Dreams of simple, reliable and scalable processes for the much-hyped cell therapy market have generated demand for cost-effective, GMP-compliant manufacturing methods. The drug-screening market is also hungry for material that will allow the establishment of human cell disease models. A growing number of companies are now trying to coax induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into specific cells needed for clinical trials. Others are seeking the same goal through direct transdifferentiation protocols. What method will prove superior?
New stromal target overcomes cancer resistance
Latest NewsBritish researchers have identified several small molecule drugs that sensitized B cell cancers to chemotherapy and extended survival in mouse models.
Astellas and Adaptimmune team up in CAR-T development
Latest NewsAdaptimmune Therapeutics plc and Japanese Astellas Pharma, Inc. have signed a discovery partnership to develop off-the-shelf allogeneic T cell-based cancer therapies from stem cells.
Illumina embraces Roche
Latest NewsTwelve years after Roches $6.8bn hostile takeover bid for Illumina, the companies have entered into a 15-year partnership to boost personalised NGS-based cancer testing.
Incyte licenses Morphosys tafasitamab in US$2bn deal
Latest NewsIncyte Corp. has signed a global license agreement for commercialisation of Morphosys AGs anti-CD-19 programme tafasitamab.
Novadiscovery takes off with €5 Series A financing
Latest NewsIn silico clinical trials pioneer Novadiscovery SA has raised €5m in a series A financing led by Swiss Debiopharm Innovation Fund.
Playing God with the fates of cells
BackgroundDreams of simple, reliable and scalable processes for the much-hyped cell therapy market have generated demand for cost-effective, GMP-compliant manufacturing methods. The drug-screening market is also hungry for material that will allow the establishment of human cell disease models. A growing number of companies are now trying to coax induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into specific cells needed for clinical trials. Others are seeking the same goal through direct transdifferentiation protocols. What method will prove superior?
Alderaan Biotechnology raise €18.5m in Series A financing
Latest NewsFollowing a €1.5m seed financing in 2017, cancer specialist Alderaan Biotechnology SAS has raised €18.5m in a Series A round led by Advent France Biotechnology and Medicxi.
North Sea Therapeutics raises US$40m in Series B
Latest NewsNorthSea Therapeutics BV has raised US$40m to provide proof-of-concept of its NASH drug icosabutate.
Merck and 4SC collaborate in immunooncology
Latest News4SC AG and Merck KgaA have signed a supply agreement to start clinical tests of Mercks checkpoint blocker avelumab plus 4SCs HDAC I blocker domatinostat.
The biotech boost – when, if not now?
BackgroundDespite the threat of a looming climate catastrophe, low oil prices and giant industrial conglomerates addicted to fossil resources continue to stifle industrial biotechnology products and innovation. The European Biotechnology Network is now providing a foot up for companies that want to help themselves by launching three very different projects aimed at pushing the bioeconomy forward.