BioEcho develops single-spin and 96/384-well kits based on the patent pending single-step EchoLUTION nucleic acid extraction process. Highly superior to the commonly used silica-based solutions (bind-wash-elute), the isolated inhibitor-free RNA/DNA is detected with increased sensitivity. Furthermore, the whole procedure is up to 20-fold faster: Washing steps are not required, saving time, costs and plastic waste. Due to the expertise of its founders and employees, BioEcho also uses its know-how to support diagnostic or pharma companies with specialized scientific knowledge. Especially in times like these, BioEcho helps to accelerate accurate tests on certain RNA/DNA viruses such as SARS-CoV-2.

Clinical Trails – With the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020, the known conditions will change and pharmaceutical companies not prepared will face serious issues and uncertainties. No extension of the transition period has been requested, and according to a joint technical notice by the European Commission, EMA and HMA, no further prolongation beyond 2020 is possible. EU pharmaceutical law will no longer apply for the UK.

Vifor Pharma and Cara Therapeutics have signed a US license agreement for Korsuva to treat dialysis patients with pruritus.

Precision Oncology – High-Precision Radionuclide Therapy is a promising, new generation of targeted molecular therapy in which the smallest amounts of medical radioactivity find their way through the bloodstream specifically to the tumour cells for diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

High-quality cell culture inserts of the new brand cellQART® can now also be purchased directly from the German manufacturer SABEU.

Atriva Therapeutics has secured a €24m loan to push the development of its COVID-19 programme ATR-002, an antiviral, anti-inflammatory MEK inhibitor.

Topas Therapeutics GmbH will use the €22m proceeds from a Series B Financing to advance two pipeline candidates.

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating effect on global health and an unprecedented impact on the economy. As the world struggles with the challenges brought on by this pandemic, the threat of the next one is already looming in the form of AMR.

David Lawrence, Chief Financial Officer of French Valneva, will retire at the end of 2020.

Siemens Healthineers has launched its Clinitest Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Test in Europe, which can identify persons infected with SARS-CoV-2 in 15 minutes.