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Sino Biological, Inc. announced today that it has launched a panel of research reagents for the newly identified Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which quickly raised concerns around the world because of the high number of mutations it carries, especially the 30-plus mutations on the Spike protein.

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Italian pharma company Recordati is putting €750m on the table to acquire UK-based specialty pharmaceutical company EUSA Pharma.

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ANTIGENS Seasonal flu is a common infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by influenza virus. There are four types of influenza virus, influenza type A, B, C, and D. The A and B types are of most interest to the medical community because they are the culprits for seasonal epidemics. Occasionally, influenza A, like the A/California/04/09 (H1N1) and A/Hong Kong/1/1968 (H3N2), can even cause global pandemics.

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Cancer immunotherapy exploits the body’s own immune system to fight against cancer. CAR-T cell therapy is one of the breakthrough approaches that involves re-engineering a patient’s own
T cells to recognize and eradicate cancer.

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The pharmaceutical industry has made significant advances in collaboration over the past two years, and I have seen many examples amongst Pistoia Alliance members of the power of cooperative working. It is imperative that the industry continues to build on these successes.

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Sanofi is strengthening its vaccine business by acquiring an Austrian company. The French pharma group is taking over skin disease specialist Origrimm Biotechnology.

Source: BIOCOM/Deutsche Börse

Early December, Deutsche Börse has started BIOTECH Insight, a new information service on the German biotech industry.

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US cell & gene therapy manufacturer Orgenesis Inc. announced that its joint venture with Theracell Advanced Biotechnology SA has received €32m in funding by Enterprise Greece.

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Building on a relentless commitment to customer service and innovation, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences debuts a powerful new interactive customer resource with the launch of its Digital Campus. The 3D platform provides greater access to the company’s resources regardless of physical location and allows users to control their experience including the chance to get up close and personal with products and experts.

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Despite a couple of notable ‘firsts’ for European public biotech financing, biotech’s COVID-19 bubble may be about to burst. Virus fears pushed both private and public investors toward biotech, but vaccination successes have changed the sentiment. Now, it seems there are simply too many biotech companies, especially in Europe.