Women in Science Day (February 11) was the top of the list for discussion for GEN editors in this week’s podcast. They shared an anecdote on the history of the term “scientist”—hint it was coined for a woman. A modern scientist, Medra CEO Michelle Lee, discussed with GEN how the company is integrating robotics with AI for use in biological research. GEN attended SLAS this week and we got an update on the automation updates along with endeavors to increase the presence of women in biotech leadership. Finally, we get an update on Eli Lilly’s recent major deals followed by an update on Nektar Therapeutics clinical trial updates.

Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Fay Lin, PhD, Uduak Thomas and Alex Philippidis for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.

Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:

Data Is a Robotics Problem, Medra CEO Says Physical AI Will Transform Biology

By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, February 11, 2026

Robots on the Red Line: A Video Update from SLAS 2026

GEN, February 11, 2026

SLAS Highlights: AI Labs, Small-Molecule SPR, Protein Interaction Assays, and Paper Labware

By Uduak Thomas, GEN, February 11, 2026

SLAS Highlights: Opening Keynote Spotlights Novel Target in Genomically Unstable Tumors

By Uduak Thomas, GEN, February 11, 2026

Opentrons Uses Nvidia Tech to Build Training Data That Powers Physical AI in the Lab

By Uduak Thomas, GEN, February 9, 2026

Beyond Obesity: Lilly Inks Up to $11.25B in Cancer, Immune System Deals

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, February 10, 2026

Lilly, Seamless Ink Up-to-$1.12B Hearing Loss Collaboration

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, January 28, 2026

Touching Base Podcast

Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD

Behind the Breakthroughs

Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We kick off the very first episode of 2026 with a major legal development. This week, the former CEO of CytoDyn was sentenced to 30 months in prison, more than a year after being convicted on multiple charges including four counts of securities fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and three counts of insider trading. Also, we examine recent investments in artificial intelligence by several major drugmakers, and where they are hoping the technology can make an impact. Then, the latest from 10x Genomics and its plans to expand into clinical diagnostics through new collaboration. And for some research news, a new study that explores how functional forms of amyloid can create stable memories.

Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.

Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:

Ex-CytoDyn CEO Sentenced to 30-Month Prison Term on Fraud, Insider Trading

By Alex Philippidis, GEN, January 27, 2026

Pharma Bets Big on AI Platforms with Flurry of New Year Deals

By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, January 22, 2026

JPM: Nvidia Launches AI Collaborations with Eli Lilly, Thermo Fisher

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, January 13, 2026

Clinical Ambitions: 10x Expands Beyond Research with Trio of Collaborations

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, January 26, 2026

Chai’s the Limit for AI Antibody Designer After $130M Series B Funding

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, December 16, 2025

Lilly Expands AI Ties to Insilico, from Customer to Drug Discovery Partner

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, November 10, 2025

How Brain May Deliberately Form Amyloids to Turn Experiences Into Memories

GEN, January 26, 2026

Touching Base Podcast

Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD

Behind the Breakthroughs

Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stories on lung organoids and autism were some of the most read this week. We kicked things off by digging into recent breakthroughs in both areas including an automated method for manufacturing iPSC-derived lung organoids and how a combination of supplements reduced autism-linked behaviors in mice. Still on the topic of new research, we discussed how a protein in the extracellular matrix helps muscle stem cells repair aging muscles. In business news, the bidding war between Lundbeck and Alkermes over Avadel Pharmaceuticals has ended. We talk about the possible implications of Lundbeck’s decision to back out and next steps for Alkermes. Then we dive into Protego Biopharma’s recent fundraising round, and efforts to develop small-molecule pharmacological chaperones that modulate protein stability in disease.

Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.

Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:

Lung Organoids Generated in Bulk Using Stirred Bioreactor Technology

GEN, December 1, 2025

Autism-Linked Behaviors in Mice Reduced by Nutrient Trio

GEN, December 3, 2025

Muscle Stem Cells Bolstered by ECM Protein Tenascin-C

GEN, December 5, 2025

Protego Closes $130M Series B to Fund Pivotal Trial of AL Amyloidosis Candidate

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, December 3, 2025

Lundbeck Ends Bidding War for Avadel, After Alkermes’ Up-to-$2.37B Offer

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, December 1, 2025

Touching Base Podcast

Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD

Behind the Breakthroughs

Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nasal vaccines show new promise for human papillomavirus (HPV) to address cervical cancer and whooping cough. In business news, Korro's stock craters 81% as AATD interim Phase I/II results miss expectations. Additionally, Johnson & Johnson acquires Halda to expand their cancer pipeline while Merck acquires Cidara to boost antivirals. Lastly, the inaugural Genetic Agency Technology Conference (GATC) hosted by Dyno Therapeutics brought together a diverse group of researchers, entrepreneurs, and patient advocates to discuss the mission of genetic agency, or an individual’s ability to take action at the genetic level to live a healthier life.

Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.

Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:

Cervical Cancer May Be Treatable with Intranasal Nanogel Vaccine

GEN, November 15, 2025

Novel Nasal Spray Vaccine for Pertussis Shows Promise

By Corinna Singleman, PhD, GEN, November 12, 2025

StockWatch: Korro Craters 81% on Data; Patient Death Sours Analysts on Intellia

By Alex Philippidis, GENEdge, November 16, 2025

J&J Expands Cancer Pipeline with $3B Halda Acquisition

By Alex Philippidis, GENEdge, November 18, 2025

Merck to Acquire Cidara for $9.2B, Bolstering Antiviral Pipeline

By Alex Philippidis, GEN, November 15, 2025

AI Meets Genetic Agency at Dyno GATC 2025

By Fay Lin, PhD, GENEdge, November 14, 2025

Genetic Agency on Display at GATC 2025

By Kevin Davies, PhD, and Fay Lin, PhD, GEN, November 13, 2025

Dyno GATC Announces AI Agents, Muscle Capsid, and Manufacturing Partner

By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, November 11, 2025

Touching Base Podcast

Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD

Behind the Breakthroughs

Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

uniQure's “game changing” data announced in September, which showed significant slowing of Huntington’s disease (HD) progression in patients treated with its gene therapy candidate AMT-130, may not be enough to secure FDA approval. We also discuss Recursion's pivotal leadership transitions, as Najat Khan, PhD, chief R&D officer and chief commercial officer, is set to take over as the company's CEO effective January 1. The AI drug developer has made big bets filling the biology data gap and recently announced a "Google Map of the brain" to advance neurodegenerative disease targets. In open-source AI for drug discovery, the release of the latest Boltz model, BoltzGen, advances the platform from structural predictions to the design of "any" therapeutic modality, all available for commercial use.

Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. 

Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base: 

uniQure Staggers as FDA Questions Data for Huntington’s Gene Therapy Candidate

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, November 3, 2025

StockWatch: uniQure Shares Reach Five-Year High on “Game Changing” Huntington’s Data

Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, September 28, 2025

Gene Therapy Significantly Slows Huntington Disease Progression

GEN, September 24, 2025

Recursion, Roche Unveil Microglia Map of Neuro Disease Targets

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, October 29, 2025

BoltzGen Democratizes AI Therapeutic Design, Expands Druggable Universe

By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN, October 27, 2025

The State of AI in Drug Discovery On Demand 

Touching Base Podcast 

Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD 

Behind the Breakthroughs 

Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are gearing up for our annual AI in Drug Discovery summit in a few days. So, for this episode, we focused on some recent AI news coverage. First, GEN senior editor Fay Lin, PhD, visited Seattle recently for some AI-focused meetings. She discusses her experiences in the Emerald City including an exclusive in-person interview with Nobel laureate, David Baker, PhD, on what’s real and what’s hype when it comes to using AI to design proteins de novo.  Then we discuss new research from University of California, San Diego, that used machine learning to identify networks of genes that could be targeted to reprogram cancer stem cells. We also go over some early studies that point to a possible drug candidate for colon cancer.  

Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. 

Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base: 

Brunkow, Ramsdell, Sakaguchi Win Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for Peripheral Immune Tolerance 

Uduak Thomas, GEN, October 6, 2025 

AI in Protein Design: Hype vs. Reality Explained by David Baker 

By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN, October 20, 2025 

Nobel Anniversary: David Baker Keynotes STEM Fundraiser by ARCS Foundation Seattle 

By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN, October 14, 2025 

AI Treatment Reprograms and Triggers Cancer Stem Cells to Self-Destruct 

GEN, October 20, 2025 

The State of AI in Drug Discovery Registration 

Touching Base Podcast 

Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD 

Behind the Breakthroughs 

Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Metal-organic frameworks and peripheral immune tolerance were the big winners of the Nobel prizes in chemistry, and in physiology or medicine, respectively. In this episode of the podcast, we discuss the winners and the impacts of their discoveries. Then we move over to some business news where we discuss a novel gene therapy for Huntington’s disease from uniQure that made waves recently. Early clinical trial data for AMT-130 showed that it could meaningfully slow the progression of the disease by as much as 75%. Also in business news, a new partnership involving Arbor Biotechnologies and Chiesi Group aims to develop gene editing therapies to target rare liver diseases.

Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.

Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:

Brunkow, Ramsdell, Sakaguchi Win Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for Peripheral Immune Tolerance

Uduak Thomas, GEN, October 6, 2025

Metal-Organic Frameworks Win the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Julianna LeMieux, PhD, GEN, October 8, 2025

Gene Therapy Significantly Slows Huntington Disease Progression

GEN, September 24, 2025

StockWatch: uniQure Shares Reach Five-Year High on “Game Changing” Huntington’s Data

Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, September 28, 2025

Chiesi, Arbor Target Rare Liver Diseases in Up-to-$2.1B Gene Editing Collaboration

Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, October 8, 2025

Touching Base Podcast

Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.