AI, DIAGNOSTICS
Genomic Vision | March 08, 2023
On March 7, 2023, Genomic Vision, a leading biotech company that develops products and services for the analysis and control of genome changes, launched FiberSmart®, an AI-based technology for automating the quantification and detection of fluorescent signals on combed DNA molecules.
Initially available for the analysis of Replication Combing Assays (RCA), Genomic Vision's proprietary method for directly visualizing DNA replication kinetics at the single molecule level. FiberSmart uses advanced AI methods to detect, visualize, and analyze DNA replication kinetics up to 3x more accurately and up to 10x faster than Genomic Vision's existing software solutions.
The technology offers a simple and user-friendly interface, facilitating quick analysis of DNA replication signals to deduce essential parameters describing replication kinetics.
It is compatible with Genomic Vision's FiberVision® and FiberVision-S® scanners for the RCA assay of the company's proprietary DNA combing technology with various potential applications, including in gene and cell therapy quality control.
FiberSmart has been successfully tested and validated by AstraZeneca and the Fritz Lipmann Institute in Germany.
Genomic Vision's CEO Aaron Bensimon said, "The launch of FiberSmart® is an important milestone for Genomic Vision as we bring the benefits of powerful AI technology to our users, who can now perform faster and more accurate genomic analysis seamlessly. Our proprietary DNA combing technique has multiple potential applications, particularly in the cell and gene therapy space, where highly accurate genomic analysis is paramount to ensure robust quality standards are met. With the launch of this software we are making it easier for users to exploit the full potential of our proprietary advanced genomic analysis technique."
(Source – Business Wire)
About Genomic Vision
GENOMIC VISION is a leading biotechnology company specializing in the analysis of genome modifications, with a focus on ensuring their quality and safety in genome editing technologies and biomanufacturing processes. It utilizes advanced nanotechnology for DNA analysis to develop cutting-edge diagnostic and drug discovery solutions for cancer and acute diseases at the intersection of genome dynamics and human diseases. The company's approach employs Molecular Combing Technology, a powerful technique that directly visualizes single DNA molecules to detect and quantify changes in the genome landscape and their contribution to pathology.
Read More
CELL AND GENE THERAPY, INDUSTRIAL IMPACT
Axcella | February 16, 2023
On February 15, 2023, Axcella Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology firm that develops innovative approaches to complex diseases using multi-targeted endogenous metabolic modulator (EMM) compositions, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared its Investigational New Drug (IND) application to initiate a phase 2b/3 trial in the United States for AXA1125 for the treatment of Long COVID Fatigue.
The company stated that it has obtained FDA regulatory guidance in favor of a trial that would serve as the registration trial for patients with Long COVID Fatigue. The trial now has acceptance from both the U.K. and U.S. regulatory authorities.
Last month, the company also announced a regulatory path to registration for the treatment of Long COVID Fatigue with AXA1125, having received regulatory guidance from the U.K.'s regulatory agency, The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), supporting a single trial that can serve as the registration trial for patients suffering from Long COVID Fatigue.
The guidance follows the company's submission of data to both regulatory agencies, including results from the Phase 2a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, which showed that patients who received AXA1125 experienced statistically and clinically significant improvements in both physical (p=0.0097) and mental fatigue (p=0.0097) scores compared to those on the placebo.
Consistent with the Ph2a trial, the trial for phase 2b/3 will register patients with fatigue lasting at least 12 weeks post-COVID-19 infection. The primary endpoint will use the same patient reported outcome tool, the Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire (CFQ-11), to measure fatigue improvements alongside physical function, quality of life, and ability to return to work as additional endpoints. The trial participants will receive AXA1125 or a placebo for three months.
Long COVID is a persistent long-term effect of the pandemic, which affects a large number of patients worldwide, estimated to be around one hundred million. Fatigue is the most frequently reported symptom, with recent estimates indicating that 15-20% of Americans with COVID suffer from ongoing health problems, and up to four million Americans are unable to work because of Long COVID symptoms. In addition, Long COVID has caused approximately $1 trillion in lost earnings and $544 billion in increased medical expenses.
About Axcella
Founded in 2010, Axcella is a clinical-stage biotechnology firm dedicated to introducing a novel approach to treating complex diseases using endogenous metabolic modulator (EMM) compositions. Its product candidates contain EMMs and derivatives that are engineered in distinct ratios and combinations to reset multiple biological pathways, improve cellular energetics, and restore homeostasis. The company's pipeline includes lead therapeutic candidates undergoing Phase 2 development for the reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) recurrence, the treatment of Long COVID, and the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
Read More
CELL AND GENE THERAPY, INDUSTRIAL IMPACT
Aldevron | January 20, 2023
Aldevron®, a worldwide leader in the custom development and production of plasmid DNA, RNA, and proteins for the biotech sector, recently announced the launch of Eureca-V™ nuclease.
Eureca-V™, licensed from Inscripta®, is the wild-type MAD7® CRISPR Type-V nuclease at research grade, with GMP to follow.
The launch of Aldevron's Eureca-V nuclease at advanced therapies week expands the toolkit of accessible CRISPR nucleases for therapeutic, diagnostic, and agricultural workflows. In addition, a pass-through license for research use is conveyed with the purchase of Eureca-V nuclease, allowing customers to thoroughly examine the product without committing to a long-term licensing agreement.
Vice President and General Manager of Aldevron's Protein Business Unit, Tom Foti, said, "The availability of Eureca-V drives forward the entire genomics medicine industry and enhances Aldevron's position as a supplier of choice for CRISPR drug substances and drug products." He added, "We are proud to work alongside our partners at Inscripta to bring the innovative, off-the-shelf catalog product to market now as well as provide a clear path to GMP in 2023."
(Source – Cision PR Newswire)
Eureca-V at the research grade level ensures the acceleration of CRISPR translational research. In addition, the product will assist academic and commercial scientists seeking a wild-type Type-V CRISPR nuclease that targets T-rich regions of the genome.
Venkata Indurthi, Chief Scientific Officer at Aldevron, expressed, "We are thrilled to offer Eureca-V product at research grade starting today, and later this year, our clients can expect a smooth transition to our GMP product." He further added, "Aldevron's extensive history in CRISPR nucleases allows researchers to develop therapies that will eventually address global health issues."
(Source – Cision PR Newswire)
It will be the third GMP CRISPR nuclease by Aldevron and the first Type-V nuclease available as a GMP catalog product. It is a leader in supplying vital raw materials and reagents used for cell and gene therapy manufacturing. The company's portfolio of CRISPR nucleases is applied globally in preclinical and clinical research applications.
About Aldevron
Aldevron is a pioneer in advancing biological science. Its custom development and manufacturing services have provided scientists all across the world with the components they need to accelerate research and create labs for revolutionary science and breakthrough discoveries. The company aims to deliver products and services that contribute significantly to global biological research. It seeks to be the partner of choice forproducing high-quality plasmid DNA, proteins, enzymes, and other biologicals to support its clients' goals.
Read More