#47 - Malaria’s Achilles' heel discovered by scientists
The coffee break biotech roundup, by SomX.
Hello dear readers,
The biotech world has been buzzing this week: we’ve seen breakthroughs in malaria treatment, a billion-pound investment in UK biotech, and a bold move by the EU to lure top biotech talent away from the USA. We’ve also witnessed global pharma giant Pfizer making major multibillion-dollar investments in the oncology space in China and the UK.
Let it be said, there’s never a dull moment in the world of biotech – happy reading!
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Discover 🔍
🪰 Researchers uncover key proteins enabling malaria infection in humans (The Francis Crick Institute): Researchers from the Francis Crick Institute and the Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) have uncovered a crucial evolutionary adaptation in Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for the vast majority of malaria deaths worldwide. They identified a family of proteins called FIKK kinases that the parasite uses to invade human red blood cells and thrive. Scientists hope to develop therapies that can outsmart the parasite and reduce the impact of this deadly disease.
Our take: By pinpointing the gene that allowed Plasmodium falciparum to become such an effective human pathogen, researchers have illuminated a previously hidden vulnerability in the parasite’s armour. The study shows that while each FIKK kinase has distinct targets, they share structural features that could be exploited for drug development. Unlike traditional single-target drugs, such a multi-target approach could suppress the parasite’s ability to adapt or develop resistance by disrupting the parasite’s core infection mechanism
🫰 Pfizer-backed CellCentric secures $120M for further myeloma trials (Fierce Pharma): The series C funding round is set to spearhead the development of CellCentric’s promising oral multiple myeloma drug. Inobrodib, a first-in-class p300/CBP inhibitor, has already shown a 75% overall response rate at the highest dose in early studies. The British biotech is now gearing up for pivotal Phase 2/3 trials in heavily pretreated patients, aiming for accelerated FDA approval.
Our take: A lot of people are looking at T-cell engagers or CAR-Ts, however, this is a distinctly non-mainstream mechanism, as p300/CBP is a pair of epigenetic regulators. Oral administration and compatibility with bispecific antibodies make it unusually versatile in a space dominated by complex biologics. By advancing an oral p300/CBP inhibitor with a versatile profile – potentially effective alone or in combination with other cutting-edge therapies – the company is hoping to create new options for patients who have exhausted standard myeloma therapies.
🤑 BioNTech pledges major UK investment (European Pharmaceutical Review): Pledging up to £1B in research and development over the next decade, this investment is one of the largest pharma investments in British history. Backed by a £129M government grant, the deal will fuel cutting-edge R&D centres in Cambridge and London, create hundreds of skilled jobs, and accelerate clinical trials for personalised cancer immunotherapies – aiming to reach up to 10,000 patients by 2030.
Our take: At a time when international competition for biopharma investment is fierce, this partnership signals that the UK’s blend of scientific talent, regulatory support, and government backing remains highly attractive to industry leaders. The scale and scope of this investment is remarkable, and will accelerate the development of personalised cancer immunotherapies and next-generation vaccines.
🇪🇺 Will Europe become the new home for US researchers affected by policy shifts? (LabioBiotech): The EU’s “Choose Europe for Science” initiative pledges €500 million over the next two years to lure top global researchers, offering generous grants, longer contracts, and higher allowances than its US counterparts. The plan aims to make Europe a beacon for scientific freedom and innovation, with new “super grants” from the European Research Council, streamlined relocation support, and a push for EU countries to invest 3% of GDP in R&D by 2030.
Our take: As US budget cuts and political uncertainty threaten America’s long-standing dominance in science and biopharma, the EU is positioning itself as a stable, well-funded alternative for the world’s top researchers to reverse brain drain and foster brain gain. Talent once housed in Boston or San Francisco may now find fertile ground in Cambridge, Leuven or Amsterdam – places already known for translational research, but hamstrung by fragmented regulation and risk-averse capital.
And finally…
🇨🇳 Pfizer’s China deal worth up to $6B eclipses peers in a frenzied market (BioSpace): Pfizer has inked a record-breaking $6 billion licensing deal with China’s 3SBio for global rights (excluding China) to their PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, SSGJ-707. The pharma giant is paying a hefty $1.25 billion upfront and another $4.8 billion if milestones are hit. This move puts Pfizer squarely in the race with BioNTech, Merck, and Summit for next-generation cancer therapies targeting both PD-1 and VEGF, a mechanism that has shown promise in hard-to-treat tumours.
Our take: Pfizer is not only making a bold bet on next-generation immuno-oncology but also acknowledging the rapid maturation of China’s biotech sector as a source of world-class drug candidates. While there is clinical promise for SSGJ-707, the premium Pfizer is paying underscores how late entry into innovative markets now comes at a significant cost. But with multiple partnerships in the same drug class, analysts are left wondering how Pfizer will differentiate its portfolio and avoid internal competition between similar assets.
Tune in 🎧
🧫 Harnessing myeloid cells to attack cancer: Daniel Getts, founder and CEO of Myeloid Therapeutics, speaks about the limitations of existing immunotherapies, the role myeloid cells play in the immune system, and the benefits of the company’s therapeutic approach.
🌽 The origin of critical maize traits: Dr. Kevin Folta explores the evolution of corn, including the importance of understanding maize's genetic diversity and how modern tools may be used to answer questions about maize domestication.
🇻🇮 Trump’s executive order and drug prices: This conversation focuses on the Trump Administration’s recent executive order, including the 'Most Favoured Nation' approach, the 30-day ultimatum, and the 180-day negotiation period.
Apply ✍️
🧬 Quantum Scientist - Superconducting Qubits, Qruise: Can you wrangle qubits without collapsing under pressure? Join a cross-disciplinary team developing smarter tools to streamline calibration and make superconducting hardware more robust and predictable.
🎓 Strategic Partnerships Manager, Oxford University Innovation: Got a head for frameworks and a heart for impact? Negotiate major agreements with funders and NHS Trusts, shaping how Oxford commercialises data and life sciences breakthroughs.
🧫 Bioinformatician, Forth Therapeutics: Are you passionate about driving therapeutic drug discovery? The successful candidate will create novel pipelines to analyse single-cell and spatial transcriptomic data, and help construct internal databases.
RSVP 📆
🇬🇧 2-7.06 | SxSW | London, UK: Six days of science and tech innovation, creative brilliance, and networking opportunities – featuring talks, performances, screenings and immersive experiences. And if you haven’t got your ticket yet, use “SOMX50” to get 50% off all pass types!
🇨🇭 10-12.06 | Where Antibody and Protein Innovation is Driven to Commercial Success | Basel, Switzerland: Join Europe’s leading antibody event to discuss discoveries, engineering advancements and therapeutic developments for diseases such as neurodegeneration, metabolic disorders and autoimmune conditions.
🇺🇲 16-19.06 | The BIO International Convention | Boston, USA: The convention is the largest and most comprehensive event, bringing together 20,000 leaders representing the entirety of the global biotech industry.
🇩🇪 16-18.06 | 5th BIOTECH Conference 2025 | Freiburg, Germany: This year the conference will focus on bioprocess development and manufacture with single-use technology for biotherapeutics, cell and gene therapeutics and cellular agricultural products.
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