S2, E1: Mana.bio and programmable lipid nanoparticles with CEO Yogev Debbi and RNA expert Dr Barry Ticho

In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani explores the multi-layered start-up story of Israeli lipid nanoparticle biotech Mana.bio. This is a tech meets biotech story, where AI and machine learning is being leveraged to develop novel lipid nanoparticle formulations to get nucleic-acid based therapies (DNA, RNA, CRISPR) to hard to reach organs. The company announced a $19.5 million seed financing in October 2023, and its exciting new chapter was heavily impacted by the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel. CEO Yogev Debbi gives his tech backstory, decision to move into life-sciences, fundraising journey, what it was like to suddenly navigate a company launch as a wartime CEO and future visions to grow Mana through partnerships and a pipeline. Dr Barry Ticho, a veteran big pharma executive and chief medical officer at Stoke Therapeutics, also joins the podcast to give his expert take on Mana's scientific thesis, competitive edge, challenges ahead and future potential to advance the world of gene therapy. Timestamps: 00:35 - Partner segment: Mindgram.ai 01:05 - Background of Mana.bio and lipid nanoparticle thesis 05:30 - CEO Yogev Debbi's tech origins, backstory and Mana.bio formation 08:15 - Mana's initial work and "reverse due-diligence" fundraising journey 11:15 - Launching the company during an unexpected outbreak of war 19:25 - Industry expert perspective (Barry Ticho) on Mana's scientific and business thesis 21:55 - Competitive advantage of using AI to optimize the lipid nanoparticle design 23:40 - Which organs can these lipid nanoparticles reach in mouse models and non-human primates? 27:15 - De-risking events, challenges ahead and safety assurances 29:15 - Advantages of tackling new-age biotech with a tech background 30:24 - Mana's future business plans: comprehensive partnerships and building a pipeline This episode is partnered with Mindgram.ai, a research tool powered by AI to better serve the biopharma community. Listeners of the Raising Biotech podcast are able to get an exclusive free trial of Mindgram via this link, using the code: raisingbiotech24 For any comments, questions, feedback or suggestions you can connect directly with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email: [email protected] Music composed by: Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma Media) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.