CrownCast

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 resistance

Emerging innovations in CAR-T design to address exhaustion and broaden application

The critical importance of tumor microenvironment and model precision in preclinical research

Dr. 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.