News round-up by DDW’s Reece Armstrong for 18-22 April
Covid-19, the link between ageing and genetic mutations, alongside funding opportunities for drug developers are some of the themes of this week’s news round-up.
1: Researchers shed light on ageing in new study
Animals with a large difference in lifespan and size end their natural lives with a similar number of genetic changes, researchers have discovered. The findings come from a study by the Wellcome Sanger Institute which analysed genomes from 16 species of mammal to understand the role genetic changes play in ageing and the development of cancer.
2: ReiThera and Exothera collaborate to develop vaccines for Africa
Biotech company ReiThera is collaborating with contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) Exothera on a project to develop Covid-19 and HIV vaccines for low-and middle-income countries (LMIC).
3: BioXcel Therapeutics raises $260m to support commercial activities
BioXcel Therapeutics has raised $260 million in funding to support the commercial activities of its proprietary, orally dissolving film formulation IGALMI.
4: Manufacturing opportunities linked to increase in FDA approvals of Covid-19 products
An increasing number of approvals and Emergency Use Authorisations (EUAs) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Covid-19 vaccines and drugs, as well as cell and gene therapies, is helping provide manufacturing opportunities for contract manufacturing organisations (CMOs).
5: Medical Research Network wins Queen’s Award for clinical trials
Clinical trial support organisation Medical Research Network (MRN) has won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade for its work in helping enhance the delivery of clinical trials through decentralisation technology.
