Ep. 15 Animal Free by Design: A Smarter Way to Science

In this episode, we explore the growing shift in biotech to remove animal derived components from research and manufacturing. Materials like fetal bovine serum (FBS), animal sourced antibodies, and extracellular matrix proteins have long supported cell culture and drug development, but they raise serious ethical, scientific, and safety concerns.

We dig into why the biopharma industry is moving toward animal origin free alternatives, the problems with traditional inputs, and the innovative solutions replacing them. From chemically defined media and recombinant antibodies to plant based hydrogels and synthetic matrices, tune in to discover how the future of biopharma is being shaped by consistency, precision, and a stronger commitment to human relevance and animal welfare.

Featured Article:  Animal-Derived Products in Science and Current Alternatives (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213428)