Although the Swiss biotech sector continues to grow and the annual Swiss Biotech Day is as sought-after as never before, panelists and attendees remain cautious with their predictions. A reoccurring theme at the event in Basel was the plea for change.
Researchers from Universities Nijmegen and Naples have presented a retinal AAV-based gene therapy delivery system that can express huge genetic elements by assembling protein fragments from several vectors.
Molecular diagnostics company Mobidiag has received an EIB loan to accelerate the development and commercialisation of its in vitro diagnostic solutions for infectious diseases.
Privately financed Italian antibody-cytokine fusion protein specialist Philogen SpA has secured €62m from private investors including the Neri and Dompé families to push registration of two wholly owned Phase III products.
Roche had a nose for success when the pharma giant ended the CHF500m deal with Polyphor in November 2015. Now, the antibiotics maker stopped a Phase III trial of its lead murepavadin (Pol7080).
Following the birth of genome-edited twins in China, the German Ethics Council has provided a complete ethical review about human germline intervention.
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).