Phenotyping: The hidden mugshot in a culprit’s DNA

Police investigators today begin searches for perpetrators with conventional DNA profiling – comparing a genetic signature from sperm or hair left at a crime scene with a database of identified offenders. But that doesn’t finger culprits who have never been registered. A growing technology called ‘DNA phenotyping’ is now aimed at interpreting genomic clues about a suspect’s possible external appearance. The science behind it is new, and investigators have to navigate the statistical uncertainties – as well as ethical and legal questions – the technology is raising all over Europe.  
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Hansa Medical: Taking charge of medical affairs

Hansa Medical, Lund-based developer of novel immunomodulatory enzymes, has recruited Sam Agus as Chief Medical Officer. Agus joins from H. Lundbeck AS, where he was Chief Specialist, Medical Affairs Neurology. 
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Spain establishes world-class disease modeling facility

Spanish Economy Minister Luis de Guindos and EMBL Director-General Iain Mattaj have inked an agreement to host a world-class tissue imaging facility in Barcelona. The EMBL’s 6th site in Europe will start work in September. 

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Crescendo Biologics: Aid for late-stage development

Cambridge-based immuno-oncology developer Crescendo Biologics had named Philip Bland-Ward as its Chief Scientific Officer. He joins Crescendo from Kymab where he was responsible for leading its most advanced development programme.
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Roche’s alectinib superior to crizotinib

After having received market authorisation in Europe and the US for alectinib as second-line treatment for ALK-positive NSCLC, Roche presents data that qualifies the oral drug as first-line therapy.

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Nanobiotix completes €25m private placement

French cancer specialist Nanobiotix has closed a €25.1m placement of shares being issued to qualified and institutional investors in the US and Europe. The company will use to funds go push commercialisation of its lead candidate NBTXR3.

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Adaptimmune raises US$42m

As cancer immune therapy specialist Adaptimmune’s R&D pipeline has expanded from 9 to 11 candidates and R&D cost rose from US$40.5m to US$63.8m, the company needed more funds.  

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EFPIA: Engaging for pharma innovation

In April, Nathalie Moll has taken on her new job as Director General of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). Moll is also Secretary General of Europe’s largest biotech industry group EuropaBio. 

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Endomag: Going beyond the horizons

Cancer healthcare company Endomag, founded in 2007 as a spin-out from the University College London (UCL) and the University of Houston, has appointed Peter Keen as non-executive director. Keen will focus on supporting the company as it further extends its international reach.
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Menarini expands into CTC liquid biopsy

Menarini-Silicon Biosystems Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bologna-based Menarini Group, has completed the take-over of the Cellsearch Circulating Tumour Cell System from Janssen Diagnostics. 

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