Entries by Thomas Gabrielczyk

Roche reports 5 deaths after dosing of Hemlibra

Roche’s US arm Genentech has confirmed a total of 5 deaths in adult patients who were dosed with its 
to-be hemophilia blockbuster emicizumab (Hemlibra), a BITE antibody that mimics the effect of Factor VIII which lack patients with hemophilia A.

Ablynx’ SLE antibody vobarilizumab miss endpoint

Belgian nanobody maker Ablynx’ IL-6 receptor blocker vobarilizumab didn’t met the primary endpoint of  dose response at 24 weeks in a Phase II study enroling 312 patients with severe, active seropositive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Biotech for breaking down a sea of waste

While bio-based polymers have been a hot topic for some years now, it’s grown increasingly clear that where plastics end up is at least as important as how they’re made. Current recycling technologies are limited, bringing either low-quality recyclates or high processing costs. But enzymes now offer a glimmer of hope. Working with the common plastic PET, a French firm is trying to prove biotech approaches can close the loop in the material’s life cycle. They hope they’ll soon be able to recycle the plastic endlessly and affordably. 

Bioeconomy: Germany to lose pole position

The German Bioeconomy Council said policymakers would risk Germany’s leadership in bioeconomy if they don’t capitalise on new technology options resulting from the ongoing merger of digital and bio-technologies. 

Lundbeck acquiring Prexton in €905m deal

H. Lundbeck A/S has announced it will acquire Dutch Prexton Therapeutics B.V., a one-programme company developing the allosteric metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 (mGluR4) modulator foliglurax (PXT002331) in Parkinson’s Disease.

Stroke alarmin spurs further embolies

Researchers from Sweden, Switzerland, France, Italy, and Germany report that expression of a post-stroke factor boost arterial plaque formation. The identification of the new target might open up an avenue to prevent embolism and further complications in stroke patients.