Entries by Thomas Gabrielczyk

Big deal: Amphistar goes transatlantic

Belgian micriobial fermentation specialist AmphiStar NV has partnered with US plant-based ingredient heavyweight Kensing to market its biosurfactants in the US, using locally-produced feedstocks. Amphistar’s biosurfactants are an alternative to palm oil made surfactants that are 25% of the current US$20bn surfactant market.

Pharma industry calls EU pharma package counterproductive

Pharmaceutical associations have responded with sharp criticism to the adoption of the revised general pharmaceutical legislation by the EU Council of Ministers in the form of a directive and a regulation. They argue that the measures are not suitable for bringing Europe back to the forefront of pharmaceutical research and will make the EU an unattractive location for investment.

Super deal for BioNTech – BMS licenses potential blockbuster for €10bn

In the race to replace MSD’s mega blockbuster pembrolizumab with a more effective bispecific VEGF x PD-(L)1 antibody, German company BioNTech SE has struck a good deal. BioNTech is now developing its Phase III programme BNT327, acquired with the US$950m takeover of Chinese company Biotheus Co Ltd, with Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) in return for a payment of US$11.1bn.

Scotland’s bioeconomy gets scale-up boost

Scotland’s biotechnology sector is celebrating a major milestone with the launch of the nation’s first open-access 300-litre fermenter – a state-of-the-art piece of equipment that will support early-stage companies to develop bio-based products at scale.

Scientists uncover target to stop colitis-induced colorectal cancer

German researchers have identified a promising new target to stop the inflammatory response in ulcerative colitis—a breakthrough that could help prevent the progression to colorectal cancer. Phase II clinical trials of a corresponding monoclonal antibody, licensed by Roche, are expected to begin soon.

EU set to improve investment for biotech start-ups and scale-ups

The European Commission has promised to create a new public-private fund to bridge the ‘valley of death’ phase for technology companies facing expansion. In addition, the EU wants to reduce its lag in the number of technology unicorns compared to the United States and China with a start-up and scale-up strategy.

Reproducible nanopore sequencing to be commercialised from 2026

For nearly two decades, Roche AG has been searching for a next-generation sequencing method in personalised medicine to overcome the limitations of short read lengths in existing sequencing technologies. Following beta testing, the company plans to launch its new Sequencing by Expansion (SBX) technology commercially next year.