Beyond Biotech - the podcast from Labiotech

How Eli Lilly's biotech collaboration model is rewriting early-stage innovation

Today, we're joined by Thomas Hopkins, Vice President and Head of ExploR&D at Eli Lilly. With a background as a physician-scientist in oncology, Thomas has spent his career bridging bold discovery science with rigorous development, first in academia and clinical practice, then at Lilly since 2015.Lilly ExploR&D represents new thinking in the pharma-biotech collaboration model: a shared-risk, deep scientific partnership designed specifically for early-stage biotechs. It provides full-stack R&D capabilities helping companies overcome the toughest hurdles in moving from molecule creation to clinical proof-of-concept, all while staying lean in a challenging funding environment.In this episode, Thomas dives into his journey shaping ExploR&D, how the program works in practice, current priorities in modalities and therapeutic areas, and offers some practical advice for biotechs seeking to partner with Eli Lilly.01:30 — Meet Tom Hopkins05:11 — What makes ExploR&D biotech-friendly07:46 — How collaborations work in practice09:40 — Shared risk models14:25 — Engaging bold science early28:16 — Success stories and advice for biotechsInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: Eli Lilly’s strategy in motion: Beyond diabetes and obesityOver $3 billion in a month: Why is Eli Lilly starting 2025 on a buying spree?What to look for in a biotech incubator

Building a smart oncology pipeline with Cumulus Oncology

Today, my guest is Dr. Clare Wareing, Founder and CEO of Cumulus Oncology, who joins us from Edinburgh. With over 25 years of expertise in oncology drug development, Clare has built a remarkable career translating scientific breakthroughs into life-changing therapies. Cumulus Oncology is curating a risk-adjusted portfolio of preclinical assets focused on high unmet needs in oncology. Their platform-agnostic, approach prioritizes patient subgroups and precision medicine to boost success rates and drive value creation.In this conversation, we explore Clare's journey to and through biotech, Cumulus and the current state of oncology in biotech, the vibrant Scottish biotech ecosystem, and her vision for the future for 2026 and beyond.01:17: Meet Clare Wareing03:57: Inspiration for founding Cumulus Oncology.05:38: Cumulus's unique drug development model.09:53: Overview of Cumulus's asset portfolio.13:05: Importance of the patient subgroup strategy.17:41: Trends in oncology drug discovery.21:09: Drivers of oncology deal-making activity.24:22: Challenges in accessing venture capital.30:06: Future milestones for Cumulus Oncology.Interested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: Curing cancer: Daiichi Sankyo's ambitious ADC approachCracking Cancer’s Code: Transforming Research with Novel Cancer ModelsNew cancer cell discovery sheds light on childhood blood cancer

Top 5 trends that will drive biopharma in the next decade with Tim Opler

Today, we're thrilled to have Tim Opler, a leading voice in biotech investment banking. Tim's career spans academia, Credit Suisse, and co-founding Torreya Partners, which Stifel acquired in 2023. As Managing Director in Stifel's Global Healthcare Group, he's advised on over 150 deals totaling more than $100 billion, shaping major M&A, licensing, and financings in life sciences.Tim is renowned for his insightful Biopharma Market Updates, and in this episode, we'll dive into his December 2025 edition, where he outlines five transformative trends set to drive biopharma for the next decade: M&A booms, giant markets like obesity and aging drugs, China's rising innovation, AI's reshape of healthcare, and incredible scientific advances.01:22 - Meet Tim Opler03:12 - Stifel and the Biopharma Market Updates05:50 - Trend 1: M&A Booms10:06 - Trend 2: Giant Markets17:05 - Trend 3: China's Innovation22:29 - Trend 4: AI Reshaping Healthcare28:42 - Trend 5: Incredible Science34:18 - Looking forwardInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: 10 biotech companies in China you should know aboutWhen AI isn’t enough: How physics is shaping the next wave of drug discovery JPM 2026: what’s the outlook like this year? 

Labiotech's 15 biopharma companies to watch in 2026

Today I’m joined by not one, not two, but three guests with their takes on the biotech year ahead. In December we tasked Labiotech journalists Jules Adam, Roohi Peter, and Willow Shah-Neville with the task of identifying the five biotech players that they thought would be the ones to watch in 2026. Now you can read that article at Labiotech-dot-EU, and we’ve linked it in the show notes here in your podcast player, too, but on today’s episode I’m joined by Jules, Roohi, and Willow who explain a little more about the companies that caught their eye and what might be expected of those companies in the year ahead.15 companies, three journalists, all in one special podcast as we uncover the companies to watch in 2026.1:18     Meet Jules Adam2:30     Abivax4:04     AAVantgarde Bio6:10     Isotope Technologies Munich (ITM)8:16     MaaT Pharma9:55     Novo Nordisk13:15    Meet Willow Shah-Neville14:29    Kardigan18:23    Braveheart Bio21:16    Beam Therapeutics24:34    MindMed27:39    Kailera Therapeutics32:36    Meet Roohi Peter33:30    Aspen Neuroscience34:45    Reunion Neuroscience36:14    MapLight Therapeutiucs37:41    Hope Medicine38:59    RegenxbioInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: Keep an eye on these 15 biotech companies in 2026 Biotech in 2025: A retrospective Eight of the biggest immunology and inflammation (I&I) deals in 2025

M Ventures: pharma CVC and biotech innovation in 2026

Welcome to our first episode for 2026.Today, we're joined by Hakan Goker, Managing Director at M Ventures, the strategic corporate venture capital arm of Merck KGaA. With over two decades in biotech investing, Hakan has driven transformative deals in oncology, autoimmune diseases, and beyond, including standout 2025 investments like FoRx Therapeutics and portfolio milestones such as Artios' FDA Fast Track designation. As we kick off 2026 at Beyond Biotech, Hakan shares insights on corporate VC advantages, emerging therapeutic priorities, and the industry's evolving landscape amid rising M&A and AI innovation. 1:10                 Meet Hakan Goka4:37                 About M Ventures and pharma CVC8:14                 Sourcing innovative biotechs12:52                How M Ventures works with Merck KGaA16:54              M Ventures in 202524:46                Areas to watch in the new year29:19                Looking forward to 202632:20                The next big thing in biotech?33:08                Advice for biotechs pitching CVCInterested in being a sponsor of an episode of our podcast? Discover how you can get involved here! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletterTo dive deeper into the topic: The ABC of biotech startup fundingSeven genome sequencing companies to look out forLabiotech's 2025 biotech funding tracker