Today Stories

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…

CHICAGO and ABBOTT PARK, Ill., May 12, 2021 – United and Abbott today announced a first-of-its-kind collaboration to use Abbott’s BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Home Test and Abbott’s NAVICA app to help make the international travel experience more seamless. Recently updated CDC guidelines permit travelers to self-administer a rapid antigen test under the real-time supervision of a telehealth service and use the verified negative test result to board an international flight to the U.S. if they test negative. “We appreciate the private sector proactively helping travelers have access to easy, reliable COVID-19 test options,” said CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH. “Comprehensive testing that is easy, rapid, accurate and trusted is a fundamental strategy for preventing the spread of COVID-19.” …

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…

Lupus is a global health problem that affects people of all nationalities, races, ethnicities, genders, and ages. Lupus can affect any part of the body in any way at any time, often with unpredictable and life-changing results. Important Facts to Know about Lupus: It is a serious and potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease. It can damage any organ or tissue from the skin or joints to the heart or kidneys. It develops in response to factors both inside and outside of the body; however, the exact cause of Lupus is unknown. Symptoms of Lupus come and go and change over time which makes it difficult to diagnose. Common symptoms include joint pain, skin rashes, overwhelming fatigue, and fevers that last for days or weeks. Lupus is not contagious. Whilst there isn’t a cure for Lupus, it…

- A new, first-of-its-kind study known as TAP-CHF leverages expertise across Abbott's cardiovascular portfolio to optimize treatment for patients suffering from both AFib and heart failure - The trial will utilize Abbott technology including cardiac ablation and sensors to monitor for both pulmonary artery pressure and abnormal heartbeats - Historically, treating patients with both AFib and heart failure has been challenging, with few effective treatments or options to adequately manage both conditions simultaneously Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced a new trial focused on improving the treatment for people simultaneously battling both atrial fibrillation (AFib) and heart failure. The first-of-its-kind trial aims to provide new insights into more effective treatment for patients with AFib…

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…

PREVENT-19 clinical trial expanded to assess the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of NVX-CoV2373 for the prevention of COVID-19 in up to 3,000 12-17-year-old adolescents President of Research and Development, Gregory Glenn, M.D., to provide update regarding the additional trial arm during World Vaccine Congress Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a biotechnology company developing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, today announced that it has initiated a pediatric expansion of its Phase 3 clinical trial for NVX-CoV2373, the company's recombinant protein vaccine candidate against COVID-19. The additional arm of the ongoing PREVENT-19 pivotal trial will evaluate the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of NVX-CoV2373 in up to 3,000 adolescents aged 12-17 across up to 75…

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…

Australia has the highest age-standardized incidence rate for all cancers in the world and one of the countries with substantial cancer screening programs. Against this backdrop, several pharma companies are conducting clinical trials related to cancer drugs in the country. Among these, Roche continues to be a key player with the highest number of clinical trials in oncology indications, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.   Ms. Sasmitha Sahu, Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Despite high incidence rates, mortality rate is low in Australia due to early and extensive screening. Owing to the government’s greater focus on managing cancer, patients can gain access to good diagnostic facilities, healthcare and novel cancer therapies. Participation in clinical trials e…

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…

Every year, on the 24th April, Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMo) joins people worldwide to raise awareness of meningitis, a disease that can tragically take a life in under 24 hours. This year, we’re asking you to join us in our biggest campaign yet. The WHO has approved a Global Roadmap to Defeat Meningitis by 2030, a landmark achievement that recognises the struggles of millions of people affected by meningitis. Despite this landmark achievement, serious challenges remain. When someone has meningitis, it is important to act fast. Unfortunately, not many people know about the disease and the symptoms can be easily confused with other diseases like the flu, malaria and even COVID-19. A delay in diagnosis and treatments claims lives and leaves many others with serious, life-l…

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…

Leeds, UK, April 19, 2021 – 4D pharma plc (AIM: DDDD; NASDAQ: LBPS), a pharmaceutical company leading the development of Live Biotherapeutic products (LBPs) - a novel class of drug derived from the microbiome, today announces a collaboration with Parkinson’s UK, a non-profit organization focused on advancing the understanding of Parkinson’s disease and improving treatments, to establish a Patient Advisory Board. The Patient Advisory Board (PAB) will be comprised of people living with Parkinson’s. Supported by Parkinson’s UK, the PAB will provide valuable patient-centric perspective to 4D pharma as it continues to advance novel Live Biotherapeutics into the clinic to treat neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s. The PAB will also focus on raising awareness of the issues people wit…