CrownCast

At AACR 2026, one message became clear: oncology drug development is entering a new era defined by smarter decision-making, integrated platforms, and increasingly precise therapeutic strategies. In this CrownCast episode, Crown Bioscience experts shared their perspectives from the conference, highlighting the technologies, modalities, and translational approaches that are poised to shape the future of cancer research. From AI-enabled target discovery to spatial biology and next-generation therapeutic modalities, the discussions reflected a rapidly evolving ecosystem where innovation is no longer incremental. Instead, the industry is moving toward highly integrated workflows designed to accelerate development timelines, reduce risk, and improve patient outcomes.

What if the next breakthrough in cancer treatment isn't a pill or infusion, but a precisely targeted radioactive payload that hunts down tumor cells like a guided missile? In this Smart Biotech Scientist Podcast episode, Dr. David Brühlmann speaks with Bryan Miller, Director of Scientific and Technical Operations at Crown Bioscience UK, about the radiopharmaceutical revolution transforming oncology. From theranostic approaches to advanced preclinical modeling, Miller shares insights on how this emerging therapeutic class is reshaping cancer treatment strategies.

When people hear Crown Bioscience, they often think of world-class in vivo oncology models - and for good reason. But behind every successful oncology program is something just as critical: understanding how a drug behaves in the body and whether it can do so safely. In this CrownCast episode, host Michelle Dawn Mooney sits down with Rekha Pal, Senior Director of Scientific Engagement, and Santi Suryani Chen, Director of Business Development at Crown Bioscience, to explore where DMPK and toxicology fit into the drug discovery picture and how getting them right can save programs from costly detours.

Across the global oncology drug discovery landscape, the UK stands at the forefront. In this CrownCast episode, Rajendra Kumari, Executive Director of Integrated Solutions at Crown Bioscience, talks with Sarah Wagner, Senior Director of Business Development and Bryan Miller, Director of Scientific and Technical Operations about leveraging the UK’s vibrant ecosystem of cutting-edge technologies, strong collaborations, and a commitment to high ethical standards.

As cancer research progresses rapidly, obtaining high-quality biospecimens has grown increasingly important for making significant breakthroughs. In this CrownCast episode, Rajendra Kumari, Executive Director of Integrated Solutions at Crown Bioscience, talks with Sadaf Malik, Senior Director, Head US Sales (Biobank and Biomarker) about how superior biospecimens can drive advancements in oncology by means of innovative biobanking.

As the landscape of drug discovery evolves, breakthrough technologies like organoids are gaining traction for their potential to revolutionize how new treatments are developed. In this episode of CrownCast, Jonny McMichael, Vice President at Crown Bioscience, and Leo Price, a member of Crown Bioscience’s Scientific Advisory Board, shed light on organoids' growing role in drug development. With insights into their application, this commentary delves into a technology that offers a significant leap toward personalized medicine, ushering in a new era for the healthcare industry.

What if the biggest barrier to faster, safer drug development isn't a lack of technology, but a decades-old reliance on the wrong models? In this episode of CrownCast, host Michelle Dawn Mooney sits down with Prof. Thomas Hartung, member of Crown Bioscience's Scientific Advisory Board and Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, to unpack how the FDA Modernization Act, AI, and next-generation in vitro systems are transforming drug discovery. Watch or listen to the full conversation below.

Oncology continues to be a rapidly changing field with scientific discoveries transforming patient treatment and care. As it stands today, advancements in biomarkers are playing a vital role in furthering drug development and personalized medical approaches. In this episode of CrownCast, host Michelle Dawn Mooney interviews Julie Mayer, Vice President of Crown Bioscience's Global Biomarker Platform, regarding the critical role of biomarkers in oncology and drug development. Julie discusses the importance of implementing biomarker strategies early in the development pipeline, covering aspects such as target identification, patient selection, and companion diagnostics.

In the dynamic field of oncology research, KRAS has long been a formidable opponent. Originally deemed undruggable, recent breakthroughs have now positioned KRAS as a beacon of hope for developing targeted cancer therapies. Dr. Rajendra Kumari, Executive Director of Integrated Solutions at Crown Bioscience, sheds light on the evolution of KRAS research and its implications for future treatment paradigms. With over two decades of experience in pharmacology and preclinical research, Dr. Kumari's insights are invaluable for leading healthcare executives seeking to navigate the complexities of oncology treatment and drug development.

In the last two decades, oncology has undergone a transformation with over 300 new cancer therapies approved by the FDA—many offering novel mechanisms of action. Despite these innovations, resistance to treatment remains a critical challenge, with cancer cells evolving or adapting to evade even the most advanced therapeutics. This issue is particularly pressing given that resistance often leads to disease relapse, severely impacting patient outcomes and quality of life.As we develop increasingly precise and powerful cancer therapies, how can we anticipate and overcome the inevitable challenge of drug resistance?In this episode of Crowncast, host Jonny McMichael, VP of Client Experience & Enablement at Crown Bioscience, speaks with Enrico Pesenti, the company’s Executive Director of Client Engagement. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of oncology drug resistance—unpacking the biological mechanisms behind it, the impact on patient care, and the technological breakthroughs helping researchers counter it.Main Points:Resistance in cancer therapy emerges through both genetic mutations and adaptive, non-genetic mechanisms, presenting a dynamic challenge for drug developers.New technologies—such as single-cell multi-omics, spatial transcriptomics, and CRISPR gene editing—are enabling deeper understanding and more precise modeling of resistance pathways.Translational models like organoids and patient-derived xenografts, combined with AI and machine learning, are helping design better, more personalized therapeutic strategies.Enrico Pesenti brings over two decades of experience in oncology research and drug development. He previously held leadership roles at Pharmacia and Nerviano and served as CEO of Accelera, a regulatory CRO in Italy. At Crown Bioscience, he leads scientific engagement, drawing on deep expertise in pharmacology and personalized cancer therapies.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the drug discovery process, moving from augmenting research to actively driving innovation. As biotech companies face soaring R&D costs and long development cycles, AI promises a breakthrough: slashing drug development time by nearly half while improving accuracy in identifying promising compounds. With global pharmaceutical R&D spending projected to exceed $230 billion by 2026, efficiency isn't just desirable—it's critical.Can AI transition drug discovery from a serendipitous search to a precise, design-led process? And what are the real-world applications—and limitations—of machine learning in today’s labs?In this episode of Crowncast by Crown BioScience, host Jonny McMichael welcomes Kuan Yan, Senior Principal Scientist, and Jordan Lim, Associate Director of Digital Product. Together, they explore how AI is being used to automate workflows, optimize molecular designs, and provide advisory-level insights within CRO environments—all while navigating the complexities of regulation and data privacy.Key Highlights:AI is already accelerating early-stage drug discovery, from target identification to molecule generation and optimization—cutting development timelines dramatically.Human-in-the-loop remains essential, especially for quality control, validation, and navigating the risks of AI's "black box" nature.Crown BioScience is developing internal AI frameworks to transform data into insights, optimize experimental designs, and ultimately deliver more value to clients.Jordan Lim holds a bachelor’s and MBA from the University of California, San Diego, and brings a unique perspective from his work in patient advocacy, study coordination, and digital transformation at Crown BioScience.Kuan Yan earned his master’s and PhD in bioimaging and image analysis from the University of Leiden. With over 15 years of experience in machine learning, he now leads AI initiatives as a Senior Principal Scientist at Crown BioScience Netherlands.

In the ever-evolving world of cancer treatment, immuno-oncology (IO) continues to stand at the forefront of innovation. With recent FDA approvals for TIL therapies and bispecific antibodies, and new developments in CAR-T technologies, the field is rapidly expanding into combination-based strategies that integrate with standard care. Researchers are also exploring how to overcome challenges posed by the tumor microenvironment and immune cell exhaustion to increase therapeutic success rates.How can scientists and biotech innovators harness the immune system more effectively to combat cancer—and what does the next generation of immuno-oncology look like?On this episode of Crowncast by Crown BioScience, host Jonny McMichael welcomes Gera Goverse, Director of Immuno-Oncology at Crown BioScience, for a deep dive into the scientific advances and strategic considerations shaping immuno-oncology today. From bispecifics and checkpoint inhibitors to personalized and allogeneic CAR-T therapies, they explore the complexity of immune response modeling, the need for combination therapies, and how the tumor microenvironment impacts treatment outcomes.Key discussion points from this episode:The rise of combination therapies and their role in overcoming immune resistanceEmerging innovations in CAR-T design to address exhaustion and broaden applicationThe critical importance of tumor microenvironment and model precision in preclinical researchDr. Gera Goverse is an accomplished immunologist with a PhD from Amsterdam UMC and a postdoctoral fellowship at KU Leuven. She has over a decade of experience in immunology and oncology, having transitioned from academia to biotech, where she now leads the immuno-oncology efforts at Crown BioScience Netherlands following their merger with organoid research CRO Ocello.

Are you ready to understand the seismic shifts in the CRO (Contract Research Organization) industry? Join Johnny McMichael, VP of Client Experience and Enablement at Crown Bioscience, and Alex Slater, Chief Business Officer, as they delve into how strategic partnerships and innovation are redefining drug discovery and development. This video is a must-watch for executives navigating the complexities of outsourcing within the healthcare sector.