As the year draws to a close, it is clear that molecular science and diagnostics is the hottest funding area in the biotech industry. In an analysis of 50 of the best-funded biotechs of 2023 focused on human health, molecular and science and diagnostics startups collectively attracting roughly $945 million, dwarfing the figures in other…
Q-VANT aims to rewrite the narrative for Quillaja saponin-based adjuvants
Demand is heating up for Quillaja saponin-based adjuvants, which owe their existence to the soap bark tree (Quillaja saponaria) found primarily in Chile. In particular, the QS-21 saponin adjuvant is popular. It is found in GSK’s (NYSE:GSK) Shingrix shingles vaccine, GSK’s Mosquirix malaria vaccine and Novavax’s (NSDQ:NVAX) COVID-19 vaccine. QS-21 is uniquely capable of enhancing…
Biotecnica introduces new line of peptones
Peptone manufacturer Biotecnica (San Jacinto Amilpas, Mexico) is debuting a new line of low endotoxin peptones that do not need ultrafiltration. The company created the EndoLow-branded peptones for use in the production of a variety of drugs, including vaccines and diagnostic products. Offering high levels of nitrogen, vitamins and carbohydrates, peptones have ideal properties for cell cultures.…
Functional single-cell proteomics firm Isoplexis misses IPO target
Branford, Connecticut–based Isoplexis (NSDQ:ISO) made its public market debut today with an initial public offering of 8,333,000 shares of common stock initially priced at $15 per share. ISO shares ended up selling for $11.52 apiece at the end of trading, equating to $96 million (less fees and expenses associated with the IPO). That was 23%…
Could COVID-19 vaccines guard against dementia?
COVID-19 vaccines could potentially guard against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, according to an op-ed in WSJ. COVID-19 infection itself can lead to long-term cognitive decline in some individuals and can accelerate Alzheimer’s symptoms, concluded an Alzheimer’s Association study. An Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy echoed those findings. Pointing to data suggesting that vaccinations against tetanus and flu lead to reduced…
Report: Two vaccine leaders set to step down from FDA
Two senior vaccine leaders within the FDA are reportedly relinquishing their positions within the administration. According to a report from Endpoints News citing a letter released internally to FDA staff first reported on by BioCentury, Marion Gruber and Phil Krause will depart in the coming months due to frustrations over the delegation of certain decisions within…
Sanofi reshapes mRNA landscape with $3.2B Translate Bio buy
Sanofi (NSDQ:SNY) may be one of the biggest vaccine manufacturers in the world, but the quick rise of the mRNA vaccine platform during the pandemic caught the company by surprise. The company could be on the way to rectify that with its $3.2 billion acquisition of its mRNA partner Translate Bio. Sanofi began working with…
An inside look at GSK’s digital twin initiative
Digital twins, functional computerized models of physical objects, are a staple of smart manufacturing. Their use in the pharmaceutical industry, however, is still in an early phase. GlaxoSmithKline (LON:GSK) is one of the first pharmaceutical companies to announce a digital twin initiative. Partnering with Siemens (ETR:SIE) and Atos (EPA:ATO), GSK has created a real-time simulation of…
On ePRO and ensuring data integrity
As clinical trials have become more decentralized, there has been an increased focus on the need for more patient-centric drug development. This focus has led to a variety of eClinical applications. Electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePRO) and other electronic clinical outcome assessment (eCOA) approaches can transform trials to make them more pragmatic, patient-centric and efficient. Such…
BioNTech and Moderna set their sights on treating cancer
COVID-19 vaccines launched BioNTech and Moderna into the limelight, making these once little-known companies prominent companies. But neither wants to be pigeonholed as a COVID-19 vaccine company. BioNTech cofounder Özlem Türeci stressed in a recent interview with AP that the mRNA vaccine technology that is its focus could be a powerful weapon against cancer. “We have several different…
What’s behind the severe allergic reactions from COVID-19 vaccines?
Reports of severe allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines have made consistent headlines in recent weeks. Still, such anaphylactic reactions are rare, occurring in approximately 11 out of every million doses for the vaccine from Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and BioNTech (NSDQ:BNTX), according to CDC. While that is roughly 10 times the flu vaccine rate, COVID-19 vaccines so far…
Amgen Q3 revenues up 12% — but growth questions remain
Amgen (NSDQ:AMGN) announced third-quarter earnings per share of $4.37, beating the consensus forecast of $3.80. Biosimilars growth and a strong base business drove growth in the quarter ending on Sept. 30. The company has been relatively steady in 2020, growing 11% in the first quarter and 6% in the second. “Our performance in the third quarter…