July 2018- Volume 14, Issue 7
In this Issue
Business & Government Policy
Patent Docs: BIO International Convention Wrap-up
Patent Docs: BIO International Convention Wrap-up
Kevin Noonan gives us a quick recap of what went on at the meeting and what you might want to know about
On the cutting edge
On the cutting edge
A roundup of instrumentation, software and other tools and technology news
7 Hills launches with $2M SBIR grant
7 Hills launches with $2M SBIR grant
An additional $4 million in seed capital will help new company pursue novel cancer therapeutics
Strengthening its immuno-oncology portfolio
Strengthening its immuno-oncology portfolio
Apeiron signs licensing deal for new checkpoint inhibitor with the Medical University of Vienna and IMB
iPSC interest
iPSC interest
FCDI licenses technology from UC Irvine to develop iPSC-derived microglia for neurological disease models
Research & Development
Underuse of specimens concerns biobanks
Underuse of specimens concerns biobanks
Economic sustainability also challenges biobanks, even as outside researchers struggle to find the specimens they need
Bacterial DNA uptake has IU scientists hooked
Bacterial DNA uptake has IU scientists hooked
The first direct observation of the DNA uptake process could help advance efforts against drug-resistant bacteria
NETs of neutrophils
NETs of neutrophils
University of Bristol researcher investigates immune cell defense against microbes
Veterinary drug could curb malaria and Zika outbreaks
Veterinary drug could curb malaria and Zika outbreaks
Calibr researchers look at a class of drugs called isoxazolines with an eye toward human use
Cracking the code
Cracking the code
Scripps uncovers new transcription factor combos to reprogram skin cells into different neurons
Preclinical
Signal stopper
Signal stopper
Molecule blocks neuropathic pain without negative side effects
Do animal studies predict human safety?
Do animal studies predict human safety?
Study of FDA and EMA reports analyzes predictivity of animal-human relationship in relation to patient safety
MANF protein may ease TBI symptoms
MANF protein may ease TBI symptoms
MANF Therapeutics restarts IND-enabling work in light of new results
A unique mechanism of action for delivering IL-10
A unique mechanism of action for delivering IL-10
APVO210 holds promise in the treatment of autoimmune diseases
Clinical Trials
REVERSE-ing vision loss
REVERSE-ing vision loss
GenSight’s GS010 improves vision in Phase 3 trial of patients with rare genetic disease
Cannabis vs. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
Cannabis vs. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
Positive results published in NEJM for clinical trial of Epidiolex in LGS
The new migraine muffler(s)
The new migraine muffler(s)
Allergan’s oral CGRP receptor antagonist demonstrates robust efficacy and safety in episodic migraine prevention
New investment in treating superbugs
New investment in treating superbugs
Melinta Therapeutics seeks to move investigational pyrrolocytosine compounds into clinical stage
Discovery
Moss polysaccharide discovery likened to beta glucen
Moss polysaccharide discovery likened to beta glucen
Compound discovered in moss could have potential for health and medical uses
Infections under fire
Infections under fire
AiCuris, Max Planck Institute look to natural products for new weapons against viral, bacterial infections
A meeting of the minds
A meeting of the minds
Insilico and WuXi AppTec use AI in drug discovery
Capitalizing on connection
Capitalizing on connection
BioAscent and XenoGesis combine core capabilities
Sybodies on the scene
Sybodies on the scene
leadXpro and University of Zurich collaboration to generate membrane protein target-directed sybodies
Diagnostics
Ingestible ‘bacteria on a chip’
Ingestible ‘bacteria on a chip’
Ultra-low-power sensors carrying genetically engineered bacteria can diagnose GI disorders
The nose knows
The nose knows
Mount Sinai researchers use nasal brush test to diagnose asthma
Proper prediction in prostate cancer
Proper prediction in prostate cancer
New studies indicate a valid, predictive biomarker for mCRPC
The war against resistance advances
The war against resistance advances
U.K. and FIND team up to combat global threat of antimicrobial resistance
Contract Services
Creating open-tech standards for better trial collaboration and execution
Creating open-tech standards for better trial collaboration and execution
Advanced Clinical joins Align Clinical CRO, a group dedicated to making it easier for sponsors and CROs to work together on trials
Grant awarded for continuous modular manufacturing
Grant awarded for continuous modular manufacturing
Arcinova looks to be a leader in defining continuous manufacturing tech supporting new chemical entities development, scale up and manufacture
Commentary
Guest Commentary: Improving results after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Guest Commentary: Improving results after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
HSCT represents a revolution in the treatment of many maladies, but it is an incomplete revolution at present
Out of order: Right not to try?
Out of order: Right not to try?
Right-to-Try sounds good, and it may even be good in some ways, but we need to consider the implications for impacting therapeutic research negatively
Feature
Immuno-oncology roundup
Immuno-oncology roundup
A roundup of recent research and deal-making news in the field of immuno-oncology, as well as a bonus guest commentary from Novella Clinical
IO Summit 2018 Show Preview: Informing immuno-oncology
IO Summit 2018 Show Preview: Informing immuno-oncology
Be Boston-bound for erudition in the newest science, technology and techniques in cancer immunotherapy
Special focus on neuroscience: Neurodegenerative disease
Special focus on neuroscience: Neurodegenerative disease
We take a look at some of the latest research on neurodegeneration, beginning with Alzheimer's disease but covering Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis as well
Editor's Focus
Editor’s focus: Cancer should not be a ‘popularity contest’
Editor’s focus: Cancer should not be a ‘popularity contest’
What important areas of cancer research do we leave behind when we forge ahead so strongly with the most media-obsessed and most lovingly funded ones?
