New, More Precise Cancer Therapies Could Soon Be Here - EP 51 Richard Fuisz
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
In this special episode of Core Memory, guest host Eryney Marrogi, a scientist and soon-to-be doctor, interviews biotech innovator Richard Fuisz about his groundbreaking work at Nonfiction Labs. The conversation explores Fuisz's journey from Stanford bioengineering to founding multiple biotech ventures, culminating in his current work developing magnetically-controlled cancer therapeutics. (26:26) The discussion delves into the science behind magnetic proteins, the challenges of drug targeting in oncology, and the future of biotech innovation in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
- Main themes: Magnetic protein engineering, precision cancer therapy, biotech innovation models, and the evolution from optogenetics to magnetogenetics as a breakthrough therapeutic approach.
Speakers
Richard Fuisz
Richard Fuisz is a bioengineering innovator and serial entrepreneur who graduated from Stanford University. He has been involved in multiple cutting-edge biotech ventures including Arcadia (focused on non-model organism development), Future House (an AI for science initiative co-founded with Eric Schmidt), and most recently Nonfiction Labs, where he's developing magnetically-controlled therapeutics. Fuisz comes from a family legacy of invention - his grandfather, also named Richard Fuisz, was a prolific inventor featured prominently in the book "Bad Blood" about the Theranos scandal.
Eryney Marrogi
Eryney Marrogi is a scientist and soon-to-be doctor who writes for Core Memory. He serves as guest host for this episode, bringing his scientific expertise to explore complex biotech innovations. Marrogi recently broke the story on Nonfiction Labs' magnetic therapy technology for Core Memory's publication.
Key Takeaways
Magnetic Control Opens New Therapeutic Targets
Traditional cancer therapies face a fundamental challenge: tumor cells often express the same surface proteins as healthy cells, making selective targeting nearly impossible. (36:07) Fuisz explains that magnetically-controlled antibodies could revolutionize this by allowing drugs to be activated only at tumor sites while remaining inactive in healthy tissue. This approach could unlock "all these targets that we've known about for a long time" but were previously too dangerous to pursue due to toxicity concerns.
Biology Innovation Requires Embracing "Weird" Research
The most transformative biological discoveries often come from studying obscure organisms that seem unrelated to human health. (13:52) Fuisz emphasizes that breakthrough innovations like GFP (from jellyfish) and nanobodies (from alpacas) emerged from researchers willing to investigate unusual biological systems. The concern is that increased focus on AI-driven research might reduce funding for exploratory "weird biology" that generates truly novel datasets and mechanisms.
Iteration Speed Trumps Scale in Early Biotech
Unlike software development, biology research faces significant time delays between experimental iterations, often taking weeks for DNA synthesis or months for cell culture experiments. (09:09) Fuisz's early DNA synthesis company focused on reducing this timeline from two weeks to one day, recognizing that "iteration times being super important in biology" can make the difference between success and failure in research programs.
Geographic Arbitrage Can Solve Biotech Cost Pressures
While China's automation capabilities pose competitive threats, innovative biotech companies can leverage strategic partnerships with skilled researchers in lower-cost markets. (74:05) Nonfiction Labs established a laboratory in Argentina, finding "amazing lab with great people" who are "happy to be working on really cool stuff" at significantly lower costs than US operations, demonstrating how geographic strategy can maintain competitive advantages.
Consumer Biology Success Requires Problem-First Thinking
Many synthetic biology companies fail because they lead with cool technology rather than solving real market problems. (83:14) Fuisz notes that "people do not pay premium because it's cool" - successful bio products like hydrogen peroxide from engineered organisms or cat allergen-blocking proteins succeed because they address genuine consumer needs, not because they represent impressive biotechnology.
Statistics & Facts
- DNA synthesis market size is "generously in the hundreds of millions, you know, ambitiously in a billion a year" globally - highlighting why it's considered one of the worst markets to enter despite its importance to research. (08:38)
- The magnetic field strength needed for protein activation is only "10 or 20 millitesla" - roughly equivalent to the surface field of a refrigerator magnet, making the technology surprisingly accessible. (49:06)
- Most oncology products have only a "10% chance of success" once they reach clinical testing, demonstrating the high-risk nature of cancer drug development that makes precise targeting so valuable. (84:51)
