Precision Virologics | September 23, 2020
Biotech startup Precision Virologics, which develops adenovirus-based vaccines in St. Louis, and Bharat Biotech, a vaccine manufacturing giant, jointly obtained rights from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis for a novel chimp-adenovirus vaccine for COVID-19. Precision Virologics has optioned rights for USA, Europe, and Japan. Bharat has obtained a license for all other markets. The licensing agreements will lead to rapid clinical development, following the intranasal vaccine candidate having shown unprecedented levels of protection in mouse studies. This technology and data recently was published in Cell and Nature. "The ability to accomplish effective immunization with a single nasal dose is a major advantage, offering broader reach and easier administration," said Precision Virologics Interim CEO David T. Curiel, MD, PhD. "An effective nasal dose not only protects against COVID-19, but it also prevents the spread of the disease by directly targeting the cells that line the nose and throat. Most other vaccine candidates currently under development can't do that." Based on these exceptional findings, the National Institutes of Health is advancing studies in non-human primates. Phase I trials – a single nasal dose – will take place at Saint Louis University's Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit. Bharat Biotech, upon obtaining regulatory approvals, will pursue clinical trials in India and undertake large-scale manufacture of the vaccine at its GMP facility in Genome Valley, India.
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INDUSTRIAL IMPACT
Navrogen Inc. | August 18, 2021
Navrogen Inc. a biopharmaceutical company specialized in developing therapies for cancer and immune-related disorders, and Tavotek Biotherapeutics, a biotech company focusing on novel multi-specific antibodies in immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases, announced today that they have entered into a strategic collaboration to identify and develop experimental monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the treatment of various cancer indications.
Under the agreement, Navrogen and Tavotek will collaborate on the development of future Tavotek oncology assets while utilizing Navrogen's proprietary screening technology to identify mAb leads that are susceptible to Humoral Immuno-Oncology (HIO) factors. HIO is a process by which tumors produce factors that suppress a patient's humoral immune response against malignant tissues as well as diminish therapeutic response of immune-mediated anti-cancer therapies. Working with Navrogen's HIO platform technologies and its expertise in patient tumor screening methods, the teams will identify and/or engineer HIO-refractory antibodies that are effective across a wide range of HIO-positive cancers leading to innovative treatment options for patients with limited therapeutic options.
About Navrogen™ Inc
Navrogen is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery of tumor-produced Humoral Immuno-Oncology (HIO) factors that are associated with suppressed humoral immunity, poor prognosis and limited therapeutic response of immune-mediated anti-cancer therapies. The company's mission is to develop first-in-class agents that can overcome the immunosuppressive effects of HIO factors by employing its proprietary screening and engineering technologies as well as diagnostic assays that can identify patients whose tumors produce HIO factors to advise physicians on therapeutic options.
About Tavotek Biotherapeutics
Tavotek is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, acquiring, developing, and commercializing therapeutic medicines for patients suffering from debilitating diseases with significant unmet medical needs. Tavotek has a rich pipeline of product candidates at various stages of development for cancer, autoimmune conditions, and inflammatory diseases.
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MEDICAL
Controlant | December 16, 2020
Controlant, an leader in real-time supply chain monitoring and perceivability technologies for vigorously controlled ventures, for example, pharmaceuticals and life sciences and food and drink areas, today reported it is giving observing and Supply Chain Visibility administrations to Pfizer, comparable to the conveyance of Pfizer's mRNA-based Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine's worldwide circulation.
In addition to the visibility and monitoring arrangements that Controlant is providing to Pfizer to mRNA-based Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine distribution supply chain, the organization is likewise working straightforwardly with the U.S. Government and wellbeing authorities, for example, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), U.S. Division of Health and Human Services (HHS), and stakeholders in Operation Warp Speed, to give nearby observing at U.S. Government-preferred designated vaccination areas to help consistently guarantee coherence during hand-off, actionable communication, and visibility, all through the entirety of the U.S. supply chain journey of the vaccines.
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