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Biomedical/pharma

Biomedical/pharma, Immunology, Oncology

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.

Lewis Cantley awarded Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research 2020

Johnson & Johnson Celebrates Role of Scientists In Society with 2020 Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research, Part of the Champions of Science® Initiative - Lewis Cantley, Ph.D. Named 2020 Award Winner for the Discovery of PI3K Enzyme and its Role in Wide Range of Diseases from Diabetes to Cancer

V-Bio invests into ExeVir Bio to accelerate development of new treatment conferring broad protection against Covid-19

Ghent, Belgium, 28 July 2020 – Today V-Bio Ventures announces its investment in a EUR 23 million Series A financing into ExeVir Bio. The round was led by Fund+, with the participation, next to V-Bio Ventures, of VIB, UCB Ventures, SFPI-FPIM, and several Belgian family offices. ExeVir Bio has been established by Belgian partners combining world class science, antibody engineering, manufacturing, blue-chip venture capital investment and Flemish Government financing, which have joined forces in a unique collaboration to boost the development of new therapies to combat Covid-19.

Anacura, a Belgian biotech company, sells stem cell business to Boehringer Ingelheim

Ghent, Belgium, 27 July 2020 – GST, the stem cell specialist for horses and pets within the Anacura Group, has been acquired by Boehringer Ingelheim. The acquisition follows two years of successful cooperation. Research and production will continue in Anacura’s labs, close to Ghent, Belgium. The current management and staff will play a crucial role in the implementation and further development of stem cell technology within Boehringer Ingelheim.

Colorectal cancer discovery raises hope for microbiome treatment

A new mechanism causing colorectal cancer has been discovered by researchers from VIB and Ghent University. A specific protein was found to affect the integrity of the intestinal wall, allowing infiltrating bacteria to cause inflammation that drives cancer progression. Promisingly, the scientists also demonstrated that manipulating the immune system or microbiome can prevent this chain event, findings that may lead to new treatments for colorectal cancer.

Max Planck researchers feed Proteome AI with PharmaFluidics technology

Micro-chip based µPAC™ LC columns - key component in NATURE study doubling the universe of known proteins across all kingdoms of life

To prevent another pandemic, we need to improve our relationship with animals

How changing diets gave rise to the world’s deadliest diseases

In a recent article, we discussed how the most prescribed drugs are usually indicated for common noncommunicable diseases. These include chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, GERD and mental health issues. Regarding treatment innovation, these prevalent diseases are often underserved when compared to less common, but more profitable, orphan diseases. In this article, we look at some of the underlying factors causing these noncommunicable diseases and what could be done to prevent them.

Fundamental research leads to treatment breakthrough in rare genetic diseases

A basic research breakthrough is improving patient lives, as researchers realized their rare genetic condition could be treated by repurposing a common anti-diabetic medication. The treatment has already been tested on several patients and has been a huge success with clinical trials now being initiated around the world.

Talking T cells with David Masopust

Immunology is a complex but vitally important branch of the life sciences. Earlier this year, we attended a Keystone Symposia conference on T cell immunology as media partners. There, we got to speak with Prof. David Masopust, the man who discovered resident memory T cells. His seminal breakthrough opened up a new branch of T cell biology and catapulted the field forwards. Masopust shares his thoughts on the enormous untapped potential of T cells in new treatments and vaccines.

PharmaFluidics awarded VLAIO research grant

Funding will support product range extension of micro-chip based µPAC™ nano, capillary and microflow LC columns, and accelerated development of manufacturing process know-how.

Onno van de Stolpe talks Belgian biotech

At this year’s Innovation for Health, we sat down for a chat with Onno van de Stolpe. Winner of the Trends Manager of the Year in 2019, van de Stolpe is the driving force behind Galapagos NV, a billion-euro blockbuster and one of the Europe’s top biotech companies.

Cell therapies: opportunities and challenges

Recent activities in the cell therapy field have prompted many investment funds to pour fresh and increasing capital into this space. In this review, we share some observations and highlight a few of the questions that arise when new modalities cross the bridge from bench to bed.

TheSocialMedwork: equal access to medicines for everyone, everywhere

We recently sat down with Sjaak Vink, the visionary entrepreneur behind TheSocialMedwork. This enterprise gives patients all over the world access to medication that has not yet been approved in their home countries. We spoke with Vink about his personal motivations for founding TheSocialMedwork and his dream for universal basic healthcare.

Belgian clinical trials for COVID-19

With COVID-19 cases soaring into the millions, and a vaccine still a long way off, patients are desperate for a treatment. In response, numerous clinical trials have been initiated around the world. The majority of these trials are examining existing drugs to see if they can be repurposed to treat COVID-19. We spoke with Prof. Bart Lambrecht, pulmonologist at Ghent University Hospital (UZ Gent), about some of the clinical trials taking place here in Belgium.