In today’s episode we talk about how alumni from the German Accelerator Life Sciences program are involved in the tackling of COVID-19. Daniel Mark is the Co-Founder and CEO of Spindiag, a diagnostics company involved in rapid testing for coronavirus infections. Oliver Uecke is the Head of Business Operations at Lipotype, a company providing lipid analysis services. They are certified to analyze samples infected with SARS-CoV-2 and are looking into the role lipidomics can play in coronavirus research. For the non-scientists among us, lipids are a diverse group of small molecules such as triglycerides, cholesterol or fatty acids amongst others!

In our conversation we talk about how exactly their companies are involved in finding solutions for COVID-19, the impact of the whole situation on their companies such as for Spindiag it meant completely shifting their product from rapid testing for multidrug-resistant bacteria to testing for corona viruses and how they both perceive the “gold rush” in their field at the current moment.

Two great guests and a very significant topic! Enjoy the conversation!

We talk about:

• How Spindiag has recently received 6 million € to develop a rapid test for the coronavirus
• The research needs to shine more light on the development of the lipid metabolism of the coronavirus
• The role of start-ups in tackling COVID-19 & the cooperation amongst them in this situation
• How the corona situation really was a game changer for Spindiag making them change their product from a rapid testing for multidrug-resistant bacteria to one for corona viruses
• How at Lipotype the corona situation is a catalyst of an ongoing process towards digital collaboration, digital marketing activities and new business opportunities
• The impact of the COVID-19 situation on the operations of both companies
• The increased importance of diagnostics in the medical pathways of patients
• How new customer groups such as nursing homes or labs came up for the companies
• The support of investors during these times International expansion in times of corona Which collaboration activities such as regular check-ins & informal virtual birthday meetings work well whilst working from home
• The preparation to the “back to normal” from the “gold rush” moment currently Where they see their companies in 12-18 months