Research and development - Today Stories

Merck to support up to six additional research projects at the BioMed X Institute in Heidelberg within the next six years Call for application for a global crowdsourcing project, ‘Regulatory T Cell Dysfunction in Autoimmunity and Inflammaging’ Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced the extension of its ongoing collaboration with BioMed X, Heidelberg, Germany. Under the new agreement, Merck will start up to six additional research projects at the BioMed X Institute, building on ongoing research projects in the fields of oncology (DNA damage response and RNA splicing) and autoimmunity (intestinal epithelial barrier in autoimmune diseases). The next joint global crowdsourcing project will explore mechanisms of immune senescence and mitochondrial dysfunction in regu…

As part of the agreement, Biogen will leverage Envisagenics’ AI platform with the goal of better understanding Central Nervous System diseases Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) and Envisagenics today announced a new collaboration to advance ribonucleic acid (RNA) splicing research within central nervous system (CNS) diseases. As part of the collaboration, Biogen will leverage Envisagenics’ proprietary artificial intelligence (AI)-driven RNA splicing platform, SpliceCore®, to define and understand the regulation of different RNA isoforms in CNS cell types. Genetic information encoded in the human chromosome is converted into RNA molecules which is then used as the template to make proteins. RNA splicing is the process that trims out extra information embedded in the intermediate RNA molecules, a…

AberInnovation’s BioAccelerate has been incubating some of the most promising bioscience companies in Wales for three years now. Previous successes have included sugar industry disrupters ARCITEKBio and high-end mead producers Shire Meadery, both now resident at the AberInnovation Incubator building on the outskirts of Aberystwyth.   With the second phase of this year’s BioAccelerate now underway, let’s take a look at some of the brightest ideas coming out of the new hub for collaborative R&D and innovation in west Wales.   Amigrow   At the cutting edge of several emerging technologies, Amigrow aims to leverage artificial intelligence (AI), satellite imagery, Internet of Things (IoT) and crowdsourced data to transform the way food is grown worldwide.   Through effectively harnessing t…

Collaboration aims to identify novel AAV capsids with enhanced properties to facilitate the development of new gene therapies for CNS and neuromuscular disorders Capsigen’s screening technology is designed to produce dose optimized, fit for purpose vectors that may have applicability across Biogen’s gene therapy pipeline Capsigen to receive a $15 million upfront payment and is eligible to receive potential research, development and commercial milestone payments Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) and Capsigen Inc. announced today that they have entered into a strategic research collaboration to engineer novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids that have the potential to deliver transformative gene therapies that address the underlying genetic causes of various CNS and neuromuscular disorders. A…

Projects led by collaborating researchers from the two organizations will focus on autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions PARIS and Palo Alto, CA – May 6, 2021 – Sanofi has entered into a three-year research collaboration with Stanford University School of Medicine. Together, the two organizations and their scientists will work to advance the understanding of immunology and inflammation through open scientific exchange. Additionally, Sanofi will provide funding and scientific inputs into projects of mutual interest, crossing multiple therapeutic areas including autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions. “We look forward to working with some of the most innovative scientists in the human immunology community. Together we will explore groundbreaking concepts and obtain deepe…

Moderna, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRNA), a biotechnology company pioneering messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines, today announced an expansion of the Moderna Technology Center (MTC) in Norwood, MA including more than doubling of space to transform the facility from a production and lab space to an industrial technology center. This expansion includes increasing the Company’s production and lab space from approximately 300,000 square feet to approximately 650,000 square feet through renovation of existing space and acquisition of a 240,000 square foot building located on the same campus for expansion of its commercial and clinical activities. “Our manufacturing facility has been core to our long-term strategy and has enabled us to provide the scale and flexibility to support the development…

osteolabs GmbH today announces the formation of osteolabs UK Limited in Marlow near London. osteolabs UK is a Joint Venture between osteolabs GmbH as majority shareholder and Christopher Brain, an experienced Medtech business professional with a track record of well over 15 years with some leading IVD companies such as Abbott, Cepheid and Roche Diagnostics. Chris will assume the Managing Director/General Manager role for osteolabs UK Ltd. from May 1, 2021 onwards. osteolabs UK plans to work with clinical osteoporosis professionals across Great Britain in order to ensure easy and efficient access to the CE-marked OsteoTest for early detection of osteoporosis which was successfully introduced in Germany and other European countries in 2020. Osteoporosis represents a major disease burden in t…

Deal expands anti-infectives pipeline with addition of novel antifungal Phase 2 candidate, Fosmanogepix (APX001) Opportunity to advance Pfizer’s expertise and deep heritage in infectious disease Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) announced today that it has acquired Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held company dedicated to the development of therapies for debilitating and life-threatening diseases that affect people with compromised immune systems. Amplyx’s lead compound, Fosmanogepix (APX001), is a novel investigational asset under development for the treatment of invasive fungal infections. More than 1.5 million cases of invasive fungal infections occur worldwide each year, with mortality rates as high as 30-80% across infection typesi. Fosmanogepix has a novel mechanism of action with…

New distribution channel for effect pigments and additives for coatings, printings and plastics in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland Distribution for Surface Solutions industrial portfolio in the Nordics will be transfered to Bodo Möller Chemie Group Bodo Möller Chemie Group will start serving Merck customers as of May 1, 2021 Darmstadt, Germany, April 27, 2021 – Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced the transfer of the customer service for its Surface Solutions industrial business in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland to Bodo Möller Chemie Group. By combining the excellence of Merck products and distribution expertise for technical materials in the Nordics, the service level for customers in the coatings, printings and plastics industries…

Evgen (AIM: EVG), a clinical stage drug development company focused on the treatment of cancer, inflammation and acute respiratory distress syndrome, announces that Glen Clack, MD, FFPM will be joining the Company as Chief Medical Officer effective from 1 May 2021. Dr Clack has over 30 years' experience in oncology and translational medicine, and held various roles within AstraZeneca for almost 20 years. Dr Clack has specialised in early phase oncology clinical development with an emphasis on a number of important cancers and has a wealth of experience in conducting and managing clinical trials. He has successfully provided strategic and operational leadership from Phase I through to regulatory submissions and commercialisation. He has been a lead member of study, clinical development and…

Charnwood Molecular, a leading UK-based pre-clinical discovery CRO servicing the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology market, has unveiled plans for significant expansion in 2021. Charnwood Molecular continues to build upon its foundation in medicinal chemistry, scale-up chemistry and custom synthesis provision, evolving its business strategy to deliver increasingly high-tech and high-value research capabilities. In order to enable and enhance its ambitious expansion plans, Charnwood Molecular recently partnered with Synova, a leading and award-winning European private equity fund, who have made a significant investment into the business. The deal has provided the company with additional capital to support its future development and growth, including the introduction of additional senio…

Focused on enabling more selective approaches for certain extracorporeal blood purification (EBP) therapies Led by Baxter’s renowned research and development team in Hechingen, Germany Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX), a global leader in acute care, today announced it received a new research and development (R&D) grant from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). With the grant, Baxter will lead an initiative aiming to create a new technology platform enhancing the ability to target selective removal of pathogenic substances during certain extracorporeal (outside the body) blood purification (EBP) therapies. The grant provides €1.5 million in funding over three years to Baxter and its research partners through the BMBF’s “Biomaterials Platform: Mat2MedTe…

Rinri Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing a novel stem cell therapy to restore hearing, today announces that it has raised a total of £10 million from existing investors Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund (BIVF), UCB Ventures and BioCity alongside the UK Government Future Fund. The proceeds will support the development of the Company’s novel stem cell therapy to reverse sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Rinri’s underlying technology, based on innovative research into auditory stem cells led by Professor Marcelo Rivolta at the University of Sheffield from where the company was spun out, seeks to reverse SNHL through the repair of the damaged cytoarchitecture in the inner ear. SNHL happens when there is damage to the hair cells in the cochlear and/or the auditory nerve. There ar…

Half of All Patients With NSCLC Have Oncogene Mutations, Yet Many Patients Are Not Tested to Screen for Biomarkers Professional Clinical Guidelines Recommend Broad Biomarker Testing for Actionable and Emerging Biomarkers, Including KRAS Biomarker Assist™ May Provide Eligible Patients Savings on Biomarker Testing Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) today announced the launch of Biomarker Assist™, a program to help more patients with metastatic (stage IV) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) gain access to biomarker testing. Biomarker testing at the time of diagnosis is a critical first step in getting patients on the right treatment. Through Biomarker Assist™, eligible patients may save on biomarker testing. Professional clinical guidelines, including the College of American Pathologists (CAP), the Inter…

Agreement builds on successful preclinical studies in gastrointestinal cancers through the joint Virtual Research and Development Center (VRDC)  The continued collaboration will explore lung cancer targeting KRAS and TRAILR2 molecules from Boehringer Ingelheim’s growing portfolio of cancer treatments and builds on its commitment to delivering first-in-class treatment options to people living with cancer Ingelheim, Germany and HOUSTON - 14 April 2021 – Boehringer Ingelheim and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center today announced the extension and expansion of their joint Virtual Research and Development Center (VRDC) to explore new molecules from Boehringer Ingelheim’s KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma) and TRAILR2 (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2) portfolios for the…

Global contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), Sterling Pharma Solutions, has announced the acquisition of ADC Biotechnology (ADC Bio), a UK based bioconjugation development services business specialising in antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). This follows an announcement by Sterling in December of a strategic investment into the ADC Bio business, with a view to acquisition in 2021. The Deeside, Wales, UK facility will rebrand to become part of the Sterling Pharma Solutions international network.  Together the teams will establish a centre of excellence for bioconjugation and ADC development and manufacturing services, which combine Sterling’s 50 years of experience in cGMP manufacturing, quality processes and compliance, with the expertise of the ADC Bio team and the stat…

New crowdsourcing project to examine the ‘Advanced Biomarker Detection for Pharmacological Monitoring in the Brain’ Talented young scientists from the world’s top universities and research institutions are invited to submit innovative project proposals and apply for a research fellowship at the BioMed X Institute in Heidelberg. BioMed X and Boehringer Ingelheim started their partnership in 2014 and since then have initiated four preclinical research projects in the fields of respiratory diseases, neuroscience, and immunology. Heidelberg, 29.03.2021. German independent research institute BioMed X announces its new global call with Boehringer Ingelheim, which will strive to identify creative ideas for improved in vivo PK/PD sensor platforms supporting the continuous, real-time measurement…

PrecisionLife today announces that it has acquired its long-term Danish technology development partner GenoKey ApS, bringing together the leaders in combinatorial analytics and large-scale genomic analysis, and enabling PrecisionLife to continue its expansion as an AI-enabled precision medicine company. Financial details of the paper-based transaction were not disclosed. PrecisionLife’s platform, which includes technology developed with GenoKey, enables the company to gain unique insights into genes associated with disease, as biomarkers and as targets for drug discovery. PrecisionLife’s business model maximizes the impact of its platform by partnering with others as well as building a pipeline of proprietary assets in chronic diseases. In addition to its expertise and IP, PrecisionLife wi…

Basel, Switzerland/London, UK, 22nd March 2021 – Celonic Group, a Swiss-German contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), and University College London, UK, are excited to announce their partnership for the production of therapeutic protein candidates using Celonic’s CHOvolution® cell expression platform. The goal is to establish stable high-performance cell lines for the expression of recombinant human proteins and variants for planned proof of concept clinical trials.  This partnership allows UCL access to Celonic’s CHOvolution®, an industry-leading cell line development platform.  CHOvolution® is based on CHO-K1 host cell line and is suitable for a broad range of applications – from non-GMP R&D testing to GMP development and commercial market supply. Professor Howar…

Each year, we commemorate World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on March 24 to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic. The date marks the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB, which opened the way towards diagnosing and curing this disease. About TB TB is one of the leading infectious killers worldwide. Every day, close to 4,000 people die from TB and nearly 30,000 people fall ill with this disease. It is caused by the bacillus Mycobacteria tuberculosis which is spread when people sick with TB expel bacteria into the air; for example, by coughing. TB typically affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. About a quarter…