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In this issue of our weekly newsletter Where Tech Meets Bio: • Mapping Superbugs with Precision Phage Therapy: A global "superbug map" developed by scientists at the Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary, tracks the spread of Acinetobacter baumannii—a highly resistant pathogen. By pinpointing dominant strains, hospitals can deploy pre-emptive phage therapies, potentially treating up to 80% of local infections with region-specific phage cocktails. • XtalPi Inc.’s XtalFold Platform and Antibody Discovery: XtalPi's AI platform, XtalFold, is helping Janssen Biotech, Inc. accelerate antibody discovery. It predicts antibody-antigen interactions with higher accuracy than AlphaFold-Multimer, making drug discovery faster and more precise. • LLC Business Models Take Off in Biotech: In a recent discussion, Abbas Kazimi of Nimbus Therapeutics highlighted how the LLC model has provided flexibility in structuring deals, such as their $6 billion TYK2 inhibitor sale to Takeda. This approach allows biotech companies to sell specific assets while maintaining overall control of their operations. • Google DeepMind’s Tx-LLM Refined for Drug Discovery: The Tx-LLM model, powered by Google’s PaLM-2, has been officially introduced—fine-tuned to predict properties of small molecules, proteins, and cell lines. The update improves accuracy in therapeutic tasks and invites external collaboration for further development. • Companies to Watch in Clinical Trials: We will also be taking a look at some of the companies leveraging AI to streamline and optimize clinical trials, tackling the most significant challenges in drug development. 📩 Read the full article in the comments!

We’re excited to share that BiopharmaTrend has been invited as a media outlet to the FT Live Global Pharma and Biotech Summit on November 5-7, 2024. The event will bring together industry experts to explore pivotal topics like drug discovery, clinical trials, market access, and patient engagement. We’re proud to have our CEO, Tanya Bell, attending and representing us, as the summit features an impressive lineup of speakers, including Emma Walmsley, Bob Bradway, Christophe Weber, Kris Sterkens, Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of NHS England, and Demis Hassabis, 2024 Nobel Prize winner. If you’d like to connect with us at the event, feel free to reach out to Tanya B. or anyone from our team!

AI Adoption in Pharma: What's Next? As AI continues to influence various industries, pharma companies like Eli Lilly and Company, Pfizer, and Moderna are exploring its potential in different areas. Recent leadership appointments, such as Thomas Fuchs at Eli Lilly and Berta Rodriguez-Hervas at Pfizer, reflect a growing interest in testing AI’s capabilities across drug discovery, clinical trials, and related operations. The key question remains: What impact will these efforts have in the coming years? While early results are noteworthy, it’s likely that we’re only at the start of broader changes in how pharma integrates AI. Curious to dive deeper into how this trend is shaping the future of pharma? Read more in this week's newsletter. Link in the comments. 📩 #artificialintelligence #drugdiscovery #pharmaceuticalindustry

Surprisingly enough, this year’s Nobel Prize award in Chemistry marks the second AI-related Nobel Prize in 2024! In this week’s newsletter, Andrii Buvailo, Ph.D. breaks down the groundbreaking Nobel Prize announcement that has put AI-driven protein research in the spotlight. David Baker, along with Demis Hassabis and John Jumper (creators of AlphaFold), were awarded for their pioneering contributions to computational protein design and accurate protein structure prediction. This recognition follows The Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton earlier this year for their foundational work on artificial neural networks. There’s also a growing list of companies making their own strides in AI-driven protein research. Check out 13 emerging players who are redefining the protein design landscape with cutting-edge AI tools in this week's issue—link in the comments. #AI #NobelPrize #DrugDiscovery

A new edition of Where Tech Meets Bio (Substack Newsletter)! Here’s a quick look at some of this week’s highlights: • AlphaFold3’s New Capabilities and Limitations Google DeepMind's AlphaFold3 has improved the accuracy of antibody and nanobody docking, though challenges remain. The current version has shown limitations in handling complex structural features, which are critical for drug development. Further advancements are needed to enhance its utility for therapeutic antibody design. • Controversy Around the Brain Microbiome Hypothesis New studies suggest that the brain might host its own microbiome, challenging the long-held belief that it is a sterile organ. If validated, this could reshape our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. • New Partnership Models in Biotech The Pfizer-Flagship Pioneering partnership reflects a new trend in R&D collaboration, where pharma companies and startups co-develop drug candidates through a structured, pre-determined approach. This model could redefine traditional partnerships by reducing the time and uncertainty typically involved in drug discovery. • AI-Optimized 3D Printing for Pre-Surgical Models Researchers at Washington State University are using AI to enhance 3D-printed organ models, optimizing variables to create practice models for surgeons in just 30 minutes. This technology could transform pre-surgical preparations and have broader implications across various industries. • The Importance of Cold Ischemia Time in Cancer Research A recent study sheds light on how even minor delays in tumor tissue preservation can significantly affect cancer research outcomes. Understanding and addressing these variations is crucial for accurate drug target discovery. • Company to Watch Converge Bio, founded in 2024, is utilizing LLMs to streamline the antibody humanization process. Check out the full article in the comments below for a deeper dive into these topics and more.

In this issue of our weekly newsletter Where Tech Meets Bio: • Venture Capital Shift—Cell and Gene Therapies Facing Investment Slowdown: Venture capital is pulling back from complex cell and gene therapies, turning instead to more predictable biopharma solutions like small molecules and biologics, signaling a more cautious approach in an uncertain market. • Neuralink’s Brain Chip for the Blind Gains FDA Breakthrough Status: Blindsight brain chip earns FDA’s 'breakthrough device' status, opening the door to a future where vision, even for those with damaged optic nerves, might be restored—albeit in low-res, Atari-style for now. • AI-Designed Drug for Pulmonary Fibrosis Shows Promising Results: Insilico Medicine's ISM001-055, targeting the TNIK protein linked to fibrosis, demonstrates dose-dependent improvements in lung function in Phase IIa trials. • Liver-on-a-Chip Technology Enters FDA ISTAND Pilot Program: Emulate, Inc.’s Liver-Chip is recognized as a Drug Development Tool aimed at improving preclinical safety assessments for small-molecule drug candidates. • Scripps Research Expands the Genetic Code for New Protein Engineering: By using four-nucleotide codons, researchers incorporate non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) into proteins. • AstraZeneca’s new AI tool, MILTON, predicts over 1,000 diseases before diagnosis. 📩 Read the full material in the comments! #Neuralink #AI #DrugDiscovery #OrganOnAChip #Biotech #LifeSciences #GeneTherapy #VentureCapital #BioTechInnovation #Pharma

We are delighted to be partnering with the upcoming #LabFacilitiesWest on 24 September 2024 in San Diego, CA, USA! The event will unite facilities management, HSE, and lab operations experts to debate and discuss the latest innovations and strategies to create cost-effective, space-optimized, future-proof and sustainable labs. For more info and to register using our 15% discount code PARTNER15, visit: https://lnkd.in/dxVpR52n #labfacilities #labmanagement #facilitiesmanagement #labops

Let's explore the concept of a synthetic immune system. As we age, our immune system weakens, leaving us more vulnerable to infections and inflammation. This decline, known as immunosenescence, is a key factor in aging-related diseases and frailty. Microbiome imbalances, or dysbiosis, further accelerate aging by triggering chronic inflammation and disrupting cellular processes. Many researchers are now focusing on ways to restore immune function by mimicking natural antimicrobial peptides, such as LL-37, which decline with age. For example, scientists at Maxwell Biosciences are developing synthetic versions of these peptides that target a wide range of pathogens without harming beneficial microbes—essentially creating a synthetic immune system. Could this approach be the key to addressing aging at its core? Explore more about this frontier in today's full article, posted in the comments. #Geroscience #Microbiome #SyntheticBiology #AgingResearch #Biotech #Healthspan #Immunotherapy #Longevity

If you're looking to consolidate your content strategy and make a long-term impact in biotech, sponsoring a Company Profile on BiopharmaTrend could be what you need. This isn’t just a profile—it’s a hub that integrates your articles, interviews, case studies, and news features, creating a cohesive narrative for your brand. Your profile becomes part of a highly curated database, ensuring your company stands out in a relevant and focused space. Branding, thought leadership, and sustained visibility—all in one place. Why does it work? — It’s about building a clear, unified story that delivers value over time. — It’s a cost-efficient but long-lasting investment in creating a cohesive online presence for your brand. Our media kit will be in the comments. For more details, feel free to reach out to Andrii Buvailo, Ph.D. or Roman Kasianov.

Mark your calendars for the second edition of the London Biotechnology Show from 18-19 June 2025 at ExCeL London. This premier global event will spotlight groundbreaking technologies that are shaping the future of medical and healthcare sectors. Seize the opportunity to be part of this exclusive gathering, where you can connect with industry leaders, build valuable relationships, and contribute to the growth of biotechnology. Join the UK's premier biotechnology event for two days of innovation, networking and opportunity. Register today at: https://lnkd.in/dBb8GUZG #lbs #lbs25 #londonbiotechnologyshow #biotechnology #bioinformatics #medtech #innovation #lifesciences #healthcare #pharmaceutical #biomedicalengineering #tissueengineering #biotechconference #biotechevent #biotechexpo #redbiotechnology #excellondon #londonbiotech