Plasmid

ViaNautis Bio announces $25 million Series A financing to drive the next generation of genetic nanomedicines

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 13, 2023

Formerly known as SomaServe, ViaNautis has secured support from a consortium of prominent global investors enabling the advancement of its proprietary drug delivery platform – polyNaut®.

Key Points: 
  • Formerly known as SomaServe, ViaNautis has secured support from a consortium of prominent global investors enabling the advancement of its proprietary drug delivery platform – polyNaut®.
  • ViaNautis’s polyNaut® platform applies advanced polymer materials and in silico screening to precisely guide genetic molecules such as pDNA, mRNA, siRNA and ASOs to their intended targets.
  • ViaNautis presents an excellent opportunity in the world of genetic therapies by enabling the delivery of cargoes to otherwise inaccessible sites of action in the body.
  • It opens a plethora of novel prospects in the world of genetic therapies, offering the ability to reach previously inaccessible treatment sites.

ChromaTan, Inc. Selected as a BLUE KNIGHT™ Company

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 21, 2023

ChromaTan, Inc., a bioprocess development company revolutionizing the 123-year-old traditional batch biopurification process through transformational next-generation biomanufacturing solutions, announced today that it has been selected as a BLUE KNIGHT™ company.

Key Points: 
  • ChromaTan, Inc., a bioprocess development company revolutionizing the 123-year-old traditional batch biopurification process through transformational next-generation biomanufacturing solutions, announced today that it has been selected as a BLUE KNIGHT™ company.
  • As a Blue Knight company, ChromaTan will gain access to the global JLABS ecosystem, a premier life science incubator program.
  • "We are excited to join JLABS as a Blue Knight company.
  • "I’m thrilled to see ChromaTan selected as a Blue Knight company.

Battelle, Andelyn Biosciences, and AmplifyBio Awarded Task Orders for Plasmid and Suspension AAV Vector Manufacturing and IND-enabling Studies from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 20, 2023

NINDS, via its Ultra-rare Gene-based Therapy (URGenT) network, is funding a cooperative agreement for the manufacturing of plasmids and AAV gene therapy, and GLP preclinical studies, for AGU which is a severe and progressive genetic neurological disorder.

Key Points: 
  • NINDS, via its Ultra-rare Gene-based Therapy (URGenT) network, is funding a cooperative agreement for the manufacturing of plasmids and AAV gene therapy, and GLP preclinical studies, for AGU which is a severe and progressive genetic neurological disorder.
  • Andelyn will manufacture the gene of interest plasmid, packaging/helper plasmids, and AAV vector, while AmplifyBio will perform IND-enabling GLP preclinical studies and Battelle will provide assay support for the ELISA and enzyme activity portions of the studies.
  • The task orders follow the announcement made earlier this year of the team of Battelle, AmplifyBio and Andelyn Biosciences winning a seat on an eight-year, $149 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle from NINDS.
  • The ACC augments Andelyn’s two other Columbus facilities offering pre-clinical process development and plasmid manufacturing.

BIOVECTRA Launches Specialized Capabilities in mRNA Drug Product Development and Biomanufacturing

Retrieved on: 
Friday, November 17, 2023

Key Points: 
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231117977018/en/
    New Process Development Science Laboratory specializes in mRNA, pDNA, and LNP work (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada).
  • This suite of BIOVECTRA capabilities specialized in mRNA, pDNA, lipid nanoparticle and fill / finish work is unique and the first of its kind in Canada.
  • From research discovery through to final commercial vials, BIOVECTRA can support clients from biotech start-ups to blue-chip pharmaceutical companies with their mRNA / pDNA drug product projects from its Atlantic Canada-based operations.
  • New Biomanufacturing Centre (Charlottetown, PEI): 36,000 square feet of cGMP manufacturing space for mRNA, pDNA and Lipid Nano Particle formulation.

Base Editing Market Worth $549 million | MarketsandMarkets

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 14, 2023

By product and service, the base editing market has been further categorized as products and services.

Key Points: 
  • By product and service, the base editing market has been further categorized as products and services.
  • Platform accounted for the largest share of the global base editing market in 2022.
  • Based on the type, the global base editing market is segmented into RNA base editing, and DNA base editing.
  • In 2022, DNA base editing accounted for the largest share of the base editing market and the segment is expected to grow at a higher rate during the forecast period.

Base Editing Market Worth $549 million | MarketsandMarkets

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 14, 2023

By product and service, the base editing market has been further categorized as products and services.

Key Points: 
  • By product and service, the base editing market has been further categorized as products and services.
  • Platform accounted for the largest share of the global base editing market in 2022.
  • Based on the type, the global base editing market is segmented into RNA base editing, and DNA base editing.
  • In 2022, DNA base editing accounted for the largest share of the base editing market and the segment is expected to grow at a higher rate during the forecast period.

Porton Advanced and Ascle Therapeutics Reached a Strategic Partnership to Promote the Application of NK Cells in Cancer Prevention, Beauty, and Anti-aging

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 20, 2023

According to the agreement, Porton Advanced will provide services of development, production, and declaration in China for Ascle Therapeutics' NK cell project, supporting the application of NK cells in cancer prevention, anti-aging, and beauty.

Key Points: 
  • According to the agreement, Porton Advanced will provide services of development, production, and declaration in China for Ascle Therapeutics' NK cell project, supporting the application of NK cells in cancer prevention, anti-aging, and beauty.
  • Dr. Li Huashun, founder and chairman of Ascle Therapeutics, stated, "CAR-NK cell therapy has a significant effect on cancer treatment.
  • I believe that with its rich experience and professional technology, Porton Advanced can provide important support for Ascle Therapeutics to promote the application of NK cells in anti-aging, beauty, and cancer prevention."
  • Dr. Wang Yangzhou, CEO of Porton Advanced said: "We are very pleased to reach a strategic partnership with Ascle Therapeutics.

How do bacteria actually become resistant to antibiotics?

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 8, 2023

“What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger”, originally coined by Friedrich Nietzsche in 1888, is a perfect description of how bacteria develop antibiotic resistance.

Key Points: 
  • “What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger”, originally coined by Friedrich Nietzsche in 1888, is a perfect description of how bacteria develop antibiotic resistance.
  • Contrary to a common belief, antibiotic resistance is not about your body becoming resistant to antibiotics.

How bacteria adapt

  • The ability for bacteria to adapt lies in part with their astonishing rate of reproduction.
  • While most changes are bad, sometimes they can help the bacteria grow in the presence of an antibiotic.
  • This evolution of resistance can be seen by growing bacteria on a large agar plate (a nutrient support that bacteria like to grow on) with zones of increasing antibiotic levels.

They also exchange genetic material

  • The other key mechanism enabling bacterial resistance is the exchange of genetic information between bacteria.
  • In addition to the main chunk of DNA that encodes the bacterial genome, bacteria can host circular DNA snippets called plasmids.
  • Plasmid exchange usually occurs by direct physical contact between bacteria.

4 ways bacteria resist

  • Gram-positive bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus have a thick cell wall enclosing a lipid membrane.
  • Antibiotics can hijack these entry routes, but bacteria can modify the cell wall, cell membrane and entry proteins to block antibiotic penetration.
  • For example, bacteria increase the thickness of the cell wall to resist antibiotics like vancomycin.
  • Bacteria have machinery known as efflux pumps, which regurgitate unwanted molecules from within the bacteria.
  • Bacteria can alter the pump so it is more effective at removing the antibiotic, or they can simply make more pumps.
  • Antibiotics, like most other drugs, generally work by blocking the function of important enzymes within the bacteria.
  • If bacteria alter the target shape by changing the DNA/protein sequence, the antibiotic (key) can no longer bind to its target (lock).

Bacteria vs antibiotics

  • While bacteria have developed mechanisms to resist antibiotics, these adaptations can come at a “fitness” cost.
  • Bacteria may grow more slowly, or can be killed more easily by another antibiotic.
  • This has led to the concept of “collateral sensitivity” to prevent or overcome resistance when treating patients, by using pairs of antibiotics.


Mark Blaskovich receives funding from a range of government, not-for-profit and commercial organisations for research into antibiotic discovery and development. He is affiliated with AAMRNet (Australian Antimicrobial Resistance Network), an organisation promoting improved care and development of antibiotics and antibiotic alternatives.

Xtalks Announces its Life Science Webinar Calendar for November 2023

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 1, 2023

TORONTO, Nov. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Stay on top of current hot topics through free webinars presented by leading experts in the pharma, biotech, medical device and food industries. Access to all webinars is free, so be sure to register today to save your place! Participate in the discussion and stay relevant in your field!

Key Points: 
  • Upcoming free, educational webinars from Xtalks will feature topics on biomarkers, clinical trials, commercialization & HEOR, drug discovery & development, food, fundamental research, healthcare, laboratory technology, medical device, patient recruitment & retention, pharmaceutical, pharma manufacturing & supply chain, pharmacovigilance and preclinical.
  • TORONTO, Nov. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Stay on top of current hot topics through free webinars presented by leading experts in the pharma, biotech, medical device and food industries.
  • Access to all webinars is free, so be sure to register today to save your place!
  • Participate in the discussion and stay relevant in your field!

Immunomic Therapeutics Reports Positive Results from Its Phase 1 Clinical Trial of ITI-3000 in Patients Diagnosed with Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 23, 2023

ITI-3000 was granted Fast Track Designation (FTD) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2022.

Key Points: 
  • ITI-3000 was granted Fast Track Designation (FTD) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2022.
  • As we are encouraged by the immunological responses in patients, we look forward to continuing the development of ITI-3000.
  • The phase 1 clinical trial was a six-patient, single center, open label, first-in-human (FIH) study, investigating the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of ITI-3000 in patients with polyomavirus-positive Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).
  • Additional information regarding the phase 1 trial may be found at clinicaltrials.gov , using identifier: NCT05422781.