Optimum Perspectives

On World Sleep Day 2026, Optimum is marking the occasion with a brand-new podcast episode featuring Magnus Ivarsson, CSO of AstronauTx and Prof. Liz Coulthard from the University of Bristol. Did you know getting enough high quality sleep could help protect against developing neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s? This episode delves into the groundbreaking research our guests are doing in the intersection between sleep and neurodegeneration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of Rare Disease Day 2026, Optimum is marking the occasion with a brand-new podcast episode featuring @Hans Schambye, CEO of BOOST Pharma, Jean-Marie Cuillerot, CMO of Kainova Therapeutics, and Josep Prous, Co‑founder & CSO of CONNECTA. This episode delves into the critical gaps in therapeutic options for the more than 300 million people living with rare diseases worldwide and explores why this field is rapidly gaining attention from both researchers and investors. Our guests also share insights into their life‑changing work across brittle bone disease, oncology, and fragile X syndrome, highlighting the breakthroughs that are bringing new hope to patients and families. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎙️On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we’re shifting the spotlight to the women funding the future of innovation. This celebratory episode of the #OptimumPerspectivesPodcast explores how female venture capitalists are shaping the future of science, technology, and innovation, and why who funds science matters almost as much as who does the science. Listen to the full episode featuring Victoria Taylor of Medicxi, Bonnie van Wilgenburg of Monograph Capital and Noga Yerushalmi of M Ventures. #IDWGIS2026 #WomeninSTEM Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is an increasingly wide-scale problem. Not contained by borders, and with the ability to turn minor infections into life threatening conditions, it is an issue that experts argue must be addressed in the present, not the future. Hear from Jennifer Schneider of Centauri Therapeutics, Franz-Werner Haas of LimmaTech Biologics and Neil Murray of ReNewVax on their unique approaches to tackling the threat of AMR, in the latest episode of the Optimum Perspectives Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just in time for World ADC San Diego 2025 - a brand new episode of the Optimum Perspectives Podcast is live! Join Francois Bertelli of DISCO Pharmaceuticals, Stefano Gulla of Kling Biotherapeutics, and Michael Bauer of Novo Holdings, as they dive into the hot topic: ‘The ups and downs of ADCs – where to now?’ Expect sharp insights and forward-looking perspectives on the evolving ADC landscape. Listen to the full episode here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest episode of Optimum Perspectives Podcast has just dropped, featuring LoQus23 Therapeutics’ Chief Scientific Officer and founder Caroline Benn! Listen as Caroline details the devastating effects of Huntington’s Disease on patients and families, her personal motivations for working in this therapeutic area, as well as LoQus23’s unique approach to battling the disease through their innovative small molecule approach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the latest episode of the Optimum Perspectives podcast, Optimum Strategic Communications’ Managing Director Eva Haas spoke with Curve Therapeutics CSO and Co-Founder Ali Tavassoli, who has today been awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Interdisciplinary Prize. Listen below as Ali reflects on his scientific journey which has led him to this tremendous recognition, from what inspired his passion for science, to how he came to meet Curve CEO Simon Kerry, with whom he co-founded the Company. Curve’s is using its revolutionary gene-encoded Microcycle® platform to build a pipeline of innovative cyclic peptide and small molecule drugs addressing intracellular targets, with a focus on cancer, immunology and inflammation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to our Rare Disease Day Optimum Perspecitives podcast special featuring Tahira Mathur, Patient Advocate and Kate Adcock, Director of Research & Innovation at Optimum's chosen charity Muscular Dystrophy UK, alongside Jasper Morrow, consultant neurologist at University College London Hospital. This emotional yet hopeful episode highlights the importance of raising awareness of rare conditions, while discussing patient care, diagnosis, and genetic testing for Muscular Dystrophy. If you would like to contribute to the life changing work of Muscular Dystrophy UK, or find out more about Tahira's story living with GNE myopathy, visit her page here: Tahira's Team - JustGiving Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Want to know how bioengineered spider silk protein fibres can be applied within the textile, biomedical and automobile industries? In the latest episode of Optimum Perspectives, hear from Benoit Cugnet, Head of Fiber Business Unit at AMSilk, on how this German biotech is changing the face of advanced materials. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Want to know how to prepare yourself for the perfect IPO on NASDAQ? Hear from Lynn Lewis, CEO of Gilmartin Group, Optimum’s US partner, on the considerations and milestones to reach before listing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest epiosde of Optimum Perspectives Podcast features Germo Gericke, CMO of Ariceum Therapeutics. Listen as he discusses how the company aims to improve outcomes for patients with lung cancer with radioligand therapy this Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Great new insights in the Optimum Perspectives' latest podcast edition featuring Stefano Gullà, Chief Scientific Officer at Kling Biotherapeutics, about the growing role of B cell technology in cancer therapy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this podcast to mark Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Optimum’s Richard Staines speaks to Roman Thomas, CEO and founder of Disco Pharmaceuticals, on breakthroughs that have improved patient outcomes, and the company’s efforts to help develop new therapies with its “surfaceome” technology. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Optimum’s Richard Staines talks to Feride Sahin, Senior Director of Clinical Development at Splice Bio about the importance of World Sight Day, which takes place this week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s time to talk about mushrooms! Or rather the deadly toxin amanitin found in the death cap mushroom, which Heidelberg Pharma is using as a cancer drug with the help of a tumour-targeting antibody, find out more in this episode featuring Heidelberg Pharma's CEO, Andreas Pahl. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Check out Optimum’s latest podcast episode profiling our client Resolution Therapeutics. Lara Campana, VP of Research Operations outlines the company’s technology based around pro-regenerative macrophages and its potential to treat liver disease. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Ruth McKernan CBE is the richly deserved winner of the 2024 Mediscience Award for ‘Most Significant Contribution to the Mediscience Sector’. In this episode Optimum’s Eva Haas discusses the highlights of Ruth’s incredible career, the skills needed for success as a company founder and the heartening advancements in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's in recent years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to expert discussion on the role of AI in drug development, featuring Tushar Pandey, CEO and Co-founder of SimBioSys, and Jeremy Skillington, CEO of Poolbeg Pharma. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Southampton-based Curve Therapeutics recently raised a hefty £40m in a Series A financing round. In this in-depth podcast, CEO Simon Kerry describes how investors fell in love with Curve’s “Microcycle” based discovery platform, which gives the company “the ability to potentially identify drugs against very difficult, challenging targets”. He explains how Curve’s platform enables them to spot drugs with a higher chance of working in real-world conditions. He also outlines the firm’s lead programme – which aims to block two cancer targets called Hypoxia Inducible Factors, or “HIFs”, which enable solid tumours to survive in low-oxygen conditions. Speaking to Optimum’s Stephen Adams, Simon ponders the role of luck in securing investment, both “the kind you deserve because you turn over a lot of stones”, and the more fortuitous variety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to the latest insights from Gil Bar-Nahum, Managing Director in the Global Healthcare Investment Banking Group, Jefferies International, on how to succeed in the new wave of biotech IPOs in the Optimum Perspectives podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.