Biotech bi-weekly: New bioink for light-based bioprinting, evolving software for drug discovery, mass photometry and multiomics data analysis
In the latest biotech industry news, Brazil and Belgium have joined together to advance RNA therapeutics, new software has been released for the management of mass photometry and multiomics data, while the launch of a new suite of AI tools could accelerate oncology drug discovery.
Products
New AI-based tools for oncology drug discovery released
Precision oncology company Orakl Oncology (Villejuif, France) has raised €11 million in seed funding to enable it to begin marketing its first two AI-powered products for oncology drug development, O-Predict and O-Validate.
O-Predict forecasts patient responses to new drug candidates, predicting the number of responders and progression-free survival, while evaluating the efficacy of new treatments against standard therapies, designing combinatorial treatments and identifying multimodal predictive biomarkers.
O-Validate provides biological evidence of causality, supporting target and biomarker validation and enabling data-based strategic decision-making across drug development stages.
Read the full release here >>>
New bioink for light-based bioprinting
BIO INX (East Flanders, Belgium), an innovator in materials for 3D bioprinting, has launched BIORES INX. This gelatin methacrylamide (GelMA)-based resin provides improved biocompatibility, meeting ISO 10993-5 standards, while offering simple processing and compatibility with digital light-processing bioprinting platforms.
The material is in a liquid state at room temperature, eliminating the need for heated containers and preventing water evaporation during printing. It is delivered as a sterile, ready-to-use kit, with a detailed application manual aligning with the company’s ‘plug & print’ principle.
Read the full release here >>>
Novel 3D-printed tumor model enables better treatment outcomes
Complex heterogeneous tumors can be better understood with the aid of a new 3-dimensional modeling method.
New software platform for the analysis of mass photometry data
Refeyn (Oxford, UK), a mass photometry technology company, has developed a custom software platform providing automated analysis of large mass photometry data, called StreamlineMP. The software suite offers specialist analysis modules, automating data processing through standardized workflows for key bioanalytical applications to deliver more consistent results in a shorter time.
New panel for the investigation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
OGT (Oxford, UK), global provider of clinical and diagnostic genomic solutions, has released its newly updated NGS SureSeq™ CLL + CNV V3 Panel for the detection and investigation of copy number variations (CNVs) associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The new panel includes an expanded list of targeted genes alongside increases in probe density, allowing for higher resolution and improved tumor content estimation.
Read the full release here >>>
New software for multiomics data analysis
Qlucore (Lund, Sweden) have released a new edition of their Omics Explorer with integrated DESeq2 statistics to enable faster analysis. Qlucore Omics Explorer (QOE) allows users to view and analyze data with tools and methods selected based on user needs and convert results into a presentable format.
“This latest version of QOE is estimated to be at least 15 times faster for DESeq2 calculations when compared to R, which helps researchers get fast and actionable results,” commented Carl-Johan Ivarsson, CEO of Qlucore.
Read the full release here >>>
New suite of antibodies and conjugates for variety of research applications
Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories (PA, USA), a manufacturer of secondary antibodies and immunoreagents, has released the AffiniPureTM Rabbit Anti-GFP (green fluorescent protein) antibody, an affinity-purified polyclonal antibody raised in rabbits for GFP-based applications.
The antibody’s polyclonal format provides signal amplification and is available conjugated to a range of reporter molecules, including Alexa Fluor® dyes. The antibody has been designed to expand the applicability of the Jackson’s products, from robust protein screening to super-resolution microscopy.
Infographic: Next-generation antibodies for therapeutic applications
This infographic reviews the structure, mechanisms, history and clinical performance of these next-generation antibodies, so you can compare, contrast and select the optimal approach for your drug discovery and development programs.
Publications and partnerships
Brazil and Belgium unite for the advancement of RNA therapeutics
The Brazilian Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) has signed a partnership deal with Belgian companies Quantoom Biosciences (Nivelles, Belgium) and Univercells (Charleroi, Belgium) during the recent the Belgian Economic Mission to Brazil.
The deal represents a commitment to advance the development of RNA-based vaccines and therapies and will utilize Quantoom Biosciences’ Ntensify® mRNA production system to enable “the production of important inputs for the Unified Health System (SUS), such as vaccines and RNA-based therapies,” in Brazil and to “…drive innovations in disease treatment, expand the reach of public health and strengthen the resilience of SUS, benefiting millions of people.”
Read the full release here >>>
Collaboration extends to further the discovery of high-affinity peptide ligands for precision therapeutics
Peptide discovery service provider Orbit Discovery (Oxford, UK) are collaborating with precision medicine centered radiopharmaceutical company Evergreen Theragnostics (NJ, USA) to utilize Orbit Discovery’s screening platform to identify and optimize peptide candidates for radiopharmaceutical delivery.
Read the full release here >>>
Antibody expression company takes on new lab management systems
Evitria (Weiningen, Switzerland), an antibody expression service provider, has adopted Sapio Sciences’ Electronic Lab Notebook and Report Builder to manage the sample tracking, data capture and reporting needs of its lab and to enable the creation of customized reports directly from the system.
Read the full release here >>>
People
CFO steps down
Patrik Tolf, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the genetic testing provider for the reproductive health sector – Vitrolife AB (Gothenberg, Sweden) – will be stepping down due to personal reasons. He will be temporarily replaced by acting CFO Helena Wennerström.
“We are very pleased that Helena Wennerström is taking on the role of acting CFO. She will bring deep competence and a wealth of experience to the Vitrolife Group. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Patrik for his contributions to the company over the past three years and wish him every success in the future,” remarked Bronwyn Brophy O’Connor, CEO of Vitrolife Group.
