This week, the GeekWire Gala recognized six innovators as 2025 Uncommon Thinkers, highlighting their contributions to various fields. Among those honored were Jeff Thornburg from Portal Space Systems and Anindya Roy from Lila Biologics, both of whom are making significant advancements in their respective industries.
Thornburg, who previously developed rocket engines for SpaceX and Stratolaunch, is now focused on implementing a NASA concept that uses focused sunlight to propel spacecraft. He envisions that if successful, Portal Space Systems could play a crucial role in establishing logistics between Earth and the Moon, and later expanding to Jupiter's moons.
In the realm of biotechnology, Roy is leveraging AI to create novel proteins aimed at combating cancer, achieving a notable increase in success rates for drug candidate designs. His work reflects a transformative approach in the field, moving from under 1% success to rates of 5-20% with fewer designs.
The full discussions with these innovators can be accessed on the latest episode of the GeekWire Podcast, which showcases their insights and aspirations for the future.