Interview 12 Feb 2020 Boosting Cancer Research by Unlocking Genomic Data More genomic data is produced today than ever before as it’s fundamental to the development of new medicines. But although there is a lot of data out there, much of it is inaccessible. With a background in computer science and bioinformatics, Fiona Nielsen, co-founder and CEO of Repositive, decided to overcome this bottleneck and open […] February 12, 2020 - 6 minutesmins - By Larissa Warneck-Silvestrin Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
News and Trends 11 Feb 2020 French Biotech Raises €20M to Make Precision Molecular Diagnostics Stilla Technologies has raised a €20M Series C round to fund its mission to produce next-generation microchips that make molecular diagnostics more precise and user-friendly than currently available lab technology. Contributors to the round included Stilla’s existing investors, such as Illumina Ventures, Kurma Partners and Idinvest Partners. Stilla also added the Chinese company TUS-Holdings to […] February 11, 2020 - 2 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
In Depth 11 Feb 2020 Why European Biotechs Should Look to China for Investment Traditionally European biotechs have looked to the US for additional investment, but changes in the law and significant economic success in the country in recent years means that new opportunities are opening up in China that are ripe for exploitation. China has a massive population and a correspondingly large patient group. Homegrown science is pretty […] February 11, 2020 - 8 minutesmins - By Helen Albert Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
News and Trends 10 Feb 2020 First-in-Class Drug For Inherited Metabolic Diseases Funded with €25M The Dutch startup Azafaros has raised €25M in Series A funding to push its drug for inherited lysosomal storage disorders into phase I. The round was led by the Dutch VC firm Forbion. Other investors participating in the round included the Swiss firm BioMedPartners and the Dutch company BioGeneration Ventures, which was Azafaros’ founding investor […] February 10, 2020 - 2 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
News and Trends 10 Feb 2020 Meiogenix, Bayer Team Up to Boost Genetic Diversity in Crop Breeding Bayer and the French biotech company Meiogenix will work together to advance the development of Meiogenix’s plant breeding and genome editing technologies with the hope of improving food crops for farmers. For many years, the only way to improve characteristics such as yield and nutritional value of crops was through selective breeding, which can be […] February 10, 2020 - 3 minutesmins - By External Contributor Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
Startup Scout 7 Feb 2020 Sigrid Therapeutics Prevents Type 2 Diabetes Using Silica Powder in the Gut In Stockholm, Sweden, Sigrid Therapeutics is developing an ingestible silica powder that can treat type 2 diabetes and obesity without being absorbed in the gut. Mission: To produce the first prophylactic silica-based treatment for type 2 diabetes that does not enter the bloodstream. Some people have higher blood sugar levels than normal, but not high […] February 7, 2020 - 3 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
News and Trends 7 Feb 2020 EU Project Set up to Fight Alzheimer’s Disease with Lasers A project has launched with a €3.6M grant to treat neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease by making brain cells controllable with red light. There are currently no treatments approved that can slow the progression of neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease. Treatments approved to alleviate the symptoms only help a small […] February 7, 2020 - 3 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
News and Trends 6 Feb 2020 Lunaphore Raises €21.5M to Develop Automated Cancer Research Tools Swiss company Lunaphore Technologies has raised €21.5M (CHF 23M) in Series C funding to expand the automation of cancer research and tissue diagnostics in Europe and the US. The oversubscribed funding round was completed in mid-January and was led by Japan-based PHC Holdings Corporation, with further contributions from existing investors including Redalpine Venture Partners, OCCIDENT […] February 6, 2020 - 2 minutesmins - By External Contributor Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
News and Trends 6 Feb 2020 Camena Bioscience Hits DNA Synthesis Milestone Camena Bioscience has achieved a significant DNA synthesis milestone by reproducing the DNA sequence of a whole plasmid, which could be used in synthetic biology applications such as protein production and bacterial engineering. DNA synthesis is a field that, until recently, had not been a focus for companies developing innovative technologies, with greater importance being […] February 6, 2020 - 3 minutesmins - By External Contributor Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
Expert Advice 6 Feb 2020 Why a Big Pharma Background Can Give Biotech Leaders an Edge Many biotech founders come straight from academia and may struggle with the new skill set that is required to run a company. Rob de Ree, CEO of Dutch biotech NorthSea Therapeutics, has a background in big pharma and medtech and believes his earlier experience was instrumental to his success as a biotech leader. After spending […] February 6, 2020 - 11 minutesmins - By Helen Albert Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
News and Trends 6 Feb 2020 Valbiotis Teams up with Nestlé to Reduce Type 2 Diabetes Risk In a deal worth up to €67M, industry giant Nestlé Health Science will have the global rights to commercialize Valbiotis’ food supplement for lowering the rate of type 2 diabetes in people at high risk of developing the condition. Under the terms of the deal, the French biotech will receive an upfront payment of €4.7M […] February 6, 2020 - 2 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
News and Trends 5 Feb 2020 MaaT Pharma’s Microbiome Cancer Treatment Given €18M Boost French company MaaT Pharma has raised €18M in Series B financing that will support phase Ib and II trials of its biotherapeutic drug, which aims to restore the microbiome and improve outcomes in patients with various types of blood cancer and solid tumors. The financing round included French microbiome-focused investor Symbiosis, as well as support […] February 5, 2020 - 3 minutesmins - By External Contributor Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email