SJLife Sciences

Britain's Biotech Blog - Ep.2 🇬🇧 🔬 This week, the UK has seen significant developments in the biotechnology sector, particularly focused on advancing medical research and innovation. Government Investment in Biotechnology: The UK government has recently announced a £100 million investment aimed at supporting biotech projects that address global challenges like pandemics, agriculture, and climate resilience. This funding will support six new Engineering Biology Mission Hubs and 22 mission award projects, which aim to drive innovation in biotech and contribute to long-term economic growth (GOV.UK,) New Initiatives for Research and Development: The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has introduced new interdisciplinary funding schemes to promote cutting-edge research, with awards ranging from £200,000 to £1.2 million. This initiative supports disruptive ideas that span across multiple scientific disciplines (UK Research and Innovation.) Global Pharma and Biotech Summit: The upcoming Global Pharma and Biotech Summit in November 2024 will be a key event in London, where industry leaders will discuss trends in drug discovery, clinical trials, and healthcare innovation. CEOs from major pharmaceutical companies, such as AstraZeneca and GSK, will be among the speakers (Global Pharma & Biotech Summit.) These initiatives highlight the UK's commitment to becoming a global leader in biotechnology and science innovation by 2030.

𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 25 - 26, 2024 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 • Cigna's Express Scripts to (somewhat) ditch AbbVie's Humira for biosimilars in 2025 • Multiple European Commission approvals • UCB sells Chinese neurology and allergy business for $680M • Diakonos Oncology oversubscribed $11.4M seed raise • MBX Biosciences plans up to $100M IPO • Dexcom launches first OTC wearable glucose biosensor • EcoR1 wants to influence "deeply undervalued" cell therapy biotech Galapagos • Lykos MDMA woes continue with FDA clinical study probe More in today's TLDR Biotech newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gRBHr9f6 #biotech #pharma #pharmanews #biotechnews #tldrbiotech

🔬 Latest pharma industry updates 👇 🤝 Bayer partners with NextRNA Therapeutics to develop cancer drugs targeting long non-coding RNAs, with a deal worth up to $547M. 💔 Evotec to cut 400 jobs globally, including 73 in France, due to reduced R&D spending and biotech market slowdown. 💸 Investment in cell and gene therapies plummets, reflecting manufacturing challenges and shifting investor focus. 🟢 Regeneron gains European approval for its bispecific lymphoma drug, while FDA seeks more trial data. 💔 BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. to lay off over 200 employees as part of a strategic restructuring to refocus resources. 📈 MBX Biosciences, Inc. focused on metabolic and endocrine conditions, plans to go public, joining Bicara Therapeutics and Zenas BioPharma. 💔 Tome Biosciences to lay off over 100 employees amid financial challenges, despite raising over $200M in venture funding. 💰 UCB sells Chinese assets for $680M to CBC Group and Mubadala Investment Company. 👁️ Novartis plans to sell its molecular imaging business to Siemens Healthineers, confirming a Financial Times report. 🧬 Researchers discover DdrC protein with potential to stop DNA damage, offering new avenues for cancer vaccines and resilient crops. 💉 BioNTech SE launches mRNA lung cancer vaccine trials across 7 countries. 💵 Navigator Medicines secures $100M Series A to advance bispecific antibody NAV-240 for autoimmune diseases. 💻 Pfizer launches "PfizerForAll," an online service for telehealth appointments and prescription management. 💊 Eli Lilly and Company introduces discounted Zepbound vials to improve obesity drug access and compete with compounded alternatives. 🔍 Cancer cases in men are projected to rise by 84% between 2022 and 2050, per American Cancer Society. 🦠 Rising mpox cases among children in Africa, especially in conflict zones, prompt vaccination efforts with doses from Spain, Germany, and Japan. 💰 Ipsen sells a priority review voucher for $158M after receiving approval for its rare disease treatment Sohonos®. 💊 Johnson & Johnson submits autoimmune drug nipocalimab for FDA approval, targeting multi-billion dollar sales. 🔬 Keytruda fails lung and skin cancer trials, impacting Merck’s expansion plans ahead of its 2028 patent expiration. ⚖️ U.S. drug distributors agree to a $300M settlement over opioid epidemic claims, pending court approval.

🚨🧠 New Neuroscience News: 30/08 🧠 Eisai EMEA and Biogen’s drug Leqembi (Ieanemab) this week has been granted Market Authorisation by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for use in the UK. This follows the US, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and Israel in the use of the drug. Sadly, there’s a negative to this – the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence have denied access to Leqembi being prescribed through the NHS. Despite the setback of large coverage in the UK this should still be celebrated as a big milestone. 🧠 Neurocrine Biosciences reported positive Phase 2 data for their drug NBI-1117568, the first oral M4 selective agonist targeting schizophrenia. Their Phase 2 studies have delivered on their goal of identifying a once-daily and well tolerated dosing regimen and expect advancement into phase 3 in early 2025. 🦵 Neuros Medical, Inc. have received FDA approval for Altius® Direct Electrical Nerve Stimulation System. The indication for this is to aid in the management of chronic intractable phantom and residual lower limb post-amputation pain in adult amputees – aiming to provide a new treatment option for chronic post-amputation pain. A really great day for amputees who have suffered from lower limb pain because of largely ineffective alternative treatments. 🧠 Abata Therapeutics have been granted FDA Fast Track designation for their most advanced program ABA-101, a treatment for patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). The FDA’s confirmation on Abata’s application will see their first-in-human Phase 1 study begin shortly, likely later this year. Gaining fast track is a big coup for the company. 🧠 Cognition Therapeutics, Inc. have published results from their Phase 2 trial of CT1812 dubbed SEQUEL - this is their lead candidate aimed at treating Alzheimer’s disease. The study has shown promise in normalising brain wave patterns with the potential upside of cognitive benefits. 👁️ Find Therapeutics announced FDA clearance of their IND application for FTX-101, a therapy aimed at restoring vision in people suffering from Chronic Optic Neuropathy (CON) by regenerating damaged myelin. This clearance will allow Find to initiate their planned Phase 1 clinical study and the company expect that to begin in Q4 of 2024. #neuroscience #sjneuro

Britain's Biotech Blog - Ep.1 🇬🇧 🔬 The biotech scene in the UK continues to thrive with new treatments, cutting-edge research tools, and a surge in investment. Here's a round-up of the most exciting news from this week. 1. Breakthrough in Alzheimer's Treatment: Lecanemab Approved In a major step forward for Alzheimer's treatment, the MHRA has approved lecanemab for patients in the early stages of the disease. This monoclonal antibody targets amyloid plaques in the brain, believed to slow disease progression. However, genetic testing for the APOE4 gene is recommended due to elevated risks for certain patients. This approval marks a promising advance for those suffering from mild cognitive impairment or early dementia (BioIndustry Association, GOV.UK). 2. New Cryo-Imaging Tech Fuels Nanoscale Research UK universities are driving forward biological research with new cryo-imaging technologies. The University of Bristol and GW4 Alliance have secured funding to install state-of-the-art equipment, such as the cryo-FIB-SEM and cryo-EM systems. These tools will allow researchers to observe biological processes at the nanoscale, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of immune defence mechanisms and other critical health issues (Homepage | University of Bristol) 3. Biotech Financing Booms in 2024 UK biotech is experiencing a financial revival, with a 135% increase in venture capital funding in the second quarter of 2024. A remarkable £564 million was raised, making it the most successful quarter since 2021. Notable deals include Pheon Therapeutics securing £94 million and Amber Therapeutics raising £79 million. This investment boost signals growing confidence in the sector, highlighting its resilience and potential for future growth (BioIndustry Association) These developments demonstrate the UK's robust position as a global leader in biotech, with cutting-edge research and investment paving the way for future innovations. Stay tuned as these stories continue to unfold!

💵 August Fundraising Activity 💵 August 27— Navigator Medicines Series: A - $100M. Navigator bought itself a pipeline of OX40L-targeted mono- and bispecific antibodies from Korea’s IMBiologics. August 22—Borealis Biosciences, Inc. Series: A - $150M - Led by Stefan Doboczky, Borealis emerged from stealth with a $150 million to take on kidney disease using next-generation RNA medicines. August 20— Pathalys Pharma Series: B - $105M - Pathalys, led by Neal Fowler raised $105 million that help push the kidney-disease-focused biotech's lead candidate through the final stages of clinical development  August 12— Halda Therapeutics Series: B - $126M, Halda will use the funds to take the first of its candidates, HLD-0915, into a phase 1 trial in metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer in the first half of next year. August 7— IDRx, Inc. Series: B - $120M - Led by Tim Clackson, the biotech plans to use the series B proceeds to support the ongoing Phase 1/1b study of its lead product candidate IDRX-42, a KIT inhibitor, August 6—Red Queen Therapeutics Series: A - $55m, Led by Mark Mitchnick, Red Queen Therapeutics, launched by ATP (Apple Tree Partners), are a new clinical-stage biotech developing new antiviral treatments for the general population, with a focus on immunocompromised patients. August 5—MBX Biosciences, Inc. Biosciences Series: C - $63.5M. Led By Kent Hawryluk, MBX will use the new funds to support a pipeline of peptides and stretch its cash runway into 2026 August 1—Outpace Bio Series: B - $144M. Led by Marc Lajoie, Outpace Bio will use the oversubscribed series B proceeds to advance multiple programmed T cell product candidates to early clinical proof-of-concept trials for treating solid tumors. August 1 - Jade Biosciences $80M Raised. The financing will be used to support plans to develop targeted therapies for indications with high unmet need across inflammation and immunology. 👏 Congrats to all those involved, as well as to all the other biotechs that have completed a financing in August.

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