#03 - It’s a biotech scorcher!
The one minute biotech roundup.
Good morning dear reader! This Dodo has jetted off to sunnier climes but fear not, for this week’s biotech news is hot hot hot!
This week, big news and big deals: scientists discover a new way to edit genes without CRISPR, AbbVie scoops up IBD-focused Celsius for $250M cash, Google unveils a new LLM for drug discovery, and Exsilio Therapeutics bounds out of stealth with $82M investment. Elsewhere, Labiotech asks “what is driving the surge in biotech megadeals?” Dodo can’t help but agree with the sentiment…it’s definitely time to discard your light jacket, because things are heating up.
Thank you for reading, adios!
Dodo
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Discover 🔍
🧬 Scientists unveil new way to make large changes to genes, and no CRISPR is required (Endpoints News) – Hold onto your pipettes! Researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking method to make large-scale genetic changes without using CRISPR. The novel approach uses ‘bridge RNA’ and a recombinase enzyme to insert, delete and invert DNA in a universal mechanism. (Read the Nature paper)
Our take: CRISPR technology has transformed biomedical research, allowing researchers to “cut” DNA with precision, however where it struggles is in making large genetic changes. This new technique looks to solve that problem using ‘jumping genes’ to target and edit RNA. However, hold onto your horses…the technique has only been tested in bacteria so we don’t yet know if it’ll work in human cells, or be relegated to the cutting-room floor.
🔥 AbbVie sweeps up inflammatory-focused Celsius for $250M cash in summer heat wave (Fierce Biotech) – It’s a summer scorcher: IBD-focused startup Celsius has been acquired by AbbVie for a smoking hot $250M! Central to the deal was Celsius’ lead asset CEL383, which targets TREM1, a key driver of inflammation and pathology in IBD.
Our take: This is the second IBD acquisition in a month for AbbVie, and a clear sign of their commitment to research and development within the disease space. With a phase 1 clinical trial completed (results yet to be disclosed) time will tell if CEL383 can support AbbVie’s goal to help more IBD patients achieve remission.
📱 Google creates Tx-LLM for drug discovery and therapeutic development (MobiHealthNews) – Google Research and Google DeepMind have announced Tx-LLM, a new LLM for drug discovery and therapeutic development. Based on the tech titan’s PaLM-2, the LLM has been trained on 709 datasets, with the goal of supporting end-to-end drug discovery – from target prediction, to safety evaluation.
Our take: Research interest in LLMs shows no signs of slowing down, and drug development is an obvious – and exciting – use-case, with large amounts of data to both learn from and query. With its capability to match or supersede current state of the art models, Tx-LLM holds promise as a single model to query multiple steps of the therapeutic development pipeline.
🏃🏾♀️ Exsilio debuts with $82M, pitching a ‘leap’ forward for genetic medicine (BioPharma Dive) – Helmed by ex- Moderna CMO Tal Zaks, and with investors including Novartis’ venture arm, and CRISPR Therapeutics, it’s safe to say that Exsilio’s exit from stealth didn’t go unnoticed.The company is focusing on using mRNA to develop gene-based therapies that can be administered more than once – quite the feat!
Our take: With some brilliant backers, Exsilio aims to replicate the success of Moderna’s RNA-based vaccine for COVID-19 in genetic conditions, cancer and autoimmune diseases. By inserting genes into a cell’s genome, the company believes their approach can sidestep the limitations of viral delivery systems and allow for safe, durable and repeatable dosing.
And finally…
💰 Biotech megadeals: Exploring the surge in $100M+ deals (Labiotech) – Biotech and healthcare startups are responsible for 42 “megadeals” (l) in 2024 so far! According to investors, these are driven by a combination of technological advances – such as in AI in drug discovery – as well as a welcoming regulatory environment, and capital that needs to be spent.
Our take: Dodo enjoys seeing biotech top of the investment pile, and it seems to be dominating the “megadeal” funding landscape. Will this continue? With an ageing population fuelling demand, alongside growing investor confidence in emerging therapies, this Dodo certainly hopes so!
Tune in 🎧
🐶 Biotech for our Pets, I am BIO - We’ve already heard whispers of biotech bringing back the Dodo and its island-mate the Pink Pigeon, but now it seems that its the turn of our domesticated furry friends. Dave Bruyette, Chief Medical Officer, Anivive Lifesciences and Tammie Wahaus, Founder and CEO, Elias Animal Health explain all.
🧐 Early Detection and Treatment of Alzheimer's, The Long Run - Biotech Journalist Luke Timmerman is joined by Valerie Daggett, founder and CEO of Seattle-based AltPep to unpick one of healthcare and biology’s most persistent mysteries: Alzheimer’s disease.
Apply ✍️
💉 Pharmacy Vaccine Account Executive, Inizio Engage – Ready to support COVID-19 vaccines across the UK? Inizio Engage is partnering with a global biotech company to boost vaccine awareness and sales. If you have stellar communication skills and a knack for building relationships with pharmacists, this role is for you.
🏆 Award: Women in Biopharma R&D, Endpoints News – Who are the women making a mark in biopharma R&D? Endpoints News is calling for nominations for their 2024 Women in Biopharma R&D special report who are trailblazers in drug development. If you know a deserving candidate, submit your nomination by July 1st.
RSVP 📆
It seems that the fledglings have flown the nest this summer and are having a well-earned break, which means Summer 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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