Wellcome Trust

AN2 Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results and Recent Business and Scientific Highlights

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Science, Biotechnology, Research, Pharmaceutical, Health, FDA, Infectious Diseases, Clinical Trials, Administration, Nontuberculous mycobacteria, Conference, Bill, AN2, Entrepreneurship, NTM, Boron, Tuberculosis, University, Patient, Melioidosis, Data monitoring committee, G&A, MAC, Insurance, Infection, Wellcome Trust, Investment, Clinical trial, Chagas disease, Therapy, Malaria, Safety, Poster, Research and development, Mycobacteroides abscessus, IDSA, Trust, Pharmaceutical industry

Patients in the Phase 2 trial have reached the six-month mark, and we plan to report topline results this summer.

Key Points: 
  • Patients in the Phase 2 trial have reached the six-month mark, and we plan to report topline results this summer.
  • Net loss: Net loss for the full year 2023 was $64.7 million, compared to $41.0 million in the prior year.
  • Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $16.9 million, compared to $11.8 million for the same period during 2022.
  • Cash Position: The Company had cash, cash equivalents, and investments of $134.5 million at December 31, 2023.

Rediscovering Gems: British Museum exhibition exposes hypocrisy of new loan agreements for looted objects

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Gems, Museum, Parthenon, Collection, Social media, Hearing, Wallace Collection, Metropolitan, Science Museum Group, Trustee, Wellcome, Exhibition, V&A, British, Noise, Horniman Museum, Fowler Museum at UCLA, University, Fowler, Victoria and Albert Museum, Wellcome Trust, Manchester Museum, Negotiation, Comment, Pressure, Furniture

The British Museum’s latest exhibition, Rediscovering Gems, displays a range of prized ancient Roman and Greek artefacts.

Key Points: 
  • The British Museum’s latest exhibition, Rediscovering Gems, displays a range of prized ancient Roman and Greek artefacts.
  • The exhibition stemmed from an announcement last year that numerous pieces from the museum’s collection were missing, stolen or damaged.
  • While the British Museum celebrates recovered items in its new exhibition, it has continuously refused to return historically looted items in its own collection back to countries of origin.

From irony to hypocrisy

  • The objects will remain with the Asante for three to six years before having to be legally returned to the British Museum.
  • Read more:
    V&A's decision to loan looted Asante gold back to Ghana has implications for other British museums

    And herein lies the hypocrisy of Rediscovering gems.

  • The opening of Rediscovering gems displays an open embrace of institutional hypocrisy.
  • There is no legal barrier preventing the amendment of laws enabling the permanent restitution of historically looted objects.

Beyond the British Museum

  • As well as continuing to pile pressure on the British Museum and UK lawmakers, I would argue that community stakeholders and national leaders should look beyond most national museums which are prohibited by law from returning objects to countries of origin.
  • This includes the Science Museum Group, Kew Gardens and Wallace Collection.
  • As well as striking the loan agreement with the British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum, Asante representatives also struck a deal with the Fowler Museum at the University of California in Los Angeles.
  • The British Museum declined a request from The Conversation to comment on this story.


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Nathan Bossoh does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

"Double Life" of Key Immune Protein Reveals New Strategies for Treating Cancer and Autoimmune Diseases

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 8, 2024
Bangladesh Technical Education Board, University of Oslo, Cancer, University, The central science, Immune system, Research, Doctor of Philosophy, Science Immunology, National Institutes of Health, MD, Moses Austin, Neoplasm, Inflammation, Wang, Wellcome Trust, Rheumatology, Lupus, PD-1, Bristol Myers Squibb, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Biochemistry, NYU, Autoimmunity, Perlmutter, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pathology, Ligand, Pharmacology, NYU Langone Health, Patient, Hanmi Pharmaceutical, Internal medicine, Biomedical sciences, Funding of science, Columbia University, Mouse, Vaccine

The same findings also support experimental treatment strategies for autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system attacks the body, because stimulating the action of PD-1, as opposed to restricting it, can potentially block an overactive immune response.

Key Points: 
  • The same findings also support experimental treatment strategies for autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system attacks the body, because stimulating the action of PD-1, as opposed to restricting it, can potentially block an overactive immune response.
  • The study results revolve around the body's immune system, which is primed to attack virally infected and cancerous cells while leaving normal cells alone.
  • The immune system recognizes tumors as abnormal, but cancer cells can hijack checkpoints to turn off immune responses.
  • At the same time, PD-1 signaling is slowed in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and type 1 diabetes, such that the action of unchecked immune cells creates inflammation that can damage tissues.

Zura Bio Continues to Strengthen Leadership with Appointment of Robert Lisicki as President and Kiran Nistala as CMO

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 8, 2024
Science, Other Science, Biotechnology, Research, Pharmaceutical, General Health, Health, Clinical Trials, Marketing, Arena, Pfizer, Autoimmune disease, GSK plc, Dermatology, Multimedia, Johnson & Johnson, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Child, Rheumatology, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Protocol, Trust, Lupus, CCO, University, Wellcome Trust, Doctor of Philosophy, Therapy, Senior, State, University College London, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Inflammation, Myositis, MBBS, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Growth, Mergers and acquisitions, Patient, State university system, Economics, Scleroderma, Management

Mr. Lisicki will be responsible for developing and driving the business plan and strategic initiatives as Zura Bio builds a leading immunology company.

Key Points: 
  • Mr. Lisicki will be responsible for developing and driving the business plan and strategic initiatives as Zura Bio builds a leading immunology company.
  • Mr. Lisicki and Dr. Nistala have successfully worked on or led in the development of multiple drugs within the auto-immune therapeutic area.
  • These executives position Zura Bio to deliver on the promise of their innovative medicines for patients in need of better clinical outcomes.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240108851979/en/
    “I am very pleased to welcome Rob and Kiran to Zura Bio as members of the Executive Team.

DeepMirror Launches Early Access Programme for Its Intuitive Molecular Drug Design Software

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 11, 2023
University, Biotechnology, Education, Technology, Health, Pharmaceutical, Health Technology, Research, Software, Artificial Intelligence, Science, BCG, DMTA, Trust, Medicinal chemistry, ISCB Senior Scientist Award, University of Cambridge, Wellcome Trust, Entrepreneurship, Toxicity, Drug design, System, AI, ADME, Lead, Access, Medical device, Drug discovery

DeepMirror, a University of Cambridge spin-out company developing intuitive design software for the discovery of novel therapeutic drugs, today announced the launch of its Early Access Programme after a successful closed beta programme during which chemists were invited to test the software over several months.

Key Points: 
  • DeepMirror, a University of Cambridge spin-out company developing intuitive design software for the discovery of novel therapeutic drugs, today announced the launch of its Early Access Programme after a successful closed beta programme during which chemists were invited to test the software over several months.
  • The software allows users to tap into AI-driven insights to improve and accelerate molecular design across the drug discovery pipeline through a secure and user-friendly interface which makes AI-powered drug discovery as simple as using a spreadsheet.
  • AI-enabled drug discovery programmes often start with pharmaceutical companies partnering with AI companies to deliver insights for their drug discovery efforts.
  • After 12 months of development and a successful beta testing programme, we are excited to officially launch DeepMirror to early adopters.

Melinta Therapeutics and Venatorx Pharmaceuticals Announce Licensing Agreement to Commercialize Cefepime-Taniborbactam in the U.S.

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Research, Infectious Diseases, Biotechnology, Other Health, Health, Pharmaceutical, General Health, Other Science, Science, Wellcome Trust, Government, FDA, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Meropenem, PDUFA, Food, Cutis laxa, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Pyelonephritis, Melinta Therapeutics, End-user license agreement, Prescription Drug User Fee Act, Human services, Regulation of tobacco by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Urinary tract infection, R, Administration, QIDP, CDC, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Regulation, Medicine, Partnership, Infection, AP, ESBL, NDA, License, Therapy, Patient, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, Pharmaceutical industry

The partnership follows Venatorx’s submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) for cefepime-taniborbactam for the treatment of cUTI including pyelonephritis, in adults.

Key Points: 
  • The partnership follows Venatorx’s submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) for cefepime-taniborbactam for the treatment of cUTI including pyelonephritis, in adults.
  • Venatorx has been assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date for February 22, 2024.
  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted cefepime-taniborbactam Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) and Fast Track designations for both the cUTI and HABP/VABP indications.
  • Venatorx has granted GARDP exclusive rights to distribute and sub-distribute cefepime-taniborbactam, once it is approved for clinical use, in low- and lower middle-income countries.

Neurocentrx Reports Positive Top-line Results from Phase 1 Clinical Study of its Lead Oral Ketamine Capsule Programme

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Biotechnology, Mental Health, Health, Pharmaceutical, Clinical Trials, Wellcome Trust, Trust, Ketamine, MTD, Trial of the century, DSM-IV codes, Esketamine, EudraCT, Drug, Conference, SAD, Pharmacodynamics, Psychology, MHRA, Index, Marketing, Bipolar, Spectrum, Depression, Safety, International Society, Patient, Pharmaceutical industry, Vaccine

At several KET-IR dose levels, ketamine and ketamine metabolite blood concentrations were similar to those reported for intranasal esketamine, which is used to treat patients with treatment-resistant depression, and with intravenous ketamine.

Key Points: 
  • At several KET-IR dose levels, ketamine and ketamine metabolite blood concentrations were similar to those reported for intranasal esketamine, which is used to treat patients with treatment-resistant depression, and with intravenous ketamine.
  • Pharmacodynamic effects known to be associated with ketamine therapy, such as dissociation and mild sedation, were apparent at several doses.
  • “We are encouraged by the results of our phase 1 study of KET-IR.”, added Graeme Duncan, Head of Clinical Development at Neurocentrx.
  • Blood levels of ketamine and ketamine metabolites were similar to levels associated with therapeutic ketamine administration at several dose levels (Perez-Ruixo et al.

Peptilogics Reports Positive 180-Day Top-Line Interim Data From Phase 1B Trial of PLG0206 in Patients With Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI)

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Biotechnology, FDA, Other Health, Health, Clinical Trials, Infection, CARB-X, Obesity, Surgeon, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Failure, Prevalence, Diabetes, Aftercare, Use of Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) in the U.S. Department of Defense, Human services, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Wellcome Trust, Overalls, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, Quality of life, Risk, AMR, Implant, Administration, Development, Journal, TKA, Patient, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Low-dose naltrexone, UPMC, Debridement, Research, Orthopedic surgery, Recurrence, Biofilm, Pharmaceutical industry, Arthroplasty

Peptilogics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, today announced new top-line interim data for PLG0206 in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) patients from their ongoing Phase 1b trial.

Key Points: 
  • Peptilogics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, today announced new top-line interim data for PLG0206 in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) patients from their ongoing Phase 1b trial.
  • At 180-days following treatment with PLG0206 administered during a DAIR (Debridement, Antibiotics, and Implant Retention) surgery, no treatment-related serious adverse events were reported in either cohort.
  • One recurrence was observed in the trial (one of 14 patients, 7%), which was in the Low Dose cohort at Day-180; no recurrences were observed in the High-Dose cohort.
  • “Most of the patients in this trial have a very high risk of failure due to their comorbidities including obesity, diabetes, and prior joint surgeries, making them some of the hardest patients to treat.

AlveoGene Launches to Develop Unique Inhaled Gene Therapies for Rare Respiratory Disorders

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Department of Health and Social Care, Infection, OCC, Social work, Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, US Foods, Partnership, Cystic Fibrosis Trust, University, Emphysema, IV, Trust, DSM-IV codes, Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust, Respiratory disease, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Cystic fibrosis, Inflammation, Oxford Sciences Enterprises, GTC, CFTR, AATD, MD, Patient, Diagnosis, OSE, Imperial College London, Pharmaceutical industry, Management, Medical device, Grifols, Circassia

AlveoGene has been created by OSE, Harrington and OCC in partnership with six leading scientists from the world-renowned UK Respiratory Gene Therapy Consortium (GTC).

Key Points: 
  • AlveoGene has been created by OSE, Harrington and OCC in partnership with six leading scientists from the world-renowned UK Respiratory Gene Therapy Consortium (GTC).
  • AlveoGene will also evaluate the potential of the InGenuiTy™ platform alongside other technologies to create a pipeline of novel inhaled gene therapies targeting other rare respiratory disease opportunities, such as lung surfactant deficiencies and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
  • This will enable AlveoGene to rapidly advance our first candidate – AVG-001 a unique, inhaled gene therapy for AATD – towards clinical development.
  • AlveoGene is the culmination of a successful collaboration between leading researchers from top-ranked UK universities, via GTC, and we believe the company has the potential to become a leader in respiratory gene therapy.

Infleqtion, UChicago, and MIT Unite to Develop Breakthrough Cancer Solutions with AI and Quantum Algorithms

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
University, Trust, QC, Wellcome Trust, Pathology, Cancer, ML, University of Chicago, Hope, Global health, Research, MIT, Genomics, Associate, Assistant, Thought, Data analysis, Patient, Algorithm, Physics, Artificial intelligence, Knowledge, AI, Health, Quantum, Death, Computer science, Seymour, Medical device, Medical imaging, Medicine

CHICAGO, Sept. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infleqtion, the world's quantum information company, today announced that it had been awarded funding from Wellcome Leap's Quantum for Bio (Q4Bio) program with a team of renowned researchers and medical doctors at the University of Chicago (UChicago) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This collaborative effort aims to transform cancer care by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum algorithms to drive personalized diagnostics and treatments. Founded by the Wellcome Trust in 2020, Wellcome Leap is a U.S. non-profit that builds and executes bold, unconventional programs designed to increase the number and speed of breakthroughs in human health. 

Key Points: 
  • This collaborative effort aims to transform cancer care by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum algorithms to drive personalized diagnostics and treatments.
  • The team led by Infleqtion, a company with extensive experience in commercializing quantum technologies, includes leaders in quantum computing (QC), algorithm development, multimodal genomics, and clinical cancer care.
  • Dr. Aram Harrow, a Professor of Physics at MIT, is a renowned quantum algorithms developer.
  • Together, the team is uniquely positioned to leverage their powerful computational resources to develop quantum cancer biomarker algorithms.