The world of cell therapy is changing rapidly, with revolutionary advancements in cryopreservation and bioprocessing protocols leading the way. In a recent episode of the Smart Biotech Scientist Podcast, host David Brühlmann sat down with Jeffrey Allen, Chairman and CEO of Evia Bio, to dive deep into the “how” of implementing cutting-edge techniques in the lab and the strategic mindset needed to move therapies from concept to clinic successfully.

Jeffrey Allen is a passionate leader with a diverse background in shaping strategy, building high-performing teams, and driving exceptional results across public and private equity-backed organizations. With extensive C-level and international experience in the life sciences sector, Jeffrey has a proven track record of transforming performance and delivering profitable growth in various market environments.

Here are three key takeaways for anyone passionate about advancing biotech:

• The four-step audit: bridging best practices and real-world results: Depending on client needs, the audit is performed either at the client’s laboratory or at Evia Bio’s own facility, ensuring real-world practices are scrutinized and optimized.
• Protocols matter and so does execution: Even the best-written protocols can falter if not followed meticulously. Regular process audits, sometimes conducted onsite by external partners, help identify “protocol creep” and ensure teams are consistently implementing best practices.
• Culture fuels innovation: Jeffrey’s leadership advice resonated-aligning on strategy, fostering unified company culture, and surrounding yourself with talented people accelerates growth. Passion for the mission, combined with a strong, diverse team, can deliver both exceptional results and lasting employee engagement.

Curious how these insights could save you months of frustration and millions in development costs? Tune in to the full episode, or get in touch to discuss how process optimization can empower your cell therapy journey!

Connect with Jeffrey Allen:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreydallen2

Website: www.eviabio.com

Email: jeffrey.allen@eviabio.com

Next step:

Book a free consultation to help you get started on any questions you may have about bioprocessing analytics: https://bruehlmann-consulting.com/call

Develop bioprocessing technologies better, faster, at a fraction of the cost with our 1:1 Strategy Call: The quickest and easiest way to excel biotech technology development. Book your call at www.bruehlmann-consulting.com/call/

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If you’ve ever worked in a cell therapy lab or handled biologics, you’ve probably experienced the pitfalls of cryopreservation. We’ve all mourned the loss of precious samples after a freeze-thaw cycle gone wrong or watched viability figures plummet, wondering where it all went awry.

In this episode of The Smart Biotech Scientist Podcast, Jeffrey Allen, Chairman and CEO of Evia Bio, shares how nature-inspired solutions are changing the cell preservation game. With a background spanning finance, operations, and leadership across the biotech landscape, Jeffrey brings a unique perspective on bridging science and practical manufacturing needs.

Inspired by the survival strategies of Minnesota’s frozen forests, a new wave of biotech innovation is transforming the way we freeze, store, and ship life-saving cells for therapies - and it all starts with a better understanding of nature.

Here are the top three takeaways from this podcast episode:

• Cryopreservation shouldn’t be an afterthought: Building optimal cryopreservation strategies into your process development from day one can avoid costly setbacks and delays.
• Beyond cell viability - function matters: It’s not just about how many cells survive the freeze/thaw cycle, but whether those cells remain fully functional. Evia Bio’s new DMSO-free formulations are delivering >85% recovery on MSCs without compromising cell function.
• One size doesn't fit all: Every cell type has unique needs for freezing, thawing, and formulation. Leveraging tailored algorithms and customized protocols can drastically improve yield and reproducibility, potentially reducing the need for costly overfilling in manufacturing.

If you’ve ever lost precious cell samples to a freeze-thaw mishap or questioned why you’re stuck with outdated, toxic cryopreservation methods, this episode is for you!

Connect with Jeffrey Allen:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreydallen2

Website: www.eviabio.com

Email: jeffrey.allen@eviabio.com

Next step:

Book a free consultation to help you get started on any questions you may have about bioprocessing analytics: https://bruehlmann-consulting.com/call

Develop bioprocessing technologies better, faster, at a fraction of the cost with our 1:1 Strategy Call: The quickest and easiest way to excel biotech technology development. Book your call at www.bruehlmann-consulting.com/call/

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In this concluding episode of our deep dive into miniaturized perfusion systems, we tackle the most challenging aspect: implementing meaningful process analytical technology (PAT) at microscale while keeping costs realistic for high-throughput applications.

Tom Valentin, group leader at CSEM for Automated Sample Handling, continues sharing CSEM's pioneering work in automated sample handling, revealing both the breakthrough opportunities and stubborn technical barriers that define the current state of small-scale perfusion development.

Critical insights you'll gain from this episode:

• The PAT miniaturization challenge is about more than size: While optical density sensors work reasonably well for microbial cultures, mammalian cell applications demand more sophisticated solutions. Tom explains why viable cell density remains the "holy grail"—and how promising technologies from companies like IMEC and Inspec are pushing the boundaries, though cost-effective 96-well implementation remains elusive
• Smart compromises can unlock practical solutions: Tom reveals why the industry may need to accept hybrid approaches—real-time pH and DO monitoring combined with once-daily viable cell density sampling. He also explains the unique challenges of sensor positioning in shaking deep-well plates where liquid dynamics create measurement complexities
• Partnership models that actually work for biotech innovation: Beyond the technical discussion, Tom outlines CSEM's proven collaboration approaches, including how Innoswiss funding can provide 50% cost reduction for development projects and why their 70% proposal success rate makes them an attractive R&D partner for both startups and established pharma companies

Discover how bioprocessing is evolving - from high-throughput screening to digital twins and continuous manufacturing- in these expert-led episodes.

• Episode 155: From Process Bottlenecks to Seamless Production: How Continuous Bioprocessing Changes Everything
• Episodes 153-154: The Future of Bioprocessing: Industry 4.0, Digital Twins, and Continuous Manufacturing Strategies with Tiago Matos
• Episodes 85-86: Bioprocess 4.0: Integrated Continuous Biomanufacturing with Massimo Morbidelli
• Episodes 73-74: Bead-Based Assays: The Power of High-Throughput Screening with Sebastian Giehring

Connect with Tom Valentin:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tom-valentin-5bb9091b

Website: www.csem.ch/en

Email: thomas.valentin@csem.ch

Next step:

Book a free consultation to help you get started on any questions you may have about bioprocessing analytics: https://bruehlmann-consulting.com/call

Develop bioprocessing technologies better, faster, at a fraction of the cost with our 1:1 Strategy Call: The quickest and easiest way to excel biotech technology development. Book your call at www.bruehlmann-consulting.com/call/

Support the show