Entries by Thomas Gabrielczyk

Phenotyping: The hidden mugshot in a culprit’s DNA

Police investigators today begin searches for perpetrators with conventional DNA profiling – comparing a genetic signature from sperm or hair left at a crime scene with a database of identified offenders. But that doesn’t finger culprits who have never been registered. A growing technology called ‘DNA phenotyping’ is now aimed at interpreting genomic clues about a suspect’s possible external appearance. The science behind it is new, and investigators have to navigate the statistical uncertainties – as well as ethical and legal questions – the technology is raising all over Europe.  

Roche’s alectinib superior to crizotinib

After having received market authorisation in Europe and the US for alectinib as second-line treatment for ALK-positive NSCLC, Roche presents data that qualifies the oral drug as first-line therapy.

Nanobiotix completes €25m private placement

French cancer specialist Nanobiotix has closed a €25.1m placement of shares being issued to qualified and institutional investors in the US and Europe. The company will use to funds go push commercialisation of its lead candidate NBTXR3.

Adaptimmune raises US$42m

As cancer immune therapy specialist Adaptimmune’s R&D pipeline has expanded from 9 to 11 candidates and R&D cost rose from US$40.5m to US$63.8m, the company needed more funds.  

Menarini expands into CTC liquid biopsy

Menarini-Silicon Biosystems Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bologna-based Menarini Group, has completed the take-over of the Cellsearch Circulating Tumour Cell System from Janssen Diagnostics. 

Janssen terminates daratumab development in NHL

Genmab A/S has announced that its CD38-targeting Phase II candidate daratumab did not reach the expected ORR in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients. Co-developer Janssen has decided to terminate development in three NHL subtypes.