Episode 6: Is Scotland’s Patient Data the New Oil?

In this episode we explore the economics of the health data revolution and learn about how a surprising and relatively unknown archive in Scotland could change everything. What if your genetic history, kept since 1965 in a vault, is the ultimate resource for life sciences innovation? This episode reveals how Scotland’s hidden DNA archive (over 2.5 million newborn blood cards) may be the key to revolutionising personalised medicine and global healthcare, all while safeguarding public trust.

Episode 5: Cancer 101 and the Business of Curing It

In this conversation Ross and Sandy delve into the complexity of cancer, the challenges in finding a cure, and the innovative approaches being pursued in the field of oncology. It also explores the economic impact of cancer research and the potential for the Scottish biotech ecosystem. The discussion emphasizes the need to embrace the chaos of cancer and the business opportunities it presents.

Episode 4: The New Reality of Living Long With Cancer- the Andrew Biankin interview

We are joined by world-renowned clinician-scientist Regius Professor Andrew Biankin to discuss the monumental shift in oncology as modern treatments increasingly transform cancer from a terminal illness into a chronic condition. He highlights the urgent need for "supportive oncology" to care for the rapidly growing population of long-term survivors who are often left struggling with the complex side effects of their treatments. Andrew also shares his vision for reshaping the healthcare system by investing heavily in diagnostic patient selection, ensuring we stop wasting resources on administering ineffective drugs.

Episode 3- The Oncocine Cancer Vaccine Story: interview with Ishani Malhotra

In this episode, we sit down with bioentrepreneur Ishani Malhotra to explore her transition from 3D-printing tumours to tackling the holy grail of oncology: the personalised cancer vaccine. As the founder of the Edinburgh-based deep tech startup Oncocine, she explains how their AI platform analyses a patient's unique tumour microenvironment to generate a bespoke, manufacturing-ready mRNA vaccine design in just two hours. Discover how this highly adaptive approach to immunotherapy could drastically improve clinical trial success rates and redefine true precision medicine.

Episode 2- The Scotland Biotech Scene

Is Scotland quietly becoming one of the most interesting biotech hubs in Europe? We map the landscape, from Glasgow’s deep-tech strengths to Edinburgh’s software-biology ecosystem and Aberdeen’s shift from energy into bioinnovation. We discuss what it will take to build lasting global companies here, including the long-term investment and patient capital needed to turn promise into scale.

Episode 1- How We Die

What are the biggest causes of death in Scotland, and what are they costing us? We look at the hard realities, from cancer to the “Glasgow effect,” and the growing pressure on the NHS. We argue that the future of biotech cannot just be about treating end-stage disease. It also needs to be about preventing it earlier, saving lives and easing pressure on the system.

Episode 0- The Glasgow-Edinburgh Link

Welcome to our new podcast! In our first episode, we ask a big question: how do we get great science out of the lab and into the real world? We introduce the mission behind The Long Game: to unpack the science shaping our lives, explore why so much innovation stalls in the commercial “Valley of Death,” and find a wee bit of joy along the way.