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A NEW BLOOD TEST TO REPLACE AMNIOCENTESIS COULD BEGIN TO BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF THE YEAR https://lnkd.in/gGihz3Nt The new blood test has been developed by a Tel Aviv startup called Identifai Genetics, led by Amir Beker PhD, which could replace invasive amniocentesis. The lab takes three DNA samples for each family: one from the father’s mouth and a blood test from the mother, white blood cells with her DNA, and plasma with a mixture of DNA fragments from the mother and fetus. Those samples are then sequenced and produced data files. Identifai uses the mother and father’s DNA samples to identify the genome by deep sequencing the mixed DNA in the plasma. The fragments of fetal DNA are separated from the maternal ones and “reassembled” to create the fetal genome sequence. Unique algorithms developed by the company analyze the fetal DNA, compare it to that of the parents, and examine whether changes might indicate a genetic disorder. In Identifai clinical trial, the results the results of the new test were compared to chorionic villus sampling tests. The invasive test was carried out in the 11th week when there is a concern about the fetus. In cases where the woman did not take the invasive test, the fetal genome analyzed using the Identifai method was compared to the infant’s genome after birth. The match has exceeded the required threshold for clinical accuracy

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New research published in conjunction with Aviv Regev, a recipient of the 2009 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science, forms a valuable basis for future studies into the biology of metastatic breast cancer.⁣ ⁣ A single biopsy from a metastatic breast cancer tumor contains hundreds of thousands of cells—some cancerous and others part of the complex web of immune cells, blood vessels, and supportive tissue that surround a tumor. Researchers have typically analyzed these cells as a mixed-together group, but this approach can miss rare cell types, and makes it difficult to draw conclusions about how cells interact to drive the disease.⁣ ⁣ In a comprehensive study, an international team of researchers at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Stanford University, and the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München has shown that state-of-the-art methods that analyze cells individually or within intact tissue can reveal new insight into the diversity of cells that make up metastatic breast cancers.⁣ ⁣ Aviv Regev, a computational biologist, is Head and Executive Vice President of Genentech Research and Early Development and leads the Regev Lab at the Broad Institute.⁣ ⁣ Read on to learn more about the study published in Nature Medicine: https://lnkd.in/eQZCGhHj ⁣ #STEM #Science #WomeninScience #WomeninSTEM #ComputationalBiology #BreastCancer #BreastCancerAwareness #MetastaticBreastCancer #NewResearch #Biology #Cancer

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Google releases Tx-LLM, A Large Language Model for Therapeutics drug discovery and development. Tx-LLM rised from Google's Med-PaLM 2, and built to analyze a variety of chemical or biologics candidate to facilitate multi-modality driven drug-discovery pipeline, and with trained capability of navigating around some of the known toxicity. Free full text link: https://lnkd.in/etacc_5d Abstract: Developing therapeutics is a lengthy and expensive process that requires the satisfaction of many different criteria, and AI models capable of expediting the process would be invaluable. However, the majority of current AI approaches address only a narrowly defined set of tasks, often circumscribed within a particular domain. To bridge this gap, we introduce Tx-LLM, a generalist large language model (LLM) fine-tuned from PaLM-2 which encodes knowledge about diverse therapeutic modalities. Tx-LLM is trained using a collection of 709 datasets that target 66 tasks spanning various stages of the drug discovery pipeline. Using a single set of weights, Tx-LLM simultaneously processes a wide variety of chemical or biological entities (small molecules, proteins, nucleic acids, cell lines, diseases) interleaved with free-text, allowing it to predict a broad range of associated properties, achieving competitive with state-of-the-art (SOTA) performance on 43 out of 66 tasks and exceeding SOTA on 22. Among these, Tx-LLM is particularly powerful and exceeds best-in-class performance on average for tasks combining molecular SMILES representations with text such as cell line names or disease names, likely due to context learned during pretraining. We observe evidence of positive transfer between tasks with diverse drug types (e.g., tasks involving small molecules and tasks involving proteins), and we study the impact of model size, domain finetuning, and prompting strategies on performance. We believe Tx-LLM represents an important step towards LLMs encoding biochemical knowledge and could have a future role as an end-to-end tool across the drug discovery development pipeline. Google DeepMind

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OCON Therapeutics is currently developing two other products in addition to their nonhormonal copper #contraceptive IUB Ballerine, both "utilizing the IUB frame to treat symptoms such as abnormal uterine bleeding and heavy menstrual bleeding, myomas (noncancerous tumors also known as uterine fibroids) and endometriosis." https://lnkd.in/gSWdczdW 

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Why has NanoTemper's Prometheus become the new gold standard for biophysical characterization of biologics like ADCs? Because data is getting more and more important. Who has the best data, willl win the game. Will have a competitive advantage. Best data -> best #AI model. Best understanding. Biophysics is key. To know what to do. nanoDSF & DLS deliver. Our Prometheus Panta delivers. It gets you high quality data of your biologics. Enables you to get the most value from your sample. Dr. Anja Pomowski from Antikor says: "Prometheus Panta resolved an issue with an ADC candidate not performing as expected in animal studies, outperforming all other devices we had used to evaluate the stability of this candidate." Have a look at the data attached. Have a look at the precision. It is for the trendy ADCs. What do you think when you look at it? #biotechnology #entrepreneurship #startup ————————— I am Philipp - founder, CEO & business angel. My bootstrapped company NanoTemper is a global leader for biophysical tools for biotech. Like my content? Click my name + follow + 🔔

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🚀 Major Breakthrough in IO: Moderna’s mRNA Vaccine Halts Tumor Growth in Advanced Solid Tumors! The mRNA revolution continues—this time in cancer immunotherapy. Early data from Moderna’s mRNA-4359 shows significant promise in targeting advanced solid tumors. Here's why this is exciting: The Results: 50% of patients in the trial saw halted tumor growth, with no new tumors forming in 8 of 16 evaluable cases. This marks a critical step forward in utilizing mRNA technology beyond infectious diseases. Why It Matters: Targeted Precision: By training the immune system to attack cancer cells, mRNA-4359 offers a novel, more personalized treatment. Safety Profile: The vaccine showed a favorable safety profile, with only mild to moderate side effects. A Paradigm Shift: Solid tumors, notoriously hard to treat, now have a potential new weapon. Looking Ahead: The promise of mRNA-4359 represents the next frontier in immuno-oncology—personalized vaccines tailored to individual tumors could reshape the treatment landscape for solid cancers. At Assay Genie , we support these advancements with a range of innovative tools for oncology research, from antibodies to multiplex assays, empowering scientists at the forefront of IO.

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Is there an invert relation between federal interest rates and number of biotech IPOs? The answer, based on the last 5 years of data, is yes. However, if you expand the data to 10 years, you see that number of IPOs continues to grow until the interest rate reaches 2.5%. Will we need to get back to those levels before seeing greater activity? KYBORA can help you navigate these turbulent times. Please reach out. #biotech #IPO #interestrates #biopharma #fundraising

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Nice comp for a preclinical asset. Sole data referenced is: LCB97 has demonstrated strong anti-tumor effects in various mouse cancer models conducted so far by LCB. Undisclosed up front with $700M in total deal value.

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AI-designed selective mRNAs and targeted LNPs are revolutionizing cancer and autoimmune disease treatment. By enabling in situ engineering, these therapies target diseased cells with unmatched precision and effectiveness. The future of medicine is here! #CancerTreatment #AutoimmuneDisease #AI #mRNA #LNP

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AI. How optimistic is the Israeli biotech community? In 2024, Israel's biotech sector is showing signs of recovery after the economic downturns of previous years. The number of biotech startups established in 2023 dropped to an estimated 70 to 100, a significant decline compared to the 100 to 150 new startups likely founded in 2022. For 2024, the situation is stabilizing, and the sector is seeing renewed investment interest, particularly with the reopening of Nasdaq opportunities and increasing foreign investments. Although the recovery is gradual, the number of biotech startups founded in 2024 rose slightly. Estimates suggest around 80 to 120 new biotech companies could be founded, reflecting a more positive but still cautious growth trajectory.   So, In Israel, the number of working days per year typically ranges between 250 and 255, depending on the specific year's calendar. This means a NEW biotech startup is established in Israel approximately every 2-3 working Days! How optimistic we are!!! 😊

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Two important lung cancer discoveries were recently made in two different ICRF researchers’ labs. In Professor Nabieh Ayoub’s lab at Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, a postdoctoral researcher showed how a missing protein may open up new avenues for treating aggressive lung cancer. This research was made possible by an ICRF Project Grant, and an article recently published in Nature Communications acknowledges ICRF support. Read more: https://lnkd.in/evW7UuY8 In Professor Yosef Yarden’s lab at Weizmann Institute of Science, a postdoctoral researcher developed a synthetic antibody that when combined with a common lung cancer treatment, prevents relapse of lung adenocarcinoma tumors in mice. This work was funded by an ICRF Project Grant, and results were published in Cell Reports Medicine: Cell Press. Read more about this in ISRAEL21c — Good News From Israel: https://lnkd.in/e5hG2hAf

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First post on our journey at #MonTaBiosciences to explain what we do and why it works

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At Anima, we overcome the challenge of mRNA vaccine and drug optimization with visualization✨. Analyzing the mRNA biology visualizations produced by our mRNA imaging technologies, the 🧬mRNA image neural network identifies a signature, the visual representation of the mRNA vaccine’s or RNA-based drug’s efficacy, observed within the cell’s biology🔬. The network processes inputs of thousands of RNA constructs in a variety of cell types, visualizing and sorting them according to their efficacy signatures 🌟. It then compares these signatures, enabling novel strategies in vaccine or RNA-based drug design and optimization 👨‍💻 Visit our website to learn more👉 https://bit.ly/3xw8F6T #mRNA #drugoptimization #neuralnetwork

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Please join Stanford oncologist Ash Alizadeh's presentation at #ASH2024, where he will provide an in-depth overview of the #ALPHA3 trial conducted by Allogene Therapeutics. The ALPHA3 trial is exploring the use of novel “off-she-shelf” (or allogeneic) #CART for first-line consolidation therapy in large B-cell lymphoma (#LBCL). The trial utilizes an investigational ultra-sensitive minimal residual disease (#MRD) detection by Foresight CLARITY™ to identify MRD-positive patients for enrollment. We will examine how integrating cutting-edge diagnostics with next-generation, off-the-shelf CAR T therapies could transform current treatment approaches, expedite CAR T access—especially in community settings—and ultimately enhance cure rates for LBCL. This event is open to all ASH registrants. Add to calendar -> https://t.ly/1z5sa

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Rambam Representatives at Israeli Translational Research Network Conference Leading physician-scientists from Rambam Health Care Campus participated in the third annual conference of the Israeli Translational Research Network (ITR) at Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv. The conference focused on the importance of research, the impact of the ongoing conflict, advanced technologies, and the future of medicine. Professor Lior Gepstein, director of Rambam’s Department of Cardiology and Division of Research, and Dr. Shlomit Yehudai-Reshef, director of the Leir Foundation Clinical Research Institute at Rambam (CRIR), were among the distinguished attendees. They joined physician-scientists from top Israeli hospitals to present and discuss the latest breakthroughs in their fields. The ITR network, an initiative by CRIR, aims to promote applied medical research in Israel, foster a community of researchers within health organizations, and encourage research collaborations. Seventeen organizations, including hospitals, the Ministry of Health, and HMOs, are currently represented in this growing network. “Israel is a global leader in medical research. In times of strained international relations, it is crucial to unite and emphasize the importance of local research as the foundation for the future of medicine,” said Professor Gepstein. With a significant increase in the need for mental health services since the Swords of Iron war, especially for post-trauma support, this topic received special attention. Other key discussions included advancements in cardiology, cancer, pain medicine, cell therapy, and the role of AI, machine learning, and big data in healthcare. “Our vision is to promote translational research, addressing medical challenges identified at the patient’s bedside and developing innovative solutions in collaboration with academia and industry,” added Dr. Yehudai-Reshef. “These efforts result in drug therapies, diagnostic methods, and medical devices that enhance patient care and quality of life. Israel’s size and culture of innovation uniquely position us to advance these goals.” We are proud of our team's contributions to strengthening Israel’s reputation in international research. #RambamHealthcare #MedicalResearch #TranslationalResearch #InnovationInHealthcare #ITRConference #HealthcareLeadership #CollaborationInMedicine

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My Msc's thesis work is now on bioRxiv! https://lnkd.in/debh3ZGh Subtypes and proliferation patterns of small intestine neuroendocrine tumors revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing Itay Tirosh, Avishay Spitzer, MD, PhD, Chaya Barbolin, Debdatta Halder, Michael Tyler, Moshe Biton, Amit Tirosh, Reut Halperin We have uncovered two distinct subtypes of SiNETs through single-cell profiling, characterized by minimal proliferation of NE cells and significant proliferation of immune cells in one of the subtypes. These findings challenge classical oncogenesis theories and highlight the potential role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in SiNET growth due to limited observed mutations. Moreover, from a pathology perspective, our findings indicate that computer-assisted KI-67 evaluation should specifically target neoplastic cells, excluding infiltrating immune cells. Special thanks to Itay Tirosh, my PI that guided me through this project and to everyone who contributed to this great work! We are excited to share this preprint and look forward to seeing its impact on the ongoing research in neuroendocrine tumors.

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Biomemory at SDC 2024! Learn about our breakthrough DNA Data Storage solution for Data Centers, its key enablers, and strategy for mass deployment. Don’t miss it! #SDC2024

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