Base to Base biotech podcast 48: ...

Base to Base biotech podcast 48: GPCRs and beating neurodegenerative diseases

Base to Base Biotech by Jim Cornall
E48
Feb 27, 2026
52:47

Episode notes

The conversations on this week’s podcast are with CEO of Merz Therapeutics, Stefan König, about a variety of neurodegenerative conditions and a botulinum neurotoxin, and with CEO of Kainova Therapeutics, Sean MacDonald, about – among other things – G-protein coupled receptors, or GPCRs.

Times:

03:21 Merz Therapeutics

30:34 Kainova Therapeutics

Kainova Therapeutics

Kainova Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Montreal, Canada. The company develops drug candidates targeting GPCRs, with programmes focused on immuno-oncology and inflammatory diseases.

The company’s pipeline includes antibody and small-molecule programmes directed at GPCR targets. These include a CCR8-targeting antibody programme being evaluated in oncology, as well as PAR2 and EP4 antagonist programmes with potential applications in inflammatory conditions. Its development activities span preclinical and early clinical stages.

Kainova was previously known as Domain Therapeutics.

Merz Therapeutics

Merz Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany. It operates as the therapeutics arm of the Merz Group and focuses on the development and commercialisation of medicines for neurological and neuro-related conditions.

The company’s portfolio includes treatments used in areas such as movement disorders, spasticity and other neurological conditions.

Merz Therapeutics also engages in focused acquisitions and partnerships to broaden its portfolio and reach more patients globally.

To get in touch with guest suggestions, or to sponsor or advertise on the podcast, please email jim@deeptechdigest.com

Keywords

biotech
biotechnology
cancer
GCPR
neurodegenerative diseases
Kainova Therapeutics
Merz Therapeutics