Reports + Research
UCSD Researchers Find Potential Therapeutic Path for ALS with SOD1 Mutations
A potential gene therapy that silences SOD1 could suppress symptoms, which include progressive movement disorders. Mutations in SOD1 cause ALS in about 5 to 10% of patients. The research was an international effort led by UC San Diego and was published in Nature Medicine. In their animal studies, UCSD used adeno-associated virus to deliver shRNA injected into multiple spots in the spinal cord. Endpoints reports that UCSD’s effort differs from those pursued by Ionis and Biogen, which are starting a Phase 3 trial with an IV-delivered oligonucleotide.
MetroConnect Accepting Company Applications to Support International Growth
In the fifth iteration of the program, MetroConnect is looking to support 15 San Diego companies with international sales growth plans. In addition to a cash grant of $5,000 and additional program benefits, the 15 finalist companies have a chance to compete for a $25,000 grand prize. To date, the MetroConnect program presented by JPMorgan Chase and Procopio has granted 65 small businesses with $790,000 in export grants and supported $85 million in new international sales, 500 new international contracts, and 18 new international office openings. Applications, which take less than an hour to complete, are due January 24
Breaking Ground: The Boardwalk, a $164 Life Science Campus in Torrey Pines
Healthpeak Properties is building a new life science campus on Science Center Drive. Called “The Boardwalk,” the property will include three buildings with more than 195,000 sq ft of office and lab space. The amenity-filled campus will also include a restaurant, gym, conference center, and outdoor collaboration spaces. Healthpeak told The San Diego Union-Tribune that “a portion of The Boardwalk project will be ready for tenant move in March or April of next year.”
Read + Listen
POW: Podcast of the Week
Part stem cell research, part medical mystery, Bad Batch is a six-part investigative podcast that follows the trail of a stem cell therapy that was supposed to help patients but instead left them battling life-threatening infections.
It’s Happening Here
January 11-15:
The largest ag-genomics meeting in the world, Plant and Animal Genome XXVIII (PAGXXVIII), will take place at Town and Country San Diego, January 11-15.
January 20-25:
The 19th Annual PepTalk at The Protein Science Week will take place January 20-25 in downtown San Diego.
Tags: Biotech, Biotech Briefing, Life Sciences, Medical Research
