A Biotech Innovation to Treat a Chronic Health Problem Impacting 2 Billion People

A Biotech Innovation to Treat a Chronic Health Problem Impacting 2 Billion People

Author: BKBT Productions November 3, 2025 Duration: 44:40
Hunter Grad, CEO and founder of Ameliogenix [https://ameliogenix.ca/], joins the show to talk about developing mRNA immunotherapies for cardiovascular disease. George K and George A sit down with Hunter to discuss: * How a procrastinated university project turned into a biotech startup tackling the leading cause of death worldwide * The novel application of mRNA technology to permanently reduce cholesterol levels through targeting proteins within the body rather than viral diseases * What it takes to bootstrap a biotech company in Ottawa, not Silicon Valley * The brutal realities of fundraising in biotech versus software startups, and why pivoting isn't always an option when lives are on the line * Clearing up the myths and misinformation around mRNA technology, from how it actually works to addressing fertility concerns * The role of machine learning in accelerating biotech research and drug discovery, and why quality data matters more than flashy AI hype Hunter breaks down complex immunology concepts into digestible explanations while sharing the raw challenges of being a young founder in a traditionally academic-led industry. This episode explores innovation at the intersection of technology and medicine, the importance of rigorous science over buzzwords, and what it means to swing for the fences on a problem that affects 2 billion people worldwide. Mentioned: Using AI, MIT researchers identify a new class of antibiotic candidates [https://news.mit.edu/2023/using-ai-mit-researchers-identify-antibiotic-candidates-1220]

There’s a lot of noise in the world of technology talk, but Bare Knuckles and Brass Tacks cuts through it with a focus on the people behind the products and the societal currents shaping our digital landscape. Hosts George K and George A steer conversations that are less about specs and hype, and more about real-world consequences. You’ll hear them dig into topics like the messy rollout of new AI tools, the often-invisible backbone of digital infrastructure, and why communities adopt or reject certain technologies. This podcast regularly features guests from various fields who offer unvarnished opinions on what’s genuinely functional and what’s fundamentally flawed in our tech-saturated lives. The discussions move beyond simple commentary to challenge the standard narratives promoted by the tech industry, examining the cultural and social ripples of every new development. It’s a show for anyone who feels that technology coverage often misses the human element-the frustrations, the adaptations, and the ethical dilemmas. Tune in for a grounded, critical, and consistently engaging dialogue that connects the dots between code and culture. This production from BKBT Productions lives up to its name, getting down to the brass tacks of how technology is built and used, with a bare-knuckle honesty that’s increasingly rare.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Bare Knuckles and Brass Tacks
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