The first episode of The Biotech Pulse concentrates on the Manufacturing of Complex Bioligics. Forbion General Partner Rogier Rooswinkel speaks to Replimune CEO Philip Astley-Sparke. Philip Astley-Sparke is not only the company's Chief Executive Officer, but he is also its co-founder and has served as a member of its Board since its formation in 2015. Philip was previously the President and CEO of BioVex Inc that developed the first oncolytic therapy which was approved in the U.S. and Europe in 2015. Biovex was acquired by Amgen for up to $1bn in 2011. Tune in to listen to Philip's insight about Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) and when to recognize how and when is the right time to go it alone.

The first episode of The Biotech Pulse concentrates on the Manufacturing of Complex Bioligics. Forbion General Partner Rogier Rooswinkel speaks to Replimune CEO Philip Astley-Sparke. Philip Astley-Sparke is not only the company's Chief Executive Officer, but he is also its co-founder and has served as a member of its Board since its formation in 2015. Philip was previously the President and CEO of BioVex Inc that developed the first oncolytic therapy which was approved in the U.S. and Europe in 2015. Biovex was acquired by Amgen for up to $1bn in 2011. Tune in to listen to Philip's insight about Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) and when to recognize how and when is the right time to go it alone.

The Biotech Pulse is a Forbion podcast. Forbion is a leading Life Sciences venture capital firm founded in the Netherlands. Forbion helps companies bridge research and development through its team's expertise in drug development and company building. For over 15 years, Forbion has invested in over 100 companies backing exciting therapies that have the potential to impact the future of medicine. The Biotech Pulse is a forum where we speak about all things biotech with diverse stakeholders in the life sciences industry.

The Biotech Pulse is a Forbion podcast. Forbion is a leading Life Sciences venture capital firm founded in the Netherlands. Forbion helps companies bridge research and development through its team's expertise in drug development and company building. For over 15 years, Forbion has invested in over 100 companies backing exciting therapies that have the potential to impact the future of medicine. The Biotech Pulse is a forum where we speak about all things biotech with diverse stakeholders in the life sciences industry.

The Biotech Pulse

Forbion is a leading life sciences venture capital firm founded in The Netherlands, helping companies bridge research and development through our team’s expertise in drug development and company building. Over the course of 15 years we have invested in over 100 companies, backing exciting therapies that that we believe have the potential to impact the future of medicine. “The Biotech Pulse” is a forum where we speak about all things biotech with diverse stakeholders in the life sciences industry.

Forbion is a leading life sciences venture capital firm founded in The Netherlands, helping companies bridge research and development through our team’s expertise in drug development and company building. Over the course of 15 years we have invested in over 100 companies, backing exciting therapies that that we believe have the potential to impact the future of medicine. “The Biotech Pulse” is a forum where we speak about all things biotech with diverse stakeholders in the life sciences industry.

The Manufacturing of Complex Biologics

In this special edition of the Biotech Pulse podcast, we feature a live panel discussion hosted in partnership with the University of Cambridge Judge Business School and Forbion. The event, titled Smart Capital, Leveraged Science: How VCs Unlock Biotech Potential, brings together prominent voices from across the biotech investment landscape to explore how venture capital can catalyze transformative science and drive scalable innovation in healthcare. Forbion’s strategic approach to company building, long-term relationships, and operational support serves as a central theme throughout the discussion.

The panel includes Sander Slootweg, Managing Partner at Forbion; Nektarios (Aris) Oraiopoulos, PhD, Professor of Operations & Technology Management at Cambridge Judge Business School; Mihriban Tuna, PhD, CEO of Immutin; and Carmine Circelli, PhD, Director of Direct Investments (Life Sciences) at the British Business Bank. Together, they explore how rigorous due diligence, the evolution of syndication models, and cross-functional collaboration between investors and entrepreneurs shape the future of biotech.

With case studies, real-world fundraising perspectives, and in-depth commentary on European ecosystem dynamics, this episode offers a timely and insightful conversation for biotech founders, investors, and policy stakeholders interested in how smart capital unlocks lasting scientific and commercial impact.

In this special edition of the Biotech Pulse podcast, we feature a live panel discussion hosted in partnership with the University of Cambridge Judge Business School and Forbion. The event, titled&nbsp;Smart Capital, Leveraged Science: How VCs Unlock Biotech Potential, brings together prominent voices from across the biotech investment landscape to explore how venture capital can catalyze transformative science and drive scalable innovation in healthcare. Forbion&rsquo;s strategic approach to company building, long-term relationships, and operational support serves as a central theme throughout the discussion.
The panel includes Sander Slootweg, Managing Partner at Forbion; Nektarios (Aris) Oraiopoulos, PhD, Professor of Operations &amp; Technology Management at Cambridge Judge Business School; Mihriban Tuna, PhD, CEO of Immutin; and Carmine Circelli, PhD, Director of Direct Investments (Life Sciences) at the British Business Bank. Together, they explore how rigorous due diligence, the evolution of syndication models, and cross-functional collaboration between investors and entrepreneurs shape the future of biotech.
With case studies, real-world fundraising perspectives, and in-depth commentary on European ecosystem dynamics, this episode offers a timely and insightful conversation for biotech founders, investors, and policy stakeholders interested in how smart capital unlocks lasting scientific and commercial impact.

S1 E8 Special Episode: Forbion & University of Cambridge Judge Business School - "Building a Thriving Biotech Ecosystem: Insights from Founders, Investors, and Tech Transfer Offices"

In the seventh episode of The Biotech Pulse, Forbion General Partner Dmitrij Hristodorov, PhD is joined by Daniela Couto, General Partner at BioGeneration Ventures (BGV), and Professor Dr. Simon Clark, co-founder of Complement Therapeutics. Together, they explore the dynamics of building biotech companies from academia, using Complement Therapeutics as a case study. The discussion provides a unique, triangulated perspective, blending scientific discovery, early-stage investment, and the critical role of tech transfer offices in translating academic innovation into therapeutic reality.

Listeners will gain insight into how successful collaborations between academic founders and venture capital can enable transformative science to progress toward clinical application. The episode highlights the trust and mutual understanding required to navigate the challenges of company formation, licensing, team building, and fundraising. With practical advice for aspiring biotech entrepreneurs and stories from the founding journey of Complement Therapeutics, this episode offers both inspiration and strategic guidance for the next generation of biotech leaders.

In the seventh episode of The Biotech Pulse, Forbion General Partner Dmitrij Hristodorov, PhD is joined by Daniela Couto, General Partner at BioGeneration Ventures (BGV), and Professor Dr. Simon Clark, co-founder of Complement Therapeutics. Together, they explore the dynamics of building biotech companies from academia, using Complement Therapeutics as a case study. The discussion provides a unique, triangulated perspective, blending scientific discovery, early-stage investment, and the critical role of tech transfer offices in translating academic innovation into therapeutic reality.
Listeners will gain insight into how successful collaborations between academic founders and venture capital can enable transformative science to progress toward clinical application. The episode highlights the trust and mutual understanding required to navigate the challenges of company formation, licensing, team building, and fundraising. With practical advice for aspiring biotech entrepreneurs and stories from the founding journey of Complement Therapeutics, this episode offers both inspiration and strategic guidance for the next generation of biotech leaders.

Episode 7 - Trust, Translation, and Therapeutics: The Story of Complement Therapeutics

Panel Introduction

Patient Need & Gaps in Treatment

State of Play for Startups

Regulatory Challenges in Women's Health

Mobilizing the Ecosystem

The Investor Perspective

Commercializing Medicines

Raising Awareness of these Diseases

Is innovation attempting disease modification?

What can we do now to make a difference?

Biotech Pulse Episode 6: Breaking Barriers in Women’s Health Innovation

The sixth episode of Biotech Pulse features an in-depth look at the challenges and opportunities in women’s health innovation. The episode is introduced by our Senior Associate Vanessa Carle, PhD and focuses on the inaugural Forbion EU Impact Roundtable held on October 16, 2024.

The panel unpacked the insights shared by leading experts from academia, biotech, pharma, and venture capital and explored critical barriers hindering progress in women’s health, including a fragmented research ecosystem, limited commercial investment incentives, and regulatory challenges.

Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of how to address inequities and foster advancements in this vital but underserved area of women's health.

Biotech Pulse Episode 6: Breaking Barriers in Women’s Health Innovation
The sixth episode of Biotech Pulse features an in-depth look at the challenges and opportunities in women’s health innovation. The episode is introduced by our Senior Associate Vanessa Carle, PhD and focuses on the inaugural Forbion EU Impact Roundtable held on October 16, 2024.
The panel unpacked the insights shared by leading experts from academia, biotech, pharma, and venture capital and explored critical barriers hindering progress in women’s health, including a fragmented research ecosystem, limited commercial investment incentives, and regulatory challenges.
Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of how to address inequities and foster advancements in this vital but underserved area of women's health.

The Manufacturing of Complex Biologics

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