑related behaviours, ataxia or hyperactivity at efficacious doses, supporting the potential for an at‑home therapeutic profile. The molecule is orally bioavailable and is progressing toward IND‑enabling studies. The company’s goal is to deliver new therapeutic options for patients with severe unmet medical needs, where current treatments often fail to provide adequate relief. Lifeina Lifeina [https://lifeina.com/en/] is a French health‑tech company focused on portable, connected medical‑device solutions for people who rely on temperature‑sensitive medications. Its flagship product, LifeinaBox, is a compact, battery‑powered mini‑fridge designed to keep biologics such as insulin, growth hormones and certain injectable therapies within a safe temperature range during travel or daily use. The device pairs with a mobile app that monitors temperature, battery status and usage patterns, providing alerts if the medication is at risk. The company positions its technology as a way to give patients greater independence and mobility. Lifeina works with patient groups, clinicians and pharmaceutical partners to refine its devices and expand compatibility with a wider range of biologic medicines. To get in touch with guest suggestions, or to sponsor or advertise on the podcast, please email jim@deeptechdigest.com [jim@deeptechdigest.com]

Base to Base biotech podcast 56: GRIN genes and relapsing MS

This week, our conversations are with Bruce Leuchter, co-founder, president, CEO of Neurvati Neurosciences and GRIN Therapeutics; and Daniel Vitt, CEO of Immunic. Times: 02:54 Immunic 24:04 Neurvati Neurosciences/GRIN Therapeutics GRIN Therapeutics GRIN Therapeutics [http://www.grintherapeutics.com/] Inc. is dedicated to the research and development of precision therapeutics for neurodevelopmental disorders with the goal of bringing hope to patients and caregivers. In 2024, GRIN Therapeutics reported promising topline data from a phase 1b/2a clinical trial evaluating investigational radiprodil in GRIN-related neurodevelopmental disorder (GRIN-NDD) in patients with gain-of-function variants, leading to the decision to advance to the global pivotal phase 3 Beeline trial. The company has an additional ongoing clinical trial to evaluate radiprodil for the potential treatment of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and focal cortical dysplasia type II (FCDII). GRIN Therapeutics is an affiliate of Neurvati Neurosciences. Immunic Immunic [http://www.imux.com/] Inc. is a late-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of novel oral therapies for neurologic diseases. The company’s lead development programme, vidofludimus calcium (IMU-838), is currently in phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis, for which top-line data is expected to be available by the end of 2026. It has already shown therapeutic activity in phase 2 clinical trials in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, progressive multiple sclerosis and other diseases. Vidofludimus calcium combines neuroprotective effects, through its mechanism as a first-in-class nuclear receptor-related 1 (Nurr1) activator, with additional anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effects, by selectively inhibiting the enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH). The company’s development pipeline also includes earlier-stage programmes, including IMU-856 and IMU-381, aimed at building a broader therapeutics platform addressing neurodegenerative, chronic inflammatory, and autoimmune-related diseases. To get in touch with guest suggestions, or to sponsor or advertise on the podcast, please email jim@deeptechdigest.com [jim@deeptechdigest.com]