#02 - Biotech breakthroughs for a more sustainable planet

The one minute biotech roundup.

🦤 Greetings readers! After a swell start to the newsletter last week, we’re happy to announce that Dodo is here to stay. 

Highlights this week include Deloitte's insightful report on how biotech can impact our planet and the results of Gilead’s HIV prevention trial. There’s also a whole lot of merging and acquiring happening, with Johnson & Johnson hoping to tackle atopic dermatitis and Syncona investing in CNS gene therapy research. Meanwhile, Fooditive creates quite the buzz with some bee-free honey.

If there’s anything you’d like to see in future editions of Biotech Dodo, send us a message.

Thank you for reading, toodle pip!

Dodo

Discover 🔍

 🤝 Syncona melds two gene therapy biotechs for better shot at new nervous system treatments (BioPharma Dive) — Syncona is stirring up the gene therapy pot through its  merging of Freeline Therapeutics and SwanBio Therapeutics into a newly created company Spur Therapeutics. Backed by a robust $50 million investment into gene therapy research, Spur aims to tackle central nervous system diseases, Parkinson's and cardiovascular conditions.

Our take: This merger expertly combines Freeline's expertise in metabolic disorders, including their work on Gaucher disease, with SwanBio's strengths in CNS disorders. With Syncona’s substantial backing, Spur Therapeutics is poised to redefine what gene therapy can do, making the horizon a whole lot brighter!

🩸 Johnson & Johnson’s Bispecific antibodies for atopic dermatitis (GeneOnline) — Baby oil aficionados Johnson & Johnson have just splashed out $1.25 billion to acquire the global rights of Numab Therapeutics’ bispecific antibody NM26. This antibody tackles atopic dermatitis through multiple disease mechanisms and provides durable, symptom-free relief for patients.

Our take: At BIO 2024, J&J provided perspicuity into their new acquisition of Yellow Jersey Therapeutics, a subsidiary of Numab that holds all assets related to NM26. The antibody will hopefully address the severe itching associated with skin inflammation by targeting the interleukin -3 and -4Rα pathways. A shrewd move to enrich their immunology pipeline, no?

🦠Gilead’s twice-yearly HIV PrEP 100% effective, says study News (pharmaphorum) — Gilead Sciences is basking in the success of its phase 3 PURPOSE 1 trial of Sunlenca (lenacapavir) – a subcutaneous injectable drug. The study showed 100% effectiveness in preventing HIV in women in S. Africa and Uganda. It also eclipsed the effectiveness of daily oral options like Truvada and Descovy, prompting it to be recommended to all participants.

Our take: Any drug with 100% effectiveness is one that makes this Dodo sit up and listen. Sunlenca’s twice-yearly prophylactic dosing can increase adherence whilst reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with PrEP – a tricky task to achieve with daily oral therapies. More results are forthcoming in cis-, trans-, and nonbinary individuals – and a phase 3 trial is imminent – but for now, the future of HIV prevention looks very promising.

🌍 New Deloitte report details the potential of biotechnology to bring new life to people, products and the planet (PR News Wire) — Deloitte’s latest ‘xTech Futures’ report delves into the transformative potential of biotechnology in three key areas: people, product and planet. Brimming with case studies and insights from pioneers, the report underscores biotech's role in tackling global challenges like climate change and health crises.

Our take: It’s a clarion call for businesses to embrace biotech to foster a more sustainable future. From sustainable products to environmental restoration, the potential for a greener future through biotech is tremendous. With our environment changing rapidly, these solutions are sorely needed to help mitigate damage done to the environment, and prevent lasting harm.

And finally…

🐝 Honey without bees (Nature) — In a sweet twist, Dutch startup Fooditive has worked out how to create honey without our fuzzy winged friends, using synthetic biology. By replicating the metabolic processes of a bee’s stomach through enzymatic fermentation, they’ve concocted a honey alternative that mimics the real deal.

Our take: Fooditive has caused quite the (bee-less) buzz in the food tech world with this saccharine triumph of technology over environmental pressures. With honeybees struggling due to habitat loss and climate change, Fooditive’s approach offers a sustainable, delicious alternative to our favourite sticky nectar.

Tune in 🎧

🍄 How ADCs can deliver death cap mushroom toxins to treat cancer (Beyond Biotech)  —  Prof. Andreas Pahl from Heidelberg Pharma joins Jim Cornall to discuss HDP-101, an amanitin-based ADC for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, as well as their upcoming therapeutic pipeline, which aims to target various hematologic and solid tumours.

🫀 Fauci’s memoir, Alnylam’s tenuous trial, and a mid-year review (The Readout Loud) — Hosts Allison DeAngelis and Adam Feuerstein discuss Alnylam’s trial tweaks and the biotech market’s mid-year performance…can Alnylam succeed with its latest cardiac treatment? STAT reporter Jason Mast also opens Anthony Fauci’s memoir “On Call” and shares some lessons from the 40+ year career of America’s most famous doctor. 

🧬 Quin Wills - Ochre Bio - Part 1 (The Biotech Startups Podcast) – Quin Wills, co-founder and CSO of Ochre Bio, joined host Jon Chee to discuss all things genetics, bioinformatics and big data. In part 1 of this 4-part episode, Quin talks about his transition from medicine to genetics, Ochre Bio’s work pioneering RNA therapies for liver diseases, and challenging the status quo. 

Apply ✍️

🔬Senior Scientist, C3 Biotech — Passionate about sustainable energy and biomanufacturing? C3 Biotech seeks a motivated Senior Scientist with expertise in process biochemistry/microbiology to join their team working on pilot-scale manufacturing platforms.

⚙️ RNA Biologist, STORM Therapeutics — Ready to join a dynamic biotech company? STORM Therapeutics is on the lookout for a molecular biologist with a flair for RNA biology. If you’re a passionate early-career scientist eager to delve into RNA modifications in cancer and other diseases, this could be your calling.

🧑‍💻 Marketing Technology Manager, Oxford Nanopore Technologies — Ready to dive into the world of marketing tech with nanopore precision? Join Oxford Nanopore on an 18-month adventure, leading digital marketing and data management projects. If you’re a tech-savvy marketer ready to optimise data-driven decisions, this could be for you!

RSVP 📆

• It seems that the fledglings have flown the nest this summer and are having a well-earned break, which means August is all quiet on the event front. However, get in touch if you know of any upcoming biotech events that should be on our radar. 

Got news, jobs or events you think are worth coo-ing over? Post an event here, or email us at biotechdodo@substack.com!

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