September 18, 2019 Comments (0) Views: 2202 Biotech, Biotech Briefing, Blog

Biotech Briefing: UC San Diego Health Uses 3D Technology to Fix Previously Inoperable Aortic Aneurysms

Plus: Turning Point Therapeutics Raises More Than $200 Million in Public Offering

Reports + Research

UC San Diego Health Uses 3D Technology to Fix Previously Inoperable Aortic Aneurysms

A thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm is an aneurysm that balloons out of the aorta, which causes aortic wall weakening. Traditionally, surgeons need to use contrast dyes to place a stent in the aneurysm, but these dyes can cause post-surgery kidney problems in up to 25 percent of patients. UC San Diego Health is employing a new technology, called Dynamic Morphology Correction, to decrease the amount of dye used and surgical time. According to a statement, “the technology builds a 3D model of the aneurysm and surrounding vessels using a pre-operative CT scan,” and fuses that with a real-time image during the operation.

Turning Point Therapeutics Raises More Than $200 Million in Public Offering

In April, Turning Point raised more than $190 million in its initial public offering, and now the public markets have provided more than $200 million in capital to help the company continue to build a pipeline of next generation, tyrosine kinase inhibitor, cancer drugs. This recent financing comes on the heels of positive Phase 1/2 clinical trial data of the company’s lead drug candidate, repotrectinib, which is in clinical trials to treat non-small cell lung cancer.

Connect to Honor Four Local Innovation Leaders at Annual Awards

At Connect’s 32^nd annual Innovation Awards, Connect w/ San Diego Venture Group (SDVG) will induct David Hale into the Connect Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. Connect will also honor Taner Halicioglu and Dr. Carol Gallagher with Duane Roth Distinguished Contribution Awards and Dr. Mary Walshok with the William W. Otterson Award for Advancing Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Each of these leaders have made “invaluable contributions” to promote innovation for the San Diego life sciences and tech ecosystem.