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Today's Rundown

Featured Story

Biopharma tackles COVID-19, HIV and other viruses with gene and cell therapies

Top players in gene and cell therapy have mobilized behind the mission of turning the new technologies against COVID-19. Their efforts to perfect these therapies could help combat this pandemic, prevent future ones and eliminate viruses that have resisted more traditional treatments.

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Top Stories

Using gene editing to keep cholesterol down and heart attacks at bay

What if we could replace the arsenal of drugs used to prevent heart attacks with one injection? Verve Therapeutics believes gene "base editing" is the key. In data presented this weekend, the company showed that the approach could switch off either the PCSK9 or ANGPTL3 gene—both of which play a role in heart disease—in monkeys.

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One-and-done gene therapy wipes out Parkinson's symptoms in mouse models

A UCSD team developed a gene therapy technique that cripples the ability of the PTB gene to produce a functioning protein. In mouse models of Parkinson’s, the gene therapy turned supportive cells called astrocytes into dopamine-producing neurons, erasing symptoms of the disease.

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Sponsored: Partnering Early for Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing

The rapid expansion and advancement of the cell and gene therapy pipeline is forcing companies to rethink their early stage priorities. With nearly 1,000 companies competing for finite production capacity, forward-thinking leaders are recognizing the value of establishing manufacturing strategies far earlier than is typical for other modalities and engaging with external development and manufacturing partners to secure long-term supply capacity.

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BioMarin's hemophilia gene therapy 'Roc solid' after 4 years

Four years on, BioMarin’s hemophilia A gene therapy is still going strong—it staved off bleeding episodes in patients with hemophilia A and reduced their reliance on infusions of a blood-clotting factor that they lack.

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New gene therapy technique shows promise in stem cell model of retinitis pigmentosa

Scientists at Trinity College Dublin and University College London “mini retinas” with mutations in the RP2 gene that cause some forms of retinitis pigmentosa. Delivering a functional RP2 gene to the model eyes rescued the rod photoreceptor cells needed for proper vision, they reported.

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Stanford team deploys CRISPR gene editing to fight COVID-19

Stanford bioengineers teamed up with researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to develop a CRISPR system that neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 by scrambling the virus's genetic code. They believe the technology could prove useful for combating several types of viruses, including influenza.

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Treating age-related diseases with a CAR-T that targets 'senescent' cells

Many age-related diseases like liver fibrosis and diabetes have been partly attributed to cellular "senescence," a zombie-like state in which cells stop proliferating. A team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is targeting these diseases with CAR-T cells that are designed to clear senescent cells.

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Allogene reports 63% response rate in early trial of off-the-shelf CAR-T in lymphoma

Allogene released expanded data from a phase 1 trial of its off-the-shelf, CD19-directed CAR-T, ALLO-501, plus its antibody ALLO-647. The response rate wasn't quite as impressive as what the company reported two weeks ago, but the details could generate some excitement among Wall Street analysts.

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Generation Bio tees up $125M IPO to push next-gen gene therapies

Another preclinical-stage biotech is taking to the public markets—Generation Bio filed for a $215 million IPO to advance gene therapies for hemophilia A and phynylketonuria and push one of them into the clinic. The deal comes on the heels of a $110 million venture round raised in January this year.

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Gene therapy cuts fat and builds muscle in sedentary mice on unhealthy diets

A single injection of the gene that makes the protein follistatin caused a significant buildup of muscle mass in mice while also preventing obesity, reported Washington University researchers. The gene therapy could someday help people who are overweight and suffering from joint pain caused by osteoarthritis, they suggested.

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Bluebird nabs $200M in early payout from retooled Bristol Myers BCMA deal

With its Bristol Myers-partnered CAR-T therapy under FDA review, bluebird bio is getting a $200 million payout. The Big Pharma is forking over the cash to get out of future payments on the treatment and its follow-up outside the U.S. The duo framed the move as a bid to focus on the impending U.S. rollout of the treatment, ide-cel.

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Novartis, Sarepta tap Dyno to unearth new gene therapy vectors

Although gene therapy has opened a new realm of possibilities, its delivery vehicles have held it back. Dyno Therapeutics is on a mission to change that—and it’s coming out of stealth with artificial-intelligence-powered technology and partnerships with Novartis and Sarepta Therapeutics that could net it up to $2 billion.

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Enrollment Showcase

Webinar, July 8: Oncology in the Era of Precision Medicine

University of Florida precision medicine leaders highlight current knowledge and trends to advance the future of health care in this quarterly webinar series. Register today.

Resources

Whitepaper: Learn How to Navigate Pediatric Clinical Trials Under the New RACE Act

Collaboration across the industry will be key to meeting the demands of the RACE Act and ensuring pediatric patients receive the care and treatments they need.

Webinar: Blockchain Innovations that Connect & Protect Merck's Supply Chain

Get an inside look… Merck shares its next-generation approach to supply chain protection with new digital platforms, including Blockchain.

eBook: SUPERCHARGE INNOVATION: UNLEASH THE FULL FORCE OF LIFE SCIENCES

Built on advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), data mining, and information integration into various systems at 100% accuracy, the new era of intelligent automation is integral to life sciences for devising new treatments faster and at a lower expense.

Whitepaper: 4 Ways to Keep Pace with Big Pharma, Even On a Start-Up Budget

Learn four ways to squeeze more value from your limited R&D resources.

eBook: Advanced Analytical Approaches for Improved Development of Cell and Gene Therapies

Download this eBook and Learn the Advanced Analytical Approaches for Improved Development of Cell and Gene Therapies

Whitepaper: 7 Keys to Success in Europe

White paper describing 7 keys to success for any biopharma company that is entering (or thinking about entering) Europe.

Case Study: Establishing Parameters for Success

Learn about a real-world example of how clinical supply management expertise was applied to overcome inventory challenges for a complex, global study.

Fact Sheet: Forecasting to Optimize Clinical Trial Supply Management

Whether a study is simple or highly complex, forecasting and simulation reports serve as data driven communication tools to help minimize risks and keep the study on track. Learn more about forecasting solutions for informed decision making and supporting contingency planning for clinical study.

eBook: Expecting the Unexpected: Strategies for Efficient Clinical Supply Management and Forecasting

Learn how to drive excellence within the forecasting process and utilize forecasting throughout the clinical study to better plan clinical supply budgets and project timelines. Explore how to identify potential supply-related issues before they can negatively impact your study.

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