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 Biology

By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, February 24, 2026

StockWatch: FDA Reversal Boosts Moderna, But Not Other Vaccine Companies

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, February 21, 2026

Gilead to Acquire Arcellx for $7.8B, Adding Anito-Cel to Cancer Pipeline

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, February 23, 2026

Astellas, Vir Biotechnology Launch Up-to-$1.7B Prostate Cancer Collaboration

By Alex Philippidis, GEN, February 26, 2026

New Protein-Like Polymers Target, Degrade “Undruggable” Proteins Driving Cancer

GEN, February 11, 2026

Drug-Controlled CAR T Cells May Enable Safer Immunotherapy

GEN, February 23, 2026

Touching Base Podcast

Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD

Behind the Breakthroughs

Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Biology

By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, February 11, 2026

Robots on the Red Line: A Video Update from SLAS 2026

GEN, February 11, 2026

SLAS Highlights: AI Labs, Small-Molecule SPR, Protein Interaction Assays, and Paper Labware

By Uduak Thomas, GEN, February 11, 2026

SLAS Highlights: Opening Keynote Spotlights Novel Target in Genomically Unstable Tumors

By Uduak Thomas, GEN, February 11, 2026

Opentrons Uses Nvidia Tech to Build Training Data That Powers Physical AI in the Lab

By Uduak Thomas, GEN, February 9, 2026

Beyond Obesity: Lilly Inks Up to $11.25B in Cancer, Immune System Deals

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, February 10, 2026

Lilly, Seamless Ink Up-to-$1.12B Hearing Loss Collaboration

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, January 28, 2026

Touching Base Podcast

Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD

Behind the Breakthroughs

Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We kick off the very first episode of 2026 with a major legal development. This week, the former CEO of CytoDyn was sentenced to 30 months in prison, more than a year after being convicted on multiple charges including four counts of securities fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and three counts of insider trading. Also, we examine recent investments in artificial intelligence by several major drugmakers, and where they are hoping the technology can make an impact. Then, the latest from 10x Genomics and its plans to expand into clinical diagnostics through new collaboration. And for some research news, a new study that explores how functional forms of amyloid can create stable memories.

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:

Ex-CytoDyn CEO Sentenced to 30-Month Prison Term on Fraud, Insider Trading

By Alex Philippidis, GEN, January 27, 2026

Pharma Bets Big on AI Platforms with Flurry of New Year Deals

By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, January 22, 2026

JPM: Nvidia Launches AI Collaborations with Eli Lilly, Thermo Fisher

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, January 13, 2026

Clinical Ambitions: 10x Expands Beyond Research with Trio of Collaborations

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, January 26, 2026

Chai’s the Limit for AI Antibody Designer After $130M Series B Funding

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, December 16, 2025

Lilly Expands AI Ties to Insilico, from Customer to Drug Discovery Partner

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, November 10, 2025

How Brain May Deliberately Form Amyloids to Turn Experiences Into Memories

GEN, January 26, 2026

Touching Base Podcast

Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD

Behind the Breakthroughs

Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.