Flot.bio x Philip Hemme

Founded in 1979, Transgene has transformed itself into a leading personalized cancer vaccine player. Alessandro talks about the transformation, his history in cell therapy and how Europe’s biotech space can rival those of the US and China.

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Learn more about Transgene: https://bit.ly/tg_flotbio
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⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Alessandro became Transgene’s CEO in 2023 after joining in 2022 as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He also played a key role in Gilead Sciences’ acquisition of Kite Pharma and the regulatory approval of the CAR-T therapy Yescarta.

🔗 LINKS MENTIONED
Transgene’s website - https://www.transgene.fr/
Transgene’s €105 million fundraising - https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/11/26/3195422/0/en/Transgene-Successfully-Completes-a-Fundraising-of-c-105-Million.html
FDA approves neoadjuvant and adjuvant pembrolizumab for resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma - https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-approves-neoadjuvant-and-adjuvant-pembrolizumab-resectable-locally-advanced-head-and-neck
Gilead Sciences’ acquisition of Kite Pharma for $11.9 billion - https://www.gilead.com/news/news-details/2017/gilead-sciences-to-acquire-kite-pharma-for-119-billion
Johnson & Johnson’s collaboration and license deal withLegend Biotech - https://www.jnj.com/media-center/press-releases/janssen-enters-worldwide-collaboration-and-license-agreement-with-chinese-company-legend-biotech-to-develop-investigational-car-t-anti-cancer-therapy

📜 TRANSCRIPT

Read the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/alessandro-riva-transgene-cancer-vaccines/

💸 DONATE

We welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme

⭐️ SPONSORSHIP

Ready to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact [email protected] and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!

🫶 FOLLOW US
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🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEW

Did you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIO

Flot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 25k monthly views. Free.

⏰ TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:00] Intro
[00:02:02] Transgene, the French biotech heavyweight
[00:04:55] Standout personalized cancer vaccine
[00:25:33] Transgene’s €105 million fundraising
[00:32:05] Catalysts and oncolytic viruses

Pascal Touchon unpacks why the next CAR-T innovations, including allogeneic and in vivo therapies, are going to be so exciting.

The cell therapy master outlines his central role in bringing two first‑in‑class cell therapies to patients: Kymriah, the first approved CAR‑T, and Ebvallo, the first approved allogeneic T‑cell therapy.

We also explore his new position as an operating partner at Jeito and how we need to work harder to find Europe’s hidden biotech gems.

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Get expert legal advisory support for growing your biotech from Osborne Clarke at https://bit.ly/oc-flotbio

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⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKER

With many years of experience in big pharma, Pascal had top-level positions at Novartis Oncology. He later served as CEO, and most recently Chairman, of Atara Biotherapeutics. Alongside his Jeito role, he sits on the boards of companies including Ipsen, Medincell, Catalym, Xylocor and CDR-Life.

🔗 LINKS MENTIONED
Jeito’s website: https://www.jeito.life/en/home/
Stefano Portolano, Azafaros | Rare Diseases, Small Molecules Revival | E40: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdaPW7xg_qk
Otello Stampacchia, Omega Funds 🇮🇹 | Competition, Boston & Pasta | E18: https://flot.bio/episode/otello-stampacchia-omega-funds/
Fabrice Chouraqui, Pharming 🇳🇱 | Transgenic Rabbits, Rare Diseases | E43: https://flot.bio/episode/fabrice-chouraqui-pharming-transgenic-rabbit/
Laurent Levy, Nanobiotix 🇫🇷 | Nanoparticles, Radiotherapy | E45: https://flot.bio/episode/laurent-levy-nanobiotix-nanoparticles-radiotherapy/
Marc de Garidel, Abivax | How to make two Billion-dollar exits (“smoothly”) | E09: https://flot.bio/episode/marc-de-garidel-abivax-exit/

📜 TRANSCRIPT

Read the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/pascal-touchon-jeito/

💸 DONATE

We welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme

⭐️ SPONSORSHIP

Ready to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact [email protected] and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!

🫶 FOLLOW US

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio

🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEW

Did you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIO

Flot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 25k monthly views. Free.

⏰ TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:00] Intro
[00:02:40] The rise of Kymriah and Ebvallo
[00:05:40] CAR-T: crazy innovations and valuations
[00:20:35] Solid tumor challenges
[00:23:18] Cell therapy manufacturing and in vivo CAR-T
[00:31:38] Catching the innovation wave at Jeito Capital
[00:39:29] VC models and European biotech gems
[00:52:51] Biotech without borders
[01:05:49] France’s rising pharma stars
[01:08:30] Quick-fire questions

Why have early AI drug-discovery companies often overpromised but underdelivered? Biology is still complex and hard to solve, Werner told Philip in Vienna.We revisit Werner in Vienna after he left Evotec and went on a sabbatical in 2024. We talk about his new missions as FairJourney CEO and founder of WLAN Holdings, and discuss the global CDMO scene and Europe’s competitivity in biotech.And while it's still early days yet, we find out AI will transform the way we work in biopharma going forward, with new generations of companies shaping their business models around it.
⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Werner is the new CEO of FairJourney Biologics and invests with his holding. He served as CEO of Evotec from 2009 to 2024, expanding the company’s revenues and workforce. Prior to this, he was the CFO of Intercell in Austria for nine years.
🔗 LINKS MENTIONED

WLAN Holding’s website - [](https://tiltbio.com/) https://wlanholding.com/
Werner Lanthaler, Evotec | Leading AI in Biotech | E02 -- https://flot.bio/episode/werner-lanthaler-evotec-ai-in-biotech/
Antoine Papiernik, Sofinnova | Billion Investing with Balance | E01 — https://flot.bio/episode/antoine-papiernik-sofinnova-ebillion-biotech-investing-with-balance/
Alex Zhavoronkov, Insilico Medicine | AI Drug Development, Longevity | E39 — https://flot.bio/episode/alex-zhavoronkov-insilico-medicine-ai-drug-development-longevity/
📜 TRANSCRIPT
Read the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/werner-lanthaler-biopharma-ai/
💸 DONATE
We welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme
⭐️ SPONSORSHIP
Ready to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact [email protected] and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!
🫶 FOLLOW US
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio
🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEW
Did you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
🎙️ABOUT FLOT.BIO

Flot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 25k monthly views. Free.
⏰ TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:00] Intro
[00:02:09] Werner Lanthaler: from Evotec to new roles
[00:06:01] WLAN Holding and the benefits of a sabbatical
[00:10:58] Inside the Evotec departure
[00:13:13] Joining FairJourney Biologics
[00:20:33] The job market in Europe
[00:23:49] CDMO competition and China
[00:28:07] Letting European biotech compete globally
[00:34:50] How AI has overpromised in biopharma
[00:48:09] Quick-fire questions

Valneva now has three commercialized vaccines, and a Lyme disease candidate in Phase 3. Philip quizzes CEO Thomas Lingelbach about everything. They also discuss the current political turbulence with vaccines, especially in the US, and how it is impacting the industry.⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERA veteran in the development of more than ten vaccines, Thomas has spent over 30 years in the vaccine space and has served in senior roles at the companies Intercell, Novartis and Chiron. Thomas was with Intercell since 2006 and was the CEO when the company merged with Vivalis to form Valneva in 2013.🔗 LINKS MENTIONED
Valneva’s website - https://valneva.com/
Valneva’s Half Year 2025 Financial Results - https://valneva.com/press-release/valneva-reports-half-year-2025-financial-results-and-provides-corporate-updates/
Lovisa Afzelius, Flagship Pioneering 🇸🇪 | Company building, AI | E24https://flot.bio/episode/lovisa-afzelius-flagship-pioneering/

📜 TRANSCRIPT
Read the full transcript here: https://flot.bio/episode/thomas-lingelbach-valneva-vaccines/💸 DONATEWe welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme⭐️ SPONSORSHIP
Ready to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact [email protected] and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!🫶 FOLLOW US

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio

🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEW
Did you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIO
Flot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 25k monthly views. Free.⏰ Timestamps
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:03:09] Duck cell vaccines
[00:04:55] The grandpa of French and Austrian biotech
[00:15:09] Products for chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis and cholera
[00:22:04] Valneva and Pfizer’s Lyme disease vaccine
[00:29:46] Navigating US anti-vaccine turbulence
[00:33:33] The stormy biotech investment market
[00:36:32] Thomas Lingelbach talks financials
[00:39:46] Quick-fire questions

When Abivax released stunning phase 3 results for ulcerative colitis, its 600% stock price surge froze Euronext for 45 minutes.
Philip meets Abivax CEO Marc de Garidel in Vienna, Austria, to go behind the scenes of a remarkable biotech turnaround.
Marc discusses the processes involved in executing the phase 3 trial that beat even Abivax’s own phase 2 data. He also talks about France’s biotech ecosystem and the importance of having the right team.

⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Marc de Garidel joined Abivax as CEO in 2023. Prior to this, he led two biotech companies through billion-dollar exits (CinCor Pharma and Corvidia Therapeutics). He also served as CEO of Ipsen from 2010 to 2016, and has worked at the likes of Amgen and Eli Lilly.

🔗 LINKS MENTIONED
Abivax’s website - https://www.abivax.com/
Phase 3 results - https://ir.abivax.com/news-releases/news-release-details/abivax-announces-positive-phase-3-results-both-abtect-8-week
$747.5 million public offering - https://ir.abivax.com/news-releases/news-release-details/abivax-announces-closing-7475-million-public-offering
Marc de Garidel, Abivax | How to make two Billion-dollar exits (“smoothly”) | E09 - https://flot.bio/episode/marc-de-garidel-abivax-exit/
Chris Martin, Verona Pharma 🇬🇧 | Ohtuvayre, COPD, Execution | E34 - https://flot.bio/episode/chris-martin-verona-pharma-copd/
Christophe Bourdon, LEO Pharma 🇩🇰 | Biopharma Turnaround | E31
https://flot.bio/episode/christophe-bourdon-leo-pharma-biopharma/
Nanobiotix episode - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Krhyy6a-nw&pp=0gcJCQMKAYcqIYzv
Fabrice Chouraqui, Pharming 🇳🇱 | Transgenic Rabbits, Rare Diseases | E43 - https://flot.bio/episode/fabrice-chouraqui-pharming-transgenic-rabbit/

📜 TRANSCRIPT
Read the full transcript here:

💸 DONATE
We welcome donations from individuals and businesses to support our podcast and allow us to create even more content: https://www.paypal.me/PhilipHemme

⭐️ SPONSORSHIP
Ready to amplify your brand to influential leaders in biotech and biopharma? Contact [email protected] and unlock sponsorship opportunities in our podcasts!

🫶 FOLLOW US
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h_fnmH
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flot-bio/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/FlotBio

🙏 LIKE/FOLLOW/REVIEW
Did you enjoy the episode? Please hit the like and subscribe button. Also, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

🎙️ ABOUT FLOT.BIO
Flot.bio is a show to watch the best Europeans in biotech to help you grow. Hosted by Philip Hemme. 25k monthly views. Free.

⏰ TIMESTAMPS
0:44: Abivax’s crazy Ph3 data and stock price jump
4:06: Surging investor demand on NASDAQ and Euronext
8:58: Future directions
11:02: Executing a Phase 3 home run
17:20: Marc de Garidel's leadership style
21:58: Abivax: origins
34:51: France's billion-dollar biotechs
44:11: Quick-fire questions