Beyond Biotech - the podcast from Labiotech

01:22 Labiotech.eu news03:03 Phacilitate/Advanced Therapies Week14:15 Orgenesis25:18 Terumo31:47 VIVEBiotech38:33 University of BirminghamPhacilitate’s Advanced Therapies Week took place last week in Miami Beach, Florida.This week, we speak with the organizers, as well as some of the companies in attendance.Our guests are Kim Barnes, EVP, Phacilitate; Kathie Schneider, director and global commercial lead at Terumo; Vered Caplan, CEO, Orgenesis; Ivan Wall, head of the Centre for Advanced Therapies Manufacturing Training, University of Birmingham; and Natalia Elizalde, business development director, VIVEBiotech.PhacilitatePhacilitate stages two major events each year, Advanced Therapies Week, which took place from January 17 to 20 in Miami Beach, Florida, and Advanced Therapies Europe 2023, which takes place in Estoril, Portugal on September 6 and 7.The company also provides market intelligence and hosts a variety of webinars.OrgenesisOrgenesis is a global biotech company working to unlock the full potential of cell and gene therapies in an affordable and accessible format at the point of care. Orgenesis identifies promising new therapies and leverages its POCare Platform to provide a rapid, globally harmonized pathway for the therapies to reach and treat large numbers of patients at lowered costs through efficient, scalable, and decentralized production. Its POCare Network unites patients, doctors, industry partners, research institutes, and hospitals worldwide to achieve harmonized, regulated clinical development and production of therapies. TerumoTerumo is a global provider of medical technology. Based in Tokyo, it provides medical solutions in more than 160 countries and regions. The company started as a Japanese thermometer manufacturer, and has been supporting healthcare ever since. Now, its portfolio ranges from vascular intervention and cardio-surgical solutions, blood transfusion and cell therapy technology, to medical products essential for daily clinical practice such as transfusion systems, diabetes care, and peritoneal dialysis treatments. University of BirminghamThe Centre for Advanced Therapies Manufacturing Training is a newly established National Training Centre based in Birmingham, U.K. It is one of several centers that form the Advanced Therapies Skills and Training Network, which is coordinated by the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult. Its aim is to provide training to U.K. advanced therapy and vaccine manufacturers, to enable rapid and sustainable workforce growth.VIVEBiotechVIVEBiotech is a Spanish developer and manufacturer of lentiviral vectors working under both EMA and FDA standards. The lentiviral vectors produced by VIVEbiotech are used to treat a range of disorders, including hematological and solid cancers, and rare diseases.SponsorInterested in sponsoring one or more episodes of the podcast? Learn more here!Leave a review on Apple podcastsReviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, we would love to hear your feedback!Connect with uslabiotech.euSubscribe to our newsletter

02:29 Labiotech.eu news04:11 C2i Genomics22:31 Advanced Therapies Congress31:37 BioAlps47:29 Bionter54:06 JLLThe guests on our podcast this week are: Jessica Robinson, project director, Advanced Therapies Congress, Terrapinn: Tobias Werk, CEO, Bionter; Asaf Zviran, CEO and co-founder of C2i Genomics; and Magali Bischof, secretary general of BioAlps.We also have our weekly commentary from Travis McCready at global commercial real estate services company JLL.This week’s podcast is sponsored by Bionter, a Swiss-based premier supplier of analytical testing solutions to support Pharma companies to bring drugs faster and safer onto the market. Their first product is a fully automated particle testing device for parenteral drug applications that is cost-efficient and compliant with current regulations. If you want to know more, go to www.Bionter.com.C2i Genomics Announce Successful Evaluation of Whole Genome-Based Residual Disease Test Across Multiple Solid Cancer modelsC2i Genomics, a cancer intelligence company, recently announced an extension of a collaboration with AstraZeneca. The two companies have collaborated to evaluate the potential of whole-genome minimal residual disease (MRD) testing across solid cancers, with the goal of enhancing oncology treatment, supporting clinical trial recruitment, and monitoring. C2i genomics has completed AstraZeneca’s BeyondBio Innovation Hub’s program for Israeli start-ups. Using artificially generated samples to reproduce varying levels of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) expected to be found in tumors, this collaboration provided early evidence that the C2i assay can sensitively detect ctDNA (down to 0.002% allelic frequency). Building on this work, AstraZeneca will further evaluate and validate the C2i Genomics platform across a panel of patient-derived samples using their in-house sequencing capabilities and expertise.The non-invasive detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from plasma has been shown to have clinical value for the detection of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD), the emergence of resistance, and the prediction of treatment response. New MRD technologies aim to provide greater cancer detection sensitivity by expanding methods beyond small, personalized panels. C2i Genomics’ MRD technology applies whole-genome sequencing and artificial intelligence to a small blood sample to provide ultra-sensitive cancer detection. This technology aims to eliminate the need to develop a patient-specific assay, enabling high-performance, personalized monitoring and rapid turnaround across multiple solid cancers with reduced operational complexity.Advanced Therapies CongressThe Advanced Therapies Congress is Europe’s largest cell and gene therapy conference and exhibition. Presented by Terrapinn, the event is for the leaders of the world’s ATMP developers and their most senior executives in charge of the latest tech and strategies driving the industry forward. The event takes place on March 14 and 15 at the ExCeL in London.BioAlpsBioAlps is the life sciences cluster covering western Switzerland.It comprises an ecosystem of research institutions, academic institutions, startup companies and large multinationals concentrated in a small,  geographic area.Its aim is to promote western Switzerland as a world class centre for life sciences and to foster growth by creating synergies between academia, entrepreneurs, investors, authorities and new businesses. It offers a networking and support opportunities through regional, national and international events, while promoting BioAlps on the global stage.Interested in sponsoring episodes of the podcast? Learn more here!

1:03 Labiotech.eu news2:34 Knowledge Gate10:59 Janssen Scientific AffairsThis week, our guests are Viktoriya Vasilenko, Knowledge Gate co-founder and CEO; and Avery Ince, vice president, medical affairs, cardiovascular & metabolism at Janssen Scientific Affairs.Study confirms benefit of XARELTO (rivaroxaban) for secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism in cancer patientsThe Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson has revealed observational data from eight years of clinical practice showing that the oral Factor Xa inhibitor XARELTO (rivaroxaban) is associated with comparable effectiveness and safety to the Factor Xa inhibitor apixaban for the treatment of cancer-associated thromboembolism (CAT) in a broad cohort of patients with various cancer types. Patients with CAT are at a higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which is the second-leading cause of death in people with cancer.Data from the observational study in cancer-associated thrombosis for rivaroxaban (OSCAR) found XARELTO showed non-inferiority for the composite outcome of recurrent VTE or any bleeding resulting in hospitalization for treatment of patients with CAT. Janssen said the study adds to the evidence for XARELTO, with more than 300,000 patients having been evaluated since its initial approval in the U.S. in 2011.VTE occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein, affecting between 300,000 to 600,000 Americans each year, commonly triggered by surgery, cancer, immobilization and hospitalization. VTE is a common cause of morbidity and mortality, and people with cancer are at a higher risk for developing VTE than people without cancer.Cancer is known to increase the risk of VTE, with cancer patients having a four to seven times increased risk of developing VTE. These patients also have a higher risk of recurrent VTE and of bleeding.Previous studies such as SELECT-D and CONKO-11 demonstrated that changing from a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) to XARELTO was associated with a reduction in risk of recurrent thrombosis and improved patient satisfaction.Knowledge GateKnowledge Gate Group provides a key opinion leader online platform. Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, the company bridges the gap between businesses and life science experts. The artificial intelligence platform connects those looking to innovate with the key opinion leaders who can provide valuable insights. It covers a broad range of therapy area experts in the life sciences, and features automated management of all contractual, compliance and confidentiality requirements.SponsorInterested in sponsoring one or more episodes of the podcast? Learn more here!Leave a review on Apple podcastsReviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, we would love to hear your feedback!Connect with uslabiotech.euSubscribe to our newsletter

2:18 Labiotech.eu news3: 46 Mainz Biomed19:14 NewronThis week, we have two guests. We have conversations with Newron Pharmaceuticals' CEO, Stefan Weber, and Mainz Biomed CEO, Guido Bächler.Mainz Biomed Provides Year-End 2022 Corporate ReviewMainz Biomed N.V., a molecular genetics diagnostic company specializing in the early detection of cancer, announced its corporate summary for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.The company launched its U.S.-based eAArly DETECT study by enrolling the first patient; study focused on the performance of Mainz Biomed’s mRNA biomarkers in identifying advance adenomas (AA), a type of pre-cancerous polyp often attributed to colorectal cancer (CRC); on track to report results in 1H 2023.It also Initiated ReconAAsense, a U.S. pivotal clinical study with company’s CRC screening test, anticipating commencing patient enrollment in mid-2023.Mainz Biomed also ramped up international commercial activities for ColoAlert, the company’s highly efficacious and easy-to-use detection test for CRC, including five new lab partners in Germany and Italy.It also Initiated and commenced patient enrollment in ColoFuture, a European study evaluating the integration of a portfolio of novel gene expression (mRNA) biomarkers into ColoAlert; potential to identify advanced adenomas, a type of pre-cancerous polyp often attributed to CRC; with results expected in 2023.“The past year has proven to be an extraordinary period of growth as we strengthened every aspect of the Company while expanding our international commercial footprint and executing our product development programs,” said Guido Baechler, CEO of Mainz Biomed. “We head into 2023 with a great deal of momentum, and on behalf of the management team and Board of Directors, I wish to extend gratitude to our shareholders for their support as we continue our journey to become a leading provider of cancer-focused early detection and disease prevention molecular diagnostics.”Newron announces interim results from treatment-resistant schizophrenia trialNewron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. has announced what it says are “very compelling new results” from the first 100 enrolled patients to have reached the six-month timepoint in its international study of evenamide as an add-on to an antipsychotic (excluding clozapine) in patients with moderate to severe treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS), who were not responding to their current antipsychotic medication. Eighty-five of the 100 patients completed the 30-week treatment period with evenamide. The results follow on from the company’s announcement on June 7, 2022, summarizing the data from an interim analysis of the first 100 patients to have finished six weeks of treatment in this study.Newron is an Italian-headquartered biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for patients with diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system (CNS).SponsorInterested in sponsoring one or more episodes of the podcast? Learn more here!Leave a review on Apple podcastsReviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, we would love to hear your feedback!Connect with uslabiotech.euSubscribe to our newsletter

1:37 Labiotech.eu news3:34 Cradle19:47 Rani TherapeuticsThis week, we have two guests. We have conversations with Talat Imran, CEO of Rani Therapeutics; and Stef van Grieken, CEO and co-founder of Cradle.Rani Therapeutics - aiming to remove the pain of needlesRani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company focused on the oral delivery of biologics and drugs, has announced topline results from part 2 (the repeat-dose portion) of the phase 1 study of RT-102, the RaniPill GO capsule containing a proprietary formulation of human parathyroid hormone (1-34) analog (PTH) being developed for the treatment of osteoporosis. The study achieved all of its endpoints, with repeat doses of RT-102 being generally well tolerated and delivering the drug with high reliability to participants via the RaniPill GO.With these data, in total, 185 RaniPill GO capsules have now been administered to more than 90 participants in clinical studies, in addition to over 1,700 RaniPill capsules administered to animals in preclinical studies. In the clinical studies, the RaniPill capsule has been well tolerated and delivered its drug payload with high reliability and with bioavailability comparable to or better than subcutaneous injection.“The repeat-dose data contribute to our growing body of preclinical and clinical data that we believe support the viability of the RaniPill platform to orally deliver biologics and drugs to treat chronic diseases,” said Talat Imran, CEO of Rani. “These data give us confidence to move forward with multiple programs in parallel, including our ustekinumab biosimilar and adalimumab biosimilar programs, and to expand manufacturing scale-up. We can see a future where millions of patients no longer carry the burden of regular injections.”Startup Cradle raises $5.4M to design protein machines and cell factories with AICradle, a Dutch startup, has received €5.5 million ($5.4 million) in seed funding to further help scientists design and program proteins to produce a wide variety of everyday products including milk and meat.Cradle uses synthetic biology, adapting the genes of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, to create ‘cell factories’ that use programmable proteins to make a number of products without farming animals, to plastics created without petrochemicals, materials for clothing or electronic components, or even personalized medicines.

2:19 Labiotech.eu news4:37 CellCentric12:21 MicrofluidX29:12 Potter ClarksonThis week, we have three guests. We have conversations with Antoine Espinet, CEO of MicrofluidX; Will West, CEO of CellCentric; and Sara Holland, patent attorney at Potter Clarkson.MicrofluidX raises £3.3M to develop advanced therapy manufacturing platformMicrofluidX (MFX), a U.K. based provider of next-generation bioreactors for cell research and manufacturing, today announces £3.3 million ($4 million) of secured investments, bringing the company’s total funding to date to £7 million ($8.5 million). MFX’s next generation platform, the Cyto Engine, addresses the need for an affordable, scalable cell culture platform to revolutionize research, facilitate large-scale manufacture, and enable widespread access to advanced therapies.  “Advanced therapy manufacturing is hindered by out of date, inadequate manufacturing technologies,” said Antoine Espinet, CEO of MFX. “Our aim to commoditize manufacturing for cell and gene therapies through automation, digitalization, and the adoption of machine learning is supported by our investors, who appreciate the incredible impact this could have on the cell and gene therapy sector, and ultimately patients around the world.”MFX said it is addressing the two large pain points faced by the advanced therapies industry, commercialization and clinical translation. By providing a scalable bioprocessing platform with complete integration of online process analytical tools and data analytics powered by machine learning, the company hopes the Cyto Engine will reduce the cost and time of advanced therapy development and help bring these life-saving treatments to patients. Potter Clarkson patent attorney, Sara HollandSara Holland is a former research scientist turned patent attorney in the U.K. After finishing her PhD in engineering artificial yeast chromosomes, Holland carried out seven years of postdoctoral research at the University of Nottingham. This gave her a good understanding of the challenges that scientists face when she moved over to Potter Clarkson, an IP law firm.In her work as a patent attorney she helps universities, technology transfer departments and SMEs protect their inventions, with a focus on synthetic biology.Holland also co-founded the Women in Synthetic Biology Network, a group that aims to support gender diversity and support women working in the field of synthetic biology.CellCentric presents early clinical data at ASH CellCentric, a clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering small molecule inhibition of p300/CBP to treat cancer, announced clinical data for the first time at the 64th American Society of Haematology (ASH) annual meeting in New Orleans. To date, 26 patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) have been treated with inobrodib as monotherapy, including seven most recently at the recommended phase 2 dose and dose schedule (RP2D). Treatment has been generally well-tolerated with the majority of on-target toxicities being mild or moderate in severity. Among the patients treated at the RP2D, six out of seven patients had reduction or stabilization of serum free light chains. One patient saw an unconfirmed complete response (CR), which went on to become a durable confirmed very good partial response (VGPR); a second patient demonstrated a confirmed partial response (PR); and a third currently has an unconfirmed PR (by IMWG response criteria).  These three patients remain on treatment after more than eight months.

2:33 Labiotech.eu news5:03 Humacyte23:01 Transgene37:21 Center for Global Development54:32 JLLThis week, we have three interviews. One is from Bio-Europe, a chat with Transgene chief business officer, Steven Bloom, and we also have conversations with Humacyte CEO Laura Niklason, and with Anthony McDonnell, Senior Policy Analyst at the Center for Global Development, on the subject of antimicrobial resistance.We also have our weekly commentary from Travis McCready at JLL.HumacyteThe ongoing war in Ukraine continues to present significant challenges for frontline hospitals in treating the injured. As part of the humanitarian aid effort, U.S. biotech, Humacyte, has worked with the FDA and the Ukrainian Ministry of Health to send 30 investigational bioengineered blood vessels to help repair tissue injuries from bomb and gunshot wounds. Humacyte’s human acellular vessels, or HAVs, are off-the-shelf replacement vessels that help the body heal itself. They are currently being evaluated in multiple advanced-stage clinical trials in vascular trauma  repair, arteriovenous access for hemodialysis and peripheral arterial disease and so far, have been implanted in more than 500 patients to date.   The HAV is made by seeding vascular cells from a qualified cell bank onto a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer mesh in a bioreactor bag. Over weeks, the cells grow and create new tissue, forming a tube-shaped vessel structure while the polymer mesh degrades. The resulting bioengineered vessel is then decellularized to create the HAV: an extracellular matrix that retains the biomechanical properties of the vessel but is cleansed of cellular components that could induce an immune response. The HAV in the bioreactor bag can then be shipped, stored, and is immediately available when needed.  Reaction to European Union action on antimicrobial resistanceFourteen Member States wrote to the European Commission recently outlining why they think the EU’s proposed policies around antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are costly, inefficient, and will disrupt the market for generic drugs.Anthony McDonnell, senior policy analyst at the Center for Global Development, looked in detail at the EU’s proposals, why member states are revolting against it, and which policies the EU should actually implement to successfully combat AMR.He said that, for months it has been speculated that the EU may move toward transferable exclusivity vouchers (TEVs). The14 countries have made three counter proposals for how new antimicrobials can be encouraged. TransgeneTransgene is a biotechnology company focused on designing and developing targeted immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer. Its programs utilize viral vector technology with the goal of indirectly or directly killing cancer cells.The company’s clinical-stage programs consist of two therapeutic vaccines (TG4001 for the treatment of HPV-positive cancers, and TG4050, the first individualized therapeutic vaccine based on the myvac platform) as well as two oncolytic viruses (TG6002 for the treatment of solid tumors, and BT-001, the first oncolytic virus based on the Invir.IO platform).With Transgene’s myvac platform, therapeutic vaccination enters the field of precision medicine with a novel immunotherapy that is fully tailored to each individual. myvac  allows the generation of a virus-based immunotherapy that encodes patient-specific mutations identified and selected by AI capabilities provided by its partner NEC.With its proprietary platform Invir.IO, Transgene is designing a new generation of multifunctional oncolytic viruses. It has an ongoing collaboration with AstraZeneca.Subscribe to our newsletter

2:40 Labiotech.eu news4:58 SOTIO Biotech13:43 Eversana19:37 Carl Borrebaeck36:42 Concarlo TherapeuticsThis week, we have four interviews: Franjo Hanzl, vice president commercial development Europe at Eversana; Stacy Blain, founder and CEO of Concarlo Therapeutics; Jens Hennecke, chief business officer at SOTIO Biotech; and Carl Borrebaeck, chairman of the board of directors of Immunovia and professor at the Department of Immunotechnology at the University of Lund in Sweden.Concarlo TherapeuticsConcarlo Therapeutics is a U.S.-based preclinical-stage precision-medicine oncology company. It is developing a novel therapy for drug-resistant metastatic breast cancer as a first indication.Concarlo’s patented IpY, a novel therapeutic peptide, will be the first to hit two targets, both CDK4/6- driven cell proliferation and CDK2-driven drug resistance at the same time, and the first to target p27. It is a specific cellular pathway to kill cancer cells rather than just slowing their proliferation.The novel approach relies on the role of p27Kpi, a natural inhibitor, an  "on-off" switch that regulates the activities of the major cancer-related proteins, CDK6, CDK4, and CDK2. EversanaEversana is a provider of global services to the life sciences industry. Its integrated solutions are rooted in the patient experience and span all stages of the product life cycle to deliver long-term, sustainable value for patients, prescribers, channel partners and payers. The company serves more than 500 organizations, including start-ups and established pharmaceutical companies, to advance life sciences solutions.Labiotech spoke with Franjo Hanzl, vice president commercial development Europe, at the Medicon Valley Alliance annual summit in Copenhagen, Denmark.Medicon VillageDuring NLS Days, Labiotech visited Medicon Village, in Lund, Sweden. While there, we had the opportunity to chat with Carl Borrebaeck. To say he’s involved in biotech would be an understatement. He is chairman of the board of directors of Immunovia and professor at the Department of Immunotechnology at the University of Lund in Sweden, as well as being director of Create Health. Borrebaeck, former vice president of the University of Lund, has been involved in many companies throughout his career, including Alligator Bio, SenzaGen and PainDrainer. He received the AKZONobel Science Award 2009, for contributions to cancer proteomics and antibody-based therapy, a Research! Sweden Award 2012 for his medical research of value for patients and health organizations, and the Royal Academy of Engineering Sciences Gold Medal 2012 for outstanding contributions to biomedical science. He was honored as the Biotech Builder of the Year in 2017.SOTIO BiotechSOTIO Biotech is a clinical stage immuno-oncology company owned by PPF Group based in Prague, Czechia. The company is building a pipeline of oncology programs by pursuing promising early-stage candidates through strategic licensing, M&A and in-house discovery efforts. SOTIO has been active in the clinic in 2022. The company initiated two clinical trials, the first was a phase 2 study for its lead IL-15 superagonist, SOT101. The initiation of the AURELIO-04 trial comes on the heels of positive phase 1/1b data, which showed 15 of 19 patients with advanced/metastatic solid tumors demonstrated clinical benefit with SOT101 in combination with pembrolizumab. The company also plans to enter the CAR-T space with the initiation of its BOXR trial in Q4 2022.  SOTIO is well funded into 2023 and plans to use those funds for posting more data across its already promising programs.We spoke with SOTIO Biotech at BIO-Europe.  

1:45 Labiotech.eu news4:02 PsychoGenics20:56 Destiny Pharma36:30 QureTech Bio54:41 AiCuris70:45 JLLThis week, we have three interviews on the theme of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), to mark World Antimicrobial Awareness Week. We spoke with Holger Zimmermann, CEO of anti-infectives company AiCuris; Neil Clark, CEO of Destiny Pharma, and Fredrik Almqvist, co-founder of QureTech Bio.We also have an interview with the chief scientific officer at PsychoGenics, Mark Varney. We also have our weekly contribution from global commercial real estate services company JLL, with Travis McCready. Next week, we will be moderating a webinar on the microbiome, hosted by our sister company IN-PART. You can register here.World Antimicrobial Awareness WeekAs a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines may become ineffective and infections become increasingly difficult or impossible to treat. A global action plan to tackle the growing problem of resistance to antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines was endorsed at the 68th World Health Assembly in 2015. A key objective of the plan is to improve awareness and understanding of AMR through effective communication, education and training.World Antimicrobial Awareness Week is a global campaign to improve awareness and understanding of AMR. Emyria commences US preclinical program with PsychoGenicsEmyria Limited, a clinical stage biotech, is working with PsychoGenics, a specialist neuroscience preclinical drug discovery and contract research organization (CRO). Emyria and partner, the University of Western Australia, will start by screening five novel MDMA analogs from their proprietary library using PsychoGenics’ advanced drug discovery platform, SmartCube. SmartCube employs computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI) to extract and analyze behavioral and physiological data from mice. These data can help predict the clinical effects of new drug compounds by comparing the novel drug’s effects to reference drug libraries. The automated testing platform offers an effective approach to the discovery and development of the next generation of breakthrough treatments for neurological disorders and can significantly reduce the time and cost to reaching approved Investigational New Drug status. PsychoGenics and Emyria have agreed to work collaboratively (at their own costs) in the initial phase, before exploring drug discovery and commercialization partnership models. PsychoGenics’s specialist drug screening platforms have been used in shared-risk partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies, including Sunovion and Roche, resulting in the discovery of several novel compounds now in clinical trials or advanced preclinical development. A successful partnership with Emyria could accelerate the development of Emyria’s novel MDMA-inspired drug candidate library, built with the University of Western Australia, into new treatments for severe neuropsychiatric disorders. PsychoGenics has successfully identified novel treatment candidates for serious and complex neuropsychiatric disorders via its proprietary SmartCube platform as well as formed innovative partnerships with major Pharmaceutical companies.SponsorInterested in sponsoring one or more episodes of the podcast? Learn more here!Connect with uslabiotech.euSubscribe to our newsletter

1:32 Labiotech.eu news4:02 PacBio34:02 Sierra Space57:12 JLLThis week, we have two longer interviews. We have conversations with Neil Ward, VP of PacBio EMEA, and Marc Giulianotti, senior manager in space biomanufacturing at Sierra Space.We also have our weekly contribution from global commercial real estate services company JLL, with Travis McCready. Sierra Space and UC San Diego to develop first stem cell research institute in spaceSierra Space and University of California San Diego, one of the world’s top 15 research universities and a leader in microgravity research, have formed a new agreement with the goal of defining the future of human health care research in space.In a new memorandum of understanding between the two organizations, Sierra Space and UC San Diego will collaborate on Orbital Reef, the first commercial space station in low Earth orbit (LEO), to expand the university’s Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Research (ISSCOR) program, which is currently operational on the International Space Station (ISS). Together they will help define and shape the future of biotech and biopharma research and development in microgravity.PacBio launches Onso and Revio sequencing systemsPacBio recently announced beta testing of its Onso Sequencing System. The benchtop short-read DNA sequencing platform is expected to provide a new level of accuracy by utilizing PacBio’s sequencing by binding (SBB) technology.The Onso Sequencing System has been designed for compatibility with the rich ecosystem of products currently available for short-read sequencers and supports a diverse set of library preparation types, single cell analysis solutions, whole-genome sequencing and other targeted methods, such as amplicon and hybridization capture panels. It is anticipated to deliver 500 million reads per run and offer 200 and 300 cycle kits enabling paired and single end reads, at a list price of US $259,000 per system.The Revio long-read sequencing system will enable customers to scale their use of PacBio’s HiFi sequencing technology. Revio is designed to provide customers with the ability to sequence up to 1,300 human whole genomes per year at 30-fold coverage for less than $1,000 per genome. PacBio believes Revio will enable the use of HiFi sequencing for large studies in human genetics, cancer research, agricultural genomics, and more.Scientists have achieved many ‘firsts’ with HiFi sequencing on PacBio’s Sequel IIe sequencing system – the first complete telomere-to-telomere assembly of a human genome (Nurk 2022), the first haplotype-resolved methylomes in a rare disease cohort (Cheung 2022), the first population surveys of structural variation with long reads (All of Us Research Program), the first single-cell full isoform catalogs (Al'Khafaji 2021), and the first complete assembly of the highly complex oat genome (European Seed 2020). Revio uses the same HiFi chemistry – producing accurate native long reads with uniform coverage, extraordinary application performance for variant calling and assembly, and accurate DNA methylation detection – but at a much larger scale.SponsorInterested in sponsoring one or more episodes of the podcast? Learn more here!Leave a review on Apple podcastsReviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, we would love to hear your feedback!Connect with uslabiotech.euSubscribe to our newsletter