CELL AND GENE THERAPY
Moderna | December 14, 2021
Moderna, Inc. a biotechnology company pioneering messenger RNA therapeutics and vaccines, announced an agreement in principle with the Australian Government to build a state-of-the-art messenger RNA vaccine manufacturing facility in Victoria, Australia including access to Moderna’s mRNA development engine. The contemplated framework would build the foundation to support Australia with direct access to rapid pandemic response capabilities and to provide access to Moderna’s vaccines in development for respiratory viruses. Moderna and the Australian government are committed to finalize the agreement.
“I would like to thank the Australian and Victorian Governments for their collaboration and partnership. We are committed to global public health and while we are still responding to this pandemic, we also want to ensure we and society learn from it. As Moderna expands internationally, we are pleased to bring local mRNA manufacturing to Australia. We believe that this sustainable national business model will have global impact and implications.”
Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna
Moderna is committed to working with governments, health care professionals and other key stakeholders to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and future pathogens. Moderna expects to invest in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for the production of mRNA vaccines with the collaboration of the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments. The collaboration aims to provide Australians with access to a domestically manufactured portfolio of mRNA vaccines against respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and potential other vaccines, pending licensure. Moderna expects that up to 100 million vaccine doses could be produced in Australia each year. The facility is intended to also be activated on an urgent basis to support Australia with direct access to rapid pandemic response capabilities. The Company is in discussion with other governments about potential collaborations built on a similar model.
“We are excited to expand our presence and continue our long-term collaboration with the Australian and Victorian Governments,” said Michael Azrak, Moderna’s General Manager of Australia. “We look forward to completing the necessary discussions and starting work to develop onshore mRNA manufacturing capability here in Australia.”
The agreement was announced today in Victoria by the Hon. Scott Morrison, MP Prime Minister of Australia.
About Moderna
In 10 years since its inception, Moderna has transformed from a science research-stage company advancing programs in the field of messenger RNA (mRNA), to an enterprise with a diverse clinical portfolio of vaccines and therapeutics across seven modalities, a broad intellectual property portfolio in areas including mRNA and lipid nanoparticle formulation, and an integrated manufacturing plant that allows for both clinical and commercial production at scale and at unprecedented speed. Moderna maintains alliances with a broad range of domestic and overseas government and commercial collaborators, which has allowed for the pursuit of both groundbreaking science and rapid scaling of manufacturing. Most recently, Moderna’s capabilities have come together to allow the authorized use of one of the earliest and most-effective vaccines against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moderna’s mRNA platform builds on continuous advances in basic and applied mRNA science, delivery technology and manufacturing, and has allowed the development of therapeutics and vaccines for infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, rare diseases, cardiovascular diseases and autoimmune diseases. Moderna has been named a top biopharmaceutical employer by Science for the past seven years.
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RESEARCH
Vipergen ApS, Anavo Therapeutics | May 18, 2021
Vipergen, a leading supplier of small-molecule drug discovery services focused on DNA-encoded library (DEL) technologies, has signed a drug discovery service agreement with Anavo Therapeutics. Vipergen will use its patented high-fidelity DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology platforms to provide novel small-molecule drug leads against selected Anavo discovery targets, according to the terms of the agreement. The agreement's financial terms were not disclosed.
"Vipergen's novel solutions to DNA-encoded libraries are useful components for ramping up our patented drug development activities against a chosen portfolio of innovative goals," said Anavo CEO Birgit Zech, Ph.D. "We are excited to collaborate with Vipergen to kick-start Anavo's proprietary drug development activities as we strive to create a comprehensive and secure platform for phosphatase drug discovery against all valuable targets in the space."
"We are delighted to have been chosen by Anavo, a new company focusing on understanding the full therapeutic potential of human phosphatase biology in the development of new cancer therapies," said Nils Hansen, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Vipergen. "Phosphatases are a rich target space that has been thought to be impenetrable for decades. We are excited to use our DNA-encoded library technology to quickly produce high-quality hits and leads as part of Anavo's comprehensive approach to finding and improving small-molecule phosphatase activity modulators."
About Vipergen ApS
Vipergen is the world's largest supplier of small-molecule drug discovery services focused on DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology, as well as the first and only organization capable of screening DELs within a living cell. Vipergen's patented portfolio of cutting-edge DEL technologies is made accessible by funded discovery collaborations with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, including top pharmaceutical companies in the United States, Europe, and Japan.
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MEDTECH
Aesthetics Biomedical® Inc. | October 07, 2021
Aesthetics Biomedical® Inc. (ABM), is pleased to announce their long-term partnership with U.S. Dermatology Partners, the largest physician-led dermatology practice in the United States.
With years of experience and more than 90+ locations throughout Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia, U.S. Dermatology Partners combines the personal level of care found in private dermatology practices with the benefits of a network of physician experts working closely together. As a result, U.S. Dermatology Partners can provide premier medical and cosmetic dermatological care, along with the latest technology, treatments, and management support.
Striving to innovate, generate solid clinical and laboratory research, and to enrich the physician as well as the patient experience are principles that Aesthetics Biomedical® was founded on. It is these foundational principles that have led to our synergy with U.S. Dermatology Partners.
-Chief Executive Officer & Founder, MaryAnn Guerra
U.S. Dermatology Partners, a pinnacle network of specialty experts found a lifetime partner in excellence and innovation with Aesthetics Biomedical®. Beginning in 2021, U.S. Dermatology Partners installed Vivace® into four initial practices. A pilot project between the two organizations launched the partnership that resulted in over 170 consumer treatments being sold within the first four weeks. U.S. Dermatology Partners and ABM marketed the Vivace Experience® concept with the objective of delivering an immediate ROI supporting the purchase of the initial device for the organization. Vivace® is a primary driver expected to positively impact U.S. Dermatology Partners' market growth exponentially and rapidly, already generating significant revenue in six locations across the US, in under six (6) months. Having access to ongoing knowledge and clinical data is critical to U.S. Dermatology Partners physicians who are committed to continuous and consistent superior patient care.
U.S. Dermatology Partners is thrilled to be collaborating with Aesthetics Biomedical® to bring the Vivace Experience® to our patients and our growing network to Aesthetics Biomedical®. We expect the innovative technology and outstanding results that Vivace offers will be well-received by both our physicians and patients and will provide another opportunity to deliver superior care to the communities we serve.
- U.S. Dermatology Partners Chief Executive Officer Paul Singh
Vivace® is a minimally invasive, FDA-cleared, radiofrequency microneedling treatment that stimulates the natural production of collagen and has been shown by physicians to be effective in alleviating facial wrinkles, fine lines, and tightening the face and neck. Aesthetics Biomedical's Vivace® is currently offered in multiple U.S. Dermatology Partners practices across 50% of the markets nationwide with rapid expansion plans in Q4. ABM will help to drive U.S. Dermatology Partners's practice success with superior technology, devices, and products supported by science, customer-focused market recognition, rigorous and continuing education, and strong continuous return on investment.
Both organizations are aligned in their commitment to excellence and share a common goal for elevating the consumer experience at the forefront of the partnership.
ABOUT AESTHETICS BIOMEDICAL
Aesthetics Biomedical® Inc., headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz., is committed to the development and distribution of novel aesthetic devices, products, and services in the global market. Aesthetics Biomedical's innovation center is a leader in breakthrough technologies and combination therapies for its clients, physician network, and the aesthetic arena, creating novel patient treatment experiences that benefit from ongoing research, approved clinical indications for use, as well as a personalized approach designed for consumer benefit.
ABOUT U.S. DERMATOLOGY PARTNERS
As one of the largest physician-owned dermatology practices in the country, U.S. Dermatology Partners patients not only have access to general medical, surgical, and cosmetic skin treatment through its coordinated care network, but also benefit from the practice's strong dermatology subspecialty thought leaders and medical advisory board. To be the best partners to its patients, U.S. Dermatology Partners is fervently focused on providing the highest level of patient-first care, and its team, therefore, includes recognized national leaders in areas such as clinical research, psoriasis, and Mohs Surgery.
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