MEDTECH, INDUSTRIAL IMPACT
Atreca, Inc. | February 07, 2023
On February 6, 2023, Atreca, Inc. (Atreca), a biotechnology company that develops novel therapeutics through a deep understanding of the human immune response, with a focus on innovative novel cancer immunotherapeutics, and Xencor, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops cytokines and engineered antibodies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer, announced, as part of their existing strategic collaboration, that they have mutually selected the first program combining an Atreca-discovered antibody with Xencor's XmAb® bispecific Fc domain and a cytotoxic T-cell binding domain (CD3).
The initiative announced is the first of up to two collaborative programs that can be selected by mutual agreement for future development and commercialization, with each partner sharing 50% of expenses and earnings. This program's clinical development, regulatory, and commercialization operations will be led by Atreca, while Xencor will lead the second prospective joint program. Furthermore, the agreement permits each partner to pursue up to two collaborative programs separately.
The unveiled joint program is based on APN-346958, an antibody discovered by Atreca. APN-346958 targets a new RNA-binding protein and is tumor-reactive in at least 50% of samples for six tumor types tested: thyroid, colorectal, head and neck, melanoma, urothelial, and brain cancer. In preclinical tests, the XmAb bispecific antibodies engineered against the target of APN-346958 displayed substantial anti-tumor activity. Atreca and Xencor hope to name a candidate from the program later this year, with Atreca aiming for an investigational new drug (IND) application in early 2025.
About Atreca
Founded in 2011, Atreca is a biopharmaceutical firm that employs its distinct discovery platform to create innovative antibody-based immunotherapeutics. Its Immune Repertoire CaptureTM (IRCTM) technology provides unmatched insight into how cancer patients' immune responses can lead to improved clinical outcomes offering access to an undiscovered terrain in oncology. Atreca was created by industry leaders, scientists, and investors who believe that unlocking today's patients' immune responses is the key to developing a new generation of therapies.
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INDUSTRIAL IMPACT, MEDICAL
SOPHiA GENETICS | January 13, 2023
SOPHiA GENETICSTM, a leading cloud-native software firm in the healthcare industry, recently announced that it has partnered with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) to provide physicians and researchers with new testing and analytic capabilities.
The collaboration includes the incorporation of proprietary Comprehensive Genomic Panel (CGP) sequencing tests, such as MSK-ACCESS®, which SOPHiA GENETICS will market as the first comprehensive ctDNA liquid biopsy test powered by the SOPHiA DDMTM platform.
By integrating predictive algorithms, the power of the global SOPHiA GENETICS network, and the clinical knowledge of MSK in cancer genomics, specialists hope to broaden their access to capabilities for precision cancer analysis.
SOPHiA GENETICS and MSK will work together to further develop MSK-ACCESS®, ensuring that the solution leverages the advanced analytics of the SOPHiA DDMTM platform. The enhanced assay will be designed to align with the latest guidelines and clinical trial data reflecting major actionable biomarkers.
As part of this agreement, SOPHiA GENETICS plans to develop a new clinical-genomic, cloud-native analytics platform that enhances the impact of MSK’s extensive precision oncology data. This involves the application of sophisticated machine learning algorithms to examine vast amounts of multimodal data points to get new insights. The new SOPHiA CarePathTM module's goal, in conjunction with MSK's CGP sequencing assays, aims to improve cancer care worldwide.
About SOPHiA GENETICS
SOPHiA GENETICS is a cloud-native software company committed to establishing data-driven medicine as the standard of care and for life sciences research. It offers the SOPHiA DDM™ as a cloud-based SaaS platform that enables healthcare organizations to obtain quick and accurate insights from their data. The platform is currently being used by a broad network of hospitals, laboratories, and biopharma institutions globally. By applying its technology to diseases such as cancer and hereditary disorders, it facilitates the integration of genomic and phenotypic data, which is crucial for supporting discoveries, treatment decisions, and drug development activities. In addition, SOPHiA GENETICS supports its mission of bringing data analytics solutions to market through the global adoption of SOPHiA AI, built using techniques such as statistical inference, pattern recognition, and machine learning.
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CELL AND GENE THERAPY, INDUSTRIAL IMPACT
Azenta Life Sciences | February 28, 2023
On February 27, 2023, Azenta Life Sciences, a leading provider of life sciences solutions, announced the launch of its latest automated cryogenic storage system, the Cryo Store PicoTM. This new product is designed to store high-value biological samples used throughout various stages of the life sciences industry, from research and development to clinical use.
Azenta is already known for providing innovative automated cryogenic solutions such as the BioStore™ III Cryo and the CryoPod™ Carrier, and the Pico is the latest addition to its lineup. The product offers automated cryogenic solutions that are configured for laboratory and clinical procedures.
The Pico offers a variety of features for cell and gene therapy developers and manufacturers, including end-stage deployment in hospitals and clinics. It offers controlled access and traceability to support regulatory compliance with a compact footprint and is also user-friendly for laboratory personnel.
Interested parties can order the Pico now, and a live demonstration will take place at the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) 2023 International Conference in San Diego, California.
Pico's Product Manager Erica Waller commented, "Pico takes our proven automation capabilities and scales it down for the lab or the clinic, bringing the sample integrity and process rigor of automation closer to the point of use,"
(Source – PR Newswire)
About Azenta Life Sciences
Azenta is a leading life sciences solutions provider that helps to accelerate the development and delivery of impactful therapies to market. The company offers a comprehensive suite of cold-chain sample management solutions and genomic services for areas such as clinical research, drug development and advanced cell therapies. These solutions are trusted by some of the top biotech, pharmaceutical, academic, and healthcare institutions worldwide. Headquartered in Chelmsford, MA, Azenta has a global presence with operations across Europe, North America, and Asia. The company is committed to providing reliable, innovative, and high-quality solutions to meet the needs of its clients in the life sciences industry.
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