The biotech bi-weekly: optimizing qPCR and spatial biology research, making cell cultivation more sustainable and ushering in a new era of drug discovery
What’s new in biotech? Over the last two weeks, products and partnership have been announced that are optimizing qPCR workflows, advancing spatial biology research and creating sustainable cell cultivation processes. Additionally, catch up on recent company news and funding outcomes.
Products
Thermo Fisher Scientific launches NanoDrop Ultra, combining spectrophotometry and fluorometry to optimize the qPCR workflow
Thermo Fisher Scientific (MA, USA) has introduced the Thermo Scientific™ NanoDrop™ Ultra Microvolume UV-Vis Spectrophotometer and Fluorometer to streamline modern genomic workflows in research and biomanufacturing. This versatile spectroscopy platform measures the absorbance and fluorescence of DNA and RNA samples on one instrument requiring as little as 1–2 microliters of sample, helping labs extend the power of their equipment.
Read more about the product here >>>
Bio-Techne expands menu of RNAscope probes for human and mouse transcriptome to advance spatial biology
Bio-Techne (MN, USA), a global leader in life science tools and reagents, announced the launch of an expanded menu of human and mouse RNAscope™ in situ hybridization probes to advance spatial biology research and the development of next-generation therapeutics and diagnostics. Designed to deliver spatial precision with industry-leading sensitivity and specificity, the Advanced Cell Diagnostics (ACD)-branded RNAscope probe portfolio now includes over 70,000 unique probes across over 450 species.
Read the full release here >>>
Alamar Biosciences launches certified service provider program to expand access to NULISA technology for academic and biopharmaceutical researchers
Alamar Biosciences (CA, USA), a company powering precision proteomics to enable the earliest detection of disease, is proud to announce the launch of its Certified Service Provider (CSP) Program, designed to expand access to its cutting-edge NULISA™ assays in academia and biopharmaceutical research.
The newly established CSP Program provides researchers with a scalable, cost-effective way to access Alamar’s NULISA technology, enabling high-sensitivity, highly multiplexed protein quantification for a wide range of applications. By partnering with expert service providers, Alamar aims to empower scientists with greater flexibility and access to world-class analytical services.
Read the full release here >>>
Recreating the tumor microenvironment with 3D bioprinting technology
Cancer models retaining original tumor characteristics can be developed through 3D bioprinting, allowing for rapid evaluation of drug responses.
Partnerships
Working together for a sustainable future: Bürkert Fluid Control Systems and Green Elephant Biotech
As part of a strategic partnership, Bürkert Fluid Control Systems (Ingelfingen, Germany) has taken a stake in the Giessen-based start-up Green Elephant Biotech (Germany). Together with Bürkert, the start-up aims to make cell cultivation processes in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries more efficient, flexible and sustainable so that, for example, life-saving therapeutics can be produced more cost effectively.
Read the full release here >>>
MGI Tech partners with Oncoclínicas&Co to contribute to genomic innovation in oncological health
MGI (Shenzhen, China), a company committed to building core tools and technologies that drive innovation in life science, established a partnership with Oncoclínicas&Co (Brazil), through OC Medicina de Precisão, which comprises genomics, pathology and big data laboratories. The partnership will expand access to cutting-edge genomic tests and strengthen diagnostic capabilities in the field of oncology in Brazil.
Read the full release here >>>
Illumina and Broad Clinical Labs usher in new era of drug discovery with collaboration to rapidly scale single-cell solutions
Illumina, Inc. (CA, USA), a global leader in next-generation sequencing and array-based technologies, recently announced a collaboration with Broad Clinical Labs (MA, USA) to rapidly streamline and scale single-cell projects with cutting-edge tools and workflows. Together, the longstanding partners will set the standard for scalable single-cell research and accelerate the development of a 5 billion cell atlas within the next 3 years.
Read the full release here >>>
Addressing a pain point in pain research
In this interview, Tony Oosterveen – Principal Scientist at bit.bio – discusses how he and colleagues used opti-ox to generate nociceptor sensory neurons that respond efficiently to stimuli, providing a potential pain model that could help develop more effective drugs for pain.
People and publications
Kineticos launches Kinvard Bio to advance next-generation antibiotics in the fight against antimicrobial resistance
Kineticos Life Sciences (NC, USA) announced the launch of Kinvard Bio, Inc., a newly established anti-infectives biotech company based on groundbreaking research that has been exclusively licensed from the Myers Lab in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University (MA, USA) and funded by the Kineticos AMR Accelerator Fund I (KAMRA I).
Read the full release here >>>
Atrandi Biosciences raises funding to revolutionize single-cell research
Atrandi Biosciences (Vilnius, Lithuania) just raised a US$25 million Series A led by Lux Capital (NY, USA), with participation from several other investment firms. This investment will fuel the company’s expansion into the United States, scale its groundbreaking semi-permeable capsule (SPC) technology and accelerate new product development to push the boundaries of single-cell research.
Read the full release here >>>
Iktos awarded EIC Accelerator Grant to deliver more efficient drug discovery
Iktos (Paris, France), an AI-driven and robotics drug discovery company, has been awarded a €2.5 million grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator (Brussels, Belgium), with the potential for an additional €5 million. This funding will support the development of its AI and robotics-powered drug discovery platform, integrating molecular design, automated synthesis and high-precision biological testing. The funding will enhance Iktos’ ability to fully automate the Design-Make-Test-Analyze (DMTA) loop, significantly accelerating drug discovery timelines.
