The biotech bi-weekly: sequencing costs slashed again, biomolecular interactions measured by the thousands and a single-cell picking platform for lipid profiles validated
In this edition, the cost of sequencing takes another tumble and the analysis of biomolecular interactions got a whole lot bigger, while new products simplify vaccine development, analysis of healthcare data and production of single-cell lipid profiles.
Products
Cutting-edge solution for simultaneous multiplex analysis of biomolecular interactions
The biophysics company Depixus (Paris, France) has launched a new technology designed to analyze thousands of individual biomolecular interactions simultaneously and in real time. The technology, called MAGNA One, uses magnetic force spectroscopy to provide detailed data on a wide range of interactions between diverse and challenging targets including RNA, proteins, small molecules, DNA, antibodies and peptides.
The experimental setup and software allow repeated, non-destructive analysis of target molecules and binding partners to reveal the realities of biology, including heterogeneous and rare binding events.
Read the full release here >>>
The cost of sequencing the human genome halves again
PacBio (CA, USA) has released SPRQ, a new sequencing chemistry for its RevioTM long-read sequencing system. This new chemistry reduces the cost of producing a HiFi human genome to less than US$500 while also reducing the DNA sample input requirement to 500ng, a quarter of the previous sample requirement.
This development will expand the range of sample types available for sequencing with Revio as well as improve the technique’s output.
Read the full release here >>>
Remote, continuous monitoring of research mice for faster, more ethical pre-clinical research
The Jackson Laboratory (JAX; ME, USA), a non-profit biomedical research institute, has partnered with the animal housing solutions company Allentown (NJ, USA) to deliver a solution for the remote monitoring of research mice in cages. The technology combines JAX’s machine learning-powered software – Envision – that can capture digital measures of mouse behavior and physiology with Allentown’s DiscoveryTM IVC, which houses research mice and enables fine control of their environmental conditions.
Both institutions believe this system will deliver more precise and insightful preclinical studies while minimizing disturbances for the mice by improving their welfare conditions.
Read the full release here >>>
New tools for deep and secure analysis of healthcare data for pharmaceutical exploration
PumasAI (DE, USA), a software solutions provider for drug discovery, has released two new products to bring AI and biosimulation together with the goal of accelerating drug discovery.
The first of the products, DeepPumas, combines mechanistic and data-driven modeling to help establish relationships in various types of healthcare data, from biomarker outcomes to quantitative systems pharmacology data, and to fill in the gaps in smaller data sets.
The second, AskPumas, provides users with access to curated and up-to-date resources while ensuring data privacy, enabling researchers to thoroughly interrogate sensitive or private healthcare data without compromising its sensitivity.
Read the full release here >>>
Biotechs join forces to accelerate and simplify conjugate vaccine development
VALANX Biotech (Vienna, Austria), a biotech company specializing in site-specific protein conjugation, and conjugate vaccine developers Fina Biosolutions (MD, USA) have signed a joint IP and licensing agreement for a new ready-to-conjugate antigenic carrier protein for the development of conjugate vaccines.
Conjugate vaccines consist of polysaccharide antigens conjugated to protein carriers. The new product – ClickCRMTM – will enable the conjugation of antigens to the widely used carrier protein, CRM197.
Learn more about ClickCRM here >>>
This week, PCR diagnostics could get even quicker, lipid nanoparticles more customizable and lab data management simpler, while cell media and culture systems improve for the development and implementation of cell therapies, and AI solutions for antibody design and in silico cell modeling advance.
Publications and partnerships
Single-cell picking platform for the production of single-cell lipid profiles validated
Single-cell handling solutions company iotaSciences (Oxford, UK) has published the validation of its isoPick™ single-cell picking platform, which provides an automated microfluidic workflow for single-cell lipidomics. This validation represents the first report of a novel, accessible and high-throughput way to obtain single-cell lipid profiles.
Read the published paper here >>>
Biopharma company releases pricing of common stock to the public
Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company CalciMedica (CA, USA), which focuses on the development of novel calcium release-activated calcium channel inhibition therapies for acute and chronic inflammatory and immunologic illnesses, has released the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 2,720,000 shares of its common stock at a price of US$3.75 per share, which should raise the company a gross total of US$10,200,000.
Read the full release here >>>
New biotech site launched in Suzhou, China
Biosynth (Staad, Switzerland), a developer and supplier of raw materials and services for the biopharma industry, has announced the launch of its Biosynth Biological Technology site at Lifebay, a technology park in Suzhou, China, expanding its manufacturing and services capabilities.
Read the full release here >>>
Candidate pain medication pulled from development
A risk–benefit analysis of the results from a non-clinical toxicology study of the therapeutic candidate ODM-111 have led to the therapeutic candidate for acute and long-term pain being pulled from development by pharmaceutical company Orion Corporation (Espoo, Finland). The study found that the candidate was not suitable for long-term use, making its therapeutic window too small to be practical for further development.
Read more about the candidate medication here >>>
In this edition, discover a host of new solutions for next-generation sequencing (NGS), mass spectrometry, Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) and nucleic acid purification that could enhance your workflows; a new immunotherapy approach that uses biomaterials to ‘train’ the immune system; and a growing cancer research network based around an AI-optimized database.
People
Sustainable birch-bark-based materials producer lands beauty industry heavyweight as new CEO
Bio-based materials company Innomost (Kokkola, Finland), which provides sustainable alternatives to fossil-based materials, has appointed a new CEO. The company primarily uses birch bark waste to produce alternatives for materials used in cosmetics, beauty, adhesives, paints and surface coatings, among other industries. They achieve this using their patented production process technology.
Tiina Bensky comes with 20 years of experience in the beauty industry operating in senior business development, marketing and supply chain management positions at brands such as Clarins, L’Oréal and Lumene, and will help oversee the company’s next phase of growth.
Read the full release here >>>
New Chief Medical Officer for autoimmune and neurodegenerative disease focussed pharmaceutical company
Biopharmaceutical company PLL Therapeutics (Villenave-d’Ornon, France), which is developing a polypeptide delivery platform to treat autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases with a focus on restoring gut permeability, has appointed a new Chief Medical Officer.
Souad Kechairi has been brought on to direct the company’s medical and clinical strategy, oversee the implementation of its first clinical trial in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and coordinate external partners with a goal of optimizing the rollout of pre-marketing phases.
