Reports + Research
Synthetic Genomics Featured in Fast Company World Changing Ideas
La Jolla-based Synthetic Genomics’ world changing idea, called DBC (Digital to Biological Converter), is described as a “fax machine for vaccines.” One machine reads and writes the code of a DNA sequence and then it can be replicated in other locations, such as at point-of-care, effectively eliminating shipping vaccines around the world.
Serial Entrepreneur John Dobak Launches 10xBio to Test “Body Sculpting” Drug
Xconomy reports that Dobak raised over $2.5 million to test a drug in early-stage clinical trials for the ability to reduce fat and body sculpt. The drug is already approved to shrink varicose veins. Dobak is CEO of DermTech and founded Lithera (now Neothetics), Innercool Therapies, CryoCor, and CryoGen.
Biogen Pays Ionis $1 Billion To Expand RNA Drug Discovery Deal
The deal builds on the recent successful collaboration for SPINRAZA, the first approved drug to treat the rare disease spinal muscular atrophy, as well as two antisense drugs in clinical trials. In a company statement, the deal is referred to as “one of the most significant discovery stage collaborations in the industry.” Biogen will pay Ionis $1 billion in cash, including an equity investment in Ionis stock and an upfront payment for a new ten-year collaboration agreement to develop novel antisense drug candidates for a broad range of neurological diseases.
San Diego Is Facing an Alzheimer’s Epidemic for Which We’re Not Prepared
The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that San Diego County is disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s, which is the third leading cause of death in the county (it’s the sixth nationwide). The San Diego community, including Mayor Kevin Faulconer and top Alzheimer’s researchers, came together to provide an update on recent reports and announce a $1.3 million grant awarded by the federal government to Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute to continue searching for a cure. However, the path forward seems clearly underfunded for much needed basic research, as many of the failures in pharmaceutical development have called into question the leading hypothesis on disease mechanisms of action and possible therapeutic interventions.
San Diego’s Rep. Peters Receives BIO’s Innovator in Biotechnology Award
BIO honored U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) with the “Innovator in Biotechnology” award, which recognizes Members of Congress who have championed the biotechnology and life science industries. These industries are a key economic sector for the San Diego region and create life-changing and life-saving advances, as well as tens of thousands of jobs.
Read + Listen
POW! Podcast of the Week
In the inaugural episode of Tacos and Tech, Neil Bloom interviews entrepreneur Ashley Van Zeeland, Ph.D., who cofounded Cypher Genomics, which was bought by Human Longevity. It’s a look at what is happening in both tech, biotech, and the unique crossover that is happening in San Diego.
Events
It’s Happening Here
April 26
Xconomy’s Big Data Meets Big Biology takes place the afternoon of April 26 at The Alexandria on Torrey Pines Mesa.
April 30
TiE South Coast presents “Women in STEM: Shattering the Glass Ceiling!” at Johnson & Johnson Innovation, JLABS, on Monday, April 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Client disclosure: DermTech
Tags: Alzheimer’s, Biotech, Biotech Briefing, Blogs, Medical Research, Medicine
