Alexander Burik, Author at Labiotech.eu

About

Born in Chicago, I grew up close to Frankfurt, Germany. I hold an MSc in Neuroscience from University College London and a BA in Biochemistry from Knox College in the US.
Outside of science-related activities, I enjoy skiing and writing music.

Articles by Alexander Burik

News and Trends 12 Mar 2018

We Can Now Make Plastics Out of Old Clothes Using Biology

Carbios, a French biotech, has developed an environmentally-friendly method to break down the PET plastic fibers in textile waste using enzymes. Carbios has developed a technology which can depolymerize textile waste fibers made of PET plastics into their original monomers. The technology uses enzymes to create biodegradable plastics and recycle existing plastics into their original compounds for […]

March 12, 2018 - 3 minutesmins - By Alexander Burik

Immenthep Multibacterial Infection Vaccine 2 min

Startup Scout 9 Mar 2018

This Portugese Biotech is Developing a Vaccine for Life-Threatening Multibacterial Infections

This week, we’re in Cantanhede, a small city near the coast in Portugal, to visit Immunethep. The company is developing immunotherapies against life-threatening multibacterial infections using a virulence mechanism common to different types of bacteria. Mission: Founded in 2014, Immunethep is a spin-off from the University of Porto that discovered a novel virulence mechanism by which bacteria suppress the […]

March 9, 2018 - 2 minutesmins - By Alexander Burik

News and Trends 8 Mar 2018

French Biotech Targets Gut Microbiome to Treat Diabetes

Valbiotis has shown that its treatment restores diversity in a population of gut microorganisms imbalanced by type 2 diabetes in mice. Valbiotis, based in Périgny, France, wants to treat type 2 diabetes by restoring the balance of microbial populations in the gut microbiome. New data from a metagenomic sequencing study in mice has shown that its drug, […]

March 8, 2018 - 3 minutesmins - By Alexander Burik

News and Trends 7 Mar 2018

This Spanish Biotech Might Have the First Effective Treatment for a Rare Blood Condition

Sanifit has successfully completed a Phase II trial with what could be the first effective treatment for calciphylaxis, a deadly rare disease caused by calcium accumulation in the blood. Mallorca-based Sanifit is targeting calciphylaxis with its treatment called SNF472. Results from Sanifit’s Phase II trial show that the drug promotes wound healing and reduces pain, though the details […]

March 7, 2018 - 3 minutesmins - By Alexander Burik

News and Trends 7 Mar 2018

Oxford Keeps Growing as a Hotspot for Cancer Vaccines with New Fundraising

Oxford Vacmedix has secured $12.5M (€10M) to start its first clinical trials, joining other Oxford-based biotechs in the cancer vaccine field such as Vaccitech and SpyBiotech. Oxford Vacmedix has secured Series A financing to continue the development of its two lead cancer vaccines to target cervical cancer and other solid tumors. The financing round represents the […]

March 7, 2018 - 2 minutesmins - By Alexander Burik

News and Trends 6 Mar 2018

Oxford Spin-out Moves Gene Therapy For Blindness Into Phase III Trial

Nightstar Therapeutics will begin the first Phase III trial for a gene therapy targeting choroideremia, a rare disorder leading to complete blindness. Nightstar will launch the first-ever Phase III trial testing a gene therapy for choroideremia, a genetic disorder characterized by night blindness and gradual loss of vision that eventually leads to complete blindness. The trial, STAR, […]

March 6, 2018 - 2 minutesmins - By Alexander Burik

News and Trends 6 Mar 2018

French Biotech Uses Natural Peptides to Boost Plant Growth and Immunity

Micropep Technologies, a Toulouse-based biotech, has raised €4M to develop peptides that boost plant growth and disease resistance by regulating gene expression. Micropep Technologies has raised a Series A funding with the support of two new investors, Sofinnova Partners, the largest industrial biotech fund in the world, and Irdi Soridec Gestion. The company aims to use the funding […]

March 6, 2018 - 3 minutesmins - By Alexander Burik

News and Trends 5 Mar 2018

Danish Biotech Starts Phase III Atopic Dermatitis Trial With Failed Asthma Treatment

Danish biotech LEO Pharma started a Phase III trial in atopic dermatitis with an antibody that AstraZeneca dropped after failing two Phase III trials in asthma. LEO Pharma is taking over the development of the antibody tralokinumab from AstraZeneca to treat atopic dermatitis after the drug failed multiple Phase III studies for treating asthma. In […]

March 5, 2018 - 2 minutesmins - By Alexander Burik

News and Trends 2 Mar 2018

London Biotech Uses Unique Double Mechanism of Action to Treat Cystic Fibrosis

Verona Pharma obtained positive Phase IIa trial results for a unique cystic fibrosis drug that inhibits two disease-related enzymes simultaneously, showing promise for treating a high unmet patient need. Verona Pharma, based in London, UK, aims to improve the lives of people with chronic respiratory diseases. Verona states their Phase IIa data provide grounds to […]

March 2, 2018 - 2 minutesmins - By Alexander Burik

Startup Scout 2 Mar 2018

This Spanish Biotech Is Developing Stem-Cell Targeted Leukemia Treatments

This week, we’re in Barcelona, Spain, to visit Leukos Biotech, whose goal is to develop new treatments and diagnostic tools for Leukaemia. Mission: Founded in 2015 as a spin-off from the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Leukos Biotech has raised €3.5M in funding and has identified a new therapeutic target against leukemic stem cells in acute […]

March 2, 2018 - 2 minutesmins - By Alexander Burik

News and Trends 1 Mar 2018

Biosensors Bring HIV Test to Patients for Instant Results

A report on the use of biosensors in molecular disease diagnostics states the technology could significantly reduce the spread of HIV. A report by Cambridge-based IDTechEx analyzed important trends in the field of medical biosensors. Their results suggest the technology could reduce the spread of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases in general by cutting the time taken to send tests to a […]

March 1, 2018 - 3 minutesmins - By Alexander Burik

News and Trends 1 Mar 2018

Could This Parisian Biotech Startup’s Cancer Treatment Compete With Merck and Novartis?

Stimunity, a Parisian biotech, secured a 2M€ seed investment to develop a cancer treatment that could compete with that of big players such as Merck and Novartis. Stimunity is a preclinical-stage startup company which develops drugs targeting a new cell signalling pathway to treat cancer. The company secured funding from Portage, a US-Canadian firm that […]

March 1, 2018 - 3 minutesmins - By Alexander Burik

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