Scientists have detected a new Covid-19 variant called B.1.1.529, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has named Omicron. At least 50 confirmed cases have been identified in South Africa, Hong Kong and Botswana. These spike mutations might make the virus more resistant to vaccines, increase transmissibility and… Read More
The Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Catapult has today published its Annual Review 2021, highlighting its key initiatives and impact in creating opportunities and investment in the UK cell and gene therapy industry. 2021 has reportedly emphasised the strength of the UK cell and gene therapy industry which experienced… Read More
Twist Bioscience has acquired Abveris, which will offer Twist comprehensive antibody discovery and characterisation services using its DiversimAb family of hyperimmune mouse models, the output of which can be humanised using the Twist antibody optimisation solution to develop biologics for rapid clinical advancement. Emily Leproust, CEO and co-founder of Twist Bioscience, believes that the addition of the Abveris discovery… Read More
Major advances have been achieved in targeted immunotherapy with significant clinical benefits for patients. However, on-target/off-tumour toxicity is still a major concern, which highlights the clinical need for better targets to improve the safety profile of immunotherapies. On-target/off-tumour toxicity is mainly based on the expression of tumour-associated… Read More
Benchling is continuing its European expansion, following a strong year of growth. This expansion comes as Benchling reveals it has raised $100 million in Series F funding at a $6.1 billion valuation. Context The company achieved triple-digit year-over-year revenue growth in the market in its most recent fiscal… Read More
Novasep, a supplier of services and technologies for the life sciences industry, and McSAF, a French biotech specialised in bioconjugation tools to design bio drugs for health and diagnostics, have collaborated for the preclinical production of ADCITMER, a next-generation Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) to treat neuroendocrine cancers. What has been done?… Read More
Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies and Immunicom have signed a co-commercialisation agreement to help advance a cancer therapy that selectively removes immune inhibitors from a patient’s bloodstream. What will this achieve? This potentially enables the patient’s immune system to more effectively attack cancer tumours. In contrast to immunotherapy pharmaceuticals… Read More
The overall potential of siRNA-based therapeutics has attracted Chinese pharma companies to tap opportunities and bring promising innovative therapies across the globe, according to reporting by GlobalData. Against this backdrop, the Chinese pharma companies have increased their focus towards the siRNA pipeline through strategic alliances. China pharma… Read More
Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ Sunosi (solriamfetol) has been issued a positive Final Appraisal Document (FAD) from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), recommending the drug for adults with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) caused by narcolepsy.1 When is solriamfetol needed? Solriamfetol is recommended as an option for treating EDS… Read More
While trial activity has since recovered to pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels in Australia and the US, the UK remains behind, according to reporting by Andrew Hillman, healthcare and pharmaceuticals data journalist at GlobalData. Hillman explained that the UK commenced 18% fewer commercial trials during the first three quarters of 2021 than… Read More
Brooks Automation’s newly branded Azenta Life Sciences has been contracted by QTC Management to provide the storage and distribution of vaccines to the US Department of Defense. Context In early 2021, QTC was awarded the Reserve Health Readiness Program III contract, under which they… Read More
Listen to this article on the DDW Podcast: Marjie Hadad talks to cell therapy expert and Kadimastem CEO Asaf Shiloni about the potential of cell therapy. “I am attracted to cell therapy because traditional medicine has reached its limitation in treating the ailments of the 21st century,” says Asaf Shiloni, 20-year biotechnology executive, cell therapy expert and CEO… Read More
Listen to this article on the DDW Podcast: Combination immunotherapies are one of the most exciting advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMP) being developed, with incredible potential for treating cancer, says Panagiotis Parsonidis, a molecular biologist and lead researcher at RGCC. DDW speaks to him about VAXO-Q-RE developments, a combination immunotherapy that will soon… Read More
Global life sciences software company IDBS has acquired biopharmaceutical manufacturing data management and analytics software developer Skyland Analytics, in a move that will create the first BioPharma Lifecycle Management (BPLM) offering that supports therapies from early development through commercial manufacturing. Context More than half of… Read More
CRB has released an industry report based on survey responses from more than 500 industry leaders and with unique analysis from CRB’s life sciences subject matter experts. What is in the report? Warp speed delivery: Speed to market is a more significant business driver in… Read More
Rebecca W. Doerge, Glen de Vries Dean of the Mellon College of Science and Professor of Biological Sciences and Statistics and Data Science at Carnegie Mellon University was issued a challenge by the administration to elevate the reputation of the school to rival that of their IT and engineering colleges. Read More
