Weekly round-up: Catching up with the news after the busiest week in European biotech comes to a close
Optimum Client’s Win Big at LSX European Lifestars Awards!
Congratulations to Optimum’s clients – Asceneuron SA, Calliditas Therapeutics, DISCO Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Sofinnova Partners portfolio company Moon Surgical, Myricx Bio, and Novo Holdings, all of whom took home LSX European Lifestars awards! Plus, a special moment for Optimum’s Zoe Bolt who presented the award for Private Company CEO of the Year to client Barbara Angehrn Pavik of Asceneuron.
Cure51 launches NHS-approved study with Cambridge University
Cure51, a techbio company seeking to unlock the biological mechanisms responsible for exceptional cancer survivor patients, on Monday announced the UK launch of the Rosalind study, a groundbreaking initiative already underway in other parts of Europe. The UK phase, in collaboration with Cambridge University Hospitals and seven other top UK-based institutions, was recently approved by the NHS Health Research Authority (HRA) and aims to decode the biological factors behind long-term cancer survival and unlock insights that could pave the way for more effective cancer treatments.
BrightHeart Secures FDA Clearance for First AI Software Revolutionizing Prenatal Fetal Heart Ultrasound Evaluations
BrightHeart, a leading AI innovator in obstetric and pediatric cardiology technology, on Monday announced that it has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its first artificial intelligence software, designed to transform prenatal ultrasound evaluations of the fetal heart. This milestone marks a significant breakthrough in one of the most challenging and critical areas of prenatal care.
Resolution Therapeutics Announces Approval of Clinical Trial Application by AEMPS to Expand Phase 1/2 EMERALD Study of RTX001 into Spain
Resolution Therapeutics Limited, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering regenerative macrophage therapies in inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, on Tuesday announced it has received approval of a clinical trial application from the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Products (AEMPS) to commence the Phase 1/2 EMERALD Study evaluating its lead candidate RTX001 in Spain. Resolution started recruiting patients in October 2024 in the U.K. It is expected to start recruiting patients in Spain in the second quarter of 2025.
Denmark’s new AI supercomputer Gefion ranks 21 on the world’s TOP500 list
The Danish Centre for AI Innovation (DCAI) on Monday announced that its AI supercomputer #Gefion has officially ranked 21 among the world’s 500 most powerful supercomputers, according to the latest TOP500 ranking.
Women’s Health Company Freya Biosciences Announces Key $10.4 Million Strategic Investment
Freya Biosciences, a transatlantic biotech company specialising in women’s health, on Tuesday announced a $10.4 million strategic investment from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. An additional $1.4 million in financing was secured from current investor Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO), bringing its series A financing to nearly $50 million.
Poolbeg Pharma plc – POLB 001 Patent Granted in United States
Poolbeg Pharma, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialisation of innovative medicines targeting diseases with a high unmet medical need, announced that the US Patent Office had notified the Company of its official decision to grant Poolbeg’s US Immunomodulator I patent application.
Vicebio Advances Clinical Study of RSV/hMPV Bivalent Vaccine & Strengthens Board with Appointments of World Class Veterans
Vicebio Ltd, a biopharmaceutical company pioneering next-generation vaccines for life-threatening respiratory viruses, on Thursday announced its progress in the ongoing VXB-241 bivalent RSV-hMPV Phase 1 (P1) study as well as the appointment of Moncef Slaoui, PhD, and Khurem Farooq to its Board of Directors.
Kling Biotherapeutics outlines how B cell tech could develop new cancer therapies
The search for new therapeutic antibodies, and new targets, to fight cancer continues. In the latest episode of the Optimum Perspectives Podcast, Stefano Gullà, Chief Scientific Officer at Kling Biotherapeutics, talks about the growing role of B-cell technology in cancer therapy.
Hot topic: Uncertainty as Trump picks RFK Jr for top health job
Optimum’s latest, weekly, hot topic article discusses the impact of president-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Robert F Kennedy Jr for his health secretary.
Pharma stocks were hit as markets digested the implications of RFK Jr’s appointment, including his support for conspiracy theories and his anti-vaccination views.
Have you registered for Genesis 2024?
After an excellent week of in-person networking at London’s Life Sciences Week, we look ahead to what’s next! Held on 4 December at 1 Wimpole St, London One Nucleus’ Genesis 2024 is another fantastic opportunity for our ecosystem to connect and collaborate, keeping those vital conversations and relationships going strong. Click here for more information about how to claim a 10% discount with our official partner discount code.
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