Trustlife is a venture capital investment fund regulated by Capital Markets of Turkey(CMB). Trustlife works with a multidisciplinary approach that aims to bring together scientific research and innovative ideas with investors. This unique structure integrates scientific, financial and managerial resources in an integrated manner. We had a pleasant interview with Erkan MANKAN, Member of the Executive Board of the company, and learnt all the details.

Mr. Mankan, could you tell us a bit about yourself? How did you enter the industry?

My career journey started after finishing my master's degree in Food Engineering from Istanbul Technical University. I started my career as a research specialist as an assistant to the late Prof. Dr. İlhami Karayalçın, and then I worked as a senior manager in the laboratory sector for 16 years, running Turkey operations. During these years, when I closely followed academic and sectoral developments all around Turkey, my interest in Turkey's R&D journey was reinforced. During these years, I continued my efforts to support all kinds of projects that would reduce Turkey's external dependence. Throughout my professional life, I have gained experience in the fields of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, focusing on innovative technologies and the transfer of these technologies.

You've been serving as a Member of the Board of Executives at Trustlife for 2 years. What innovations have you made on your behalf at Trustlife?

First of all, Trustlife is a VC platform focused on drug development and was born from the idea of "developing an original drug molecule that will be Turkey's first drug candidate".  In order to carry out these studies, all of the pre-clinical steps. In order to coordinate all pre-clinical steps from a single centre, a 1200 m2 Pharmaceutical R&D centre was designed in Ataşehir, Istanbul. Our centre, which is a first in its field in Turkey, is in a position to provide CRO services both to the projects of our scientists in Turkey under the roof of the fund and to various pharmaceutical companies from around the world. With my knowledge in the field of laboratory, I worked intensively during the design and commissioning process in order to make this centre, a world-class drug development centre.

Trustlife is an among the industry's leading company. What can you tell us about the founding story and innovative perspective of Trustlife?

Our foundation is based on the idea of developing Turkey's first original drug against cancer and rare diseases. The scientific leadership is provided by Prof. Dr. Adil Mardinoğlu and Prof. Dr. Hasan Türkez. Our founding story was shaped by the idea of being a platform where academic research and sectoral needs meet with investors. For this purpose, Trustlife was established in 2021 as a CMB-approved health technologies venture capital investment fund with Rota Portfolio management company. The innovative perspective of the fund is to provide an end-to-end support mechanism in the field of drug development by bringing together all stakeholders in the field of health technologies in Turkey.  The innovative perspective in the field of drug development can be summarised as "system biology & artificial intelligence supported drug development" methodology.

Could you tell us a bit about the vision and mission of Turkey's National Health Technologies-Trustlife? Who do you address?

As Trustlife, our vision is to achieve significant success both in Turkey and worldwide by supporting drug discovery projects in the field of cancer and rare diseases. Our mission is to develop effective and innovative healthcare solutions by bringing academic and sectoral research together with investors.  The stakeholders of this platform can be listed as scientists, relevant health professionals, public and research institutions, patent offices, institutional investors interested in the field of health, and organisations providing financial consultancy. Our goal is to bring scientific excellence and commercial success together in this process.

Shall we talk a little bit about innovative drug development? How does the process work?

As Trustlife, we stand out with the innovative perspective we bring to the drug development process. Our process starts from a fundemental idea and extends from laboratory stages to clinical trials. The Trustlife methodology includes multi-omics data generation, systems biology and artificial intelligence approaches. This is effective in accelerating the process of biomarkers and drug target discovery, while allowing pre-clinical phases to be managed from a single centre. Our aim is to reduce the drug development process from the traditional 14-15 years to 6-7 years. By combining scientific research and technology in the most effective way, the Trustlife methodology aims to reach new treatments faster and more effectively.

Trustlife methodology is based on a multidisciplinary approach that aims to bring together scientific research and innovative ideas with investors. The project application process, which is initiated in accordance with international standards, proceeds through objective selection criteria and an independent panel evaluation process, and aims to accelerate the commercialisation process by supporting the projects of selected scientists end-to-end. This methodology forms the basis of Trustlife, a CMB-approved venture capital investment fund. Trustlife combines scientific, financial and managerial resources in an integrated structure. This ensures that projects are effectively supported and increases the likelihood of success. With its internationally experienced management and scientific team, it has a multi-project and risk-distributed portfolio structure with a focus on cancer, chronic and rare diseases. In this process, innovation, sustainability and ethical values are prioritised. Thus, the Trustlife methodology offers a dynamic and integrated approach for the realisation of innovative projects and aims to lead the transformation in the healthcare sector with this business model.

What are the projects served within Trustlife Labs?

Trustlife Labs focuses particularly on drug discovery and pre-clinical studies. Trustlife Labs Drug R&D Centre has the modern technological infrastructure required for the complete realisation of 'Drug Design' and 'Pre-Clinical Studies' in the drug development process. It serves the Trustlife fund with the aim of developing and commercialising original drugs. In 2023, a total of 10 drug projects are being carried out simultaneously with nearly 45 researchers. These projects are brain cancer, pancreatic cancer, Sarcopenia, prostate cancer, Alzheimer's, breast cancer, inflammatory diseases and colon cancer.

What would you say about the advantages of a technologically equipped laboratory?

Our state-of-the-art laboratory enables faster and more efficient research processes. These technologies allow us to obtain more accurate results and enable innovative drug development. In addition, the advanced technologies that we use in our laboratory help us to innovate more with fewer resources. Trustlife Laboratories have an integrated structure where 4 different disciplines work together continuously at the same time. These disciplines are computational chemistry-biology, medicinal chemistry, cell, tissue, organ culture and pharmaceutical technologies.

As a company, you received the title of R&D Centre as of April 2023. How did this process develop and what were the advantages?

April 2023, we expanded the research and development capacity of our company. This title validated our work in this field.  In addition, as an R&D centre, we also carry out projects within the scope of university and private sector collaborations.

Under Turkey's First and Only Health Technologies Fund, many scientists are signing many projects. What do you think are the success factors that have carried the Trustlife brand from its establishment to today?  

Firstly, we can put the strong managerial and financial experience of the founding team at the top. Thanks to the international careers and recognition of the scientific team in their fields, the strategic position of the platform created by the multi-project / multi-scientist approach is remarkable. There are also important economic advantages provided by Turkey's infrastructure facilities. The Drug R&D Centre under the umbrella of the Fund offers high quality research and development activities at international level.

What would you say about the current state of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry worldwide ? 

The global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry is undergoing a rapid development and transformation process. There are significant advances in this sector, especially in areas such as personalised treatment methods, gene therapies and systems biology and artificial intelligence-assisted drug discovery. As Trustlife, we are aware of these global trends and focus on studies that will shape the future of the sector.

What do you aim to carry your success today to tomorrow more effectively? What will be your development and growth focusses?

Trustlife aims to lead healthcare innovation on a global scale, going beyond being a force that unlocks Turkey's potential. The drug candidates in the investment portfolio stand out not only from a scientific point of view, but also with the potential to offer innovative solutions to the global  health industry. Our hope is that the portfolio of drug candidates created in 2 years will be recognised globally and set new standards in the healthcare industry.

Finally, as a manager with a very busy work schedule, what do you like to do in your spare time?

First of all, the fields we work in are very dynamic and rapidly evolving. Therefore, I believe it is necessary to constantly stay up-to-date while managing operations, and I strive to increase my knowledge by closely following trends in the fields we work in, both in Turkey and globally.  In addition to this, sea kayaking, skiing sports and spending time in nature provide an important balance for me in my social time. Spending time with family and friends plays a big role in re-energising and providing mental relaxation. In conclusion, I endeavour to maintain balance in both my personal and professional life through a variety of activities.