In this episode of the PPTI podcast, host Nick Bradley was joined by Olivier Galy, Chief Technology Officer at Toulouse White Biotechnology (TWB), and Maria Savino, Global Segment Development Manager at Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, to discuss how automation and high-throughput workflows are helping accelerate the path from strain development to scale-up.

The conversation explored the growing role of biofoundries as R&D becomes more complex, and how these environments bring together data integration, miniaturization, and standardized workflows to reduce both risk and cost. Savino outlined how modern laboratory tools support DNA assembly, screening, and early-stage optimization, while Galy explained how these systems allow teams to explore larger design spaces, improve strain performance, and better prepare for industrial conditions.

They also discussed how companies can adopt automation in a practical way without disrupting existing infrastructure, and why aligning strain engineering, screening, and process design from the outset is critical to achieving smoother industrialization.

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In this episode of the PPTI podcast, Nick Bradley was joined by Ida Aabrandt Søndergaard, Head of Global Regulatory Affairs at Solar Foods; Sam Santiago, Global Product Manager Innovation F&B IPLCM at Merck; Sarah (Sally) Powell-Price, Regulatory Affairs SME at MilliporeSigma; and Naya McCartney, Regulatory Safety Scientist at Vow, to explore one of the most critical challenges facing alternative proteins: food safety.

As the industry moves toward scale, the discussion focused on how safety frameworks must evolve alongside innovation. From novel ingredients and cell lines to precision-fermented fats and functional proteins, the panel examined how companies can ensure robust safety standards without slowing down development.

The conversation covered emerging risks across different production platforms, the realities of navigating global regulatory expectations, and the importance of building safety and quality systems that can scale with production. The speakers also explored how lessons from traditional food and biopharma sectors can be applied to next-generation protein companies, particularly when it comes to data integrity, traceability, and contamination control.

A key theme throughout was the need to integrate safety considerations early in R&D, rather than treating them as a downstream requirement. The panel also addressed how companies can communicate safety clearly and transparently to regulators and consumers, helping to build trust as new products reach the market.

Together, they provided a practical view of how the industry can balance speed, innovation, and responsibility as it works toward delivering safe, scalable, and sustainable food systems.

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In this episode of the PPTI Podcast, experts from research, biotechnology, and food innovation discussed how systems thinking could help reshape the future of nutrition. The panel included Annick Verween of VIB; Ali Osman, Diana Oliveira, and Harry Barraza of PfX Biotech; Amy Williams of The Good Food Institute Europe; Filipa Soares of Cell4Food; and David Laubner of Sennos.

The conversation explored the role of precision fermentation, the importance of shared standards and metrics, and how digital and sensor technologies are improving production efficiency. Panelists also discussed the potential of bioactive ingredients and the need for closer collaboration across science, technology, regulation, and markets to support scalable, sustainable food systems.

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