Researchers at Roche’s US arms Genentech and Foundation Medicine Inc. (FMI) presented a liquid biopsy test that can be used to identify NSCLC patients who respond to Roche’s PD-L1 blocker Tecentriq earlier than to FMI’s tissue based tumour mutation burden (TMB) assay.

German pharma company and CDMO Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) steps into the lucrative field of gene therapy. Together with the UK Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium (GTC), BI aims at developing replacement therapies compensating for mutations that lead to cystic fibrosis.

Cellectis, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing immunotherapies based on gene-edited allogeneic CAR T-cells (UCART), announced today the appointment of Dr. Stefan Scherer, M.D., Ph.D., to the role of Senior Vice President Clinical Development and Deputy Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Scherer joins Cellectis from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, where he was the Head of Early Development, Strategy and Innovation for U.S. Oncology.

An investor consortium led by British Arix Bioscience plc has put £13.4m into the Australian Pharmaxis Ltd, which develops fibrosis inhibitors based on its amine oxidase discovery platform.

As UK’s departure from the EU is fast approaching, stakeholders are preparing for the disruption a hard Brexit might cause. While EMA is scaling back activities, pharma companies are stockpiling meds.

Once confined to speculative and science fiction, miniature micro- or nanobots targeting pathogens or conditions directly have now become reality in research labs worldwide. But to enter clinical trials, scientists still have to overcome two major hurdles – visualising the tiny machines inside the body, and preventing a potential immune response.

Cell Medica, a company active in the development, manufacture and marketing of personalised cellular immunotherapeutics for the treatment of cancer, has appointed Chris Nowers as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director.

Antiviral drug discovery company ReViral announced the successful completion of a of a US$55m Series B financing. The funding will go toward clinical studies for its respiratory tract infection treatment.

The global market value of biodegradable plastics has passed the US$1.1bn mark in 2018, a report by IHS Markit says. More than half of the demand comes from Western Europe, driven by increasing regulation.

Pascal Schmidt appointed CFO as Vienna based biotech firm Marinomedas of August 1 2018.