VC | E525 | Jean Schmitt & Rob Blackie on the State of RNA in Europe & the TechBio Opportunity

In this week's podcast, Andreas Munk Holm is joined by Jean Schmitt at Jolt Capital and Rob Blackie at Crampton Blackie to explore one of the most consequential deep tech opportunities Europe faces: RNA. With roots in foundational biology and applications from cancer therapy to precision agriculture, RNA is both a symbol and a stress test of Europe’s capacity to scale science into sovereignty.

The conversation is based on their Landmark 2025 Report on the State of RNA in Europe, a data-rich, in-depth analysis of patents, funding flows, regulatory bottlenecks, and startup activity across the continent.

Here’s what’s covered:

• 03:05 The State of RNA in Europe
• 05:59 Challenges in Commercialization and Investment
• 09:09 The Landscape of RNA Companies in Europe
• 15:02 Regulatory Challenges in RNA Development
• 17:58 The Future of RNA in Europe
• 26:54 Navigating Regulatory Challenges in Biocontrol Products
• 30:46 The Impact of European Policies on Innovation
• 32:41 Learning from Global Regulatory Practices
• 40:34 The Exodus of Talent and Innovation from Europe
• 45:59 Funding Challenges for RNA Companies in Europe