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Oncology

Biomedical/pharma, Oncology

Newton Biocapital invests in PRISM BioLab to support development of a unique peptide mimetic technology platform to discover new drugs for intractable diseases

Cancer diagnosis and therapy in one: Precirix tackles tumors with camelid antibodies

A new drug that can identify tumors, trace metastases, and treat cancer – all in one? Belgian start-up Precirix is aiming high with its lead compound – a precision radiopharmaceutical using camelid antibodies to bind to, and irradiate, cancer cells.

Montis Biosciences Awarded VLAIO Grant to Expand its Pipeline of Novel Immune-Oncology Therapeutics

Montis Biosciences appoints René Hoet as Chief Scientific Officer

Leuven, Belgium, 31 March 2021 - MONTIS BIOSCIENCES, a discovery stage biotech company focused on the development of novel immuno-oncology therapeutics targeting the interactions between perivascular macrophages and the tumor vasculature, appoints René Hoet, Ph.D. as its Chief Scientific Officer. Dr Hoet brings extensive experience in antibody drug discovery and development, through his international career in Biotech and Pharma.

Saving man’s best friend: Volition blood test allows cheap and easy cancer screenings for dogs

A Belgian invention is revolutionizing cancer diagnostics for dogs by making it possible to screen for two common canine cancers with a simple, low-cost blood test. The innovation was developed by the Belgian subsidiary of Volition, a multinational company listed on the New York stock exchange. The company is also developing human blood tests for use in oncology as well as a number of other diseases including COVID-19.

Newton Biocapital invests in Flemish start-up DeuterOncology

Brussels, Belgium, 24 February 2021 – Newton Biocapital I (“Newton Biocapital”), a life sciences investment fund active in Europe and Japan focused on chronic diseases, has announced investment in DeuterOncology. Newton Biocapital’s second investment in Flanders, DeuterOncology is a preclinical-stage biotech company focusing on the development of a first-in-class dual MET and RAS pathway inhibitor for targeted cancer therapies.

Onco-immunology Company Pan Cancer T Launched as Spin-off from Erasmus Medical Center

Dutch biotech company developing first-in-class T-cell Receptor (TCR) T-cell therapies. Seed investment by Swanbridge Capital and Van Herk Ventures with support from Health~Holland

DoseVue obtains CE Mark for its first in-vivo dosimetry product for radiation therapy

Diepenbeek, Belgium - January 28, 2021 - DoseVue NV, a privately held medical device company developing in-vivo dosimetry solutions for radiation therapy, today announces the CE marking of its first product: the DoseWire™ Series 200.

Decades-old discoveries cause paradigm shifts in modern medicine

Complete paradigm shifts in medicine are rare, but there have nevertheless been several major examples in the past hundred years. Treatments and approaches that seemed set in stone one decade can easily seem silly the next, as new information about the disease or underlying biology comes to light. Hindsight grants us clarity, but sometimes the factors that lead us down a particular treatment path can be as arbitrary as a feud between colleagues. Might there be paradigm shifts looming in oncology, neurology and more, triggered by a return to previous treatments?

eTheRNA and China Grand Pharma enter a strategic collaboration in the Greater China Region focussed on eTheRNA’s proprietary mRNA development products and manufacturing capabilities

Niel, Belgium, 1 December 2020 - eTheRNA immunotherapies NV (“eTheRNA”) announced it has entered into a strategic cooperation and product license agreement with China Grand Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Holdings Ltd (“China Grand Pharma”) to establish a new joint venture company, Nanjing AuroRNA Biotech Co., Ltd. (“AuroRNA Biotech”) in Mainland China to deploy eTheRNA’s proprietary mRNA technology for pharmaceutical research and development and production in the Greater China Region.

Newton Biocapital I invests in Perseus Proteomics Inc. in Japan to develop therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of blood cancers

Brussels, Belgium / Tokyo, Japan – 1 December 2020 – Newton Biocapital I (“Newton”), a life sciences investment fund active in Europe and Japan and focused on the treatment and prevention of chronic diseases, has announced its third investment in Japan. Newton invested EUR 1.2 million (JPY 148 million) in Perseus Proteomics Inc. as part of a total round of EUR 8.1 million. With this investment, Perseus Proteomics will continue its research and development of PPMX-T003 - a key growth driver antibody - and other antibodies in the pipeline.

Vascular dysfunction meets immune suppression

Tumors create complex microenvironments where they suppress the normal functioning of the immune system. Blood vessels and macrophages are an important part of this environment. A new VIB-KU Leuven startup called Montis Biosciences is working to enhance anti-tumor immunity by investigating interactions between perivascular macrophages and the tumor vasculature.

Get to know Lewis Cantley: winner of the 2020 Dr. Paul Janssen Award

Every year, the Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research is granted to a scientist who embodies the eponymous man’s dedication to his patients and unfailing curiosity and passion for scientific progress. The 2020 winner of this prestigious award is Dr. Lewis Cantley, who discovered the family of PI3K enzymes, thereby increasing our understanding of a wide range of diseases including cancer and diabetes. Nearly 30 years on from this seminal discovery, Dr. Cantley’s research has resulted in more precise cancer therapies that have saved patient lives, making him a true champion of science.

Montis Biosciences appoints Karen Zinkewich-Péotti as Chief Executive Officer

Leuven, Belgium, 29 September 2020 - Montis Biosciences, a discovery stage biotech company focused on novel immuno-oncology therapeutics targeting the interactions between perivascular macrophages and the tumor vasculature, has named Karen Zinkewich-Péotti, Ph.D., as its Chief Executive Officer.  Dr. Zinkewich-Péotti brings strong R&D leadership experience from both international biopharmaceutical companies and smaller biotech.  Over the course of her career she has developed extensive expertise in different therapeutic modalities, including antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates and small molecules.

Newton Biocapital I invests in J-Pharma Co., Ltd. in Japan focusing on drug development targeting L-type Amino Acid Transporter 1 (LAT1) for cancer and autoimmune diseases

Brussels, Belgium / Tokyo, Japan – 27 August 2020 – Newton Biocapital I (“Newton”), an investment company in life sciences, focusing on the treatment and prevention of chronic diseases, with activities in Europe and Japan, has announced its second investment in Japan. Newton invested JPY 480 million (EUR 4 million) – split in two tranches - in J-Pharma Co., Ltd. (“J-Pharma”) as part of a total Series D round of JPY 1.746 billion (EUR 14.55 million) as of July 30, 2020. Newton’s investment in J-Pharma was also its first new investment after it has closed its fund raising at EUR 114 million.