Touching Base

In this week’s episode, we start with news that Fulcrum Therapeutics is scrapping its lead pipeline program for sickle cell disease following concerns from the FDA about the drug’s risks and benefits. Also on the docket, news of Eli Lilly’s latest spending. The pharma giant has added its genetic medicines pipeline and capabilities by signing a $1.9 billion agreement with Ascidian Therapeutics to develop RNA exon editors for treating inherited kidney diseases. Next up, updates to an open-source model for binder design and protein function mapping. Finally, on the peer-review front, we dive into some of the latest vaccine research including insights into the mechanisms that cross-reactive T cells use to target multiple viral species in a single family and an improvement to standard polio vaccines. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.   Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:  Fulcrum Halts Development of SCD Candidate Pociredir, Sets Strategic ReviewBy Alex Philippidis and Kevin Davies, PhD, GEN Edge, June 2, 2026 Lilly, Ascidian Launch Up-to-$1.9B RNA Exon Editor Collaboration Targeting Inherited Kidney DiseasesBy Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, June 3, 2026 Biohub Releases Protein Biology World Model to Address DiseaseBy Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, May 27, 2026 Cross-Reactive T Cells Could Point to Broad Vaccines or Treatments for Measles, Nipah VirusGEN, June 2, 2026Experimental Adjuvant Could Strengthen Mucosal Immunity with Injectable Polio Vaccines GEN, June 4, 2026Touching Base Podcast Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD 

Agentic AI is growing in its applications. Google DeepMind and Edison are leveraging the growing capabilities by developing AI Scientists. These platforms are poised to streamline the scientific process, aiding human scientists with a variety of tasks. Meanwhile, despite positive data in its Phase III DMD therapy trial, Regenxbio’s stock fell for a variety of reasons. 10X Genomics and Harvard University are suing Element Biosciences over patents for a multiomics platform. Finally, Bristol Meyers Squibb is partnering with Hengrui Pharma to develop 13 early-stage programs with the potential to grow their investment to a predicted $15 billion in sales. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.  Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:  Google DeepMind and Edison Are Building the AI Scientist By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, May 19, 2026StockWatch: Regenxbio Tumbles Despite Positive Pivotal Data for DMD Gene Therapy CandidateBy Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, May 17, 2026 10x Genomics, Harvard Target Element’s Multiomics Platform in Patent Lawsuit By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, May 12, 2026 BMS, Hengrui Pharma Partner on 13 Programs in Up-to-$15.2B Collaboration By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, May 13, 2026Touching Base Podcast Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD  Behind the Breakthroughs Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD  The State of Precision Medicine SummitJoin us June 3, 2026

Craig Venter recently passed away at the age of 79 from complications following a cancer diagnosis. He was well known in both science and industry and was an integral part of sequencing the human genome in the late 90s, competing with the government organized Human Genome Project. Through his career, he made many other important contributions in microbiology, with the “minimal cell”, in synthetic biology, and in personalized medicine. GEN editors share anecdotes of their experiences with him, reflect on the impact that his work has had on various fields in biology, in biotech, and in how the world has responded to the disruptions caused by Venter.  Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, John Sterling, Kevin Davies, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.  Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base: Genomics Pioneer and Life Sciences Entrepreneur J. Craig Venter Dies at 79 GEN, April 30, 2026 J. Craig Venter Describes a Human Genomics Revolution Still In ProgressBy J. Craig Venter, PhD, GEN, June 13, 2025 Lessons from the Minimal CellBy Hana El-Samad, PhD, GEN, August 21, 2023 From Sequencing to Sailing: Three Decades of Adventure with Craig VenterBy Fay Lin, PhD, GEN, March 8, 2023 “Cracking the Genome” By Kevin Davies, PhDTouching Base Podcast Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD  Behind the Breakthroughs Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD 

Some GEN editors were in sunny San Diego covering the hottest research, trends, and products from the American Association for Cancer Research meeting. We kick things off with news from America’s Finest City, particularly around the growing role of AI in oncology. Then we dive into two new research studies. In the first, scientists used CRISPR to identify genes in primary CD4+ T cells that promote or restrict HIV infection. The second study described engineered implantable liver constructs that could eventually serve as a stopgap for patients waiting for donor transplants. Finally, the acquisitions keep coming as Eli Lilly scoops up CAR T cell therapy developer Kelonia for $7B. Also, Revolution Medicines has shared some impressive data from a Phase III trial of its pancreatic cancer drug. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Fay Lin, PhD, Alex Philippidis, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.  Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:  AACR 2026: A Video Update from San Diego By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, and Damian Doherty, GEN, April 21, 2026AACR 2026 Video Update: Cancer Research Edges Toward an AI-Driven EraBy Fay Lin, PhD, and Jonathan Grinstein, PhD, GEN, April 22, 2026Using AI in Healthcare Ethically by Considering HumanityBy Corinna Singleman, PhD, IPM, November 18, 202510x Genomics Unveils Atera Spatial Platform at AACR Meeting By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, GEN, April 19, 2026CRISPR Screens Map Human T‑Cell Genes That Promote or Block HIV Infection GEN, April 20, 2026Synthetic Biology and Tissue Engineering Grow Liver Tissue In‑Body GEN, April 20, 2026 StockWatch: Revolution’s Phase III Pancreatic Cancer Data Dazzles Investors, Analysts By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 19, 2026 Lilly to Acquire Kelonia for Up to $7B, Expanding Cancer Cell Therapy Pipeline By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 20, 2026Touching Base Podcast Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD  Behind the Breakthroughs Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD 

From designing drugs with a simple text prompt to running experiments guided by extended reality, a new wave of agentic AI is transforming the modern lab. Our editors discuss the latest autonomous systems accelerating biological discovery. In business deals, Gilead Sciences has acquired Tubulis in a transaction worth up to $5 billion, strengthening the buyer’s position in antibody–drug conjugates for cancer. Correspondingly, Eli Lilly and Biogen are each making billion-dollar-plus bets, acquiring Centessa, a sleep disorder drug developer, and Apellis, known for its work in immunology and rare diseases. Our episode rounds out by unpacking the dynamic obesity drug market, where intensifying competition from Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill is prompting Lilly to temper the 2026 sales outlook for its oral obesity drug, Foundayo.Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Fay Lin, PhD and Alex Philippidis for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.  Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:  Can AI Agents Automate Scientific Discovery? By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, April 1, 2026Gilead to Acquire Tubulis for Up to $5B, Expanding Cancer ADC Capabilities By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 7, 2026Lilly Acquires Centessa for Up to $7.8B; Biogen Buys Apellis for Up to $6.1B By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, March 31, 2026StockWatch: Price War Dampens Lilly Surge After Oral GLP-1 Wins FDA Nod By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 5, 2026Touching Base Podcast Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD  Behind the Breakthroughs Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD 

This week, agentic AI steps into the limelight buoyed by the momentum from generative AI. And there’s a new virtual cell model in town courtesy of AI-drug developer Xaira Therapeutics. From the frontiers of AI, our discussion turned to feats of engineering in regenerative medicine and lipid nanoparticles. In one study, scientists redesigned LNPs to avoid the liver and accumulate in the lymph nodes. In the other, efforts to develop and implant a lab grown esophagus from donor pigs bear fruit. Finally, Novartis plans to spend up to $3 billion to expand its cancer pipeline with the acquisition of Pikavation Therapeutics. And Merck is acquiring Terns Pharmaceuticals for approximately $6.7 billion also with an eye towards boosting its cancer portfolio.  Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Fay Lin, PhD, Uduak Thomas and Alex Philippidis for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.  Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:  NVIDIA GTC 2026: Agentic AI Inflection Hits Healthcare and Life SciencesBy Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, March 18, 2026Xaira’s First Virtual Cell Model Is Largest To-Date, Toward Complex Biology By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, March 25, 2026 Modified Lipid Nanoparticles Boost mRNA Vaccine Delivery to Lymph Nodes GEN, March 24, 2026Engineered Esophagus Rebuilds Missing Organ Segment in Pig Models GEN, March 20, 2026Novartis Acquires Pikavation for Up to $3B, Expanding Cancer Pipeline GEN, March 22, 2026Merck Bolsters Cancer Pipeline with $6.7B Terns BuyoutBy Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, March 25, 2026Touching Base Podcast Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD  Behind the Breakthroughs Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD 

A new study from the J. Craig Venter Institute simulates the complete life cycle of a minimal bacterial cell in 4D space and time at nanoscale resolution. Meanwhile, in gene editing, a new technology has designed DNA donors that evade the immune system, allowing safer large gene insertion that is one step closer to scalable mutation-agnostic therapies. In brain diseases, researchers have found a novel blood-based biomarker that can predict a woman’s risk of developing dementia as many as 25 years before symptoms appear. Our episode rounds out with uniQure’s roller coaster stock, following Vinay Prasad, MD, and his second departure from the FDA.  Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Fay Lin, PhD, Uduak Thomas and Alex Philippidis for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.  Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:  Simulating Life: 4D Whole-Cell Model of a Minimal BacteriumGEN, March 9, 2026 Safer Large DNA Insertion Moves Genetic Medicine Toward ScalabilityBy Fay Lin, PhD, GEN, March 11, 2026Blood Biomarker Predicts Women’s Dementia Risk Up to 25 Years EarlyGEN, March 10, 2026StockWatch: Under Fire from FDA, uniQure Stock Roller-CoastersBy Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, March 8, 2026Touching Base Podcast Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD  Behind the Breakthroughs Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD 

In the industry news section of this week’s episode, we kick things off with Tamarind Bio’s efforts to develop user-friendly artificial intelligence tools for science researchers. Then we examine the impact of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s reversal on its earlier refusal to review Moderna’s mRNA vaccine for the flu, discuss Gilead’s acquisition of Arcellx to expand its cancer therapy pipeline, and dive into Takeda’s investment in Vir Biotech’s prostate cancer candidate. Then on the research front, we get into the science behind new protein-like polymers engineered to target and degrade some of cancer’s most challenging driver proteins. And we discuss a potential control switch for CAR T cells that could make these immunotherapies much safer. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Fay Lin, PhD, Uduak Thomas and Alex Philippidis for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.  Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:  Tamarind Bio Secures $13.6M Series A to Make AI More Accessible for BiologyBy Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, February 24, 2026 StockWatch: FDA Reversal Boosts Moderna, But Not Other Vaccine CompaniesBy Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, February 21, 2026Gilead to Acquire Arcellx for $7.8B, Adding Anito-Cel to Cancer PipelineBy Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, February 23, 2026Astellas, Vir Biotechnology Launch Up-to-$1.7B Prostate Cancer CollaborationBy Alex Philippidis, GEN, February 26, 2026New Protein-Like Polymers Target, Degrade “Undruggable” Proteins Driving CancerGEN, February 11, 2026Drug-Controlled CAR T Cells May Enable Safer ImmunotherapyGEN, February 23, 2026Touching Base Podcast Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD  Behind the Breakthroughs Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD 

Women in Science Day (February 11) was the top of the list for discussion for GEN editors in this week’s podcast. They shared an anecdote on the history of the term “scientist”—hint it was coined for a woman. A modern scientist, Medra CEO Michelle Lee, discussed with GEN how the company is integrating robotics with AI for use in biological research. GEN attended SLAS this week and we got an update on the automation updates along with endeavors to increase the presence of women in biotech leadership. Finally, we get an update on Eli Lilly’s recent major deals followed by an update on Nektar Therapeutics clinical trial updates.   Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Fay Lin, PhD, Uduak Thomas and Alex Philippidis for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.  Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:  Data Is a Robotics Problem, Medra CEO Says Physical AI Will Transform BiologyBy Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, February 11, 2026Robots on the Red Line: A Video Update from SLAS 2026GEN, February 11, 2026SLAS Highlights: AI Labs, Small-Molecule SPR, Protein Interaction Assays, and Paper LabwareBy Uduak Thomas, GEN, February 11, 2026SLAS Highlights: Opening Keynote Spotlights Novel Target in Genomically Unstable TumorsBy Uduak Thomas, GEN, February 11, 2026Opentrons Uses Nvidia Tech to Build Training Data That Powers Physical AI in the LabBy Uduak Thomas, GEN, February 9, 2026Beyond Obesity: Lilly Inks Up to $11.25B in Cancer, Immune System DealsBy Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, February 10, 2026Lilly, Seamless Ink Up-to-$1.12B Hearing Loss CollaborationBy Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, January 28, 2026Touching Base Podcast Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD  Behind the Breakthroughs Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD