Amgen

Bioluminescence Ventures Reveals Partners and Investment Management Team

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 5, 2024

Bioluminescence Ventures (“BLV”), a biotech venture firm investing in next-generation medicines, today revealed its initial team of Partners, whose collective experience and expertise spans preclinical research, translational science, clinical development, medical affairs, regulatory, commercial strategy, business development, and strategic investment banking functions across therapeutic areas.

Key Points: 
  • Bioluminescence Ventures (“BLV”), a biotech venture firm investing in next-generation medicines, today revealed its initial team of Partners, whose collective experience and expertise spans preclinical research, translational science, clinical development, medical affairs, regulatory, commercial strategy, business development, and strategic investment banking functions across therapeutic areas.
  • Every day, I feel honored and lucky to be working with such talented, mission-driven, and caring people.”
    Chloe Kim, Ph.D. joined Bioluminescence Ventures as a Partner in 2022.
  • Negin Mokhtari, Ph.D. joined Bioluminescence Ventures as a Partner in 2023 and brings a blend of scientific expertise, operational experience, and investment skills to the firm.
  • Prior to joining Bioluminescence Ventures, Dr. Mokhtari was part of the investment team at Genoa Ventures, focusing on the convergence of biology and technology, and serving on the board of multiple companies.

The Alliance for Genomic Discovery welcomes Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK, and Novo Nordisk

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Illumina Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN), a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, in collaboration with Nashville Biosciences, LLC (NashBio), a leading clinical and genomic data company and wholly owned subsidiary of Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), today announced three new members of the Alliance for Genomic Discovery (AGD).

Key Points: 
  • Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), GSK and Novo Nordisk join founding member organizations AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, and Merck.
  • Together the pharma members will co-fund the whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 250,000 DNA samples and have access to the resulting data for use in drug discovery and therapeutic development.
  • "This rich dataset will enable the discovery of highly actionable therapeutic targets and improve the speed, probability of success, and efficiency of the discovery and development process."
  • This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including the expectation for lower costs related to the storing and managing of genomic data costs.

Shasqi Expands Board of Directors with Appointment of Biopharma Executives

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024

Dr. Klein is an Independent Director on several biotech boards, as well as a venture partner for Ysios Capital.

Key Points: 
  • Dr. Klein is an Independent Director on several biotech boards, as well as a venture partner for Ysios Capital.
  • She has previously held positions at Genentech, and the NCI as co-founder and Research Director of NCI-Navy Breast Center.
  • Drs Klein and McCamish join existing board members Juan Jaen, PhD and José M. Mejía Oneto, M.D., Ph.D., Shasqi CEO and founder.
  • "I am delighted to welcome these esteemed executives to Shasqi's board" said Dr. Mejía Oneto.

CytomX Therapeutics Outlines 2024 Company Priorities and Milestones

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CytomX Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTMX), a leader in the field of conditionally activated, localized biologics, today announced its 2024 company priorities and anticipated milestones for its wholly-owned and partnered pipeline.

Key Points: 
  • SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CytomX Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTMX), a leader in the field of conditionally activated, localized biologics, today announced its 2024 company priorities and anticipated milestones for its wholly-owned and partnered pipeline.
  • “With INDs recently filed for wholly-owned programs, CX-2051 and CX-801, and continued progress in dose escalation with our Probody® T-Cell engager, CX-904, CytomX is well positioned as we enter 2024.
  • CytomX has a consistent track record of forming new strategic research and development alliances and achieving preclinical research and clinical milestones.
  • Cash runway is projected to the second half of 2025, excluding any potential milestones from existing collaborations or new business development.

Third Harmonic Bio Appoints Christopher Murphy as Chief Financial and Business Officer and Provides Business Update

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Third Harmonic Bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: THRD), a biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing the next wave of medicine for inflammatory diseases, today announced the appointment of Christopher Murphy as Chief Financial and Business Officer. Chris brings extensive experience in business development, commercial operations, corporate strategy and investment banking in the biopharmaceutical industry to the company’s leadership team. In his role, Chris will be responsible for strategic leadership and direction of the company’s finance, corporate strategy, and business development functions.

Key Points: 
  • Chris brings extensive experience in business development, commercial operations, corporate strategy and investment banking in the biopharmaceutical industry to the company’s leadership team.
  • In his role, Chris will be responsible for strategic leadership and direction of the company’s finance, corporate strategy, and business development functions.
  • In business development, Chris was most recently Group Vice President, where he oversaw a number of strategic transactions and integrations.
  • The company maintains a strong financial position with cash and cash equivalents totaling $273.9 million as of September 30, 2023.

TScan Therapeutics Announces 2024 Clinical Plans and Highlights Recent Progress

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024

WALTHAM, Mass., Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TScan Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TCRX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of T cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T cell therapies (TCR-T) for the treatment of patients with cancer, today announced its 2024 clinical pipeline plans and highlighted recent corporate achievements.

Key Points: 
  • Additionally, we submitted INDs for two additional TCRs in December and the 30-day review period with the FDA is ongoing.
  • Plans to complete Phase 1 dosing and report clinical and translational data in 2024, and two-year relapse data in 2025.
  • Initiated Phase 1 solid tumor clinical study and expects to dose the first patient in the first quarter of 2024.
  • Plans to continue to build ImmunoBank with additional IND filings throughout 2024.

ReAlta Life Sciences Strengthens Board of Directors with Appointment of Three Accomplished Biotechnology Executives

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 3, 2024

ReAlta Life Sciences, Inc. (“ReAlta” or the “Company”), a mid-stage clinical biotech company dedicated to saving lives by rebalancing the inflammatory response to address life-threatening diseases, today announced the appointment of three seasoned biotechnology executives, Christi Shaw, Mert Aktar, and David Marek, to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Key Points: 
  • ReAlta Life Sciences, Inc. (“ReAlta” or the “Company”), a mid-stage clinical biotech company dedicated to saving lives by rebalancing the inflammatory response to address life-threatening diseases, today announced the appointment of three seasoned biotechnology executives, Christi Shaw, Mert Aktar, and David Marek, to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.
  • “We are delighted to welcome Christi Shaw, Mert Aktar and David Marek, and the tremendous expertise and wise counsel they represent, to our Board of Directors,” said Buzz Heidt, Chairman of ReAlta's Board of Directors.
  • Prior to Kite, Ms. Shaw served as an executive officer of Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly), a global healthcare company, and president of Lilly Bio-Medicines.
  • Mr. Aktar is an accomplished life sciences industry executive with over twenty years of multinational experience bridging science and business in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer Celebrates a Year of Impactful Programs and Community Support in 2023

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 3, 2024

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer (DDF) proudly wraps up an impactful year, delivering crucial resources and support to the stomach cancer community, thanks to the unwavering commitment of 2023 industry partners. The support from generous sponsors has allowed DDF to continue vital programs and initiate new endeavors. This year, DDF worked closely with sponsors such as Amgen, Arcus, Astellas, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), Daiichi Sankyo (DSI), Genentech, Lilly Oncology, Merck, Taiho Oncology, and Zymeworks, whose dedication has been instrumental in advancing various programs, ensuring DDF's continued service to patients, their families, and caregivers.

Key Points: 
  • FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer (DDF) proudly wraps up an impactful year, delivering crucial resources and support to the stomach cancer community, thanks to the unwavering commitment of 2023 industry partners.
  • The support from generous sponsors has allowed DDF to continue vital programs and initiate new endeavors.
  • At the top of the year, DDF hosted its Inaugural Patient Advocate Retreat during its 11th Annual Stomach Cancer Capitol Hill Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C.
  • For the 2023 Symposia series, DDF collaborated with Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, to host a Stomach Cancer Educational Symposium.

Biodexa Appoints Ann Merchant to the Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 29, 2023

Since 2018, Ann Merchant has served as Vice President for MorphoSys, and currently as Head of Global Supply Chain and External Operations.

Key Points: 
  • Since 2018, Ann Merchant has served as Vice President for MorphoSys, and currently as Head of Global Supply Chain and External Operations.
  • Merchant is a U.S citizen and holds a Bachelor of Science in Languages from Georgetown University and an MBA from the Henley Business School.
  • Commenting, Dr Stephen Parker, Chairman Biodexa, said: “I am very pleased to welcome Ann to the Board.
  • With her broad experience of operations on an international scale she will bring a different perspective and complement the existing skillset of the Board”.

TScan Therapeutics Appoints R. Keith Woods to its Board of Directors, Bringing Expertise in Commercialization and Global Operations

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 7, 2023

Mr. Woods has over 30 years of life science experience, with expertise in commercialization, sales, global operations, supply chain and business strategy.

Key Points: 
  • Mr. Woods has over 30 years of life science experience, with expertise in commercialization, sales, global operations, supply chain and business strategy.
  • “In his previous position as COO of argenx, Keith successfully transitioned the company from an R&D organization to a fully integrated global biotech organization.
  • I look forward to bringing my commercialization, operations, and biopharmaceutical industry experience to supporting the growth of TScan and advancing this compelling pipeline,” added Mr. Woods.
  • In 2023, Mr. Woods transitioned from this role to serve as a strategic advisor to the Board of Directors of argenx.