Entries by Thomas Gabrielczyk

App design for the cellular processor

Since the earliest attempts at genetic engineering, scientists have sought to influence cell behaviour and development through the introduction of foreign genetic material. Synthetic biologists are now taking the idea to a whole new plane with app-like DNA-based software programs that turn cells into diagnostic sensors, therapeutic entities or tissue generators.

Cullinan Oncology partners with MAB Discovery

Virtual oncology company Cullinan Oncology, LLC has selecteed monoclonal antibody provider MAB Discovery GmbH (Neuried)  to develop the first candidate of a target portfolio of 8-10 novel antibody therapeutics.

Locking malaria parasites into red blood cells

UK researchers headed by Michael Blackman have found out that a proteolytic cascade regulates release of merozoites of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum from host red blood cells. Inhibitition paves the way to block the parasite’s egress.

PharmaMar in licence deal with Seattle Genetics

Spanish specialist for sea-derived synthetic oncology drugs, PharmaMar SA, has inked a licence agreement with US antibody drug conjugate (ADC) company Seattle Genetics Inc. PharmaMar will provide fully-synthetic toxic payloads.

Plasmodium locked in

For decades, researchers have searched without success for a strategy to prevent malaria. Now, two teams of researchers present a solution that circumvents the problem of surface antigen hypervariability of Plasmodium. Their drug candidate blocks the pathogens’ release from blood cells, resulting in prevention of the life-threatening hot stages.

Roche to pay US$1.9bn for Flatiron Health

In a strategic acquisition, Roche has completed its capabilities to use Big data to build new business cases in digital diagnostics solutions and personalised healthcare. The pharma major agreed to pay US$1.9bn to take over the US specialist for digital electronic medical records, Flatiron Health Inc.