Base to Base biotech podcast 35: Gothenburg Tech Week, osteoarthritis and respiratory virus infections

This week, we have conversations with Malin Kjällström, Gothenburg Tech Week Press and partnerships lead; Eliot Forster the CEO of Levicept; and Christophe Demaison, CEO of ENA Respiratory.Gothenburg Tech WeekGothenburg Tech Week is western Sweden’s largest technology event, held annually across multiple venues in the city. The 2025 edition ran from October 14–16, with a programme that includes startup and investor matchmaking, thematic forums, and partner showcases.The event covers a wide range of topics, including AI, life sciences, and sustainable technologies. Sessions are hosted at The Yard, World of Volvo, and other partner locations, with activities designed to connect regional innovation with international networks.Gothenburg Tech Week has established itself as a meeting place for entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators in Northern Europe. The event provides a platform for new ideas, collaborations, and opportunities, reinforcing Gothenburg’s role as a hub for technology and innovation.LeviceptLevicept is a biotechnology company based in Sandwich in the UK.It is developing LEVI‑04, a therapy for osteoarthritis and the associated pain that targets the neurotrophin‑3 pathway. The programme is intended as a non‑opioid alternative for chronic pain management. The company originated from research at Pfizer’s former R&D site in Kent, where founder Simon Westbrook spun out the programme to continue development independently.In June 2025, Levicept presented new data from its large‑scale phase II trial at the European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) in Barcelona. The study enrolled more than 500 patients with knee osteoarthritis and demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in pain and function.Levicept is advancing preparations for late‑stage clinical trials.ENA RespiratoryENA Respiratory is a clinical‑stage pharmaceutical company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. It develops antiviral host defence enhancers for the prevention of complications from respiratory viral infections. Its lead product, INNA‑051, is a nasal spray designed for weekly self‑administration.INNA‑051 works by priming innate immune responses at the entry site of respiratory viruses in the upper airways. This mechanism accelerates viral clearance and reduces dissemination to the lungs. The product is being evaluated in clinical studies for safety and efficacy.Last month, ENA Respiratory raised $34m in a Series B funding round to support the development of INNA‑051.To get in touch with guest suggestions, or to sponsor or advertise on the podcast, please email [email protected]