Search

Against the backdrop of a Cas9 patent battle that refuses to die, Editas is cashing in a chunk of the rights from Vertex to the tune of $57 million. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The future of hereditary angiodema treatment seems to be coming down to how many shots it takes to reduce attacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helminth parasitology is an important discipline, which poses often unique technical challenges. One challenge is that helminth parasites, particularly those in humans, are often difficult to obtain alive and in sufficient quantities for study; another is the challenge of studying these organisms in vitro – no helminth parasite life cycle has been fully recapitulated outside of a host. Arguably, the key issue retarding progress in helminth parasitology has been a lack of experimental tools and resources, certainly relative to the riches that have driven many parasitologists to adopt free-living model organisms as surrogate systems. In response to these needs, the past 10–12 years have seen the beginnings of helminth parasitology's journey into the 'omics' era, with the release of abundant sequencing resources, and the functional genomics tools with which to test biological hypotheses. To reflect this progress, the 2019 Autumn Symposium of the British Society for Parasitology was held in Queen's University Belfast on the topic of 'post-genomic progress in helminth parasitology'. This issue presents examples of the current state of play in the field, while this editorial summarizes how genomic datasets and functional genomic tools have stimulated impressive recent progress in our understanding of parasite biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following topics are under this section: ASIA-PACIFIC — Identification of Therapeutic Points for Genetically Diverse and Fatal Leukaemia ASIA-PACIFIC — Novel Microfluidic Processes for Drug Development ASIA-PACIFIC — Development of Anti-Microbial Coating against COVID-19 ASIA-PACIFIC — Partnership between Arcturus Therapeutics and Duke-NUS Medical School to develop COVID-19 Vaccine ASIA-PACIFIC — Nanoscopic Insights to Proteins against Huntington's Disease ASIA-PACIFIC — Unravelling the Impact of Marine Heatwave on Coral Reef Fishes ASIA-PACIFIC — Regulation of Plant Pores by MicroRNAs ASIA-PACIFIC — Discovering Clues to Longevity in Our Genome ASIA-PACIFIC — Repurposing Nature's Products to Viable Materials ASIA-PACIFIC — Reverse Conversion of Oestrogens to Androgens REST OF THE WORLD — HER2-targeted Antibody Drug Conjugate Shows Promise in Patients with Non-Breast-Gastric Cancers REST OF THE WORLD — New Research finds Teeth as a Biological Archive REST OF THE WORLD — Finding Treatment for Muscular Dystrophy using CRISPR Global updates on latest breakthroughs in research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intellia is opting out of a hemophilia program, leaving the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing work on factor IX treatments in the hands of partner Regeneron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australian gene-editing rules adopt 'middle ground'. Russia creating its own ultrasound system to treat tumours. AstraZeneca research shows significant gaps in online sources of information for lung cancer patients. BCG Digital Ventures and Sartorius launch the world's first voice powered digital assistant for scientists. Brexit leads to 25 per cent decline in UK clinical trials. BD launches new patient safety program for hospitals in Asia. Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2020 opens for nominations. Bayer, NUS Enterprise partner to start Healthy Hearts, Healthy Aging initiative. Smartfuture's S$100 Health Kit rental service saves business time and money. Chugai, A*STAR research project to develop new virus antibody to fight against dengue. Special Olympics Asia Pacific launches fitness app for people with intellectual disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over 2,000 Belt and Road Scientists to conduct research in China. China to amend healthcare laws. Smart hospital program upgraded with 5G technology. First "one-minute clinic" in China university. Studies reveal "death switch" in plant immune systems. Faster and cheaper manufacturing of CAR-T production. Immunotherapy trials show positive results against blood disease. Gene-editing tool uses light to kill cancer cells. 3D printed bone tissue for implant surgery. Bioabsorbable power source for implantable medical electronics. New stomach check system developed to reduce diagnosis blind spots. Mapping of protein complex to help patients with osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After an FDA nod for its SCD gene therapy, Vertex is paying $100M upfront for rights to Editas' Cas9 tech amid a long-standing patent battle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CRISPR Therapeutics laid off staff earlier this month despite being on the precipice of an FDA approval and having $1.7 billion in cash on hand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After Thursday's advisory committee meeting, CRISPR and Vertex will now wait for an official FDA decision on exa-cel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A historic moment in pharmaceuticals will happen next week: an FDA advisory committee is set to review the first-ever CRISPR gene editing-based therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CRISPR Therapeutics' head of business development Alex Harding says partnerships that help expand the delivery of gene editing therapies are a focus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intellia and Regeneron will expand on their existing CRISPR partnership that yielded first-in-human gene editing data in 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

World's first unmanned clinic in China International outcry over world's first gene-edited babies born in China More HIV-positive foreigners enter China Largest ever genomic study of Chinese population using prenatal testing samples Prototype invention to quickly check the level of antibiotic resistance Professional committee of synthetic biology to be set up Pain-free childbirth to be promoted in China Study predicts less clear winter skies in Beijing [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delivering on the promise of digital health. Rehabilitation in good hands. Gene edited foods: Key to solving the world's food crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competing Interests: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

China boosts plans to motivate its scientists. Chinese researcher recognized by World Food Prize. Breakthrough new rice variety announced in Northern China. Ebola vaccine approved in China. Study reveals anti-cancer properties of a fungus used in traditional medicine. CRISPR bacon: Chinese scientists create genetically modified low-fat pigs. A new weapon of fighting Malaria. Gene sequencing technology saw rapid growth in China. Chinese scientists map genome sequences for Peony. Werum IT Solutions and Neotrident sign partnership in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertex and CRISPR's dream of getting the first-ever CRISPR gene editing therapy approved now seems within reach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Can CRISPR—a gene editing mechanism born from bacteria—be used as an antibiotic? That's what SNIPR Biome seems to have found in an early study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have harnessed a bacterial system to create a protein delivery system that could be used for gene editing therapies and cancer treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically known for developing cystic fibrosis treatments, Vertex is going deeper into diabetes and its work with CRISPR Tx in a $330 million deal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotech giant Moderna is partnering with ElevateBio's Life Edit Therapeutics to develop new gene editing therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Korea-based biotech GenKOre has inked a deal with a U.S. biopharma worth up to $300 million biobucks for developing in vivo gene editing therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertex and CRISPR have secured European Medicines Agency validation of the approval application for their CRISPR-Cas9 candidate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crown Bioscience inked a licensing deal with ERS Genomics to use its CRISPR/Cas9 patent portfolio for gene editing in the development of new treatments in the fields of oncology, immuno-oncology, and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a small clinical trial, researchers used CRISPR to customize patients' T cell receptors to work against their solid tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loss of the Y chromosome in immature blood cells is a major cause of heart failure risk in older men. An existing drug may be a solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epic Bio corralled a VC syndicate willing to bet $55 million on its vision to use the smallest known Cas protein in epigenetic engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertex is doubling down on cell and genetic therapy R&D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Editas Medicine has picked up more regulatory privileges [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New research into gene editing may have unlocked the part of brain responsible for deep sleep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intellia Therapeutics' CRISPR-powered T cell therapy, which uses the gene editing method to reprogram a sample of the patient's immune cells, has [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has ruled in favor of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in a dispute over the patents around CRISPR gene editing technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarepta Therapeutics will pay GenEdit up to $57 million in the near-term for access to the Eli Lilly-backed biotech's non-viral delivery platform for gene editing therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CRISPR Therapeutics' off-the-shelf CAR-T therapy has fallen short of the high bar set by investors. The prospect triggered responses in 58% of patients without causing grade 3 or higher cytokine release syndrome, but six-month durability compared unfavorably to rival drugs, sending shares in the biotech down 8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers at Stanford University say they have created a mini version of the CRISPR-Cas system that could be easier to deliver into cells for gene therapies. The mini gene-editing system comes after CRISPR pioneer Intellia revealed first-in-human gene editing data in June. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intellia's gene editing results "decisively exceeded" analyst expectations, launching the rest of the field into the spotlight overnight and maybe, just maybe, providing some fodder for the FDA to lighten up on its resistance to hosting gene editing trials in the U.S. Shares of the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biotech gained more than 55% Monday, rising to $133.43 at close. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the first 11 patients to receive CRISPR Therapeutics' anti-CD19 allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy has died. The patient was hospitalized with febrile neutropenia in the weeks after receiving the drug and died 52 days post-treatment with the CAR-T therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CRISPR Therapeutics and Vertex have presented updated data on the first patients treated with their CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing therapy. The partners now have evidence that one-time treatment with CTX001 improves outcomes in sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia patients for up to 15 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientists at the Hubrecht Institute in the Netherlands used base editing, an approach to CRISPR that doesn't involve cutting DNA, to correct a gene mutation that causes cystic fibrosis (CF). They believe the study, which they performed in stem cells from CF patients, provides evidence that a disease-causing mutation in the gene CFTR could be corrected without damaging healthy parts of the genome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noninfectious viruses used to deliver gene therapy can still sometimes touch off dangerous immune responses. A team from Johns Hopkins Medicine has developed an alternative method for transporting large therapies into cells—including genes and even the gene-editing system CRISPR. It's a polymer nano-container that biodegrades inside of cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The newest issue of the journal Nature Medicine features two animal studies that show progress is being made towards achieving the holy grail of gene editing: the ability to prevent or treat diseases that are caused by gene mutations. In both cases, the researchers used modified versions of CRISPR-Cas9, the most commonly used gene-editing system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CRISPR Therapeutics is partnering with ViaCyte to develop off-the-shelf, gene-edited stem cell therapies for diabetes in a deal worth up to $25 million. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Editas Medicine is to lose Gerald Cox, M.D., Ph.D., its chief medical officer, at the end of the year, as the search is on for a new clinical leader. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Off-target, or unintended, editing is a key safety concern of CRISPR-Cas9, as it can lead to cancer. Two new studies show that CRISPR editing could raise the risk of targeted cells—those being edited to treat disease—developing tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]