#23 - Spreadsheet secrets & dynamic DNA

The coffee break biotech roundup, by SomX.

Good morning data detectives,

This week’s biotech stories reveal the unexpected: Amgen’s market cap takes a $12B dive as hidden bone density data surfaces, Trace Neuroscience lands $101M to fight ALS, DeepMind’s AlphaFold 3 goes open-source, Los Alamos takes our breath away with its DNA discovery, and Hera Biotech is trading scalpels for smarts in endometriosis diagnostics.

Keep exploring,

Dodo

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

Discover 🔍

📉 Hidden data on obesity prospect wipe $12B off Amgen market cap (Fierce Biotech): It seems some poor spreadsheet formatting has cost Amgen dearly. Their Nature Metabolism publication and source data made no mention of bone density, but hidden Excel tabs revealed data from femur, lumbar, and hip DEXA scans quietly tucked away. Sleuthing from a Cantor Fitzgerald analyst cracked the case, and the market reacted accordingly: erasing a cool $12B from Amgen’s valuation.

Our take: Ah, the perils of hidden data! In the high-stakes world of biotech, trust is currency. And when key details such as bone density slips through the net, it risks not just financial havoc but patient trust and regulatory scrutiny. Fortunately for Amgen, investors regained confidence after digging into the data – reclaiming about half of the losses – but let this be a reminder of the importance of transparency…one accidental oversight and the whole house of cards teeters.

👩🏻‍💻 Google DeepMind open-sources AlphaFold 3: A game-changer for drug discovery and biotech (GeneOnline): Hot on the heels of their Nobel Prize win, the brilliant minds behind at DeepMind have now made AlphaFold 3 open-source. The souped-up AI model predicts standalone protein structures and complex interactions with DNA, RNA, and small molecules better than even the best physics-based models. Scientists can now use the tool for research purposes, although permissions restrict direct commercial use. 

Our take: As news of Deepmind’s Nobel Prize initially broke, many lamented that AlphaFold 3 was not open source, unlike its predecessors – but no more! AlphaFold, which significantly drives down the cost and speed of studying molecular interactions, has catalysed a new era of structural biology (you don’t win a Nobel Prize for nothing), and it’s now available to any researcher with a WiFi connection. Kudos to the DeepMind team for championing open-source science to aid in our understanding of disease!

🧠 Maze's ALS spinout Trace Neuroscience raises $101M for ALS and neuro work (Endpoints): Trace Neuroscience has launched with a hefty Series A, backed by Third Rock, Atlas Venture, GV, and RA Capital. The new startup is betting on an antisense oligonucleotide designed to stabilise neuronal signals by correcting UNC13A mis-splicing – a genetic hiccup affecting 97% of ALS patients. With eyes set on a 2026 clinic debut, Trace is also contemplating future ventures into Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia.

Our take: Well that’s certainly one way to come out of stealth! ALS is an area of high interest and unmet need, and Eli Lilly’s $45M collaboration with QurAlis has already emphasised UNC13A’s appeal. Trace will need to show an edge in order to beat out other players; the startup is hoping to demonstrate its competitive advantage by learning from past speedy regulatory approvals, such as Biogen’s experience with Qalsody. By refining their strategy, Trace is hoping to address longstanding gaps in treatment options and bring a boost to ALS research. 

🧬 New AI model improves prediction power for genomics related to disease (Phys.org): Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory have unveiled EPBDxDNABERT-2 (catchy!), a groundbreaking deep learning model that links DNA’s natural “breathing” dynamics – spontaneous openings of the double-helix structure – with transcription factor activity. The model offers sharper insights into protein-DNA interactions, and opens up potential avenues for drug development, especially for complex diseases like cancer.

Our take: EPBDxDNABERT-2 breathes new life into genomics – quite literally. This deep learning model captures the real-time antics of DNA as it opens up to let transcription factors do their job. Traditional models have long stumbled over predicting transcription factor binding, missing the mark by ignoring DNA’s dynamic behaviours. This new model could be a game-changer in bridging the crucial gap between static data and biological reality.

And finally…

❤️‍🩹 No more invasive tests: Hera Biotech’s endometriosis solution (Forbes): Hera Biotech is boldly stepping up to replace the dreaded laparoscopy with a non-invasive, molecular biomarker test for endometriosis. Founded by ex-VC Somer Baburek, Hera has transformed a basic lab assay from the University of Texas into a streamlined, efficient diagnostic. With $3 million secured and a $5 million Series A in sight, they’re set to update women’s health diagnostics – it’s about time!

Our take: Hera Biotech’s innovation puts a much-needed spotlight on the glaring gaps in women’s health. Endometriosis impacts 190 million globally, yet we’ve seen more femtech dollars poured into wellness apps than medical breakthroughs. In a field where innovation has lagged, Hera’s method could finally push women’s healthcare into a more equitable era. It’s high time endometriosis had a hero…perhaps it’s Hera.

Tune in

🫀She Leads Biotech with Ayla Annac
Explore the recent advancements in heart disease treatment, the influence of cultural values, the need for diversity in clinical trials, and the impact of female leadership in biotech.

🤝 Building Effective Teams and Career Success
Learn about strategies for assertive career management, fostering psychological safety, and driving success in diverse markets, both large and small.

💬 The Future of Healthcare: Insights from HLTH
Recap the key themes and insights from the biggest healthtech conference of 2024, including tech innovations designed to tackle some of healthcare’s toughest challenges.

Apply ✍️

🎯 Senior Assay Development Scientist, Serna Bio: A maestro of molecular screening? Orchestrate high-throughput assays for challenging RNA targets, finesse signal windows, and lead pioneering drug discovery projects with cutting-edge tech.

🧫 Scientist In vivo Immuno-Oncology, Asgard Therapeutics: Ready to reprogram cancer? Conduct cutting-edge in vivo studies to transform tumours into potent immune allies, driving breakthroughs in direct cell fate reprogramming and next-gen immunotherapy.

🩸 Scientist, IONTAS: Fancy yourself an architect of antibodies? Dive into cutting-edge antibody discovery, wield phage and mammalian display tech, and transform novel concepts into therapeutic breakthroughs.

RSVP 📆

🎄 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.

🤖 3-4.12 | SynbiTECH | London, UK: A synthetic biology conference that fosters innovation by uniting industry leaders, researchers, policymakers and investors.

👋 9.12 | BioTech Networking Event | London, UK: An evening of networking and collaboration with biotech startup founders, investors and industry professionals.

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.