Diabeloop CEO Marc Julien has won the EIT Innovators Award.

Researchers at University Lyon have found a potential repurposing application of two market-approved rotavirus vaccines.

Swiss Polyphor AG and researchers from the University of Zurich have presented the mechanism of action of a new class of antibiotics.
 

In 2019, a new AMR accelerator kicked off under the aegis of the Innovative Medicines Initiative as a follow-up and evolutive next step to the former New Drugs for Bad Bugs programme. European Biotechnology spoke with Rob Stavenger, its coordinator at GlaxoSmithKline, about the goals of the €295m initiative, its cooperation with SMEs, and the relevance of push and pull incentives in the field.

SMEs active in antibiotic development are trying to adapt to the uncertain AMR business. Meanwhile, the European IMI AMR accelerator kicked off. 

Zealand Pharma A/S has acquired Encycle Therapeutics Inc, including a peptide therapeutics platform and library.
 

Antibiotic developers struggle with uncertain market conditions, weak reimbursement schemes and low turnover once a drug is approved. Experts are trying to figure out the best way to balance push and pull incentives. 

German researchers have found a novel way to induce iron-induced necrosis, a process which they want to turn against cancer.

Modern biotechnology creates next generation therapies and cures, delivers value to patients and the economy, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, and generates higher crop yields with fewer resources. These critical activities and advances thrive only in an environment where biotechnology is supported by policies that maintain incentives for future innovation including the form of intellectual property rights while, at the same time, providing fair and equitable consumer access to innovative products. On both fronts, biotechnology enterprises face unprecedented challenges that, if not addressed, will slow the innovation engine. The consequent negative effects will be felt by all nations. Today, the biotechnology industry faces enormous challenges caused by deep public concern about pricing and access to medicines. The consequent political and public pressure is leading to rapid fire and poorly considered legislation. This, in turn, will likely result in an erosion of incentives to innovate, as it impacts return on investment and access to capital.

iOmx Therapeutics AG has named Apollon Papadimitriou as Chief Executive Officer.