News and Trends 11 Sep 2017 UPDATE: AstraZeneca’s Checkpoint Inhibitor Could be a Lung Cancer Blockbuster UPDATE: 11/09/2017: AstraZeneca has presented impressive results at ESMO that show Imfinzi adding 11 months to patient survival, or decreasing the risk of progression by 48%, in Stage 3 NSCLC. This indication represents a sizable market segment — about half of lung cancer — and Imfinzi’s first-line position could make it a blockbuster. Original Publication: […] September 11, 2017 - 2 minutesmins - By Evelyn Warner Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
More News! 11 Sep 2017 Could a Protein in Yeast hold the Secret to Escaping Age-Related Diseases? Researchers in Basel, Switzerland have identified a protein in yeast that slows protein synthesis, prolonging their lifespan. Gcn4 is a transcription factor that regulates the expression around 10% of the yeast genome. Nutrient restriction and moderate stress extend lifespan and under these conditions, yeast expresses Gcn4 to regulate protein synthesis. The aim is now to find […] September 11, 2017 - 2 minutesmins - By Alex Dale Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
News and Trends 11 Sep 2017 Gecko Biomedical’s Bio-inspired Surgical Glue Gets EU Approval Gecko Biomedical has received CE Mark for Setalum, a light-activated biocompatible sealant, for its use in vascular reconstruction surgery. The Parisian company Gecko Biomedical has received today marketing approval in Europe for its first product; Setalum is a biocompatible polymer that can be activated on demand with light to give surgeons more control during open […] September 11, 2017 - 3 minutesmins - By Clara Rodríguez Fernández Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
Interview 11 Sep 2017 Meet the CEO of Europe’s Largest & Most Fiercely Independent Biotech Jan van de Winkel co-founded Genmab as CSO and then became CEO to develop the antibody company into a fully independent commercial enterprise. Here’s his strategy. Since its foundation in 1999, Genmab has become Europe’s largest biotech and a proud parent of a half billion-euro drug, daratumumab. Co-founding CSO Jan van de Winkel played a […] September 11, 2017 - 8 minutesmins - By Evelyn Warner Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
News and Trends 9 Sep 2017 The Music of the Microbiome Questions our Identity as Humans Slovenian artists Saša Spačal, Mirjan Švagelj and Anil Podgornik explore the meaning of human identity by letting their microbiome play music. Have you ever wondered what the microbes that live in and on you would tell you if you listened to them? A group of Slovenian artists decided to let their own microbes make music, building […] September 9, 2017 - 3 minutesmins - By Clara Rodríguez Fernández Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
News and Trends 8 Sep 2017 GSK wants in on Adaptimmune’s Adaptable T cell Cancer Treatment GSK has backed Adaptimmune in the development of their adaptable NY-ESO SPEAR T cell cancer therapy, causing an 11% jump in their premarket value. Adaptimmune has received support from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for the development of their NY-ESO SPEAR T cell, which will hopefully treat a range of different cancers. The British pharma giant will pay milestones of up to £48M (€52M) […] September 8, 2017 - 2 minutesmins - By Alex Dale Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
News and Trends 8 Sep 2017 Checkpoint Inhibitor from Regeneron and Sanofi gets Priority After Breakup The FDA has granted breakthrough therapy designation to Regeneron and Sanofi for cemiplimab, just a month after announcing they will part ways soon. Cemiplimab (REGN2810) has been granted breakthrough therapy designation by the FDA for the treatment of metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), considered the second deadliest skin cancer after melanoma. The antibody is a […] September 8, 2017 - 1 minutemin - By Clara Rodríguez Fernández Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
News and Trends 8 Sep 2017 Spanish Scientists Identify How Gene Activity in Bacteria is Controlled A group in Barcelona has identified DNA close to genes that influence gene activity, which could be used in disease treatment and industrial biotechnology. Sections of DNA, termed ‘control dials‘, regulate transcription, and the amount of gene product produced. Reported in Nature Communications, these findings could help to control dangerous genes during a bacterial infection […] September 8, 2017 - 2 minutesmins - By Alex Dale Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
News and Trends 7 Sep 2017 Spanish Biotech Receives €4.2 Million To Continue Development of Anti-Cancer Peptide Investment will allow Peptomyc to continue the development of their peptide cancer therapy with reduced side effects. Peptomyc gained €4.2M from a group of investors led by Alta Life Sciences at Series A of fundraising. Peptomyc is part of the growing biotech hub in Barcelona, Spain. A spin-out was formed following research carried out at […] September 7, 2017 - 2 minutesmins - By Alex Dale Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
News and Trends 7 Sep 2017 Scottish Oncology Biotech Aims for €96M IPO in the Nasdaq Nucana Biomed has filed for a Nasdaq IPO in which it expects to raise up to $115M (€96M) to support the progression of its oncology pipeline. Nucana Biomed, a biotech based in Edinburgh, specializes in using phosphoramidate chemistry to upgrade nucleoside analogs, a common form of chemotherapy drugs. With its pipeline reaching late stages of […] September 7, 2017 - 2 minutesmins - By Clara Rodríguez Fernández Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
News and Trends 7 Sep 2017 Verona Achieves Successful Results for Phase IIa Trial of Deadly Lung Disease Drug A study of Verona’s combination therapy for COPD observed a clinical improvement in lung function and faster onset-of-action. Verona filed for its US IPO and dosed the first patient in the trial in April, and it is now receiving initial results. This could explain a recent increase in their share price on the London Stock Exchange by […] September 7, 2017 - 2 minutesmins - By Alex Dale Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email
News and Trends 7 Sep 2017 Circassia Moves Away from a Failed Allergy Pipeline with Phase III Success Circassia has positive Phase III results from its respiratory pipeline, great news for the company after abandoning its allergy immunotherapies due to clinical failure. Circassia Pharmaceuticals, based in Oxford, has reported a Phase III success with Duaklir, a drug combination for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The trial was run by AstraZeneca, […] September 7, 2017 - 2 minutesmins - By Clara Rodríguez Fernández Share WhatsApp Twitter Linkedin Email