#22 - Making biotech great (again?)
The coffee break biotech roundup, by SomX.
Good morning readers,
This week we bring you a timely celebration of the individuals standing up for science and human rights (bravo!), plus biopharma’s bold moves in AI-driven drug discovery, the biotech currents of a new Trump era, FDA updates for GLP-1 meds, and synthetic genes orchestrating cellular symphonies.
Thanks for reading,
Dodo
If there’s anything you’d like to see in future editions of Biotech Dodo, send us a message.
Discover 🔍
🦾 Healx announces agreement with Sanofi to seek new rare disease indications for compound using AI drug discovery platform (Silicon): Healx, an AI-driven biotech specialising in rare diseases, is teaming up with Sanofi to uncover new indications for a late-stage compound that was gathering dust. By leveraging Healx’s AI drug-discovery platform Healnet, the duo aims to transform Sanofi’s discontinued asset into much-needed treatments. With 95% of rare conditions still lacking therapies, such ingenuity could make all the difference.
Our take: Why let valuable science fall by the wayside? By unearthing hidden therapeutic potential with AI, Healx is hoping to transform Sanofi's sunk R&D costs into newfound success – and bring much-needed treatments to rare disease patients who can't afford long waits. It's a strategic win-win that highlights how AI can turn challenges into opportunities in biotech. Truly splendid!
🇺🇸 New Trump era could be a boon for biopharma M&A, dealmaking (Endpoints): With a second Trump term now assured, biopharma is working out what it means for them. On one hand, whispers of increased M&A activity are filling the air, with a Republican administration potentially more conducive to business deals and corporate alliances. On the flip side, Trump's embrace of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – a vocal vaccine critic and conspiracy theorist – has industry leaders uneasy about future life sciences policies and FDA stability.
Our take: A business-friendly administration could certainly grease the wheels for biotech. Rumours suggest that reduced regulatory hurdles and tax incentives might be on the horizon, and Trump's rapport with tech moguls like Mr. Musk could pave the way for greater government support for technology and R&D. However, an erratic president could leave the US navigating a minefield of volatile policies. Only time – and likely a flurry of headline-grabbing moments – will tell!
⚠️ FDA updates GLP-1 label with pulmonary aspiration warning (Medscape): As GLP-1s skyrocket in popularity, their ripple effects extend beyond diabetes and weight loss into the surgical realm. The FDA has flagged a rare yet very serious warning to all users of GLP-1 receptor agonists about the risk of pulmonary aspiration during general anaesthesia or deep sedation. The whole suite of medications are implicated, including semaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy); liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza); and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zep Bound).
Our take: This update is a classic reminder of the power (and necessity) of post-marketing surveillance. Despite patients diligently following preoperative fasting guidelines, pulmonary aspiration occurred due to residual gastric contents. The new FDA labelling requires patients to tell their clinician when they are taking a GLP-1 RA, and will likely trigger new research – and a change in clinical approach – on fasting protocols ahead of surgery.
🧬 Scientists develop synthetic genes that can build intracellular structures (News Medical): Researchers from UCLA and the University of Rome have devised synthetic genes that mimic those in living cells. Using synthetic, programmable DNA tiles as building blocks – much like molecular Lego – the team have conjured self-assembling structures that form or dissolve on cue from specific RNA triggers. This method could also extend to other systems reliant on biochemical signals…quite ingenious!
Our take: Orchestrating intracellular structures with such precision could radically change drug delivery: therapies that assemble and release exactly when needed could boost efficacy, reduce costs and minimise side effects. But it doesn’t stop there…this technique opens doors in tissue engineering, guiding the formation of complex tissues by mimicking nature's timing, and could even benefit fields as diverse as environmental biotech.
And finally…
🏆 The 2024 John Maddox Prize winners: standing up for open science and human rights (BioTechniques): Named after the illustrious former Nature editor who championed robust scientific communication, this award salutes those who defend science against the odds! This year, Patrick Ball from the Human Rights Data Analysis Group bagged the honour for his ingenious use of mathematical statistics to prosecute war crimes. Meanwhile, Kelly Cobey from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute claimed the Early Career Award for her valiant crusade against predatory journals and tireless advocacy for open science reforms.
Our take: In biotech, ethical practices and rigorous peer reviews are the bedrock of trust – underpinning scientific success, regulatory approval, public confidence, and fruitful collaborations. This award is a sterling reminder that progress isn't just about clever gadgets, but about scientific integrity and the courage to stand up for truth. After all, what good are breakthroughs if they're built on shaky ground?
Tune in
The New Board Game: Strategic Moves in Biotech
Evolving governance structures and the increasing influence of private equity are reshaping board relationships in the biotech industry. Tune in to find out how.
Turning Carbon Problems into Golden Opportunities
Explore how carbon conversion technology is reshaping industries, turning emissions into valuable resources, and using nature's processes to advance sustainability.
Fighting little bugs who are starting to fight back
Policy, innovation, and international cooperation intersect to tackle one of the most urgent public health threats: antibiotic resistance.
Apply ✍️
🔬 Scientist - Proteins Sciences, Maxion Therapeutics: A master of membrane mysteries? In this role, you’ll express tricky GPCRs and ion channels, purify them with finesse with Nanodiscs and proteoliposomes, and run top-notch biophysical analyses.
🥼 Advisory Biology Analyst, Sagentia Innovation: Can you turn science into strategy? Deep-dive into biological research, translate insights into actionable recommendations, and help industry giants shape the future of biotech.
🕵🏻 Life Science Analyst & Sr. Analyst, DeciBio: Fancy solving business mysteries? Guide insightful research, dive into precision medicine markets, and shape strategic stories – all while thriving in DeciBio’s fast-paced, “intrapreneurial” environment.
RSVP 📆
💬 19.11 | BioCentury & BIA’s 2nd CEO & Investor Dialogue: Biotech's Next Challenge | London, UK: Join CEOs, boards, and investors as they tackle the big questions in biotech – from advancing pipelines to leveraging AI in drug development.
⚙️ 18-19.11 | Pharma Automation and Digitalisation Congress | Zurich, Switzerland: Listen to pharma professionals share their experiences on achieving digital maturity and building their way through the digital space.
🫂 20.11 | Biotech Buddies | London, UK: A casual gathering for biotech experts to network and build life science sector relationships whilst relaxing amongst professional peers and key life science opinion leaders.
🎄 27.11 | SomX & Google Cloud Healthtech Talks Christmas Party | London, UK: Join us for a nearly end-of-year shindig (festive dress encouraged!) at Google’s Kings Cross HQ. The festive season gets hectic so we wanted to get into your diaries early!
Got news, jobs or events you think are worth coo-ing over? Post an event here, or email us at biotechdodo@substack.com!
SomX is a communications and creative agency for healthcare. We are clinicians, scientists, creatives and communicators dedicated to serving our healthtech, biotech, pharma and public sector clients with services across strategy, content, PR, design, events and media production. Get in touch to learn more.