#13 - Quantum leaps and cellular feats
#13 - Quantum leaps and cellular feats
The coffee break biotech roundup, by SomX.
Good morning from beyond the horizon,
It’s all quantum leaps and heart-in-a-jars this week – and no, we’re not talking about yet another nostalgic sci-fi reboot.
This week’s news sees Australia talking about quantum biotech, a stealthy startup making waves in China, reprogrammed brain cells, hearty mergers and cellulose-producing microbes are taking us one step closer to sustainability.
Until next week, thanks for reading,
Dodo
If there’s anything you’d like to see in future editions, head to the Biotech Dodo Linkedin page and send us a message.
Discover 🔍
🦘 New research initiative aims to position Australia at the forefront of quantum biotechnology (News Medical): The University of Queensland has unveiled the $45 million ARC Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology (QUBIC), positioning Australia to take the lead in this burgeoning field. By blending quantum tech with life sciences, QUBIC has its sights set on shaking up healthcare, energy, and agriculture – with 50,000 jobs in the pipeline, a cool $9 billion boost by 2045, and a workforce built for the future. Not too shabby.
Our take: Quantum tech’s future looks bright indeed. By merging quantum computing with life sciences, QUBIC is aiming for unmatched precision in studying molecular processes – like enzyme reactions and virus behaviour. A new quantum biotech workforce? New diagnostics and synthetic biology research? Australia is certainly making a quantum leap here.
🦠 Little-known startup, backed by Foresite and Samsara, swings $60M China I&I deal (Endpoints): Vignette Bio has licensed EMB-06 from EpimAb Biotherapeutics, a B-cell maturation antigen and CD3-targeting therapy initially tested for multiple myeloma. Now, Vignette plans to repurpose it for autoimmune diseases. The deal, which includes up to $575 million in potential milestone payments, grants Vignette rights outside China, Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan, positioning Vignette for rapid growth while expanding EpimAb's global footprint.
Our take: Fascinating, isn't it? Vignette’s move not only puts a lesser-known biotech on the map but also underscores a growing trend – US startups teaming up with Chinese firms to fast-track cutting-edge therapies. This collaboration could pave the way for more US–China partnerships, particularly in the rapidly advancing fields of oncology and immunology. Quite the cross-border power play!
🧠 Astrocytes reprogrammed into brain stem cells through epigenetic modifications (GEN): Researchers at the German Cancer Research Center and Heidelberg University have uncovered how epigenetic modifications involved in DNA methylation can convert astrocytes into brain stem cells, which have the potential to generate new neurons. Reprogramming astrocytes leverages the brain’s natural self-repair mechanisms by activating nerve cell production through methylation in brain stem cells, overcoming the typical blockage found in astrocytes – making it a far more practical way to regenerate nerve cells.
Our take: Rather than relying on traditional stem cell therapies, which can bring about ethical quandaries and immune rejection, this elegant approach taps into the brain’s own cellular machinery. By reprogramming astrocytes – cells already present in abundance – the method sidesteps the need for external transplants. By tweaking astrocytes' genetic instructions, we could potentially rewire the brain to heal itself for a host of neurodegenerative conditions like multiple sclerosis. Rather nifty, really!
🫀 Biotech firm Medera set to go public in $623M SPAC deal (The Middle Market): Medera Inc. is preparing to float on the Nasdaq, thanks to a merger with Keen Vision Acquisition Corp. The deal is expected to close in Q4 2024, potentially bringing in $149.5 million from the SPAC’s (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) trust account. Medera’s claim to fame is its technology used to test gene- and cell-based therapies for in ex vivo tissues for cardiovascular diseases, offering a more precise method for treatment development.
Our take: Well, I say – a human heart-in-a-jar! Sounds like a science fiction novel. But in reality, this technology could replace the uncertainties of animal testing with more precise lab-grown human heart tissues. Medera’s SPAC route is rather clever too – skipping the traditional IPO hurdles and diving headfirst into public markets, where they can access the capital needed to drive forward their groundbreaking cardiovascular treatments.
And finally…
🧵 Ingenza Partners with Cellugy to Boost Biofabricated Cellulose Production (Pharma Now): Ingenza and Cellugy are joining forces to replace petrochemical-based materials in personal care products with biodegradable cellulose, courtesy of some rather industrious microbes. Ingenza’s microbial know-how will be put to the test, fine-tuning production methods, boosting yield, and nudging Cellugy’s platform closer to commercial success – an important step towards reducing the world's reliance on fossil fuels.
Our take: Biofabrication isn’t exactly the newest trick in the book, but leveraging cellulose-producing microbes for large-scale production certainly adds an intriguing twist. Ingenza’s deft hand with microbial tech could well dissolve the bottlenecks that have long kept biofabrication out of the industrial spotlight. Should this partnership succeed, it could help tip the scales towards more sustainable materials – and sidestep petrochemicals entirely.
Tune in 🎧
🚰 Leveraging wastewater and AI to predict population health threats
Dr. Andree Bates speaks to Mariana Matus, the co-founder and CEO of Biobot, about wastewater epidemiology and AI’s role in data collection, analysis, and modelling.
🩸 Raising the bar for sickle cell disease patients
Luke Timmerman chats with Ted Love, chairman of BIO, and Dr. Alan Anderson, executive director of Sickle Forward, about how to improve the quality of life for patients with sickle cell disease around the world.
🧬 Cracking the biological code of ageing
Patrick Short speaks to Martin Borch Jensen, Co-Founder and CSO at Gordian Biotechnology and President of Norn Group, about the “ageing problem” and how understanding biological age could crack the code on age-related diseases. Patrick is also looking for future guests, so get in touch if you’re in the genetics biz.
Apply ✍️
🧑💻 Principal Computational Biologist, Ochre Bio – Bit of a data wizard? Lead advanced modelling using your skills in Python/R and omics data to transform cutting-edge science into RNA therapies for chronic liver disease.
💊 Technical Project Manager, Isomorphic Labs – A ringmaster of CROs and drug discovery? You’ll manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and speed up processes – all while playing a key role in transforming healthcare through AI-driven drug discovery.
⚗️ Biotech Account Manager, ThermoFisher – Good at nurturing relationships? You’ll be managing key biotech accounts and partnerships whilst boosting growth in PCR equipment and flow cytometers.
RSVP 📆
🔬 14.09 | The Power of Bioengineering | London, UK: UCL Bioengineering lecturer Alvena Kureshi will share how leading-edge innovations in bioengineering are revolutionising our approach to wound care.
💬 23.09 | Healthtech Talks | London, UK: SomX and Google dive straight into the next big conversation, “Complex Systems, Complex Data: Why AI Has Arrived Late to the Biology Party”, plus networking and drinks.
🏆 26.09 | Endpoints 11 | Boston, US: Join Endpoints at their annual awards event, for an evening of fireside chats and editorial conversations. Plus, network with the most promising biotechs in the industry.
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