Vedere Bio | October 29, 2020
Vedere Bio, Inc. (Vedere Bio), a stealth-stage company focused on advancing photoreceptor-protein-based optogenetic therapies that are delivered to the retina intravitreally to restore functional vision, announced today that it has been acquired by Novartis. Shareholders in Vedere Bio received $150 million upfront and will be eligible for up to $130 million in milestone payments, for a total of $280 million. Based on technology from the laboratories of Drs. Ehud Isacoff and John G. Flannery of UC Berkeley, and technology directed at enhanced ocular gene therapy delivery arising jointly between UC Berkeley and the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Vedere Bio was formed in the Atlas Venture incubator in June 2019. The company was launched with a $21 million Series A financing and began lab operations at LabCentral in Cambridge, MA where it advanced its lead programs from concept to development candidate within one year. Immediately prior to the acquisition, certain earlier-stage vision restoration and vision preservation assets leveraging the company's ocular gene therapy toolbox were spun out into a newly formed entity – Vedere Bio II, Inc.
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MEDICAL
Bio Detection K9 | May 19, 2022
Bio Detection K9 (BDK9) is pleased to announce its upcoming detection service for Leafroll and Red Blotch Virus in grapes. Of the 86 different viruses known to infect vineyards, Leafroll 3 and Red Blotch virus are among the most prevalent. These pathogens can infect all wine, table and rootstock grapes. They occur in grape production areas around the world and are responsible for causing over 70 billion dollars of damage in the United States alone.
To combat these insidious diseases, BDK9 is launching a cost-effective service that can quickly and accurately pinpoint infected vines before the pathogens have a chance to spread. Utilizing proprietary technology, BDK9 develops training aids that have the scent of the target viruses. The result is a harmless substance with a highly specific scent that dogs are systematically trained to detect. This is the same proven methodology BDK9 employs to screen humans for COVID-19 at airports, stadiums and public events worldwide.
The challenge is like finding a needle in a haystack when trying to detect an infected plant among thousands of potentially threatened vines, But thanks to our completely safe training aid, we can teach canines to accurately detect a viral disease in any tissue, roots, vines, or leaves."
Dr. William Schneider, Chief Research Scientist for BDK9.
BDK9's unique technology is effective in many different areas, from humans to agriculture, and the company is proud to be at the forefront of disease detection.
We're thrilled about the release of this new, cutting-edge technology and are pleased to offer this to the wine industry, Our company continues to set the standard in agriculture disease detection with our effective programs, and we take great pride in the fact that we're able to take action and truly address these important issues as they arise. "
Wade Morrell, CEO of BDK9.
About Bio Detection K9
Bio Detection K9 (BDK9) is the world leader in precision agriculture and human host pathogen bio detection. Led by a veteran USDA virologist, BDK9 works with canines and cutting-edge technology to identify disease in both humans and agriculture. Their dogs are trained to isolate individual pathogens with unparalleled accuracy and specificity. All training is performed safely and Bio Detection Canines™ are unharmed during the process. BDK9 is not only at the forefront of precision pathogen detection through this unique combination of technology and training, but their services are efficient, cost effective and non-invasive.
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INDUSTRY OUTLOOK
BIOMEDICAN | December 03, 2020
BIOMEDICAN, a biotech organization planning patented minimal methods for developing high-value compounds at scale with proprietary yeasts, has entered the Astaxanthin market to diversify products outside of Cannabinoids. This new advancement permits BIOMEDICAN's biosynthesis platform to focus on any high-value compound and fundamentally disturb the current advances.
Astaxanthin is a widely used, high-value compound known as a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The Astaxanthin market comprises of three primary segments: fish feed, animal feed, and human utilization. Astaxanthin's worth is developing astronomically: its market was worth over $1 billion in 2019 and is projected to be worth $3.3 billion by 2027.
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