Hepatocyte growth factor activator, a serine protease that activates hepatocyte growth factor.123rf.com/Iculig

AgomAb Therapeutics bags €21m Series A financing

AgomAb Therapeutics, a company resulting from a collaboration of argenx SE and growth factor experts from the University of Turin, has completed a €21m Series A financing.
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European Biotechnology Guide in its ninth edition

The 9th edition of the European Biotechnology Science & Industry Guide once more offers an interesting cross-section of the European biotech scene.

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Model of inflammasome function: Stress signals trigger a conformal change in NRLP3 sensor proteins that activate their oligomerisation domain (NACHT). Oligomerisation leads to a wheel-shaped signalling hub with LRR domains outside of the wheel and PYD domains forming a disk at the centre. The PYD domains recruit the inflammasome adaptor ASC. ASC binds to the PYD ring. Recruited ASC molecules polymerise and form long helical filaments. The caspase recruitment domain (CARD) of ASC then recruits an inactive caspase-1 precursor, and cleaves it to generate the fully active protease. Caspase-1 then cleaves the precursor molecules pro-IL18 and pro-IL1b to generate the mature secreted proinflammatory cytokines. Caspase also cleaves pro-gasdermin D, generating N-terminal fragments, which assemble to form gasdermin D pores in the plasma membrane. The pores allow cytokine secretion, and water entering the cell leads to cytolysis. Released alarmins and inflammasome cytokines attract phagocytes to the site, which advance the inflammatory response. © BIOCOM AG

Novartis acquires inflammasome blocker company IFM Tre

Novartis has aquired all outstanding capital stock and paid US$310m upfront to Boston-based IFM Tre Inc., which commercialises three inflammasome blockers designed to treat chronic inflammatory diseases.

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Ergomed appoints Roy Ovel

 Ergomed plc, a company focused on providing specialised services to the pharmaceutical industry, today announces the appointment of Roy Ovel as Chief Commercial Officer with immediate effect.

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EMA recommends bluebird’s ?-thalassemia gene therapy

The European Medicines Agency has granted conditional approval for bluebird bio NV’s gene therapy Zynteglo (LentiGlobin BB305) to treat the rare disease transfusion-dependent ?-thalassemia at its first meeting in Amsterdam.

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No Games. Just Deals!

As resource-poor biotech start-ups are the drivers of innovation in the biotech sector, partnering with Big Pharma is essential to survive in a competitive environment. Yet, how to do most effectively? The most often held pharma partnering conference worldwide, euroPLX, provides a plausible answer.

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Artist's impression of blood cancer. © 123rf.com/Artem Oleshko

Selvita to spin out cancer business

Krakow-based Selvita S.A. has announced it will spin out its oncology unit this year resulting in two public companies, a CRO and a cancer therapeutics developer.

 

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Polyneuron Pharma raise CHF22.5m in Series A financing

The CHF22.5m Series A financing round of the Swiss specialist for autoimmune diseases was led by Sofinnova Partners and New Enterprise Associates together with contributions of existing investors.

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Genfit prices IPO at $135m

French liver disorder specialist Genfit SA has announced the pricing of its Nasdaq IPO of ADS and European private placement.

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Ectodomain shedding by shedases. © https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ectodomain_shedding_en.svg

Evotec partners with Mark Foundation for Cancer Research

Evotec AG and The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research have inked a R&D collaboration aimed at  developing novel immunooncological drugs

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