Epigenetic changes in immune cells may provide the trigger of multiple sclerosis. Researchers have now identified MS-specific epigenetic biomarkers that change upon drug treatment.

The round was led by BioGeneration Ventures and Wellington Partners, with Fund+, Perceptive Advisors and existing investors Capricorn Venture Partners, MINTS, PMV, QBIC and V-Bio Ventures contributing.

US scientists have found that the complex interactions between fat tissue and the immune system are mediated by interleukin 33 (IL-33).

The European Lead Factory (ELF) – a drug discovery hub for validation new targets from academia and biotech SMEs – has again received project funding from the Innovative Medicine’s Initiative.

Transgène SA and AstraZeneca plc have entered into a collaboration and exclusive license option agreement on Transgène’s armed oncolytic immunotherapies.

Liver specialist Alentis Therapeutics AG has raised CHF12.5m in a Series A round co-led by BioMedPartners and BB Pureos Bioventures.

In its first meeting in Amsterdam, the CHMP of the European Medicines Agency recommended six new drugs, two orphan meds, and one biosimilar for EU market authorisation.

Researchers at AstraZeneca, Viela Bio, Gilead Sciences, Antidote Therapeutics Inc., and at SoseiHeptares report on a new small molecule compound  to treat RA.

The US Patent Office has granted the Charpentier/Doudna key CRISPR patent, which was previously involved in an interference proceeding.
 

As a first result of the trilogue on the €100m+ Horizon Europe programme, MEPs backed the backbone of the EU’s future research and innovation programme.