Riding the biotech trend wagon as an innovative life science company is a bit like this…

On the one hand, if you’re not capitalizing on what’s trendy, it can be harder to secure funding and notoriety. On the other, you run the risk of creating a company that looks just like everybody else.

At Samba Scientific, one of our jobs is to identify these trends and help our client partners position themselves accordingly. In this post, we explore what’s hot right now, and how biotech companies can take advantage of what’s trendy without getting lost in the crowd.

1.  Artificial Intelligence 

We’d be remiss if we did not start this list with the role of Artificial Intelligence in biotech. Artificial Intelligence (AI), especially Generative AI, is becoming foundational to many fields, and the life sciences are no exception. The most popular application of AI is probably identification and validation of drug candidates or targets (e.g., AlphaFold). But AI is also being used for diagnostics (digital pathology and genomic variant analysis tools) and revolutionizing clinical studies (through integration of real-world data and synthetic control arms).

Unfortunately, the use of AI has become so pervasive that touting advanced AI algorithms is no longer a differentiator (if everyone’s special, then no one is), and the proprietary black-box nature of these algorithms means that it’s difficult to compare any of them to each other. Meanwhile, explaining the nuance of what makes your company’s particular AI special requires more words and jargon than your busy scientist audience has time for.

Instead of focusing on the AI itself, we try to help our client partners define and emphasize what is specific about the problem their AI tool helps solve. For instance, using AI to design novel proteins is not unique – using AI to design TCR mimic antibodies that specifically bind previously undruggable pMHC complexes is.

Companies we have worked with in this space include: PaigeAI, Visiopharm, Fabric Genomics, Sophia Genetics, Genomenon, Alloy Therapeutics, Enable Medicine, and Eikon Therapeutics.

Other players in the field include: Absci, Arzeda, Insilico Medicine, Recursion, Tempus, VantAI, and Xaira Therapeutics

2.  In vitro models for drug safety and efficacy

We’ve known for some time that animal models are not a great proxy for predicting human-drug interactions, and there are a lot of other downsides to animal testing. In 2023, the FDA Modernization Act signaled a shift away from reliance on animal testing. Last month, the FDA announced their plan to phase out the animal testing requirement, and shortly thereafter, the NIH announced their intent to prioritize “human-based research technologies.” 

In other words, there’s a mad dash to develop and employ technologies for accurately measuring drug response in vitro. Such technologies include cell-based assays, organoids and organ-on-a-chip, and computational models (enter AI again). These so-called New Approach Methodologies (NAM) are going to be increasingly critical for drug development.  Of course, the most important feature of a standout in-vitro toxicology assay or NAM is its ability to accurately recapitulate in-vivo drug activity. That means that every company claims they have the most human-like technology. In truth, there are great scientists developing lots of great models that all have something to offer.

The key is identifying what particular applications are best suited to any given technology, and stacking them in the way that most cost effectively helps drug companies identify promising and risky candidates early. For instance, if a company is testing a prospective therapeutic for obesity, it’s going to be more important for them to do their toxicology studies in liver models that account for various fatty liver stages.

Companies we have worked with in this space include: TwinStrand Biosciences, The Prism Lab, Lena Biosciences, Altis Biosystems, Ocean Genomics, and LifeNet Health LifeSciences.

Other players in the field include: Mimetas, ImmuOne, Toxys, Parallel Bio, Emulate Inc, and InSphero

3.  Spatial Biology

Biology is more complex than a blended-up mush of cells. If you’ve spent much time in this field, you’ve probably seen a cartoon like this one….

Single cell technology should probably receive an honorable mention on this list, because it was the biggest trend just a few years ago, but the natural extension to studying single cells is studying them relative to their neighbors – spatial biology – Nature’s recurring winner for “Method of the Year” (spatial proteomics was crowned in 2024).

Spatial biology is important in disease biology and drug discovery because it allows researchers to study where and how cells, molecules, and biological processes are organized within tissues—something that traditional methods like bulk RNA-seq or even single-cell sequencing can miss.

The spatial biology field is probably the least crowded on this list, because it’s technically very challenging. Historically spatial biology has relied on really sophisticated (read expensive) imaging technologies, but new techniques are emerging to expand access to spatial methods. Because the field is uncrowded, most of the players offer something distinct – FFPE compatibility, high plex, 3D analysis/thick tissues. As the field expands, spatial biology companies will have to get more creative to differentiate their tech, pulling in claims about footprint, cost, ease of use, lack of specialized equipment, support plans, range of omic applications, particular disease biology strengths, etc.

Companies we’ve worked with in this space include: Ultivue (now Vizgen), Singular Genomics, Definiens, and Stellaromics.

Other key players in the field include: 10x Genomics, Akoya Biosciences, Biotechne, Standard BioTools, RareCyte, Alpenglow, Lunaphore, and Bruker.

4.  Precision diagnostics

Including precision diagnostics on this list feels a bit strange, because the precision medicine hoopla is a bit old news. We’ve been dabbling in precision diagnostics for decades at this point. What’s really interesting right now though, is the expansion of precision diagnostics to indications beyond cancer and omics that don’t start with g.

The most proliferative application is auto-immune diseases. These historically difficult to diagnose and difficult to treat diseases are an ideal application for precision diagnostics, because they manifest differently in every person and even over time. Because of this, RNA and protein biomarkers are more promising candidates than DNA.

Metabolic syndromes are also an interesting target – some overweight individuals are at a much higher risk of developing comorbidities like heart disease and diabetes than others. There are even companies working on precision nutrition based on various biomarkers.

Finally, perhaps the most intriguing indications are neurological. The variability in individual response to anti-depressants and anti-psychotics is extraordinary, and the side effects can be debilitating. Additionally, early diagnosis for degenerative disease like Alzheimer’s is critical, and the blood-brain-barrier poses particular challenges in diagnosis.

Again, the field here is uncrowded, but it’s likely to continue expanding, particularly in the realm of auto-immune/inflammatory diseases. While each company claims that its class of biomarker reigns supreme, patient-to-patient variability may call for a range of variable diagnostics. It would be wise for investors and pharmaceutical companies to spread their interests across multiple companies with different biomarkers.

Companies we’ve worked with in this space include: DxTerity, SomaLogic, My Partner Sam, iRepertoire, Taudia, and Circular Genomics

Other key players in the space include: Scipher Medicine, Promise Bio, Sapient, SynCell, Adaptive Biotech, and Precision for Medicine, O-link

Got an innovative life science company and need help communicating your unique take on these biotech trends?

At Samba Scientific, we understand that standing out in a rapidly evolving biotech landscape requires more than just following trends—it demands strategic positioning, scientific fluency, and a deep understanding of the competitive space. Whether it’s AI-driven discovery, human-relevant in vitro models, spatial biology, or next-generation diagnostics, we help our partners sharpen their message, clarify their differentiation, and connect with the right audiences. Our expertise lies not only in communicating cutting-edge science but in doing so with clarity and purpose—so our clients sound smart, not the same. Ready to define what makes your innovation different? Let’s get to work.