We’re back this week with a third edition with slightly different formatting. We have some fresh research that we’ve loved reading about, a little case on how government funding schemes might be necessary when building a biotech company (spoiler: they definitely are), and some notes on the current world situation from the lens of science and research and finally with some bite-sized goodies at the end.
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Table of Contents
Research we loved this week ❤️
Blood test for Alzheimer’s? How about that!
A collaborative study between researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Lund University in Sweden has shown the powerful capacity for tracking Alzheimer’s disease by measuring specific plasma biomarkers in a simple blood test. Previously only diagnosable through costly PET scans, screening for the presence of MTBR-tau243 in the blood is en route to enabling greater diagnostic capabilities at a fraction of the time and cost. MTBR-tau243 is a tau protein fragment existing in the bloodstream; its value as a biomarker of Alzheimer’s derives from its strong propensity to reflect the accumulation of tau protein tangles in the brain, a hallmark of the indication.
This measure of elevated tau is distinct from the detection of amyloid plaques, which, unlike tau tangles, can precede cognitive symptom expression. The elevated levels of MBTR-tau243 in the bloodstream were also shown to be highly correlated with symptomatic disease progression, even demonstrating stronger linear correlations than PET imaging in later stages of the condition. This breakthrough may very well herald the new era of ‘personalized medicine for Alzheimer’s’ signifying both a substantial scientific as well as social shift, especially as further comprehension of the nuances of this widespread and debilitating indication continues to unfold. While this discovery still requires further validation and, at present, necessitates specialty mass spectrometry equipment and sizable plasma volumes for testing, its development as a widely accessible blood test soon is nevertheless quite feasible—a critical mark of progress toward sustained health as longevity increases.
Read the full article HERE
Paving the way to successful xenotransplant methods; this time with liver!
The lack of donor organs has resulted in interest in using xenotransplantation as an option. Recently clinical research results have been emerging from using pig-to-human transplants in both heart and kidney cases. The recent study conducted by researchers in the Xijing Hospital was able to showcase the possibility of liver transplantation from a pig to a human. To do this and to potentially avoid hyperacute rejection and potential porcine virus infections the researchers utilized genetic modification and a pathogen-free environment. The liver was transplanted as a heterotrophic auxiliary liver transplant.
This study is not without its drawbacks, with the transplant only being ‘active’ for 10 days before the termination of the experiment. However showcasing the lack of hyperacute rejection, no abnormalities in coagulation (one of the major reasons for xenograft failures), and the secretion of bile and porcine albumin does provide a good starting point for future studies.
Read the full study and details HERE
BioNTech: How EU grants Sparked One of Europe’s Biggest Biotech Breakthroughs
BioNTech, a 2008 spinout from MainzUniversity, is a biotech company focusing on developing immunotherapies and vaccines and is now valued at $27B. They were the ones to pioneer the mRNA platform crucial for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. Their whole story is interesting but we would like to highlight how they were supported by €9.4M in their formative years by various EU fundings before their first big break in 2018, a partnership with Pfizer.
Although when building companies the status quo may be to raise private funding, the importance of governmental support can be paramount and should be considered. The graph from Dealroom showcases how getting through the initial years when developing groundbreaking technologies is important and how these different fundings can play a pivotal role to then helping solve big problems.
Image courtesy of Dealroom.co
Trump imposed tariffs and cuts: ripple effects on research
The news has been blowing up with the various effects of the tariffs and cuts imposed by the Trump administration. Stock markets are taking a hit and feelings of chaos and panic seem to fill the air all over. We have also seen these effects directly and indirectly affecting research and researchers. The Science publication has also started the 'Trump Tracker’ to follow the effects of his administration.
One such reduction is the pressure on NIH to cut $2.6B in contracts which is directly affecting both researchers not getting the awards they were promised, potential PhD candidates and postdocs now grasping for straws as the funding they need to start or continue their work is not available anymore. The removal of these funds also trickles down to the biotech and other companies servicing these researchers now seeing less business and the downstream effects of it. This also means that companies that were working in partnerships for example developing groundbreaking solutions to market, a stage necessary after research, are being throttled.
This is also showing in talks of a ‘brain drain’, with more than 75% of polled participants in a recent Nature survey considering leaving. This has caused many European countries to already set up structures and funding to attract top research talent.
Bite-sized goodies
Research from MIT, funded by Bill Gates Foundation, potentially provides years of birth control with one vaccine-like shot. It’s based on the research published here.
Sam Altman-backed bioscience company, Retro, is poised to raise $1B to realize their vision to extend human life
A new service has launched in the US to provide banking and production of iPSC cells in hopes of being able to be used in the future for therapies or other similar options.
It’s been another busy week here as we race towards Easter. The sun is shining although here in Finland we got our cold weather back after a bit of warmth. Who wouldn’t love that… But anyway, again we’re still only on our 3rd edition. We love feedback which you can give by just replying to this email. What do you like to hear about? Or maybe you just want to say hi which we totally don’t mind. Again if you found this useful at all you can chuck this towards a friend, your cat, maybe a PI friend or a PhD student, or anyone who you think might be interested. And if not well be back in your inbox another week!
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