Biogen’s controversial Alzheimer’s drug approved by the FDA – what now?
It has been three months since the much-discussed FDA approval of Biogen’s Aduhelm, a treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease. The drug has been celebrated by some as a breakthrough for Alzheimer’s patients, but others remain highly sceptical or even openly opposed to the FDA decision. What has caused the furor? And what will this approval mean for other biotech companies developing new drugs for neurodegenerative diseases (and for the VCs backing them)?
Newton Biocapital invests in PRISM BioLab to support development of a unique peptide mimetic technology platform to discover new drugs for intractable diseases
Brussels, Belgium / Tokyo, Japan – 9 September 2021 – Newton Biocapital (“Newton”), a life sciences investment fund active in Europe and Japan and focused on the treatment and prevention of chronic diseases, has announced its new investment in PRISM BioLab, Inc. (“PRISM”) in Japan. As a co-lead investor, Newton invested EUR 2 million (JPY […]
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.
Newton Biocapital invests in NeuVasQ: EUR 20 million Series A to develop unique blood-brain barrier therapy
Newton together with public and private investment partners invests in NeuVasQ for the development of blood-brain barrier pharmaceuticals based on the disruptive research of scientific founder Prof. Benoit Vanhollebeke. NeuVasQ aims to repair neurovascular function in a range of disorders such as stroke, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Brussels, Belgium, 22 June 2021 […]
Malaria vaccine candidate shows promise for African children
Despite decades of research, scientists have so far been unable to develop a fully effective vaccine for malaria. Now, a new vaccine candidate is showing real promise for children in Africa. With recent Phase II results demonstrating an efficacy of 77%, the vaccine could save millions of lives – if it holds up in further […]
Montis Biosciences Awarded VLAIO Grant to Expand its Pipeline of Novel Immune-Oncology Therapeutics
Leuven, Belgium, 14 June 2021 – Montis Biosciences, a Belgium-based biotech company focused on the development of novel immuno-oncology therapeutics targeting the interactions between perivascular macrophages and the tumor vasculature, announces the award of a EUR 1 million research grant by Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO). The grant will be used to accelerate validation and development of Montis Biosciences’ […]
Trusting gut bacteria: MRM Health develops microbiome treatments for IBD and more
In the last decade, there has been a growing interest in the potential of microbiome-based therapeutics: using gut bacteria as a medication to battle a wide array of diseases. Ghent-based start-up MRM Health is an important innovator in this growing field, building on the expertise of sister company ProDigest and of prominent partners such as VIB and DuPont Nutrition Biosciences. In the coming months, MRM Health is starting clinical trials for a drug candidate for ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
AgomAb’s journey of growth in regenerative medicine
Ghent-based AgomAb Therapeutics recently raised a Series B of $74 million, the largest round ever for a Belgian biotech in pre-clinical phase. Based on argenx’ technology, the company is developing HGF-mimetic antibodies for regenerative medicine. AgomAb has come a long way since it’s foundation in 2017 and has been pegged by many as one of the future stars of Belgian biotech.
Augustine Therapeutics developing new medicines for neuromuscular diseases
Augustine Therapeutics had a lot of announcements this month: the VIB spin-off just appointed Dr. Sylvain Celanire as CEO, strengthened its Board of Directors, set up a Scientific Advisory Board and received a €1.2 million VLAIO grant. All of the above is going to help the company to develop therapies for rare peripheral neuropathies and neurodegenerative disorders, starting with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Backed by some major players in the Belgian life sciences ecosystem, this start-up is accelerating fast!
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.
Augustine Therapeutics awarded EUR 1.2 million VLAIO research grant to develop new medicines for neuromuscular diseases
Leuven, Belgium, 23 March 2021 – Augustine Therapeutics, a biotech spin-out company from VIB that focuses on the development of novel innovative therapies for rare peripheral neuropathies and neurodegenerative disorders, has received EUR 1.2 million in funding from the Flanders Agency for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO). The grant will be used to support the development of new medicines for peripheral neuropathies through innovative research by elucidating the mode of action of second-generation selective HDAC6 inhibitors developed by Augustine Therapeutics.
Rejuvenate Biomed Secures EUR 3.2 Million Series A Round to Advance Development of Healthy Aging Products
Heusden-Zolder, Belgium, 2 March 2021 – Rejuvenate Biomed NV (“Rejuvenate”), a biomedical company developing prescription drugs for age-related diseases, announces it has completed a EUR 3.2 million Series A round. The funding is being used to advance the development of Rejuvenate’s lead candidate RJx-01 in both acute and chronic sarcopenia (disuse-induced and age-related muscle failure).
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
One year of COVID-19: a look back at 2020 and where we are now
One year on from the emergence of SARS-COV-2 in Wuhan, China, this novel coronavirus continues to devastate the world. Since then, COVID-19 has reached every continent and touched all of our lives. In this article, we take the chance to assess the situation going into 2021 and look back on the first year of the pandemic.