Prion

Zymo Research Pioneers a Breakthrough in Large-scale Animal-free RNase A Production

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

This breakthrough will enable the widespread use of recombinant RNase A in applications where an animal-free enzyme is preferred.

Key Points: 
  • This breakthrough will enable the widespread use of recombinant RNase A in applications where an animal-free enzyme is preferred.
  • Recognizing these challenges, Zymo Research has developed PureRec RNase A, an animal-free recombinant RNase A.
  • PureRec RNase A was developed and manufactured in Zymo Research's state-of-the-art facility in California, empowered by specialized expertise and advanced fermentation and bioprocessing technologies.
  • For more information or bulk inquiries on Zymo Research's recombinant RNase A, please check out PureRec RNase A .

Zymo Research Pioneers a Breakthrough in Large-scale Animal-free RNase A Production

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

This breakthrough will enable the widespread use of recombinant RNase A in applications where an animal-free enzyme is preferred.

Key Points: 
  • This breakthrough will enable the widespread use of recombinant RNase A in applications where an animal-free enzyme is preferred.
  • RNase A is a critical enzyme extensively utilized in plasmid and genomic DNA purification processes due to its efficacy in degrading RNA contaminants.
  • Recognizing these challenges, Zymo Research has developed PureRec RNase A, an animal-free recombinant RNase A.
  • For more information or bulk inquiries on Zymo Research's recombinant RNase A, please check out PureRec RNase A .

Chronic wasting disease has been detected in British Columbia deer, and we need to act now

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 16, 2024

Since 1996, a deadly neurodegenerative disease of cervids (deer, elk, moose, caribou, reindeer) has been spreading across Canada.

Key Points: 
  • Since 1996, a deadly neurodegenerative disease of cervids (deer, elk, moose, caribou, reindeer) has been spreading across Canada.
  • On Jan. 31, 2024, chronic wasting disease (CWD) was detected for the first time in British Columbia in two deer.

Disease-causing proteins

  • The protein is similar to other normal proteins in the body, except it’s abnormally shaped.
  • The abnormal folding of these disease-causing prion proteins — which are found most abundantly in the brain — leads to brain damage that makes the brain appear like a sponge.
  • Other TSEs include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in people, bovine-spongiform encephalopathy (“mad cow disease”) in cows, and scrapie in sheep and goats.
  • This means that early detection and management is critical for reducing the impact of this disease.

British Columbia’s preparations

  • has established a surveillance program to detect CWD as soon as possible.
  • Our research suggests that a robust approach to such a difficult disease will require rapid, collective and collaborative action across sectors.
  • This approach must involve wildlife managers, hunters, local communities, First Nations and researchers to integrate a number of approaches.

Surveillance and management

  • Many CWD management programs rely on removing infected animals from the landscape.
  • While it is mandatory to submit the heads from hunted cervids in select management units in B.C., in most regions, submission is voluntary.
  • Hunters can participate in CWD management and surveillance by removing the head of the animal and submitting it to a local testing station or freezer for CWD testing.
  • The public can also participate in CWD surveillance and management by reporting signs of sick animals and vehicle collisions with cervids.
  • This is why testing cervids that have been killed by vehicles is also a critical component of CWD surveillance and management.

Curbing the spread

  • CWD can spread between animals through contact with bodily fluids.
  • Legal restrictions on carcass transport and the use of urine-based scents in hunting can also reduce the unintentional spread of CWD.
  • Research has shown that community-focused communication and engagement are essential for the success of CWD management efforts.
  • In the days ahead, fostering open dialogue and collaboration will be paramount towards an effective and sustainable effort against CWD.


Kaylee Byers is the Regional Deputy Director of the British Columbia Node of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative and collaborates with the Wildlife Health Program, which leads Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance in British Columbia. Sarah Robinson 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.

New Publication Identifies Key Proteins Involved in Amyloid Oligomer Binding and Supports Mechanism of CT1812

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Results detected TMEM97, a protein component of the σ-2 receptor complex, in close proximity to cellular prion protein (PrPc) on Alzheimer’s brain synapses.

Key Points: 
  • Results detected TMEM97, a protein component of the σ-2 receptor complex, in close proximity to cellular prion protein (PrPc) on Alzheimer’s brain synapses.
  • These findings support the hypothesis that these receptor proteins may form a complex on the synapse surface with Aβ oligomers binding to one or both proteins.
  • “Previous work indicated that Aβ oligomers damage synapses, but until now it was not possible to know which proteins bind toxic forms of Aβ in human synapses.
  • Importantly, this FRET signal is reduced in CT1812-treated mice, suggesting that CT1812 caused the release of Aβ oligomers from their binding site and prevented them from re-binding.

Sangamo Therapeutics Announces Strategic Update and Reports Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMO), a genomic medicines company, today announced recent business highlights, including progress on its strategic transformation and a corresponding restructuring of operations and workforce reduction, and reported third quarter 2023 financial results.

Key Points: 
  • Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMO), a genomic medicines company, today announced recent business highlights, including progress on its strategic transformation and a corresponding restructuring of operations and workforce reduction, and reported third quarter 2023 financial results.
  • As a result of this restructuring, Sangamo is reducing its US workforce by approximately 40%, or approximately 162 roles.
  • Sangamo expects to incur approximately $8 million-$10 million in one-time restructuring costs in the fourth quarter of 2023.
  • Revenues for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023 were $9.4 million, compared to $26.5 million for the same period in 2022.

Sangamo Therapeutics Reports Recent Business Highlights and Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMO), a genomic medicines company, today reported recent business highlights and second quarter 2023 financial results.

Key Points: 
  • Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMO), a genomic medicines company, today reported recent business highlights and second quarter 2023 financial results.
  • We are pleased to have executed several business development deals, demonstrating the excitement in Sangamo’s science and platform,” said Sandy Macrae, Chief Executive Officer of Sangamo.
  • Revenues for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 were $6.8 million, compared to $29.4 million for the same period in 2022.
  • Additionally, revenues relating to our collaboration agreement with Kite decreased by $5.1 million, reflecting a reduction in collaboration activities during the quarter.

Voyager Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2023 Financial and Operating Results

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 3, 2023

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VYGR), a biotechnology company dedicated to breaking through barriers in gene therapy and neurology, today reported second quarter 2023 financial and operating results.

Key Points: 
  • ET today -
    CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VYGR), a biotechnology company dedicated to breaking through barriers in gene therapy and neurology, today reported second quarter 2023 financial and operating results.
  • Collaboration Revenues: Voyager had collaboration revenue of $4.9 million for the second quarter of 2023, compared to $0.7 million for the same period in 2022.
  • The increase was primarily due to revenue recognized during the second quarter of 2023 on the 2023 and 2019 strategic collaborations with Neurocrine Biosciences.
  • ET to discuss the second quarter 2023 financial and operating results.

Sangamo Therapeutics and Voyager Therapeutics Enter License Agreement for Epigenetic Regulation Treatment of Prion Disease

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 29, 2023

Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMO), a genomic medicine company, and Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VYGR), today announced the parties have entered into a definitive license agreement for a potential treatment of prion disease.

Key Points: 
  • Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMO), a genomic medicine company, and Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VYGR), today announced the parties have entered into a definitive license agreement for a potential treatment of prion disease.
  • Using its proprietary epigenetic regulation platform, Sangamo has developed zinc finger transcriptional regulators (ZF-TRs) which it believes can specifically and potently block expression of the prion protein, the pathogenic driver of prion disease.
  • Under the agreement, Voyager has provided Sangamo with access to a capsid derived from Voyager’s proprietary TRACER™ platform.
  • Sangamo is solely responsible for the research, development, manufacture and commercialization of any product candidates using the Voyager capsid.

José Baselga Research Fund Announces First-Ever Grant to Advance Prion Disease Research

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 21, 2023

The José Baselga Research Fund (JBRF), supported by Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, today announced the initiation of the Global José Baselga Research Grant (Baselga Grant), an annual $75,000 grant to advance the treatment of prion diseases, a group of rare progressive neurodegenerative disorders.

Key Points: 
  • The José Baselga Research Fund (JBRF), supported by Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, today announced the initiation of the Global José Baselga Research Grant (Baselga Grant), an annual $75,000 grant to advance the treatment of prion diseases, a group of rare progressive neurodegenerative disorders.
  • JBRF was created by the Baselga family in memory of Dr. José Baselga, a physician-scientist who dedicated his life to the advancement of cancer therapy before passing away two years ago today from Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), an extremely rare, fatal neurodegenerative condition.
  • The Baselga Grant will honor Jose’s legacy and support scientists in the pursuit of understanding, and eradicating, prion diseases such as CJD.
  • The project must have direct applicability and relevance to understanding the pathophysiology or other aspects of prion diseases, developing therapies, or mechanisms for earlier detection of prion disease.

Viral Clearance and Viral Testing Services Global Market Report 2023: Streamlined Manufacturing and On-Time Delivery of Biologics Bolsters Adoption - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 16, 2023

A general overview of the viral clearance and testing studies, highlighting details on viral contamination in biologics and the need for viral clearance and testing.

Key Points: 
  • A general overview of the viral clearance and testing studies, highlighting details on viral contamination in biologics and the need for viral clearance and testing.
  • Answer: Presently, more than 30 companies offer various services related to viral clearance and testing, including viral testing services (such as cell bank testing, raw material testing, unprocessed bulk testing and end of production process testing) and viral clearance services (such as several virus inactivation and removal methods).
  • Question 6: What are the recent developments in the viral clearance and viral testing services market?
  • Question 7: Which geographical segment has the highest growth rate in viral clearance and viral testing services market?