Hemmel Amrania PhD Breast Cancer Diagnostics

Cambridge biotech LoQus23 Therapeutics Ltd has closed a £35 million (c.$43m) Series A to advance its fight against Huntington’s disease. Based at Babraham Research Campus, LoQus23 is a private company investigating small molecule drugs that could stop DNA instability and slow neurodegeneration in Huntington’s, myotonic dystrophy type 1 and similar triplet repeat expansion diseases. The Series A round was led by Dutch VC Forbion alongside existing investors SV Health Investors’ Dementia Discovery Fund (DDF) and Novartis Venture Fund (NVF). Forbion General Partner Rogier Rooswinkel will join LoQus23’s Board. The proceeds of the Series A will primarily be used to support the pre-clinical development and initial clinical studies of LoQus23’s lead programme, an allosteric small molecule MutSβ inhibitor. The company is preparing its lead programme to enter the clinic in 2026. LoQus23 was founded in 2019 by Entrepreneurs in Residence at DDF Dr David Reynolds, Dr Caroline L. Benn, and Dr Ruth McKernan. It received additional seed funding from NVF in 2021. The company has since established a platform of assays and a small molecule series of MutSα and MutSβ inhibitors which are therapeutically relevant in up to 30 triplet repeat diseases, including Huntington’s. LoQus23 CEO, Dr David Reynolds, said: “This financing will enable us to develop key clinical data to support the development of our exciting lead programme. The ever-increasing body of data pointing to somatic expansion, caused by aberrant DNA mismatch repair, as being the primary culprit in Huntington’s disease provides great support that our approach of developing oral small molecule therapies will be transformative for patients with this dreadful inherited disease. “We welcome Forbion as the lead investor of this round, alongside our existing high calibre investors, and look forward to benefiting from their support and expertise.” Rogier Rooswinkel added: “Somatic expansion is a key driver of triplet repeat diseases like Huntington’s. In somatic expansion, MutSβ seems the most promising and best validated target, with the potential to bring disease progression to a halt. LoQus23 is leading the charge in developing allosteric small molecules against MutSβ, and we look forward to working with them to progress their molecules towards the clinic and ultimately to benefit patients.” Full article – https://lnkd.in/ecnztuwz

323

15 Comments

The RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signalling pathway is crucial yet challenging in drug discovery. Advanced assay technologies like live-cell NanoBRET® TE Intracellular Assays for RAS and RAF represent a significant advancement, enabling the creation of biologically relevant models. These tools are vital for understanding the complex biology of cancer progression and therapeutic resistance, paving the way for novel drugs targeting previously undruggable targets. Discover more at https://lnkd.in/eJzZK3Ve #RAS #assays #NanoBRET

10

Pleased to report that the paper "Glass Box and Black Box Machine Learning Approaches to Exploit Compositional Descriptors of Molecules in Drug Discovery and Aid the Medicinal Chemist" from Ingine Inc., Oxford Drug Design, and Oxford University Department of Chemistry has been accepted for publication, with a preprint available at  https://lnkd.in/eatkAKKn. This seeks to cover an early stage of drug discovery when there is little more information available than trial compounds known experimentally to be active or inactive at a protein target, the number of inactive compounds (as is often the case) far exceeds the number of actives, and no close experimental three dimensional ligand-protein structures are available. A long way to go to reach the end use in the image shown here, but we aim to progressively work through subsequent steps!  At the other end of the line is Ingine’s work for the Electronic and Telecommunications Institute of South Korea on new information theoretic approaches to AI for clinical trial design. More of that later, but both papers make use of a Theory of Expected Information for sparse as well as plentiful data. #AI #drugdiscovery #drugdesign #drugdiscovery #clinicaltrials #informationtheory #explainability #threehandsgang

6

3 Comments

An #exciting #hybrid #event coming to you from Genomes.io in partnership with Opportunity North East Limited #BioHub and BlockStart Scotland! 🌟 Join #DeSci Scotland on the 13th of June 2024 at Opportunity North East Limited #BioHub or online! What is #DeSci #Scotland? 🤔 #DeSci Scotland aims to dive into the world of data science to explore the latest trends and technologies with academic and industry experts. This event is focusing on the concept of Decentralised Science (DeSci), a narrative using blockchain technology to ensure that healthcare data is queried in such a way that it benefits all stakeholders involved! This event is targeting #datascientists, #molecularbiologists, #geneticists and anyone curious about the field! More details and the registration link can be found in the #attached post! 🤩 (Please not that this link is for anyone planning to join remotely). Please get in touch if you would like to attend in-person! 😊 #genomics #genomicdata #datascience #genetics #humangenomics #biotechnology ONE Life Sciences

17

2 Comments

Exploring RAS and RAF Target Engagement: Live-Cell Insights into Molecular Specificity 🔎 Check out a new #PromegaNotes article to discover advanced assay technologies, such as live-cell #NanoBRET® TE Intracellular Assays, reshaping the landscape of drug discovery methods and offering biologically relevant models for enhanced research. https://bit.ly/3zEFa3O #CancerResearch #oncology #lifescience

3

Have you seen our case study, with Prof. Ben Housden from University of Exeter - Using CellTiter-Glo® Luminescent Cell Viability Assay to Measure Cell Viability in High-Throughput Genetic Screens, on our website? Prof. Ben Housden is an associate professor working in the Living Systems Institute at the University of Exeter. His research is focussed on using interdisciplinary methods to study how genetic mutations lead to disease. This involves a combination of new technology development and high-throughput genetic screening to analyse gene function, and to identify and characterise candidate drugs to treat diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Take a look at: https://bit.ly/3N25xEe #LabChat #PhDChat #CellViability

4

Have you seen our case study, with Prof. Ben Housden from University of Exeter - Using CellTiter-Glo® Luminescent Cell Viability Assay to Measure Cell Viability in High-Throughput Genetic Screens, on our website? Prof. Ben Housden is an associate professor working in the Living Systems Institute at the University of Exeter. His research is focussed on using interdisciplinary methods to study how genetic mutations lead to disease. This involves a combination of new technology development and high-throughput genetic screening to analyse gene function, and to identify and characterise candidate drugs to treat diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Take a look at: https://bit.ly/4dFeFtl #LabChat #PhDChat #CellViability

6

Advanced particle analysis revolutionises pharma development The CCDC - The Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre) developed a suite of advanced informatics tools that enhance researchers' understanding of particle behaviour and surface properties in pharmaceutical manufacturing. These tools improve product formulation efficiency and reduce costs, showing significant benefits in various research studies. These innovations support formulators and particle engineers to make better informed decisions, advancing #pharmaceutical and fine #ChemicalManufacturing. Developed in collaboration with industry leaders like AstraZeneca and Pfizer, CSD-Particle tools promote a ‘digital first’ approach in drug development, minimising non-viable formulations and anticipating bottlenecks early on. https://lnkd.in/eTwD546m

4

I am incredibly proud to announce that we have been awarded a £1.6M project from Innovate UK’s Biomedical Catalyst 2023 Round 2: Industry-led R&D 🙌 This application took a tremendous amount of effort, including working well into the early hours of many mornings to perfect the initial submission and cancelling leave over Christmas to prepare for the interview stage. Innovate UK grants (rightly!) require significant work; the application is scrutinised by five experienced assessors from various areas across Life Sciences. The next-stage interview is then attended by up to ten other people, with our panel including professionals from the NHS, academia, and CDMOs, among others. With a pot of £17.8M, and average project cost at £415,191, only 30 of the 358 applications could be funded 💰 . It is therefore truly gratifying to have so many experts agree that the cause we are developing solutions for is important and worthy of this substantial investment ✊ We do not take this funding lightly and will work tirelessly to ensure the success of our exciting project. Time to get cracking! https://lnkd.in/ev58aTt8 #biomedicalcatalyst #healthcare #infantmicrobiome #microbiome #grantfunding #grants #investment #innovateuk #biotech

465

54 Comments

🌍 What pushes scientists to become entrepreneurs?     On World Entrepreneurs’ Day, find out how Ishani Malhotra built Carcinotech Ltd’s 3D bioprinting platform to accelerate drug discovery and development.    Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/ewcsZDis    #OnMyHorizon #WomeninSTEM #WorldEntrepreneursDay 

104

5 Comments

Congratulations to the Nanocomp team for Commercial Activity of the Year award received at the SSPC, SFI Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals Annual Symposium this week at the University of Limerick. Working with Sarah Hudson on stage 1 of this project was arduous and a drag…as you can see from our faces in the picture below 😃. I mean, you can’t fake that kind of “chemistry”! I loved working with Nanocomp team every day even though they spoke a foreign language to me. I had to learn a whole new field of science from scratch. In every step they patiently taught me the basics, answered my silly questions, and through it all these highly respected and established scientists were always curious and open about what I had to say from the commercial perspective. That is why after a year’s hiatus, I decided to join them again. When I was considering all the opportunities that came my way in the last few months, I prioritized team dynamic and intellectual challange over other factors. Let’s face it, life is not getting any longer. It’s good to know what you need to get you out of bed every day. (Plus I get to say “plasma” in serious sentences a couple of times a week and for a Trekkie that’s reason enough no?!) Nanocomp is a novel solid drug formulation technology that can potentially enable more therapies to reach the market with significant manufacturing efficiencies and a smaller gentler environmental footprint. Considering the number of therapeutic molecules in the pipeline that are poorly water soluble, this is a very worthwhile venture to explore. I’ll spend the next year finalizing the business plan. Congratulations to the Nanocomp team on this award that is a testament to your dedication and hard work on this project: professors kieran hodnett Peter Davern Åke Rasmuson and the young scientists who built up an impressive body of data to support our claims: Ajay Kumar, Promita Bhattacharjee, Marta Bergillos Ruiz and Peuli Ghosh. Many thanks for SSPC, SFI Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals for the award and for investing so much in the supportive environment that allows innovation to thrive. And of course many thanks to Enterprise Ireland for generously funding this project and enabling the Nanocomp team to come together and do more. Majella Maher our EI advisor and partner in crime, thank you for keeping us on the righteous path and enabling this project every step of the way. You should be in this picture. We will miss you dearly as we finish stage 2. #Chemistry! Here we go again (literally and figuratively). And Bravo Nanocomp. #SSPC15 #UL

150

7 Comments

Highlights Commentary on when and how drug metabolite synthesis fits into the overall drug development pathway and the influence of regulatory guidelines. The tool box of techniques used by a specialist contract research organisation to make phase I and II metabolites. Case studies illustrating recent examples, including the significance of selected drug metabolites and their synthesis.

62

What are the MHRA up to (when it comes to decentralised Manufacturing)? Ian Rees explores and compares UK, US and EU regulatory frameworks in the Decentralized Manufacturing Working Group. #DecentralizedManufacturing #celltherapy #celltherapies #pointofcare #distributedmanufacturing #localisedmanufacturing #decentralisedmanufacturing via Phacilitate

3

1 Comment

Discover how the BOW Project fuses nanotechnology and biology to create transformative nanomedicine solutions that are revolutionising healthcare. #Nanomedicine #Nanotechnology #Healthcare #Biology https://bit.ly/3UuPnrK

6

💸 Impulsonics has closed its first funding round to advance the development of its unique biotech automation platform and begin customer trials. The SETsquared Bristol member and University of Bristol spin-out is developing a biotech automation platform using acoustic waves to manipulate cells non-invasively, within sterile containers. This breakthrough will allow for the simplification of crucial processes in cell culture, leading to the development of low-cost, high-throughput modular systems for automating key tasks such as cell passaging – the repetitive process of transferring cells from one container to another when the current one is full. The closure of its recent funding round from SFC Capital, British Business Investments, the University of Bristol and private angels highlights market confidence in Impulsonics’ mission to turn cutting edge scientific innovations into scalable processes for research and healthcare. Get the full story 👉 https://ow.ly/Yxpy50Ruu7M #Funding #Investment #Biotech

4

In addition to identifying chemical starting points for early drug discovery processes, DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology has now expanded to new applications, including the discovery of bifunctional affinity ligands historically considered difficult to develop. At this year’s Gordon Research conference, WuXi AppTec presented a poster describing how DEL can enable the rapid discovery of novel affinity ligands, such as tracers for biochemical and cellular assays, and building a ‘universal’ chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to enhance the control and safety profile of CAR-based immunotherapies. Click 👇 to view our poster. Questions? Contact us by clicking here: https://lnkd.in/eG97YXCs #Biotech #Biopharma #DrugDiscovery #GRC #DEL #CART https://lnkd.in/efst8-S4

22

https://lnkd.in/eWsz7CcU With over 60 references, The Neospora Antibody Test Kit from VMRD, Inc. and available from 2BScientific Ltd. employs a competitive ELISA technique to detect the presence of Neospora caninum antibodies in serum samples from cattle. 🐝 Exceptional Precision: Evidenced through sensitivity and specificity assessments, ensuring dependable identification of both positive and negative sera. 🐝 Distinct Discrimination: 5% of sera registered within ±5% of the cut-off value, underscoring exact differentiation between positive and negative samples. 🐝 Streamlined Screening: Streamlines the examination of extensive sample sets, as evidenced by the analysis of 4,323 sera with unknown serologic statuses. 🐝 Robust Confidence: Minimal overlap near the cut-off value inspires assurance in the kit's accuracy. For your own research reagents, get in contact at [email protected] with any queries about this ELISA, our products, or anything concerning life science! #petwelfare #neospora #hereforyou

5

This week something more fundamental from the evitria AG journal club. Have you ever wondered if antibodies grip their target and change conformation during the binding event? This enlightning paper gives you the answer:

7

Looking forward to attending the LSX Investival Showcase in London next week to meet up with familiar faces as well as making new connections. Please do get in touch if you’d like to meet there to discuss the latest developments for maraciclatide, including the latest findings from our DETECT endometriosis Phase II study and the start of our Phase III trials in inflammatory arthritis. #endometriosis #womenshealth #inflammatoryarthritis #molecularimaging #diagnosticimaging #medicalimaging #precisionmedicine #nuclearmedicine

12