The gene therapy company Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. (NSDQ: VYGR) has reached an agreement with Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) to license novel capsids from its RNA-driven TRACER screening technology. A capsid refers to the protein shell of a virus protecting its genome. “We believe that our TRACER platform has the ability to produce not only enhanced blood-brain-barrier penetrant…
RCSB Protein Data Bank now has more than 1,000 SARS-CoV-2 proteins
The RCSB Protein Data Bank has announced that more than 1,000 SARS-CoV-2 proteins are available at no cost. Headquartered at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, the RCSB Protein Data Bank released its first SARS-CoV-2 structure — the coronavirus main protease (PDB 6lu7) — on Feb. 5, 2020. The database has helped drive the development of effective COVID-19 vaccines. It continues to shed…
How COVID-19 has affected Big Pharma and biotech
Biotechnology traces its roots to the Neolithic era when early civilizations discovered how to ferment grains to prepare alcoholic brews and bread. It wasn’t until genetic engineering became mainstream in the mid-1970s, however, that biotechnology, as we know it today, was launched. The field continues to evolve today. The advent of new technology has revolutionized the market…