September 2019- Volume 15, Issue 9
In this Issue
Business & Government Policy
CRISPR ownership fight gets complicated
CRISPR ownership fight gets complicated
Kevin Noonan discusses recent developments around researchers vying for ownership of aspects of the gene-editing technology directed to eukaryotic cells
On the cutting edge
On the cutting edge
A roundup of instrumentation, software and other tools and technology news
Illumina expands genomics accelerator to Cambridge
Illumina expands genomics accelerator to Cambridge
Company partners with leading European venture capital firms to build genomics startups
New DNA/RNA therapeutics company goes public
New DNA/RNA therapeutics company goes public
NeuBase Therapeutics closes merger transaction with Ohr Pharmaceutical
Feature
Guest Commentary: From Prop. 71 to CAR-T and beyond: Enabling another 15 years of patient-centric innovation
Guest Commentary: From Prop. 71 to CAR-T and beyond: Enabling another 15 years of patient-centric innovation
In 2004, California voters passed the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Act to create a foundation for regenerative medicine in the United States at a time when federal funding support declined. No one could have predicted the myriad scientific and medical innovations that have arisen since. This commentary takes a look back at what has happened in those 15 years, as well as to the future of the field
Neuroscience 2019 Show Preview: The newest in the neurological
Neuroscience 2019 Show Preview: The newest in the neurological
From neurodegenerative disorders to neurogenesis, Neuroscience 2019 showcases cutting-edge research
Commentary
Out of order: Check your ego
Out of order: Check your ego
Science can continue to humble even the best among us, even when something interesting and practical is discovered
Guest Commentary: How humanized machine learning is giving the life-sciences industry a shot in the arm
Guest Commentary: How humanized machine learning is giving the life-sciences industry a shot in the arm
Some thoughts on how the life-sciences sector as a whole can boost productivity, reduce the time to market and unlock the full value of data with AI and machine learning
Preclinical
Cancer model metadata
Cancer model metadata
Repositive makes cancer models publicly browsable
New breakthroughs for viral HIV vaccine
New breakthroughs for viral HIV vaccine
HIV-like ‘death star’ strain defeated with gene therapy-inspired approach
High hopes for HERA
High hopes for HERA
HERA-GITRL shows potent, specific targeting in cancer animal models
Adjusting alcohol-seeking behavior
Adjusting alcohol-seeking behavior
Aptinyx presents data demonstrating robust activity of NYX-783 in multiple models
Discovery
A break in the case
A break in the case
Two enzymes indicted in inflammation and tumor growth in non-small cell lung carcinomas
Insight for research
Insight for research
Company launches first automation-compatible 3D human liver disease platform for NASH drug discovery
Proteins and cancer
Proteins and cancer
Eisai enters into collaboration research agreement with University of Dundee
From the uterus to the spine
From the uterus to the spine
Amniotic fluid stem cells show promise in models of spina bifida
New hope for sepsis treatment
New hope for sepsis treatment
UCSD scientists explore the role of PHLPP1 and how its absence can boost survival in mice
Contract Services
The fruit of a long relationship
The fruit of a long relationship
Deal takes combined company one step closer toward expanding geographic footprint
Furthering formulations
Furthering formulations
MedPharm expands relationship with Novan on formulation science
European CMOs invest heavily in containment
European CMOs invest heavily in containment
Almost 70 percent of CMO high-containment facilities in Europe found in six nations
Clinical Trials
Taking aim at AML
Taking aim at AML
Chimerix secures license to AML candidate with unique mechanism of action
Genes may regulate immunotherapy
Genes may regulate immunotherapy
Ziopharm’s Controlled interleukin 12 seems to improve T cell recruitment with less toxicity than past IL-12 therapies
Heart healthy
Heart healthy
Combo drug manages cholesterol and CRP in study
Going up against Prader-Willi
Going up against Prader-Willi
Soleno provides update on ongoing DESTINY PWS Phase 3 trial
Weaving a Tapestri in oncology
Weaving a Tapestri in oncology
New alliance will use Mission Bio’s Tapestri Platform to investigate Onconova’s rigosertib
Diagnostics
TARDIS: A ‘game-changer’
TARDIS: A ‘game-changer’
Mayo and TGen join hands with Cambridge on test to improve, personalize breast cancer treatment
A new Alzheimer’s application for LymPro
A new Alzheimer’s application for LymPro
Todos Medical announces positive Alzheimer’s biomarker clinical data from LymPro Test
Revenue on the horizon
Revenue on the horizon
CytoDyn inks licensing agreement for PA-14 and PRO 140 for diagnostic use
Targeted RNA NGS for breast cancer
Targeted RNA NGS for breast cancer
Agendia announces publication of study validating use of MammaPrint and BluePrint
Research & Development
Three dimensions of the human genome
Three dimensions of the human genome
New algorithm could enable a closer, more accurate way to model genes
My stars and gar-ters
My stars and gar-ters
Genes responsible for regenerating fins in garfish are found to also be present in humans
Deepening diversity
Deepening diversity
NIH-funded research highlights the need for diversity in study populations
American BriVision teams up with BioLite Japan
American BriVision teams up with BioLite Japan
Collaboration combines early-stage discovery capabilities with clinical trial expertise
TARA’s heart-on-a-chip sees success
TARA’s heart-on-a-chip sees success
Heart-on-a-chip system mimics drug response seen in humans
Virtual R&D vs. cancer
Virtual R&D vs. cancer
Boehringer Ingelheim and MD Anderson form unique R&D center to rapidly advance new cancer treatments
Special Reports
Stem Cells Special Report: Hope over hype
Stem Cells Special Report: Hope over hype
Unveiling the true promise of stem cell therapy, not the empty promises
Editor's Focus
Editor’s Focus: Artificial and essential, but still just a tool
Editor’s Focus: Artificial and essential, but still just a tool
Artificial intelligence is an increasingly important component of the life sciences and pharma/biotech, but let's not lose sight of the fact that it should help, not be designed to lead
