Reports + Research
Salk Institute Receives $14.3 Million Grant to Study Specific Spinal Cord Injuries
The five-year grant from the NIH BRAIN Initiative will fund the mapping of how the brain controls forelimb movement in mice. This neural circuitry atlas seeks to understand how the brain controls movement and could be used in the treatment of human spinal cord injuries that affect the hands and arms. The testable model will track the different types of neurons and how they communicate with each other to drive skilled movement.
Ansun Biopharma Raises $80 Million to Develop New Drugs for Respiratory Infections
According to a statement by Huaxing Capital, the financial advisor for the financing, the Series B round was led by Haisong Capital, Dawan District Common Home Development Fund, Jiachen Capital, KIP and existing shareholders Yuanming Capital, Lilly Asia Fund, Jingwei China, Materia Medica Capital, and Jifeng Capital. The proceeds will be used to fund a phase 3 clinical trial for the company’s lead product candidate, DAS181, to treat a variety of respiratory viruses, including parainfluenza. The drug’s antiviral capabilities seeks to prevent the virus from entering modifies the “host” by removing sialic acid from the surface of human airway epithelial cells.
Scripps Research Publishes Study on Compound that Could Improve Gene Therapy
A small molecule compound, called caraphenol A, is related to resveratrol, which is a natural compound produced by grapes and has antioxidant effects (remember Sirtris). Scientists at Scripps Research found that applying caraphenol A to human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) allowed lentivral vectors to enter the cells more easily. HSCs have a natural defense to protect against viral attacks. According to FierceBiotech, this could be especially relevant for Zynteglo, formerly known as LentiGlobin, which is a gene therapy approved in the EU to treat beta thalassemia but has had mixed results.
Read + Listen
POW: Podcast of the Week
The Flux podcast chats with Eric Marcotulli, co-founder of Elysium, which is an anti-aging company. He discusses Sirtris, Elysium’s upcoming clinical trial, and bringing “academic rigor and peer review to the supplement category.”
It’s Happening Here
October 31:
Xconomy Insight, BioProcess International, and Lonza Biologics are hosting a complimentary symposium on October 31. Called From Discovery to Clinic, the event will discuss different tools and techniques to maximize biologic drug candidate success.
November 4-7:
Exponential Medicine 2019 from Singularity University will be held November 4-7 at the Hotel del Coronado. The four-day conference will explore new biomedical technologies in the reinvention of health and medicine.
January 20-25:
The 19th Annual PepTalk at The Protein Science Week will take place January 20-25 in downtown San Diego. Early bird registration deadline is October 25.
Tags: Biotech, Biotech Briefing, Life Sciences, Medical Research, Salk Institute
