90% of all preclinical drug candidates fail to make the grade. Now novel methods that employ miniaturised organs could help overcome this healthcare hurdle. Researchers and CROs are testing a range of models – whether grown from stem cells or spit out by 3D bioprinters – to identify toxicities, simulate cancer development and identify responders to expensive therapies. The field of 3D microtissue-based screening is just a decade old, but it clearly is soon going to play a key role when it comes to improving productivity in drug development.
Octimet bags €11m for development of cancer drugs
Latest NewsBelgian start-up company Octimet Oncology NV has secured €11.3m in a series A financing round. The funds will be used to develop two MET kinase blockers to treat solid tumours.
Joint-venture Fibrocor tackles fibrosis
Latest NewsDrug screening expert Evotec AG and Ontario-based MaRS Innovation have launched the joint venture company Fibrocor Therapeutics LP to tackle fibrosis, an unmet medical need and multi-billion US dollars market.
Ixico: Taking over from the founder
AppointmentsNew technology speeds up mapping of DNA-protein interaction
Latest NewsScientists at EPFL have developed a technique that can be a game-changer for genetics by making the characterisation of DNA-binding proteins much faster, more accurate, and efficient.
Telix licenses Wilex’ girentuximab programme
Latest NewsGerman Wilex has licensed its clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) antibody Redectane to Australian biopharma company Telix Pharmaceuticals. Redectane is a radiolabeled version of Wilex’ Phase III therapeutic antibody girentuximab.
Bioprinting: Screening drugs in multiple dimensions
Background90% of all preclinical drug candidates fail to make the grade. Now novel methods that employ miniaturised organs could help overcome this healthcare hurdle. Researchers and CROs are testing a range of models – whether grown from stem cells or spit out by 3D bioprinters – to identify toxicities, simulate cancer development and identify responders to expensive therapies. The field of 3D microtissue-based screening is just a decade old, but it clearly is soon going to play a key role when it comes to improving productivity in drug development.
Mithra Pharmaceuticals: Master of finance
AppointmentsEU neonicotinoid ban causes environmental damage
Latest NewsSevere economic and environmental damage: A study commissioned by EU industry association Euroseeds says that the ban of a certain class of insecticides to protect bees causes a lot of ecologic and economic burden.
Curevac reports another failed cancer vaccine
Latest NewsFor thirty years, industry has worked hard to establish vaccines that can cure cancer. At the 35th JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, German Curevac reported another failure. It remains open whether cancer vaccines or co-administration of other drug classes to immune checkpoint modulators can break solid tumour’s immune tolerance tactics.
Therachon: Pipeline builder
AppointmentsSwiss rare genetic diseases company Therachon AG has named Luca Santarelli Chief Executive Officer and Director. Santarelli brings widespred experience from his role as Venture Partner at Versant Ventures, founding investor of Therachon.