Tara McDonnell

#News: Halda Therapeutics, a Connecticut-based biotech founded by Yale professor and entrepreneur Craig Crews, announced Monday that it has raised $126 million in a #SeriesB extension to move two candidates into #clinicaltrials for patients with #prostate and #breast #cancer. The #biotech has been developing a new class of #cancertherapies known as #RegulatedInducedProximityTargetingChimeras (RIPTAC). According to Halda, these assets use a “hold and kill” mechanism using two proteins, one cancer-specific and one with an essential function. The candidates are designed to help retract essential cell function and cause the death of the cancer cells while preserving non-cancer tissue. “This financing will enable us to bring to patients our oral, selective and widely applicable cancer cell-killing mechanism that is designed to overcome drug resistance, which is a major shortcoming of many current standard of care cancer treatments,” Kat Kayser-Bricker, Halda chief scientific officer, said in a statement. Read more from BioSpace 👇🏼

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In 9 days, on June 14-15 (Fri-Sat), the SAPA-GP 2024 @Philly Cell and Gene Therapy Annual Conference will be held in KOP near Philly at the Sheraton Valley Forge Hotel. This is the third conference in three years and each year we drew up to 600 attendees, more than 10% of them were biotech founders, co-founders, CEOs, and C level executives. Philly possesses high quality and availability of infrastructure, large talent pool, and abundant biotech service providers. It's a fertile ground for biotech investors to grow their portfolio companies. This year our business track is putting strong emphasis in investment topics. I want to highlight the investment panel on June 14 (Fri) afternoon (2-3:30pm) presenting six biotech investors from NYC and Boston whose interests span from early investment to M/A and IPO. The topic is "Hidden Traps: What Makes Investors Walk Away From Your Pitch?"  It's a fantastic opportunity to have seasoned biotech investors to tell you what's not working and how to improve your fundraising pitch. To register for the conference, please go to https://lnkd.in/eVdfyxN3.  

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Anyone who's life has been touched with #ovariancancer #cervicalcancer or #endometrialcancer knows Black women face massive treatment disparities and underrepresentation in clinical trials. For everyone else, here are some sobering stats about what it's like to be Black and have ovarian cancer. Generally, you will be: 1) 20% more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage than White women with ovarian cancer 2) 25% less likely to receive treatment recommended by guidelines 3) Referred to genetic counsellors for tumor testing half as often as White patients with ovarian cancer 4) Under-represented in clinical trials and over-represented among new ovarian cancer diagnoses Interested in fixing these stats? OCRA is too, see what they've been doing here: https://lnkd.in/eSm-6crV

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Dr. Jared Baeten, Senior Vice President of Clinical Development and Virology Therapeutic Area Head at Gilead Sciences, joins Mary Parker to discuss the incredible advancements in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatments in honor of #WorldAIDSDay. What if a twice yearly shot could replace a daily pill? Listen now to learn more. https://okt.to/O1VsTB

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Last week, I joined a dynamic conversation hosted by The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia about the region’s thriving life sciences industry. Moderated by Life Sciences Pennsylvania, the discussion focused on how Johnson & Johnson and other companies contribute to and benefit from the region’s innovation and economic development. In addition, I shared how Johnson & Johnson has leveraged the scientific and medical ecosystem in PA to bring the best solutions, products, and services to patients, including:   ·     Globally, we have invested $77B in research and development since 2016 and our North America research and development site is located in suburban Philadelphia. ·     We focus on cell and gene therapies that create personalized solutions for patients and build strategic partnerships to scale the development of complex products. ·     We are an inclusive company that recruits and nurtures talent, providing access to future-forward technology knowledge and skill-building within life sciences and healthcare i.e. artificial intelligence.   There has been significant and ambitious innovation especially over the past 20 years. The Philadelphia region has made exciting contributions to this trend. Where are we going in the next 20 years? I'm excited and hopeful.

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With Mental Health America, we're humbled to announce the launch of the new Equity Impact Zone (EIZ) grant program designed to address mental health equity gaps within local New Jersey communities. Understanding that factors such as housing, income, food security, safety, and freedom from discrimination are known to be key social drivers of mental health inequity, the mission of the EIZ program is to empower community-based organizations to implement resources tailored to the unique needs of their members. Recipients of the inaugural grants are Young Audiences (YA) New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania in Burlington County, and the Mental Health Association of New Jersey (MHANJ) in Trenton. At Otsuka, we hold a deep respect for the value of every mind. We will not rest until mental illnesses and brain diseases are recognized as chronic diseases that warrant early, equitable, and accessible intervention for patients and caregivers everywhere. Read more about the recipients: https://lnkd.in/e4kZ6GV3

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🎉 Big News from NeoGenomics Laboratories! 🧬💡 NeoGenomics just secured New York State Department of Health approval for its Neo Comprehensive and NeoType DNA & RNA Lung NGS tests! 🎯 These advanced tests are now available to oncologists in New York, aiming to enhance diagnostic precision and cost-effectiveness for cancer treatment. The Neo Comprehensive panel covers 517 genes across multiple tumors, while NeoType focuses on actionable mutations in lung cancer. #CancerResearch #NGSTesting #LungCancer #PrecisionOncology #NeoGenomics #InnovationInHealthcare #Genomics #PersonalizedMedicine

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Attention Life Science Professionals! 🔥 ANOTHER HOT TOPIC ALERT! 🧪🔬 Some More Good News in the Life Sciences! Check out the summary below regarding the 3,000 jobs created in Boston area in 2024. Share your thoughts in the comments! And if you are looking for folks, please let us know! hashtag #lifesciences #biotech #pharma #medicaldevice #diagnostics #hiring2024 #boston The Richmond Group USA

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When evaluating eIRB systems, be sure to consider the needs of ALL institutional stakeholders - not just the IRB users. Read our blog from Advarra expert Faith Bertrand, CIP for advice bon assessing and implementing these technologies.

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We look forward to hearing Christine Rothe, CDO of iOmx, speak at the 6th Annual Macrophage-Directed Therapies Summit in Boston on October 2nd. Christine will provide key insights into IOMX-0675, our highly differentiated, fully human, cross-specific antibody targeting LILRB1 and LILRB2. In the presentation, Christine will discuss how IOMX-0675 effectively repolarizes the tumor microenvironment, resulting in potent tumor cell killing both 𝘪𝘯 𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘳𝘰 and 𝘪𝘯 𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘰. Also, Christine will highlight IOMX-0675's unique binding profile, which selectively antagonizes the immunosuppressive receptors LILRB1 and LILRB2 while sparing the immuno-activating family members. This differentiation results in superior macrophage repolarization and immune cell activation compared to other antibodies. 🔬   📢 Stay tuned for further updates!   Hanson Wade Group #CancerResearch #Macrophages #immunotherapy #ImmunoOncology

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An IRB can review a "minor" study change via expedited review - but the regulations don't really define what "minor" means. Find out how IRBs navigate this grey area in our blog:

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Encourage people to attend the inaugural SITC Immuno-Oncology Drug Development Summit September 30-October 1, 2024 in Boston, MA. Co-organized by Amy McKee, Pedro Romero, Luisa Salter-Cid, Alexandra Snyder, Jon Wigginton. We now have over 25 IO drugs that have been approved, and this number will only continue to grow as science accelerates. From this experience, we as a field have learned that there are important distinctions in developing IO agents compared to conventional modalities such as targeted and cytotoxic therapeutics. There has been a significant need for some time for a program like this, to reflect on our learnings to date and discuss/debate the future. This program will include key stakeholders from the academic, pharma/biotech, regulatory and financial sectors, and is intended to promote dialogue between these key contributors to IO drug development as we all work together to make things better for patients. Terrific support from SITC leadership, including Leisha Emens (President), James Gulley (Vice-President), SITC board, SITC biotech committee led by Kristen Hege and Zhen Su, and of course SITC staff team led by Mary Dean. #cancer #oncology #immunooncology #cancerimmunotherapy #immunotherapy #drugdevelopment #bispecific #cytokine #celltherapy

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🚀 BIOPROCESSING SUMMIT 📅 Monday August 19, 12:00 PM 📍Gene Therapy CMC and Analytics Track Do not miss the opportunity to visit my Luncheon Presentation during the #CHIBioprocessingSummit in Boston: 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴-𝗢𝗳 𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗗𝗡𝗔 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 👇Session Objectives: 🔎 How to improve efficiency of viral vector manufacturing at elevated salt concentrations ✅ The benefits of DENARASE High Salt for DNA removal 🔬 Enzyme engineering at c-LEcta: ENESYZ Technology Platform 📣 Stop also by 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝟱𝟬𝟳 to talk to my colleagues Tim McClain, Jay Lachance and Elena Kempf who will tell you more about 𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘁 and our complete toolkit for DNA removal. Cambridge Healthtech Institute #CGT #DENARASE #biopharma #ISCT2024 #enzyme #endonuclease #viralvector #bioprocessing

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🌟 A Groundbreaking Milestone in Medicine: Gene Therapy for Hearing Loss 🌟 I’m thrilled to share an incredible advancement in genetic medicine: the first-ever gene therapy procedure in the U.S. to treat hereditary hearing loss, performed at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). This pioneering treatment was administered to an 11-year-old born with profound hearing loss due to a mutation in the otoferlin (OTOF) gene. Using a minimally invasive surgical approach, researchers delivered a therapeutic copy of the OTOF gene directly into the cochlea, restoring the ability to perceive sound. Four months post-treatment, the child can now hear for the first time—experiencing the voices of loved ones and everyday sounds! This is more than a victory for one family; it represents hope for countless others. With over 150 genes linked to genetic hearing loss, this milestone could pave the way for future therapies addressing various genetic conditions. We are closer to a future where such breakthroughs can transform lives globally 🌱 #GeneTherapy #MedicalInnovation #HearingLoss

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Today, we are pleased to announce a positive outcome with the U.S. FDA in our investigational drug program meeting, which studies the potential treatment for those living with Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgA nephropathy) in adults. Following the meeting, Otsuka will submit a Biologics License Application (BLA) for FDA consideration in early 2025. At Otsuka, our continued work in nephrology is fueled by a relentless curiosity and a promise to ensure that patient populations with high unmet needs receive the most advanced nephrology care possible. Read more: https://bit.ly/3Ogeg6g

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A big thank you to HBA NY Tri-State region's Central NJ chapter and Sanofi for hosting an exceptional event on market access in the pharmaceutical industry. The panel did an outstanding job educating attendees on the crucial role market access plays within pharma organizations. 📝 Key takeaways⭐️: 📓Commit to learning: If you're considering market access as part of your career path, don't just dip your toes in. Dedicate 2-3 or more years or more to truly understand the field's complexities. ❓Cultivate curiosity: Success in market access hinges on asking the right questions. Develop a mindset of continuous inquiry to excel in this role. 🏃‍♂️‍➡️Stay adaptable: The market access landscape evolves rapidly. Be prepared to keep learning and adjusting your strategies as the field changes. This event reinforced the importance of market access in shaping the future of pharmaceutical companies and patient care. Negelle Morris Nazanin Mehin Olivier Bogillot Garrett Ingram Lalitha P. Chandrashekhar #MarketAccess #Pharma #ProfessionalDevelopment #HBACentralNJ #Sanofi

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As NAMs are becoming more relevant and accessible in today’s chemical product development, Labcorp is innovating in vitro alternatives so clients around the globe can leverage these new assays. From standard techniques to novel solutions, we can identify an approach that fits your product’s specific regulatory requirements. Discover your NAM options today. #CropProtection #ChemicalDevelopment #InVitroStudyAlternatives NewApproachMethodologies #NAMs

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