Foreword:
Happy Monday!
2024 has been off to a busy first quarter, leading to a slight decrease in our usual posting frequency. I’ve been busy with several exciting projects, the details of which I can’t wait to share with you. Coming up soon is a featured article on the role of AI in Medicine - something to look forward to! I Anticipate our regular rhythm of updates will resume shortly, and there’s plenty more interesting content in the pipeline.
Onto some highlighted Biotech news:
IVF Technology May Prevent Extinction of the African Northern White Rhino!
Scientists have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in the effort to save Africa's northern white rhino from extinction by successfully achieving the first-ever rhino pregnancy through in vitro fertilization (IVF). The researchers utilized a southern white rhino embryo implanted in a surrogate mother named Curra. The resulting pregnancy marked a significant step forward in proving the viability of IVF in rhino species. Sadly, Curra died during the pregnancy due to an unrelated bacterial infection. Despite this, the success of the embryo transfer and early stages of pregnancy provide hope for the future application of this technique, particularly for the critically endangered northern white rhino. The project, led by the BioRescue team, aims to reintroduce northern white rhinos into the wild. Many challenges still remain, including the limited time before the remaining elderly females, Najin and Fatu, pass away. Nevertheless, the efforts signify a crucial endeavor to preserve these incredible creatures and potentially aid other endangered species as well.
The Continuing Wave of Layoffs in the Biotech and Pharma Sectors
The biotech and pharma sectors continue to face significant layoffs in 2024. This troubling trend appears to be a continuation from the previous year, with 57 layoff rounds reported in the first quarter, nearly double the number from the same period in 2022. At least 2,398 individuals from 25 companies have been directly impacted. These layoffs reflect a severe business environment, clinical trial challenges, and ongoing strategic restructurings. A number of high-profile companies, such as Bayer, Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK, and Pfizer, are notable for their repeated appearances on layoff trackers. A recent development saw Genentech withdrawing from a $3 billion cell therapy partnership with Adaptimmune, accompanied by a 3% reduction in their workforce. These layoffs underscore persistent hurdles facing the sector. As we monitor these developments, it is important to remain alert to any emerging opportunities or shifts that may signal a turnaround or further challenges ahead.
LyGenesis Cell-based Therapy for Liver Disease Treatment
LyGenesis, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has begun treating its first patient with a novel cell-based therapy. This treatment involves infusing donor liver cells into the patient's lymph nodes using an endoscopic ultrasound. This innovative method turns the lymph nodes into bioreactors that generate functional liver tissues, offering a new way to treat end-stage liver disease (ESLD).
This new therapy could significantly change how liver disease is treated, providing an alternative to traditional liver transplants, which are often limited by the availability of donor organs. Given the prevalence of ESLD in the U.S., the potential impact of this therapy is substantial.
The therapy is currently being tested in a Phase 2a clinical trial called LYG-LIV-02-001. This study is an open-label, dose-escalation trial that evaluates the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of the therapy over a year. Additionally, LyGenesis is exploring the use of this technology for treating other severe conditions such as type 1 diabetes, renal disease, and issues related to aging.
Gut Bacteria Offers Promising New Strategy for Managing Cholesterol
Researchers have made an exciting discovery about how certain gut bacteria can turn harmful cholesterol into a form that our bodies can't absorb. This work, led by Ramnik Xavier's team at Massachusetts General Hospital, suggests a new way to manage high cholesterol that could one day help reduce the need for traditional drugs like statins. The study analyzed the genetic makeup of these bacteria from over a thousand individuals, using advanced techniques to uncover specific genes involved in cholesterol processing. This insight into our microbiome's "hidden" genes offers hope for developing new cholesterol treatments, although delivering these bacteria effectively is still a challenge.
References:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/first-lab-assisted-white-rhino-pregnancy-offers-hope-for-near-extinct-animals
https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/biopharma-layoffs-dont-see-reprieve-q1-2024-fierce-biotech-analysis (Accessed 08APR24).
https://www.lygenesis.com/media/press-releases/lygenesis-announces-first-patient-dosed-in-its-phase-2a-clinical-trial-of-a-first-in-class-regenerative-cell-therapy-for-patients-with-end-stage-liver-disease/ (accessed 08APR24).
Li, C., Stražar, M., Mohamed, A.M., Pacheco, J.A., Walker, R.L., Lebar, T., Zhao, S., Lockart, J., Dame, A., Thurimella, K. and Jeanfavre, S., 2024. Gut microbiome and metabolome profiling in Framingham heart study reveals cholesterol-metabolizing bacteria. Cell.
Finally some research that makes it look like adults are in charge. Considering the douchebaggery of people who poach white rhinos, it'll be uphill both ways to get a viable wild population re-established, though.
Hopefully the lay offs will end soon. Do you think the lay offs are justified meaning they really weren't getting the results the companies were looking for or do you think they're pulling the plug too early on projects but are too afraid to risk losing capital?