163: How Moss Enables Production of Unproducible Protein Therapeutics with Andreas Schaaf - Part 1

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 Brühlmann sits down with Andreas Schaaf, Managing Director and CSO of Eleva, who's spent over 20 years turning the "impossible" into reality. Andreas didn't just stumble upon moss; he co-developed Eleva's revolutionary moss-based platform from wild concept to commercial-scale game-changer, propelling the company into clinical trials.

Here are three reasons why this episode is worth listening to:

• Moss as a Game Changer: More than a plant, moss is a higher eukaryote with mammalian-like protein production, including post-translational modifications and human-compatible glycosylation.
• Overcoming Bioprocessing Barriers: CHO cells are the industry gold standard, especially for monoclonal antibodies. But what about the therapeutic proteins that CHO can’t handle? Many promising candidates end up shelved—not because the science isn't sound, but because existing production platforms hit their limits.
• Bioprocessing, Simplified: Moss grows in standard bioreactors using familiar workflows—just with a whole organism instead of suspended cells.

Curious about how plant-based systems could solve your protein production challenges? Dive into this episode to discover how moss could revolutionize your approach to challenging proteins; and let us know about your own production hurdles.

Connect with Andreas Schaaf:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/andreas-schaaf-b3797716

Website: www.elevabiologics.com

Next step:

Book a free consultation to help you get started on any questions you may have about bioprocessing analytics: https://bruehlmann-consulting.com/call

Develop bioprocessing technologies better, faster, at a fraction of the cost with our 1:1 Strategy Call: The quickest and easiest way to excel biotech technology development. Book your call at www.bruehlmann-consulting.com/call/

One bad CDMO decision can cost you two years and your Series A. If you're navigating tech transfer, CDMO selection, or IND prep, let's talk before it gets expensive. Two slots open this month.

Support the show