Vishal Doshi

It was busy week for tech+bio news 👇 💰 Johnson & Johnson acquires Proteologix for $850M, gaining access to bispecific antibody programs, including Phase I-ready PX128 for atopic dermatitis and asthma. 🚀 AstraZeneca plans to build a $1.5 billion facility in Singapore to produce antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), enhancing its global manufacturing capabilities for precision cancer therapies, with operations expected to start in 2029. ⚡ Recursion launches BioHive-2, the fastest supercomputer owned by a pharmaceutical company, developed with Nvidia. Ranked No. 35 worldwide, this supercomputer enhances AI-driven drug discovery, allowing Recursion to train larger AI models more efficiently and support multiple parallel AI projects. 🔬 AstraZeneca adds a novel heart failure target to its discovery portfolio, discovered using BenevolentAI’s AI-drug discovery platform and validated by AstraZeneca, marking significant progress in the field of target identification. 💰 Nabla Bio closes a $26M Series A round led by Radical Ventures and announces over $550M in collaborations with AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Takeda to develop protein drugs. 🔬 Erasca, Inc. cuts 18% of its workforce and halts three clinical programs, focusing on KRAS inhibitor and molecular glue therapy, licensing them for $22.5M upfront. 🔬 Sartorius and NVIDIA expand their collaboration to develop predictive AI models for stem cell-derived organoids, aiming to replace animal models in drug discovery and precision medicine, leveraging NVIDIA’s Clara suite and DGX platform for advanced biopharmaceutical manufacturing and therapeutic development. 🔬 Insilico Medicine, in collaboration with Fosun Pharma, initiated the first-in-patient dose of ISM8207, a novel QPCTL inhibitor which targets a protein involved in immune evasion, in a Phase I clinical trial for advanced malignant tumors. ⚠️ MacroGenics reports significant safety concerns in Phase II trial of vobramitamab duocarmazine for metastatic prostate cancer, with over 50% experiencing serious adverse events and five deaths, leading to a 70% stock drop despite some efficacy signals. 💰 Accenture invests in Turbine to enhance AI-powered cell simulations for biopharma research, aiming to accelerate drug R&D through Turbine's Simulated Cell™ platform. Terms of the investment remain undisclosed, with Turbine joining Accenture Ventures’ Project Spotlight to leverage Accenture’s domain expertise and enterprise client access. 🔬 Galapagos partners with Blood Centers of America to enhance GMP-compliant, decentralized CAR-T therapy production, reducing vein-to-vein time to seven days for its haemato-oncology program. 📉 Ionis and Biogen discontinue their experimental ALS drug BIIB105 after it failed to show clinical benefits in the Phase I/II ALSpire trial, despite reducing ATXN2 protein levels. Subscribe to our newsletter "Where Tech Meets Bio" for more insights (link in the comments). #biopharmatrend #biotech #technology

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And the hits just keep on coming... but no, Japanese companies don't need to show any director and pre-director training has been done when they ask investors to vote for their executive-dominated board slates. Really? If that is the case, then on what basis are investors deciding that the majority of the board (executives) are qualified in terms of knowledge about relevant laws, governance best practices, finance, and compliance? Ask you favorite fund manager. Has anyone thought this through? #Japan is trying to reform #corpgov from "management" boards into "monitoring boards", which is a massive change, with as little concrete new learning and hard discussion as possible.. because the execs that created the lost 30 years think they are already well-qualified. At many companies, this is not working, and will not. Attitudes in this domain change very slowly, and there is a lot of slow-plodding and resistance, is the reality. 公益社団法人　会社役員育成機構　The Board Director Training Institute of Japan ( BDTI ) is part of the answer.

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#ASX Announcement - Recce Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX:RCE, FSE:R9Q), is pleased to announce it has received approval from the Indonesian Drug and Food Regulatory Authority, Badan POM, to initiate its Registrational Phase 3 clinical trial assessing RECCE® 327 as a topical gel (R327G) for the treatment of diabetic foot infections (DFIs). Access our InvestorHub here: https://lnkd.in/gF-ByZ3w

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Ring Therapeutics Announces New Strategic Partnerships with A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research and Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) to Establish #GeneTherapy R&D Efforts in #Singapore, a Growing #GlobalBiotechHub! 🤝 Ring Therapeutics, a life sciences company established by Flagship Pioneering to transform #genetherapy through its commensal #viromeplatform, has announced #strategicpartnerships with Singapore’s lead public sector R&D agency, the A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research and the #SingaporeEyeResearchInstitute (SERI). These partnerships are intended to drive innovative #researchanddevelopment and bolster the region's #biomedicalscienceecosystem. Tuyen Ong, MD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer at Ring Therapeutics and CEO-Partner at Flagship Pioneering said, “from early discovery efforts, such as the characterization of novel #anellovirus genomes for potential #ophthalmology and #oncology applications, to expanding indication portfolio by testing new payloads in multiple therapeutic areas, and advancing next-generation manufacturing capabilities, these partnerships will support the full spectrum of our development goals. Engaging with a global R&D ecosystem allows us to unlock the full potential of our #Anellogyplatform and accelerate the clinical translation of our #AnelloVector™ therapeutics.” The collaboration with #ASTAR and #SERI is expected to drive the creation of new treatment options for #ophthalmology and #oncology and enhance the processes and technologies required to develop these therapies. This partnership leverages complementary expertise in large-scale manufacturing and scientific advancements to support ongoing breakthroughs and technological progress in the region. #RingTherapeutics #ASTAR #SERI #SingaporeBiotechHub #GeneTherapy #ViromeResearch #Anellogy #Annellovector #Biomedicalscienceecosystem #Biotechpartnerships #Opthalmology #Oncology #RASLSSConsulting #MarketIntelligence #MarketResearch #CompetitiveIntelligence #StrategySupport #PortfolioOptimization For detailed news: https://lnkd.in/dfUZAMiv Know more about #RASLSSConsulting: https://lnkd.in/d_daJ5Xv   Follow our page for more industry updates: https://lnkd.in/de5zNWmK

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It was great to connect with Consortium members at the annual meeting in Singapore. The pace of advancements in MRgRT are incredible. Key trends observed during this meeting include:  1. Compelling clinical evidence for MRgRT for treating prostate cancer (NCT04595019 - HERMES), glioblastoma (NCT04726397 - UNITED) and large brain mets (NCT06405256) 2. Biomarker imaging with a key role for ADC 3. The emergence of sim-free workflows 4. Enhanced workflow efficiency through AI tools and RTT-led processes

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Medika Natura Appoints Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP (SRFC Law) to Support Its Next Growth Phase 28 November 2024, Kuala Lumpur – Medika Natura, a life science leader from Malaysia specializing in clinically validated bioactive formulations, is pleased to announce the appointment of Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP (SRFC Law) as its legal partner to drive the company’s next growth phase. With a proven track record of supporting high-growth businesses across various sectors, SRFC Law will play a pivotal role in advancing Medika Natura’s strategic global initiatives, including market expansion, intellectual property management, and regulatory compliance. “This partnership with SRFC Law marks a significant step forward in Medika Natura’s journey,” said Abdul Razak, CEO. “As we continue to expand our global footprint and deliver innovative, science-driven solutions to improve health and wellness, having a legal partner with the expertise and vision of SRFC Law ensures we are well-positioned for sustainable growth.” Medika Natura is committed to leveraging its cutting-edge research and development to bring impactful bioactive therapies, such as its flagship SKF7®, to global markets. About Medika Natura Medika Natura Sdn Bhd is a life science leader from Malaysia dedicated to developing clinically proven bioactive therapies that address major global health challenges. Recognized for its science-driven approach, the company’s innovations, including SKF7®, focus on delivering safe, effective, and evidence-based solutions to unmet health needs. About Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP (SRFC Law) Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP (SRFC Law) is a premier full-service law firm specializing in securities, corporate advisory, litigation, intellectual property, and international regulatory frameworks. With offices in New York City, California, and Florida, SRFC Law is renowned for providing strategic legal support to businesses pursuing transformative growth globally. #goglobal #rtn

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We are excited to announce the launch of our latest resource, the ASEAN Booklet of Clinical Experts' Insights - BIOFIRE® BCID 2 Panel 📘 Rapid identification of pathogens grown in blood culture plays a pivotal role in managing bloodstream infections (BSIs). There has been an increase in the use of molecular syndromic panels in clinical practice for the identification of pathogens. This booklet contains insights from clinical experts on how they incorporate such testing approach in their clinical practice. 📖 What to expect from  this booklet? ●     Insights from leading clinical experts on how they prioritize the use of BIOFIRE® BCID 2 panel , the ideal diagnostic algorithm in BSI management and key examples of impact on patient management since implementing BIOFIRE® BCID 2 in their clinical practice. ●      Case summaries to showcase the complexities of BSI management and the role of the BIOFIRE® BCID 2 panel in managing these challenges. ●      Strategies in test prescriptions and reporting from key experts and highlights from guidance article ( Simner P.,et al. 2023) Don't miss out on this educational resource for healthcare professionals who are committed in assuring better management for patients with BSI. Link to download 📥 - https://lnkd.in/gjPMja-S

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Insilico Medicine has successfully delivered the second preclinical candidate compound (PCC) in its collaboration with Fosun Pharma in June 2024, a potential innovative therapeutic using synthetic lethal strategy for the treatment of solid tumors. Insilico Medicine expects to submit the pre-IND application for this candidate with the CDE in 2024 Q4. When initiating the collaboration, Fosun Pharma proposed four targets of interest, and the target of the PCC nominated in this program is one of them and plays a critical role in DNA damage repair mechanisms. In preclinical studies, the candidate demonstrated good selectivity, robust anti-tumor efficacy as well as promising ADMET properties. The preclinical data of this program has been recognized by Fosun Pharma and meets both companies' criteria for PCC nomination. Insilico Medicine will advance the candidate to the IND-enabling stage and then Fosun Pharma will take over for further research and exploration. #CancerResearch #SyntheticLethalStrategy #SolidTumors #BiotechInnovation #DrugDiscovery #QimingPortfolio #QimingHealthcare

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”Taiwan’s Biotech Miracle: A Vision for the Next 20 Years “ Over the past two decades, Taiwan’s biotech industry has truly proven its resilience and potential. From just 35 publicly listed biotech companies in 2005 to 220 today—a sixfold growth. Industry output has soared from NT$75 billion to over NT$750 billion, a tenfold increase. Even more impressive, the market cap skyrocketed from NT$75 billion to NT$1.6 trillion—a twentyfold leap! As we look ahead to the next 20 years, Taiwan has the opportunity to unleash even greater potential. Here are Three Arrows that can shape our biotech future: 1️⃣ Innovation & Globalization: Focus on cutting-edge R&D and expand Taiwan’s footprint in the global biotech ecosystem through international partnerships. 2️⃣ Sustainability & Precision Health: Shift toward sustainable biotech solutions and invest in precision medicine to meet the evolving needs of an aging population. 3️⃣ Digital Transformation & AI Integration: Harness the power of AI and big data to drive breakthroughs, from drug development to healthcare solutions. Taiwan’s biotech journey is far from over. With the right strategies, the next 20 years could redefine Taiwan as a global biotech powerhouse. Let’s aim higher! #TaiwanBiotech #Innovation #GlobalHealth #PrecisionMedicine #AIandBiotech

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This news is interesting coming on the heels of Otsuka Pharma's set-up of a new business unit to commercialise digital therapeutic Rejoyn. A second Japanese Pharma company Teijin is dipping its toes into the DTx space by signing a co-marketing deal with industry pioneer CureApp, Inc. for the Japanese market. Details on the deal is light, but it looks like Teijin will use its medical channel sales and marketing capabilities to drive the adoption of the hypertension prescription DTx product Cureapp HT. Its an interesting approach since western pharma companies have shied away from trying to promote DTx products in the US or Europe but the different market dynamics in Japan might make this approach more viable, particularly if Teijin wants to use this as a strategic way to broadly engagement doctors and patients to help sell its drug and medical device portfolio. #digitaltherapeutics #digitalhealthcare

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Has the PMDA waived the requirement to conduct Phase I clinical trials in Japan, of drugs developed overseas, prior to allowing Japanese patients to participate in multi-regional clinical trials (MRCT)?   Much has been made about this decision, but it is not that straightforward.   The change came into effect in December 2023 and represented one of the PMDAs ongoing initiatives to address Japan's 'drug lag'. The aim is to significantly affect the successful introduction of these drugs into Japan and minimise the disadvantages to patients.   Although the PMDA guidance is that this is no longer mandatory, they will still be assessing the safety/tolerability of the dosage in the MRCT as being "clinically acceptable/manageable" in Japanese patients. If this cannot be done, then the requirement is to conduct a Phase I study in Japan. There are of course exceptions such as unmet medical needs, paediatric studies.   So, the answer is yes. But it could be a no.   Japanese patient participation in MRCT is being declined because the explanation on safety is insufficient, so back to square one. Or in these cases, Phase I.

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#Singapore to house AstraZeneca's first end-to-end antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) #manufacturing facility! 💊🏭 AstraZeneca, a global #biopharmaceutical leader, is set to build a US$1.5 billion facility for producing ADCs–a next-generation cancer treatment. This facility will be a first for AstraZeneca, marking a major leap in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. This investment signifies a significant boost for industries in the life sciences sector. Here's how: 👨🏻‍💻 Skilled workforce: The facility will need scientists, engineers, and digital specialists, creating opportunities for recruitment and training companies. 🛠️ Supporting industries: The project will drive demand for suppliers and service providers across sectors in logistics, engineering, etc. 🤖 Tech adoption: The focus on automation and AI highlights the need for digital solutions, presenting opportunities for businesses offering these technologies. This #investment reinforces Singapore's reputation as a leader in advanced manufacturing and biopharmaceuticals. Businesses can capitalise on this momentum by positioning themselves as key partners in this thriving sector, driving #growth and #innovation. ✨ Ready to unlock your #SME’s growth potential? Book a complimentary 1-to-1 #business advisory session here: https://lnkd.in/g_5tassX and let SME Centre@SMF (Singapore Manufacturing Federation) guide you towards new heights of innovation and success. 💡🚀 #smes #smesupport #support #businessgrowth #sgbusiness #businessadvisory #consulting #businessstrategy #biopharmainnovation #industrialtransformation #advancedmanufacturing #manufacturingtransformation #smartmanufacturing #technology #digitalisation #digitalization #digitalsolutions #industrialautomation #digitaltransformation

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https://lnkd.in/gCaS58Kp In late November, I was asked to participate on a panel of early- to mid-stage investors at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School talking with undergraduate business students about venture capital. We discussed a number of topics (e.g., interest rates and trends toward private credit, influence of rapidly evolving AI technologies, what are some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of being a venture capitalist, etc.). After a great discussion with the group and some self-reflection, the most interesting topics were about how to navigate the current market pressures and deploy capital to take advantage of opportunities? Carefully. As described in the FierceBiotechIT article, which is worth reading, the “ever-shifting sands” of the volatile life sciences markets have resulted in, among other things, significant fundraising challenges (companies and investor funds alike), depressed valuations, and massive layoffs over the past 12+ months. There is talk that things have “bottomed out." Everyone knows that there are billions of dollars on the sidelines, so what now? Competition is good and, as history has demonstrated time and time again, these cycles help filter out the noise. By “noise,” I mean faulty assumptions and faulty decision-making among companies, investors, and LPs alike. This is particularly true for the life sciences space, which requires significant capital, capabilities, and time to bring forward new and innovative products for humans, animals, and the environment. As the article points out, investors and their LPs want to see a path to liquidity, but everyone should be working to create and capture value, not working to an exit. The market volatility should not change basic practices focused on fundamentals, intentional diligence processes, and the expertise that is supposed to enable evaluating and entering into good deals in the first place. As an illustration of this point and the notion that a deal is only as good as its implementation, Julia Moore rightly talks about providing companies with 24 to 36 months cash, having them stick to conservative milestones, and engaging in early discussions about how to draw in the next set of investors or collaborators.   Consistent with the comments in the article from my former colleague Juergen Eckhardt and our advice to the UNC undergraduate business students (and everyone else), even in this environment there are tremendous opportunities for selected, smart investments by investors (funds and their LPs) with domain expertise, financial, operational, and strategic networks, and experience making contributions that enable growth and success for their portfolio companies. #leadership #investments #venturecapital #lifesciences #duediligence Abhi Narang Drew Cutshaw Michael Lee Noah Thurer Henry Leasure

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Shining a spotlight on some of our expert speakers at the World Companion Diagnostics and Liquid Biopsy Summit APAC this November 13-14! Zhirong Shen of BeiGene's session "Harnessing MRD for Optimal Patient Care" will discuss MRD applications in clinical settings as a monitoring biomarker and surrogate endpoint, and how MRD has assisted clinical decision-making and helped with the success of clinical development in oncology, and provide a future outlook for how MRD can further advance cancer therapies. Qingmei Shi, CMO of CStone Pharmaceuticals, will share "Case Studies of Precision Medicine and Companion Diagnostic Co-Development in China", sharing the pharma perspective on the drug and CDx co-development in China, helping you understand CDx clinical validation data under drug clinical trial required by NMPA, and deciphering the critical success factors to improve the possibility of success for CDx approval. Junpei Soeda M.D., Ph.D of Takeda's presentation on "the Future of Liquid Biopsy from PARADIGM Study to Inform Patient Selection", will provide an overview of Liquid biopsy (ctDNA testing), sharing a utility case of liquid biopsy based on PARADIGM study to describe how validated and adequately sensitive plasma ctDNA assay may inform appropriate selection of patients for frontline metastatic colorectal cancer patients, and also discussing the limitation and future perspective of liquid biopsy in clinical practice. See the full agenda here: https://ter.li/iw3irz With complimentary passes available for drug developers and researchers (subject to terms and conditions), register your place to gain their insights first-hand here: https://ter.li/pfhgff #CDx #CompanionDiagnostics #LiquidBiopsy #PrecisionOncology #PrecisionMedicine #WorldCDx

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🔬 🧪 Thank you for joining us at our SCRI Clinical Trials Symposium!   It was truly inspiring to see so many thought leaders, industry partners and clinical research professionals come together to share knowledge and practical insights into how clinical trials not only improve patient lives but also contribute to positive health and economic outcomes in Singapore and beyond.   Your engagement in thoughtful discussions on topics such as the integration of real-world data with clinical development, the benefits of decentralised clinical trials and the crucial role of patient advance in trial design, was invaluable.    Let us continue on this journey together to tap on the potential of clinical trials to improve patient outcomes and transform tomorrow’s health!   “We must seize the opportunities we have today to advance clinical research as we strive to create a healthier tomorrow. In particular, we must invest more in trials centred on upstream prevention, leverage new health-tech innovations, and tap on clinical trials to advance more sustainable healthcare systems,” said Guest-of-Honour DPM Heng in his Opening Address.   In addition, read more about the launch of clinical trials portal, CTSG, in this article by The Straits Times. CTSG aims to provide key information for patients, and to guide clinical investigators and trial sponsors.  https://lnkd.in/gCPJTDRF   ✨ Stay tuned for the event highlights video!   For more info on SCRI, please visit www.scri.edu.sg   #SCRIClinicalTrialsSymposium2024 #TransformingTomorrowsHealth #clinicaltrials #clinicalresearch

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CanSino Biologics (SEHK:6185, SHSE:688185) announced that the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority has granted approval to begin Phase 1/2 clinical trials for the company's recombinant polio vaccine candidate (CS-2036). These trials will evaluate the vaccine's safety and immunogenicity in specific age groups of infants. Developed using CanSino Biologics' advanced protein design and virus-like particle (VLP) technology, CS-2036 is a non-infectious vaccine that doesn't rely on live viruses during production. This innovative approach not only ensures a strong safety profile but also makes it a promising candidate for global polio eradication, as recommended by the World Health Organization. CS-2036 also has the potential to be integrated into combination vaccines, contributing to broader immunization efforts. #Biotechnology #VaccineDevelopment #PolioEradication #GlobalHealth #ClinicalTrials #Innovation #HealthcareInnovation #QimingPortfolio #QimingHealthcare 

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