Weekly round-up: From royalty deals to pioneering plant research – Optimum’s clients are in full bloom!
SpliceBio announces first patient dosed in Phase 1/2 ASTRA study of SB-007, a dual-AAV gene therapy for Stargardt disease
SpliceBio, a clinical-stage genetic medicines company pioneering Protein Splicing to address diseases caused by mutations in large genes, announced that it has dosed the first patient in its Phase 1/2 ASTRA study of SB-007. SpliceBio’s dual adeno-associated viral (AAV) gene therapy, SB-007, addresses the root cause of Stargardt disease, an inherited retinal disorder.
Synaffix’s ADC collaboration with SOTIO expanded to develop two novel bispecific candidates
SOTIO Biotech announced it will be exercising an option under its agreement with Synaffix B.V., to develop two bispecific ADC programs which have the potential to become first-in-class and/or best-in-class treatments for solid tumours.
Heidelberg Pharma amends royalty financing with HealthCare Royalty and secures $20m upfront
Heidelberg Pharma has amended their royalty financing agreement with HealthCare Royalty, thereby securing a USD 20 million upfront payment. Based on this agreement, Heidelberg Pharma extends its cash runway into 2027.
Julia Vorholt receives 2025 Novonesis Biotechnology Prize from the Novo Nordisk Foundation
Professor Julia Vorholt is receiving the Novonesis Biotechnology Prize for her pioneering plant microbiome research which has changed how we think about plant health. Her innovative research on plant microbiomes has the potential to transform agriculture.
Xeltis expands medical advisory board with world-leading experts in clinical nephrology
Leading nephrologists Dr. An De Vriese and Dr. Monnie Wasse join Xeltis’ Medical Advisory Board, bringing considerable expertise as Xeltis advances towards commercialization.
Optimum TV
📺 A fascinating and emotional episode of #OptimumTV on Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), with Katie Brandt, patient advocate and Director of Caregiving Support Services at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Frontotemporal Disorders Unit, discussing the challenges of diagnosis and the care journey thereafter.
Optimum’s hot topics
💡 Spring conference season officially kicks off next week and what better way to prepare, than reading Optimum’s top tips on how you can ensure you’re (a) attending the right events and (b) utilising the opportunities you hope for, when luck has you standing beside a top investor you’ve been targeting for months!
🚨 According to research, getting enough sleep could help protect against developing neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s. Read Optimum’s latest hot topic on how sleep keeps our brains healthy – and how that knowledge is being harnessed to create therapeutics.
🚨 The UK government’s decision to axe NHS England – the central bureaucracy responsible for running the country’s £200bn-a-year health service – came as a shock. So, why did Labour do it, and what will the consequences be?
Upcoming industry events
📍 One week to go until #BioEurope Spring 2025, and the Optimum Team is excited to head to Milan! We are especially looking forward to seeing our CEO, Mary Clark, take the stage in two must-watch panels at the event. Make sure to catch her discussion on all things Alys Pharmaceuticals with Francesco De Rubertis and Brian S. Kim, as well as sharing insights on the art of storytelling alongside Philip Brainin, MD PhD MBA, Catello Somma, Regina Hodits and Juliette Lee.
📍 Citeline’s Eleanor Malone discusses the next big advancements in immunology with industry leaders Marta Helena Lesko, Merck Group, Marina Udier-Blagovic, Nouscom and Phil L’Huillier, Scancell, at the 21st Anglonordic Life Sciences Conference on the 3rd April in London.
Register with Optimum’s exclusive F&F discount code – OPTIMUM20 to receive 20% off delegate passes! See the panelists below for what promises to be a fantastic discussion.
Sector Moves
Keep up to date with the latest industry moves here.
That’s all folks! To stay in the know – subscribe to Optimum’s weekly wrap-up today!
