Drug discovery

Seek Labs Welcomes Alison O’Mahony, PhD as new Vice President of Pharmaceutical Research

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 22, 2024

Seek Labs, a healthcare innovations company developing next-generation molecular diagnostic systems and novel gene therapies, announced today the appointment of Alison O’Mahony, PhD as Vice President of Pharmaceutical Development.

Key Points: 
  • Seek Labs, a healthcare innovations company developing next-generation molecular diagnostic systems and novel gene therapies, announced today the appointment of Alison O’Mahony, PhD as Vice President of Pharmaceutical Development.
  • With nearly 20 years of experience in R&D, phenotypic drug discovery, and assay and scientific operations, O’Mahony brings extensive knowledge and expertise to Seek Labs where she will spearhead the pharmaceutical research division, leading strategic initiatives to advance Seek Labs’ innovation in novel gene therapies.
  • "We are delighted to welcome Alison O’Mahony to Seek Labs as our new Vice President of Pharmaceutical Development," said Jared Bauer, CEO.
  • She also serves on professional boards including Talent Ready Utah, Breakthrough Cancer Research, and the Inflammation Research Association.

Curi Bio, Genetox, and DreamCIS Sign MOU for Strategic Collaboration on 3D Neuromuscular Junction Model for Botox Potency Assay

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 22, 2024

Key Points: 
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240222795787/en/
    Curi Bio, Genetox, and DreamCIS Sign MOU for Strategic Collaboration on 3D Neuromuscular Junction Model for Botox Potency Assay (Photo: Business Wire)
    BoT is renowned for its therapeutic applications, including the treatment of chronic pain, autonomic disorders, congenital neuromuscular conditions, and cosmetic enhancements.
  • The project has supported Curi Bio’s development of a next-generation 3D human neuromuscular junction model used for disease modeling, for pharmaceutical and cosmetics potency assays, and for testing broad pathogenicity.
  • The project will deliver a functional potency assay for botox research and manufacture in a turnkey, scalable format.
  • With this MOU, Genetox shows its commitment to making Curi Bio’s NMJ-based potency assay a key part of BOTAONE’s manufacturing, quality control, and product release processes.

PHC Corporation of North America Launches Dual Voltage Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 22, 2024

PHC Corporation of North America (PHCNA), supplier of the PHCbi brand of cell preservation and growth products in the North America and Latin America markets, announces the launch of a new model of PHCbi brand VIP® ECO SMART ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezer series for use in facilities including medical institutions, universities, and pharmaceutical companies.

Key Points: 
  • PHC Corporation of North America (PHCNA), supplier of the PHCbi brand of cell preservation and growth products in the North America and Latin America markets, announces the launch of a new model of PHCbi brand VIP® ECO SMART ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezer series for use in facilities including medical institutions, universities, and pharmaceutical companies.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240222562482/en/
    PHCbi brand VIP ECO SMART Dual Voltage model MDF-DU703VHA-PA. (Graphic: Business Wire)
    PHCNA is a part of PHC Group, a global company dedicated to improving health through digital and precision technology.
  • The series consists of HFC-free ultra-low temperature freezers that enable efficient and safe long-term storage of specimens and samples for researchers engaged in drug discovery and life science research.
  • Certification Number: 2404812(MDF-DU703VHA-PA)/2404811(MDF-DU703VH-PA)/2404909(MDF-DU503VHA-PA)/2404910(MDF-DU503VH-PA) in the ultra-low temperature freezer category.

Atomic AI Announces Appointments of New Independent Member to its Board of Directors and Additions to the Scientific Advisory Board

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 22, 2024

Atomic AI, a biotechnology company fusing cutting-edge machine learning with state-of-the-art structural biology to unlock RNA drug discovery, today announced the appointment of Stuart Peltz, Ph.D. as an independent board member to the Atomic AI Board of Directors, and the additions of Percy Carter, MBA, Ph.D., and Nicholas Meanwell, Ph.D. to their Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).

Key Points: 
  • Atomic AI, a biotechnology company fusing cutting-edge machine learning with state-of-the-art structural biology to unlock RNA drug discovery, today announced the appointment of Stuart Peltz, Ph.D. as an independent board member to the Atomic AI Board of Directors, and the additions of Percy Carter, MBA, Ph.D., and Nicholas Meanwell, Ph.D. to their Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).
  • “We are extremely pleased to have these highly regarded, experienced biotech leaders join in our efforts and believe in our mission,” said Raphael Townshend, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Atomic AI.
  • Peltz’s experience will help shape our strategy as we endeavor to streamline the discovery and development of novel therapies.
  • “They have demonstrated tremendous progress integrating deep learning foundation models with experimental results to be able to predict and optimize RNA structures to enable rational drug design.

Almaden Genomics and BigOmics Collaborate to Provide End-to-End Omics Data Analysis

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 22, 2024

Almaden Genomics has teamed with BigOmics Analytics to integrate Omics Playground with g.nome®, Almaden’s cloud-native omics data science solution to provide end-to-end analysis.

Key Points: 
  • Almaden Genomics has teamed with BigOmics Analytics to integrate Omics Playground with g.nome®, Almaden’s cloud-native omics data science solution to provide end-to-end analysis.
  • “Connecting Omics Playground with the g.nome solution gives researchers an easy transition into downstream analysis,” said David Gascoigne, Chief Executive Officer of Almaden Genomics.
  • “The ability to go further downstream with added tertiary analysis further accelerates the researcher’s race toward critical insights.”
    Swiss-based BigOmics developed Omics Playground to help scientists explore their omics data with an interactive interface, offering intuitive visualization and data exploration modules.
  • “We aim to democratize omics data analysis, expediting tertiary analysis and enhancing collaboration within biotech and academic teams.

Insamo Launches with $12M Funding from Playground Global, venBio, and MRL Ventures Fund to Develop Best-in-Class Membrane-Permeable Macrocyclic Peptides

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Insamo , a biotechnology company pioneering the discovery of membrane-permeable and orally available cyclic-peptides, today announced $12 million in seed capital from Playground Global, venBio, and MRL Ventures Fund (MRLV).

Key Points: 
  • Insamo , a biotechnology company pioneering the discovery of membrane-permeable and orally available cyclic-peptides, today announced $12 million in seed capital from Playground Global, venBio, and MRL Ventures Fund (MRLV).
  • As part of the financing, Matt Hershenson, co-founder, Playground Global, and Corey Goodman, Ph.D, co-founder, venBio, will join the company’s Board of Directors.
  • Sahsen Ventures, BEVC, Civilization Ventures, and Axial Ventures also participated in the recent financing.
  • Our investment in Insamo underscores our dedication to supporting companies pushing the boundaries of drug discovery to enhance patient outcomes.”

Charles River Collaborates with Pluristyx, Expanding its Portfolio of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 20, 2024

The collaboration provides Charles River with broad access to highly characterized and unique stem cell lines, including high-quality embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as research tools to support development of new therapeutics.

Key Points: 
  • The collaboration provides Charles River with broad access to highly characterized and unique stem cell lines, including high-quality embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as research tools to support development of new therapeutics.
  • Pluristyx offers a unique product and technology platform in the stem cell biology field for development of new therapies while reducing timelines and downstream costs.
  • Through the agreement, Charles River will distribute Pluristyx’s wild-type and genetically engineered iPSCs as well as their comprehensive portfolio of normal and disease state ES cell lines.
  • The addition of Pluristyx’s offerings complements Charles River’s expansive portfolio of high-quality human cellular materials.

OcuSciences Welcomes Michael Patane, PhD, to its Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 20, 2024

OcuSciences, a medical device company developing ocular imagers to detect early disease by assessing retinal metabolic activity, today announced the addition of Michael Patane, PhD, to its Board of Directors.

Key Points: 
  • OcuSciences, a medical device company developing ocular imagers to detect early disease by assessing retinal metabolic activity, today announced the addition of Michael Patane, PhD, to its Board of Directors.
  • "We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Michael Patane to our Board of Directors," said Kurt Riegger, CEO at OcuSciences.
  • “OcuSciences is at a very exciting time in its history as it builds momentum around its novel and patented retinal disease detection modality,” said Dr. Michael Patane.
  • “I am honored to join this Board and look forward to working with my fellow directors and senior management to help OcuSciences advance the development and commercialization of its transformative retinal imaging devices.”

For the First Time, Quantum-Enhanced Generative AI Generates Viable Cancer Drug Candidates

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 20, 2024

The research points to a promising future of hybrid quantum generative AI for drug discovery using today’s quantum devices.

Key Points: 
  • The research points to a promising future of hybrid quantum generative AI for drug discovery using today’s quantum devices.
  • In the study, the researchers utilized generative AI to develop novel KRAS inhibitors, a critical focus in cancer therapy historically deemed “undruggable” due to its intrinsic biochemical properties.
  • Generative models running on classical hardware, quantum hardware (specifically, a 16-qubit IBM device), and simulated quantum hardware generated one million drug candidates each, which were then filtered algorithmically and by humans.
  • “For the first time ever, we’ve been able to produce real effective drug lead molecules with quantum-enhanced generative AI,” said Christopher Savoie, CEO and co-founder of Zapata AI.

NEC and D-Wave Introduce New Quantum Offerings to Australian Market

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 19, 2024

NEC Australia and leading international quantum computing company, D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) (D-Wave), are partnering to release two new quantum services to the Australian market, further enhancing their quantum computing offering and options for Australia’s commercial sector, federal and state governments, and academia.

Key Points: 
  • NEC Australia and leading international quantum computing company, D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) (D-Wave), are partnering to release two new quantum services to the Australian market, further enhancing their quantum computing offering and options for Australia’s commercial sector, federal and state governments, and academia.
  • Ayala Domani, Vice President – Technology & Innovation at NEC Australia, said quantum computing has matured rapidly and will provide Australian governments and businesses with a competitive edge.
  • Vice President of Quantum Technology Evangelism at D-Wave, Murray Thom, is in Australia for the Quantum Australia 2024 Conference + Careers Fair (Quantum Australia 2024).
  • NEC and D-Wave will be jointly speaking at Quantum Australia 2024 in Sydney from 20-22 February on their shared vision for a brighter future using quantum computing.