Exclusive: Gates Foundation backs startup using optogenetics to manufacture biologics https://lnkd.in/gMSid_Kw A biotech startup called Prolific Machines believes that it can help cut manufacturing costs with carefully choreographed light shows that coax cells to keep pumping out drugs. And now it’s got backing from one of the biggest public health funders to prove it. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is giving the Emeryville, CA-based company a $2 million grant to figure out how to make monoclonal antibodies for infectious disease affordable for low- and middle-income countries, the startup told Endpoints News exclusively. Biologic drugs, including antibodies and other proteins produced from vats of living cells, are expensive to manufacture, with some estimates around $100 to $200 per gram. Prolific is aiming to lower costs to $10 per gram. Deniz Kent The startup’s idea is a twist on optogenetics techniques that have swept neuroscience labs over the past decade. Light-sensitive ion… Click here to view original post Click Here to Publish/Feature Your Company or Product News with Biotech Networks

Everlum Bio is transforming drug discovery with our industry-leading personalized drug discovery program which is revolutionizing the rare disease industry, improving lives worldwide. We've created this program so families don’t need to become scientists, researchers, or project managers. Everlum handles it all and more. Everlum Bio is pioneering the use of key technologies like IPSCs and CRSPR to create and test genetic treatments faster then ever before. This leads to better translation of results from bench to bedside. iPSC cell lines enable personalized drug discovery, better disease models, and insights into disease mechanisms for targeted therapies. Everlum Biotechnology is a transformative step in addressing the unmet medical needs of those with rare diseases. Take the first step in seeing how Everlum Bio can make a difference for you! Click here! everlum.bio

🔬 Metaphore Biotechnologies Launches with $50M to Transform Drug Development Through Biomimicry TL;DR: • Flagship Pioneering startup leveraging nature's molecular blueprints • Novel platform mimics biological interactions for therapeutic development • Focus on autoimmune, metabolic, and cancer treatments • Led by industry veterans Lovisa Afzelius (CEO) and Daniel Acker (CIO) Metaphore's innovative approach draws inspiration from nature's own solutions - much like the owl butterfly's evolved defense mechanisms. Their platform isolates and replicates pharmacophores (key molecular features), enhanced by machine learning to accelerate drug discovery. Based in Cambridge, MA, the company uniquely positions itself at the intersection of computational and experimental science, enabling seamless development of multiple therapeutic modalities. While the biotech sector faces challenges, with some platform companies under increased investor scrutiny, Metaphore's strong backing and versatile technology platform signal promising potential for breakthrough therapeutics. 💭 What are your thoughts on biomimicry in drug development? Share your insights on this innovative approach. #Biotech #DrugDiscovery #Innovation #Biomimicry #BiotechNews #intelligencesimplified #pharma #biotech #biodatastudio

VedTechBio® Announces a Drug Discovery Collaboration with RenaissThera® VedTechBio announced a research collaboration with RenaissThera Pvt. Ltd. (RenaissThera), a biotech company developing novel drugs for metabolic diseases such as Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. RenaissThera will use dedicated research teams from VedTechBio and the RxAgentAI platform to design, test and develop novel small molecular drugs to treat these important diseases. “VedTechBio’s proficiency in designing novel small molecular drugs (NCEs) using Generative AI and computational/structural approaches, combined with their ability to design in vitro and in vivo experimental approaches to test these NCEs, gives us speed, efficiency and increased chance of success in our drug discovery efforts,” said Dr. Ramkesh Meena, CEO of RenaissThera. This collaboration marks VedTechBio’s third partnership, following previous successes with AlphaMeld and ConquestBio. Know more about us : https://vedtechbio.com/ https://lnkd.in/gA-UPYmH #VedTechBio #RenaissThera #Obesity #Diabetes #RxAgentAI

KOREAN STARTUP NEWS. Uncover the most recent innovations emerging in Korea's life science startup sector: • 3billion, a Korean biotech firm focused on AI diagnostics for rare genetic diseases, aims to penetrate the U.S. market post-IPO, targeting a $20 trillion global market for genetic testing that could affect 600 million people. They plan to establish its first U.S. branch by 2025. • Matica Biotechnology, based in the U.S. as a subsidiary of CHA Biotech, has signed a letter of intent with U.S.-based KaliVir Immunotherapeutics to provide contract development and manufacturing services for its cancer therapies utilizing the VETTM platform. • Seasun Biomaterials will supply its U-TOP MSI genomic diagnostic products for India's national project on colorectal cancer genetic diagnosis, funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research and aimed at assessing immuno-oncology drug efficacy. • Korean medical AI company VUNO has officially joined Saudi Arabia's Regulatory Healthcare Sandbox initiative, part of the kingdom's broader efforts to diversify its economy and modernize healthcare. For comprehensive details, see the article linked in the comments! Source: Korea Biomedical Review #KICWashingtonDC #KoreaInnovationCenter #KICDC #KoreanStartups #Startups #LifeScience #Biotech #Medtech #Pharma #Pharmaceuticals #Diagnostics #Oncology #Healthcare

Disclaimer: This memo is for research purposes and reflects my interest in writing an investment blog. It should not be considered a recommendation for investment. I have no financial interest or gain from the company discussed, which was selected randomly for my series of memos. During my recent travels, I have been diving deep into the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) space, which has been particularly hot with multiple high-profile acquisitions. While researching Cancer Research Horizon's portfolio, I came across Myricx Bio. Myricx stands out with its novel N-Myristoyltransferase (NMT) inhibitor payload platform, offering a fresh approach in the crowded ADC space. With recent acquisitions like Pfizer-Seagen ($43B), Genmab-ProfoundBio ($1.8B), and J&J-Ambrx ($2B), the timing couldn't be better for innovative ADC technologies. Their pipeline targets both established markers (HER2, Trop2) and emerging ones (B7-H3), with their lead candidate MYX2449 heading toward IND-enabling studies. What's particularly intriguing is their preclinical data showing superior efficacy to existing ADCs in several models. Speaking of exciting UK biotech spin-outs, I'm particularly excited about Amphista Therapeutics in the targeted protein degradation (TPD) space and Constructive Bio in synthetic biology. What’s next? This might be my second-to-last biotech deep dive for the year. I'm planning one more piece on targeted protein degradation before expanding my horizons into fintech and climate tech. Stay tuned for my upcoming analysis building on my previous GPay evolution piece, focusing on tokenization in India's fintech landscape. #Biotech #ADC #Investmentmemo #investmentthesis #lifesciences #oncology #VCs #acquisitiontargets

The future of cancer treatment could be brewing in a lab, thanks to the genetic manipulation of yeast? 🧬✨ Cell factory technology is revolutionizing biotechnology, allowing us to engineer yeast cells to produce targeted compounds like anti-cancer drugs. This innovative approach not only streamlines the process of drug production but also holds the promise of making treatments more accessible and cost-effective. Benefits of Cell Factory Technology: Targeted Treatment: Precision engineering of yeast cells ensures the production of specific compounds essential for cancer treatment. Enhanced Efficiency: Faster and more efficient drug production processes mean quicker access to life-saving medications. Cost-Effectiveness: Reducing the cost of drug development and production can make treatments more affordable for patients worldwide. The impact of biotechnology on world health is undeniable, and as we continue to explore the potential of cell factory technology, the future looks brighter than ever. Join us in celebrating this breakthrough and stay tuned for more innovations in the world of biotech! 🌟 #Biotechnology #CellFactory #CancerResearch #Innovation #ILB #FutureOfMedicine

What makes plant-derived EVs a breakthrough in drug delivery? Plant-based extracellular vesicles (EVs) provide a natural, sustainable solution for delivering therapeutic agents. However, challenges like targeting specificity and crossing cellular barriers often limit their full potential. Surface modification offers the key to overcoming these hurdles. 🔬 Advanced Functionalization Tools: Our services help researchers enhance plant EVs using: • Antibodies • Nanobodies • Peptides • Proteins 💡 Why Researchers Trust Jotbody: • Precision Targeting: Modify EVs with ligands to ensure drugs are delivered to the right cells, reducing off-target effects. • Reproducibility: Achieve consistent, reliable results, crucial for translational research. • Scalability: Solutions tailored for both small-scale studies and preclinical trials. Functionalized plant-based EVs are reshaping drug delivery, offering researchers tools for more effective, targeted, and sustainable therapies. 🔗 Empower your research with Jotbody’s functionalization services: https://lnkd.in/gDG5YHfr #EVResearch #DrugDelivery #PlantEVs #Functionalization