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Avalon GloboCare, a leading biotechnology company focusing on cell-based technology and therapeutics, is about to launch clinical trials of its novel blood filtration system to mitigate symptoms of a cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients and a mucosal intranasal spray vaccination against SARS-CoV-2.
With the world’s leading culture collection and reference genome database, and advanced bioinformatics and machine learning systems, UK-based Microbiotica can identify and isolate the full complement of gut bacteria linked to patient phenotype, attracting global interest and partnering deals from big pharma.
Symberix is integrating gut microbiome-targeted ‘symbiotic drugs’ and precision medicine strategies into small-molecule drug discovery, and is seeking corporate partners who are ready to transform pharmaceutical R&D and life cycle management.
Atlantic Healthcare plc is raising funds to advance clinical trials for new chemical entities: alicaforsen for inflammatory bowel disease, and renzapride for gut motility disorders in rare diseases.
Working in partnership with biopharmaceutical companies, InSphero is developing 3D human-cell-based platforms that better predict patient response to new drugs.
Hofseth BioCare is transforming marine raw materials into products to improve worldwide health conditions including treatments for gastrointestinal diseases, respiratory disorders and cardiovascular health.
Novome’s novel platform develops genetically engineered microbial medicines (GEMMs) for chronic disease, offering the potential to act as a delivery system for novel therapeutic functionality, including proteins and peptides, into the gut microenvironment.
Biosortia is building the world’s largest library of microbiome-derived compounds for therapeutic and other applications, by leveraging the company’s microbial harvesting platform to sample and mine aquatic microbiomes at unprecedented scales with sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches. Biosortia is seeking partners interested in accessing compounds and chemistries to develop biologically relevant small molecule leads.
Kancera, the Swedish company developing drugs to block hyperinflammation and protect function of vital organs, has commenced a phase 2 clinical trial of KAND567, a drug candidate which antagonizes the fractalkine receptor believed to trigger life-threatening inflammatory processes in COVID-19 and heart attack patients.
Swiss-based DiNAQOR has developed a revolutionary gene therapy platform which combines gene-vector-promoter constructs with loco-regional delivery to the heart for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. With its first AAV gene therapy program, DiNA-001, in development for the treatment of MYBPC3 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the company and its platform is attracting significant partnering interest.
By combining machine learning with multiple proteins and proprietary algorithms, Prevencio has developed a portfolio of HART tests that accurately diagnose cardiovascular diseases. Prevencio also offers custom diagnostic services.
NovaGo Therapeutics is developing a first-in-class fully human antibody therapy to treat diabetic retinopathy. With its novel disease-modifying mode of action, it could save the sight of the many patients who respond poorly to current treatments.
Equillium’s itolizumab downregulates T effector cell activity and trafficking to tissues. It is currently being tested against acute graft-vs-host disease (aGVHD), lupus nephritis, and uncontrolled asthma.
Viome has developed the world’s largest metatranscriptomic platform for analyzing human and microbial functions at the molecular level to discover novel mechanisms underlying chronic diseases, cancer, and aging. The company is seeking partners to develop diagnostics, companion diagnostics, and therapeutics based on targets identified using the Viome platform.
In our second monthly digest of ‘business of science’ articles from Springer Nature research journals, magazines and supplements, we delve into the history of cystic fibrosis research, celebrate two Nobel prize–winning CRISPR gene editing pioneers and examine big pharma’s interest in antibody–drug conjugates and exosomes.
In the first of a new monthly digest, we highlight recent ‘business of science’ articles from Springer Nature research journals, magazines and supplements. This digest looks at the latest drugs approved by the US FDA and a $1bn antibody development deal, peeps into the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, and offers advice to budding science entrepreneurs.
Last year saw an uptick in medtech mergers and acquisitions values, whereas financing declined. This year is bringing new opportunities and challenges for the field as it responds to the demands of the coronavirus.
