Reports + Research
Synthetic DNA Developed for Nanomaterials in Medicine
Researchers in the Rosenberg lab at TSRI have used an expanded genetic alphabet to create a DNA-based, water-absorbing hydrogel. This new hydrogel may have multiple medical and scientific applications, including drug delivery and molds for 3D cell culture.
Ignyta Posts Positive Clinical Data on NSCLC Drug
Ignyta’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor, called entrectinib, showed positive clinical data in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. In addition, the drug can cross the blood-brain barrier, which may be helpful in treating patients with brain metastases and providing patients, who are eligible for Pfizer’s Xalkori, additional therapeutic options.
Salk Scientist’s Pursuit of Exercise Pill
Bloomberg Businessweek covers Salk Institute researcher Ronald Evans’s “marathon quest” for a pill that can replicate exercise-induced fat burning or increase athletic endurance. The article also discusses his company, Mitobridge, and MA0211, a drug in development to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Catching Up with Arcturus’ Fast Moves
After starting the reverse merger process last month, Arcturus quickly followed with a worldwide licensing agreement with Janssen Pharmaceuticals. The agreement is for the development and commercialization of “proprietary technologies for developing nucleic acid-based drug products for the treatment of hepatitis B.” Acturus has a variety of RNA technologies, such as siRNA, mRNA, microRNA, and gene editing, which can be developed into novel medicines.
CIRM Launches Clinical Trial Dashboard for Stem Cell-Based Treatments
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has launched an improved website to provide information on clinical trials of stem cell-based treatments. CIRM has funded 40 clinical trials in the space and aims to fund an additional 27 new trials by 2020.
Read + Listen
POW! Podcast of the Week
#ScienceFriday – it’s not just a hashtag. It’s also a cool podcast. A recent episode discussed health risks that follow a wildfire.
BOW! Book of the Week
It’s an oldie but a goodie. The Billion Dollar Molecule delves into one biotech company’s story from tiny startup to public company, while working on an anti-HIV drug.
Events
It’s Happening Here
October 25–27
2017 Design Forward Summit is happening October 25–27 at Liberty Station. There’s an interesting panel presentation on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. about how the DIY diabetes movement is impacting healthcare.
November 2–3
The Microbiome R&D and Business Collaboration Forum will take place in downtown San Diego.
November 15
Save the date for a first look at the 2018 California Life Sciences Industry Report.
Tags: Biotech, Biotech Briefing, Blogs, Medical Research, Medicine, Salk Institute
