Author: yourbiotech

Life sciences are having a serious level-up moment in our region. But some observers worry that a recent rush of outside investment could mean our big discoveries won’t stay here. Around every corner, the gizmos sound like something cooked up by a mad scientist in the movies: a 24-way-robot-controlled bio-reactor, a “viral positive” room, a flow cytometry lab where human cells suspended in liquid are being struck by lasers to see if they’ll glow fluorescent colors. The machines aren’t just real — bonus! They’re working on life-changing medicines. But I’m not visiting a hospital or university. I’m getting a tour…

based biotech firm Ascend Gene & Cell Therapies has raised $132.5m (£105.1m) for its gene therapy manufacturing technology. Founded by the VC firm Monograph Capital in 2021, Ascend helps gene therapy companies to transition their proposed products to feasible clinical programs. Tim Funnell, an investor at Monograph Capital, said: “AAV manufacturing is complex and needs teams that show real expertise and ownership. This led many advanced modality biotech developers to build their own internal CMC capabilities. “However, these companies are now finding it difficult to sustain and fully utilise their facilities.” Advanced modalities biotechs can use Ascend for assistance with development,…

Biotechnology can determine whether a person has loose stem cells, indicating an evident aging process that would require them to use more collagen-based products to maintain the health of skin. Many people are unaware that genetics plays a role in both quality of life and longevity and this can be improved by diet and surroundings. Budoor Al-Mansour, chief operating officer and co-founder of Novo Genomics, said that biotech aids the client in understanding their genes and how to strengthen them to prevent sicknesses, live longer, and even slow down the aging process. “With the use of biotechnology, we can create…

Twist Bioscience Corporation, a leading biotechnology company, announced on Monday to lay off about 25 percent of its workforce in a bid to accelerate its path to profitability. The company, which enables customers to succeed through its offering of high-quality synthetic DNA using its silicon platform, is all set to wave bid adieu to close to 270 of its employees in the latest round of layoffs. Twist said it will focus resources on the support of key commercial and development opportunities that have the potential to deliver significant return on investment. “Twist conducted a comprehensive review of the business and…

A recent report on the U.S. Life Sciences sector delivered both good and bad news when it came to employment. First, the good news: Employment reached a record high of 2.1 million jobs at the start of this year, the commercial real estate firm CBRE reported in its 2023 U.S. Life Sciences Outlook, released earlier this month. However, the pace of biotech job growth had slowed to 4.1% in January from 6.3% a year earlier. Already this year a spot check by GEN shows 61 companies disclosing layoffs as of April 10, vs. 37 during the same period a year ago. A more…

Companies looking to execute decentralized clinical trials should watch out for data variability and precision as information comes in from patients’ homes or local healthcare facilities, according to new FDA guidance. But the agency is otherwise keen to see more of these studies to help boost diversity in clinical research. The FDA issued new DCT guidance (PDF) Tuesday to provide clarity on the agency’s support of these innovative trial measures. DCTs can include obtaining lab tests at local facilities instead of a research medical center or conducting follow-up visits at a trial participant’s home using telemedicine. These measures allow patients to participate…

Immatics has posted more evidence that PRAME may live up to its billing as “one of the most promising and most prevalent” solid tumor targets. In updated phase 1b data, the biotech reported a 64% response rate and early signs that its T-cell therapy may have deep and durable effects against cancer cells. Transatlantic biotech Immatics has steadily built up excitement about its work on PRAME across a series of data drops. The initial interest was tempered by early relapses—and durability remains an outstanding question—but, with each update, the biotech has chipped away at doubts about a target that has caught the…

After releasing positive data for a bowel disease candidate in December, Prometheus Biosciences headed into the J.P. Morgan Healthcare conference in January as the talk of San Francisco. Sixteen parties that had been interested in a partnership with the precision medicine biotech even before the data release clamored for meetings. All that culminated in Merck & Co.’s $10.8 billion buyout on April 17. The possibility of a deal began much earlier, in May 2022, as Prometheus’ board eyed the brutal market conditions plaguing biotech and engaged with experts to discuss its future, according to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings released Friday. Prometheus’…

In this article, we take a look at the 5 largest biotech companies in the US. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the biotech industry, go directly to the 27 Largest Biotech Companies in the US. Abbvie is a biomedical company that develops medicine for fighting cancers, cystic fibrosis, neurological diseases, and eye ailments. In 2020, the company acquired Allergan, a medical aesthetics company that produces Botox, a famous drug used for cosmetic purposes. Warren Buffett never mentions this but he is one of the first hedge fund managers who unlocked the secrets of successful stock market investing. He…

The boss of Britain’s biggest drugmaker has said that the UK and the rest of Europe are falling behind China and the US in the creation of biotech firms and clinical trials of new medicines. Pascal Soriot, chief executive of AstraZeneca, said that while China had seen an “explosion of biotech companies”, and a “rapid expansion of clinical trials” that puts it ahead of the US, the UK and EU had posted declines. Although the UK is great for science research at universities and in commercial laboratories, he argued that “if you want to build a thriving life sciences sector … you need…