BioSwift Talent

REGiMMUNE Corporation, Kiji merge to create Treg 'super company' ahead of IPO  💼📈 Taiwan’s REGiMMUNE and Europe-based Kiji Therapeutics are merging to create a global regulatory T-cell biotech, planning an IPO by mid-2025. REGiMMUNE's lead therapy, RGI-2001, activates Tregs and has shown promise in preventing graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) after stem cell transplants. Kiji is developing a multigene engineered stem cell therapy to enhance Treg anti-autoimmune function. The new entity will focus on advancing RGI-2001, gene-engineered mesenchymal stem cells for GvHD, and Kiji’s induced pluripotent stem cells for inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, and central nervous system disorders. It’s exciting to see REGiMMUNE and Kiji coming together to advance Treg therapies—this could really make a difference for patients dealing with autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases! Link in the comments for the full story. 🌐

Alzheimer's is terrible. It is so inspiring to see companies working on treatments that actually show signs of working 👏 Cognito Therapeutics, Inc.'s Spectris treatment has some amazing data from their latest study indicating that the treatment may reduce cognitive decline in people with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's. Significant progress! They received positive data from a 12-month study reported earlier this year. And this week, they released further results from an additional 6-month study. “The results highlight that preserving the structural integrity of the brain’s communication pathways could potentially slow cognitive decline and improve daily functioning,” - said Ralph Kern (CMO) This is very welcome news for all of those suffering or who know people suffering from Alzheimer's. I can't wait for the next announcement. Keep up the great work Christian Howell (CEO), Kim Kwan (CTO), Ralph Kern (CMO) & the rest of the dedicated team 👏 Read more here:

New glucose-sensitive insulin NNC2215 could transform diabetes care by lowering hypoglycemia risk 💉 Researchers have developed NNC2215, a new glucose-sensitive insulin that adjusts its activity based on blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of hypoglycemia. Unlike conventional insulin, it lowers activity at low glucose levels and increases it at higher levels. Published in Nature, the study confirmed NNC2215’s safety and effectiveness in lab and animal models, offering similar benefits to standard insulin without the risk of overdosing. This breakthrough could simplify diabetes management by reducing the need for constant glucose monitoring. This breakthrough with NNC2215 sounds like a game-changer for diabetes care, making insulin therapy safer and more convenient for so many people! Link in the comments for the full story. 🌐

Novartis pays China's Baiyu $70M upfront, with $1.1B chaser, for small molecule cancer candidate 💰🎗️ Novartis is paying Chengdu Baiyu Pharmaceutical $70 million for global rights to a small molecule cancer candidate, with $1.1 billion in milestone payments. Baiyu, known for its work on Ginkgo biloba, has developed a pipeline targeting DNA-dependent protein kinases (DNA-PK) and PARP7 for solid tumors. Details about the specific target and development stage of the candidate remain unclear. Baiyu is also conducting early-phase trials for its DNA-PK candidate and a PARP7 inhibitor. It’s impressive to see Novartis investing heavily in Baiyu’s work; it really highlights the potential of combining traditional plant research with modern cancer therapies! Link in the comments for the full story. 🌐

Molecular chaperones as key players in tumor suppressor stability 🧬🔑 A review in Oncotarget discusses how molecular chaperones, like Hsp70 and Hsp90, stabilize tumor suppressor proteins. Disruption of this chaperoning process can lead to cancer, highlighting the importance of these chaperones in preventing tumorigenesis. It’s amazing to think that the stability of tumor suppressors, and ultimately cancer prevention, relies so much on these molecular chaperones! Link in the comments for the full story. 🌐

I spoke with a med device Ops Manager who was paid 40% more than average. When I asked how he managed that, he mentioned a few things, but one thing stood out. He mentioned the obvious thing: To stay above his targets as much as possible and consistently. He consistently ensured the operation was meeting its efficiency and time targets. The above was obvious, but one thing he said that was different to other high-performing candidates is: "If I have consistently high performance, I ask for pay raises consistently, too." Obviously, not every week, but on an annual basis, he has a conversation with his upper management, and because he was smashing his targets, they would do anything to keep him. To meet your targets is obviously easier said than done. The first step is to ensure you are in an environment where the targets are realistic. Then hustle to meet those targets. Then all is left to do is to ask CONSISTENTLY! Don't settle for what is offered, always push for what you are worth. I hope this gives hope to anyone who feels stuck in a salary rut!

Goodbye Wave: Takeda axes Huntington’s pact, freeing partner to pursue fresh pact 👋🌊 Takeda has ended its collaboration with Wave Life Sciences, withdrawing from the last remaining project after investing $260 million over six years. This decision leaves Wave with its Huntington’s disease program, WVE-003, which has attracted interest from other drug developers. In June, Wave reported promising phase 1b/2a data showing that 28 weeks of treatment with WVE-003 significantly reduced mutant huntingtin levels while preserving the healthy protein. Despite the setback, Wave remains optimistic, noting potential interest from new partners and exploring options for accelerated approval with regulators. It's tough to see a major partnership dissolve, but it sounds like Wave could be on the brink of some exciting new opportunities! Link in the comments for the full story. 🌐

Induced resistance as a path to sustainable food security 🌱 As the climate crisis changes growing conditions, protecting against famines is crucial. Our food system relies heavily on pesticides, but pests are evolving resistance, and pesticides harm biodiversity and contribute to carbon emissions. Induced resistance, which strengthens plants' immune systems to fight pests, offers a sustainable alternative. Similar to a plant "vaccination," this method helps plants respond better to future stress, reducing the need for harmful pesticides and supporting resilient, sustainable agriculture. It's amazing how nature itself might hold the key to solving some of our biggest agricultural challenges, and using plants' own defenses just feels like such a smart, sustainable approach. Link in the comments for the full story. 🌐

OCEAN BIOMEDICAL signs $32M pact with Polish biotech for preclinical YKL-40 inhibitors 💰 Ocean Biomedical has signed a $32 million deal with Polish biotech Molecure for exclusive rights to develop and commercialize preclinical YKL-40 inhibitors, including the lead asset OAT-3912, which shows potential against cancers and inflammatory diseases. Ocean Biomedical paid $600,000 upfront in cash and stock, with additional milestone payments bringing the deal's total value to $32 million, excluding royalties. It’s exciting to see early-stage deals like this, especially with the potential for new treatments in cancer and inflammatory diseases—really promising stuff! Link in the comments for the full story. 🌐

Good news for those suffering from spinal injuries! 👏 ONWARD Medical has signed a deal to develop its Brain-Computer Interface even further! 🧠 Onward Medical signed a deal with CEA-Clinatec, which is centered on the WImagine BCI device, part of Onward's investigational ARC-BCI system, aimed at restoring lower limb mobility in individuals with spinal cord injuries. Brain-computer interfaces have the potential to set free people who are trapped by paralysis caused by spinal injury. They work by translating brain signals into movements. Companies like ONWARD are paving the way for a world where paralysis is a thing of the past. Keep up the great work Dave Marver (CEO), Vincent Delattre (co-founder), & the rest of the dedicated team. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eaWcgaFv