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/

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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