Rudi Schläfli

A team from ZHAW Zurich has showcased the transferability of CHO-cell-based mAb production processes from geometrically dissimilar stirred bioreactors for fed-batch and perfusion processes, the team has opened up new possibilities for cost savings and increased yields. Their study found that the high volumetric productivity in the perfusion processes can lead to cost savings, smaller bioreactor sizes, and maintained manufacturing capacity in production plants. Alternatively, yields could be increased by a factor of 2.8 to 3.2 while still using the same bioreactor size. We look forward to seeing how it will impact the future of antibody production. #biotech #antibodyproduction #research https://lnkd.in/eA9992FV

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"San Diago... which of course in German means..." (you can fill in the blank in your head if you know the reference 😂) But I AM in gorgeous San Diego! Please reach out if you've been curious about base editing and would like to have an in person seminar in the So Cal region this month! Why base editing for your therapeutic cell engineering pipelines? ⏲️ SAVE TIME- reduce timelines on multiplex edited cell products by up to 90% 💰 SAVE ON COSTS of manufacturing when less steps are required to reach the end product 💪 HEALTHIER CELL PRODUCTS - gene editing with our platform avoids double strand DNA breaks, reducing the risk of genomic translocations, reducing cytotoxicity, and supporting normal growth rates

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My new teammate Mart Sooba is introducing SOLIScript ® reverse transcriptase!

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Happy Friday all! Check out this open access Nature article by Ferretti et al., "Discovery of WRN inhibitor HRO761 with synthetic lethality in MSI cancers." Abstract: The Werner syndrome RecQ helicase WRN was identified as a synthetic lethal target in cancer cells with microsatellite instability (MSI) by several genetic screens. Despite advances in treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors, there is an unmet need in the treatment of MSI cancers. Here we report the structural, biochemical, cellular and pharmacological characterization of the clinical-stage WRN helicase inhibitor HRO761, which was identified through an innovative hit-finding and lead-optimization strategy. HRO761 is a potent, selective, allosteric WRN inhibitor that binds at the interface of the D1 and D2 helicase domains, locking WRN in an inactive conformation. Pharmacological inhibition by HRO761 recapitulated the phenotype observed by WRN genetic suppression, leading to DNA damage and inhibition of tumour cell growth selectively in MSI cells in a p53-independent manner. Moreover, HRO761 led to WRN degradation in MSI cells but not in microsatellite-stable cells. Oral treatment with HRO761 resulted in dose-dependent in vivo DNA damage induction and tumour growth inhibition in MSI cell- and patient-derived xenograft models. These findings represent preclinical pharmacological validation of WRN as a therapeutic target in MSI cancers. A clinical trial with HRO761 (NCT05838768) is ongoing to assess the safety, tolerability and preliminary anti-tumour activity in patients with MSI colorectal cancer and other MSI solid tumours. #drugdiscovery #cancerresearch #immunotherapy #immunooncology #syntheticlethal #scientificresearch

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ViroCell Biologics, a leading CDMO specializing in GMP viral vector manufacturing, successfully closed an oversubscribed convertible note offering to support its growth. New investor First Light Asset Management LLC led the funding round, joined by existing investors Sartorius Stedim Biotech S.A. and Dorset Opportunity Fund LP. The proceeds will fuel ViroCell's growth, meeting the rising demand for its viral vector design and manufacturing expertise. The company provides pre-clinical and clinical viral vector services, supporting the development of innovative cell and gene therapies. With regulatory approval from the UK's MHRA, ViroCell's services are in high demand, resulting in a substantial Master Services Agreement with a prominent US cancer center. CEO John W. Hadden II expressed gratitude to investors, especially First Light Asset Management LLC, for their confidence in the company's market position and growth potential. Matt Arens, CEO and Founder of First Light Asset Management LLC, emphasized the team's dedication to supporting ViroCell's ambitious growth journey. This investment will enhance the CDMO's services for cutting-edge CGT research organizations globally. ViroCell Biologics aims to be the preferred partner for entities developing CGT therapies, leveraging its expertise to streamline the clinical development process. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dSkMGaQn Farzin Farzaneh, PhD John W. Hadden II Todd Davis

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Systems Medicine - Matthias Prucha and I will join the e:Med Meeting 2024 in Hamburg tomorrow till Saturday representing Olink Proteomics. We are much looking forward to discussing #multivariate #marker screens on clinical or health cohorts with attending researchers, involving the establishment of protein signatures associated to other phenotypic characteristics, such as disease state, drug response, or further mechanistic settings. Also looking into #causal #linkage of genomic variants in form of #pQTLs. Venue: Helmut-Schmidt-Auditorium of the Bucerius Law School https://lnkd.in/ev5e35jX #PrecisionMedicine #TranslationalResearch #SystemsMedicine #Proteomics #Multiomics #Proteogenomics #ProteinSignature

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📢 Hey everyone! 🔍 The latest issue of Mol Bio Insights is out, and it's all about the RNA workflow! If you're into RNA like us, here's how to download your free copy.​ ​ This issue is packed with valuable insights, tips, and techniques for working with RNA in the lab. Whether you're studying gene expression, RNA sequencing, or just want to brush up on your RNA knowledge, this is a must-read! 📖​ 🔗 Want to dive right in? https://lnkd.in/g8mi92U5 ​ Spread the word and share this resource with your fellow scientists!💡 #MolBioInsights #RNAWorkflow

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Happy Thursday all! Check out this open access Nature Leukemia review by Lei et al., "Leveraging CRISPR gene editing technology to optimize the efficacy, safety and accessibility of CAR T-cell therapy." https://lnkd.in/gAWFHq-j. Abstract: Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy has revolutionized cancer immune therapy. However, challenges remain including increasing efficacy, reducing adverse events and increasing accessibility. Use of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technology can effectively perform various functions such as precise integration, multi-gene editing, and genome-wide functional regulation. Additionally, CRISPR screening using large-scale guide RNA (gRNA) genetic perturbation provides an unbiased approach to understanding mechanisms underlying anti-cancer efficacy of CAR T-cells. Several emerging CRISPR tools with high specificity, controllability and efficiency are useful to modify CAR T-cells and identify new targets. In this review we summarize potential uses of the CRISPR system to improve results of CAR T-cells therapy including optimizing efficacy and safety and, developing universal CAR T-cells. We discuss challenges facing CRISPR gene editing and propose solutions highlighting future research directions in CAR T-cell therapy. #drugdiscovery #cancerresearch #crispr #tcelltherapy #immunooncology #immunotherapy #scientificresearch

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Happy Tuesday all! Check out this open access Mol Therapy Nucleic Acids article by Delehedde et al., "Enhancing natural killer cells proliferation and cytotoxicity using imidazole-based lipid nanoparticles encapsulating interleukin-2 mRNA." Summary: mRNA applications have undergone unprecedented applications—from vaccination to cell therapy. Natural killer (NK) cells are recognized to have a significant potential in immunotherapy. NK-based cell therapy has drawn attention as allogenic graft with a minimal graft-versus-host risk leading to easier off-the-shelf production. NK cells can be engineered with either viral vectors or electroporation, involving high costs, risks, and toxicity, emphasizing the need for alternative way as mRNA technology. We successfully developed, screened, and optimized novel lipid-based platforms based on imidazole lipids. Formulations are produced by microfluidic mixing and exhibit a size of approximately 100 nm with a polydispersity index of less than 0.2. They are able to transfect NK-92 cells, KHYG-1 cells, and primary NK cells with high efficiency without cytotoxicity, while Lipofectamine Messenger Max and D-Lin-MC3 lipid nanoparticle-based formulations do not. Moreover, the translation of non-modified mRNA was higher and more stable in time compared with a modified one. Remarkably, the delivery of therapeutically relevant interleukin 2 mRNA resulted in extended viability together with preserved activation markers and cytotoxic ability of both NK cell lines and primary NK cells. Altogether, our platforms feature all prerequisites needed for the successful deployment of NK-based therapeutic strategies. #drugdiscovery #cancerresearch #immunotherapy #immunooncology #nkcells #gvhd #scientificresearch

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nerai bio receives CHF 150’000 to release the full potential of genome editing. https://lnkd.in/d58MQsVf   Congratulations to amazing team of founders: Sasha M., Kim Fabiano Marquart, Lukas Schmidheini, Gerald Schwank, and Vincent Forster About: CRISPR is a revolutionary technology that enables gene editing therapies for inherited diseases. It uses proteins programmed with an RNA template to locate and correct disease-causing mutations in the genome. However, current CRISPR proteins have limitations in applicability, efficiency, and safety. The company builds on years of R&D in directed evolution, lab automation, and machine learning to develop an AI-driven high-throughput protein discovery platform. These engineered proteins will be licensed to gene therapy companies, tapping into a $4.4B market (2023, 78% YoY growth). The research team from University of Zurich has already developed parts of this platform, with findings published in leading journals. #SwissStartups #VentureKick

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Having a ready-to-use antibody library is a sure competitive advantage. If you are a CRO, it puts you ahead of all other competitors. If you are a developer, it can reduce a good 1-2 years off your pipeline. At the current speed of R&D, that's more than the difference between filing a patent or not. It can mean a whole pipeline, sunken projects, and even massive layoffs. Ignore at your own risk. ————————— I am Davide - Founder & CEO of Sellomics. With my life science company I bring innovative cell biology solutions to European researchers in #Academia, #Pharma, #Biotech, and #IVD. With our venture Lab4Paws, we support Animal Health researchers in the development of therapeutic & diagnostic solutions for companion animals. Like my content? Click my name + follow + 🔔

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🎉 Pierce BCA Protein Assay Kit Named the Most Globally Cited Protein Quantitation Kit! 🎉 According to a recent CiteAb blog post, the Pierce BCA Protein Assay Kit was the #2 most-cited life science assay kit in 2023, second only to an RNA isolation kit. This makes our BCA Protein Assay the most-cited protein quantitation kit on the market! 🏆 The Kits & Assays Market Dataset: Top 100 cited Kits & Assays in 2023 ranks leading life science assay kits and manufacturers based on citation counts. Researchers worldwide rely on the Pierce BCA Protein Assay Kit to quantify total protein samples such as lysates, serum, or protein mixtures. 🔬 Why Choose Pierce BCA? Unmatched Accuracy: 2X more accurate than Bradford Assays High Reliability: Trusted by scientists globally Versatile Applications: Ideal for various protein quantification needs 📈 Share the News: Let your proteomics customers know about this top-ranking solution, especially those using Bradford Assays or seeking new protein quantification methods. 💡 Bonus: We also offer the Pierce BCA Protein Assay Kit with our new Dilution-Free BSA Protein Standards! Explore the benefits of the most cited protein quantitation kit today: https://lnkd.in/gx8pyY8g #Proteomics #ProteinQuantitation #LifeScience #ResearchExcellence #ThermoFisherScientific #PierceBCA #CiteAb #ScientificResearch #TopRanked #AccurateQuantification

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Happy Friday all! Check out this Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology article by Al-Rawi et al., "Targeting chromosomal instability in patients with cancer." Abstract: Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a hallmark of cancer and a driver of metastatic dissemination, therapeutic resistance, and immune evasion. CIN is present in 60–80% of human cancers and poses a formidable therapeutic challenge as evidenced by the lack of clinically approved drugs that directly target CIN. This limitation in part reflects a lack of well-defined druggable targets as well as a dearth of tractable biomarkers enabling direct assessment and quantification of CIN in patients with cancer. Over the past decade, however, our understanding of the cellular mechanisms and consequences of CIN has greatly expanded, revealing novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of chromosomally unstable tumours as well as new methods of assessing the dynamic nature of chromosome segregation errors that define CIN. In this Review, we describe advances that have shaped our understanding of CIN from a translational perspective, highlighting both challenges and opportunities in the development of therapeutic interventions for patients with chromosomally unstable cancers. #drugdiscovery #cancerresearch #chromosomes #immunooncology #immunotherapy #scientificresearch

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Happy Monday all! Check out this open access Nature Comm paper by Wegmann et al., "Molecular and functional landscape of malignant serous effusions for precision oncology." Abstract: Personalized treatment for patients with advanced solid tumors critically depends on the deep characterization of tumor cells from patient biopsies. Here, we comprehensively characterize a pan-cancer cohort of 150 malignant serous effusion (MSE) samples at the cellular, molecular, and functional level. We find that MSE-derived cancer cells retain the genomic and transcriptomic profiles of their corresponding primary tumors, validating their use as a patient-relevant model system for solid tumor biology. Integrative analyses reveal that baseline gene expression patterns relate to global ex vivo drug sensitivity, while high-throughput drug-induced transcriptional changes in MSE samples are indicative of drug mode of action and acquired treatment resistance. A case study exemplifies the added value of multi-modal MSE profiling for patients who lack genetically stratified treatment options. In summary, our study provides a functional multi-omics view on a pan-cancer solid tumor cohort and underlines the feasibility and utility of MSE-based precision oncology. #drugdiscovery #oncology #cancerresearch #precisiononcology #immunotherapy #immunooncology #tumors #scientificresearch

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𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿 : 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀? When I transitioned from an international postdoc to an employee, and then to the CEO of IMMUNOCHEM—the company I acquired—I thought I was prepared for everything. How naive I was! 🙆‍♂️ Let me tell you, being an ambitious CEO in the Life Sciences is a whole new ball game. Suddenly, I was responsible for everything, making tough strategic decisions with limited information. In a company, each day brings new challenges: managing cash flow, securing funds, finding customers (and delivering to them!), pursuing innovative R&D programs, and ensuring my team's well-being and productivity. The pressure to stay competitive in this field is immense. This role demands resilience and a constant willingness to learn and adapt. Every challenge becomes a growth opportunity, and every setback, a lesson. 🦸‍♂️ Being a CEO empowers me to shape my company's vision and drive groundbreaking research forward. What keeps me going is my passion for science and the drive to make a difference. And it's incredibly rewarding to lead a team of talented individuals who share this mission. If you are on a similar journey, I can just encourage you to stay focused on your goals and embrace the challenges, wathever the field. Remember, you're not alone in this and you have a pure mission. ❤️‍🔥 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲? Phil. PS: I've launched EVOBody™, a unique platform allowing biotech leaders to develop antibody projects from concept to generation with minimal risk in 6 weeks only, for a maximum impact. Apply for access to our program by clicking on 'Schedule a Meeting' under my profile.

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𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗼, 𝗜 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿. My passion has always been in the pursuit of scientific discovery, solving complex problems, and pushing the boundaries of what we know. 🧬 I am and I will stay a researcher in my mind. But 4 years ago I made a crazy switch, leaving the lab bench to take on the role of CEO at IMMUNOCHEM. This was a daunting decision. The transition to a leadership role meant stepping away from the day-to-day research activities. (Don't get me wrong, I'm still with my research team all the time 😉) But while being a bit further from hands-on, this opened up a new world for me. A world where I can build a vision… Our vision. One where our innovative biotechnology leveraging AI and VHH can address some of the most pressing health issues of our time, like antimicrobial resistance (#AMR). I love that we are at the head of our own projects. My new role also means driving the company forward, setting strategic goals, and inspiring a team of brilliant minds to work towards a common mission. I hope I make it well. Today, as I look back on these four years, I am filled with a sense of pride and accomplishment. The switch from researcher to CEO has been one of the most transformative experiences of my career. It has reinforced my belief that stepping out of your comfort zone is essential for growth and innovation. And you, what was your biggest carrier shift? Phil. 𝗣𝗦: I founded IMMUNOCHEM in 2020, and we’re on a mission to make the world a better place by leveraging the power of AI and biological tools—particularly single-domain antibodies. We are also deeply committed to advancing dedicated projects in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 👉 Follow our journey and be part of the future of science → Click my name + follow + 🔔 👉 Apply for access to our EVOBody™ program by clicking on 'Schedule a Meeting' under my profile.

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Register for this webinar to learn about different methods for adventitious agent testing and how next generation sequencing is enhancing safety of biologicals. #virusidentification #safety #bioassays #ngs #CGT

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Did you catch this session? 📣 A few weeks ago, Lauren Black explored how the Dimensions Biotech Solution can help you gain a complete picture of increasingly complex research fields and rapidly growing markets such as OMICS, NGS and Cell&Gene. 🧬 Missed it? You can catch up on demand! 👨‍💻 Follow the link: https://lnkd.in/dfEcjwH3 #Biotech #NGS #OMICS #CellandGene #BiotechMarket #BiotechResearch #LifeSciences

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