The Chain: Protein Engineering Podcast

Jeffrey Miller, physician‑scientist advancing NK cell therapies and tri‑specific NK engagers. Patrick Baeuerle, biotech entrepreneur behind T‑cell bispecifics and peptide‑MHC work. They compare T cell and NK engagers to CAR T approaches. Topics include conditional tumor selectivity, IL‑15 and NK activation, peptide‑MHC targeting, manufacturing and clinical strategies, and use in MRD and neoadjuvant settings.

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 CompanyLust for Life Science B.V. 

Laszlo Radvanyi, a renowned professor of immunology and cancer immunotherapy, discusses pivotal advancements in cancer treatments. He reflects on the evolution of immunotherapy over the last decade and shares insights on the challenges of activating immune pathways with agonist antibodies. Laszlo emphasizes the role of partnerships in translating basic research into clinical success and highlights the promising potential of early detection strategies. He also argues for the exploration of new antigen sources, including endogenous retroviruses, as future targets in cancer therapy.

Vibha Jawa, a seasoned biopharmaceutical scientist and immunology leader, shares her insights on biologic molecules and immunogenicity. She discusses the potential of BiTEs and pegylated molecules in cancer treatment, along with her rewarding role in creating N-Plate at Amgen. Vibha predicts the rise of gene therapies and AI-designed molecules in the next decade. She emphasizes hands-on research and collaboration for the next generation of scientists, providing valuable advice on navigating the evolving landscape of immunogenicity.

Bahija Jallal, CEO of Immunocore and former president of MedImmune, shares her 30+ years of experience in biotech. She discusses the rising importance of T-cell engagers and their advantages over traditional therapies. Jallal reflects on her rewarding work with T-cell receptor therapy for uveal melanoma and highlights the role of AI in the future of drug discovery. With insights on balancing innovation with patient safety, she emphasizes the need for passionate scientists who prioritize patient outcomes.

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. 

In this engaging discussion, Derek Lowe, Director of Chemical Biology Therapeutics at Novartis and author of the In the Pipeline blog, dives into the intersection of AI and drug discovery. He highlights the importance of human judgment as automation rises, discusses the challenges of modeling complex drug designs, and emphasizes the value of PhDs in biotech. Lowe also explores the impact of US research funding cuts on innovation, the contrasting biotech landscapes in China and the West, and the potential legal implications of AI-driven drug modifications.

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. 

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 Proteins 

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:  PEGS Boston Conference & Expo Engineering Bispecific Antibodies Synthetic Design Lab Harvard Medical School AACR