Reports + Research
Ahead of JP Morgan 2019, Gossamer and Poseidon Prepare for IPOs
Founded by former Receptos executives, Gossamer Bio raised an impressive $330 million since its debut a year ago. It has now filed for an IPO to raise $264.5 million, but that may change depending on market reception and dynamics. Gossamer’s pipeline has three clinical stage programs and three preclinical programs in the disease areas of immunology, inflammation, immuno-oncology, and fibrosis. Poseida’s clinical-stage pipeline includes CAR-T cell therapies for blood-borne cancers and solid tumors. Xconomy reports that Poseidon has set a preliminary IPO target of $115 million.
UC San Diego Uncovers a Reason Why Skin Ages
As animals age, fat cells under the skin are lost, making skin thinner and leading to wrinkles. UC San Diego researchers tested the idea that inhibiting TGF beta, a growth factor that blocks fibroblasts (skin cells) from making fat cells, could reverse the aging process. TGF beta inhibition increased fat cell numbers under the skin, as well as provided greater protection to skin infections from Staphylococcus. Bradley Fikes at The San Diego Union-Tribune explains, “The fat cells make a substance called cathelicidin that kills the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus.” According to UC San Diego, these research results may also give insights into other diseases like obesity, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases.
Forge Receives up to $11.1 Million from CARB-X for Antibiotic Development
Forge Therapeutics will use the CARB-X funding award to develop a new class of antibiotics to treat life-threatening lung infections. According to Forge, these antibiotics are designed to target Gram-negative bacteria, including multi-drug resistant strains. This is the second CARB-X award Forge has received. CARB-X is a public-private partnership that invests in new antibiotic development and other life-saving products to fight dangerous drug-resistant bacteria.
Read + Listen
POW! Podcast of the Week
For the Scripps Health podcast, Dr. Michael Kosty, a medical oncologist and director of the Scripps Green Cancer Center, discusses what is immunotherapy and how it works in cancer treatments.
It’s Happening Here
January 12-16:
The Largest Ag-Genomics Meeting in the World, the Plant and Animal Genome XXVII Conference (PAG) will be January 12-16 at the Town and Country Hotel.
January 14-18:
PepTalk 2019: The Protein Science Week is taking place January 14-18 in downtown San Diego.
January 16:
San Diego Venture Group is hosting 2019 Venture Outlook with Bobby Franklin, President & CEO of National Venture Capital Association and David Coats of Correlation Ventures on January 16th from 3:30pm to 5:30pm at The Illumina Theatre, The Alexandria.
Tags: Biotech, Biotech Briefing, Business, investing, Medical Research, Medicine
