BioWire Weekly - 002
Monday Morning Biotech News
Foreword:
Welcome back to our short-format news post about the biotech sector. I am continuing to experiment with this segment, which highlights interesting developments within the biotech space. Please give me your feedback in the comments below if you would like more of this style of post.
Biotech and Overall Market Trends Paint a Contradictory Story.
The biotech industry presents a complex picture in early 2024. On one side, notable companies, including Roche and Synlogic, have announced layoffs and strategic restructurings, reflecting the sector's immediate hurdles, such as project discontinuations and operational adjustments (Fierce Biotech Layoff Tracker 2024). These moves indicate a continued period of consolidation for some firms. The continued tightening drives the optimization of resources and focus on high-potential projects. Conversely, the industry is witnessing a broader resurgence fueled by innovation, robust investment, regulatory agility, and global collaboration (Scientific Search). The development of groundbreaking therapies and a strategic shift towards personalized medicine and digital health solutions underpins this growth. The juxtaposition of layoffs and growth initiatives underscores the biotech sector's resilience and adaptability, navigating through cyclical challenges to harness opportunities for transformative healthcare solutions. (Fierce Biotech Layoff Tracker 2024).
Let’s look at this from another perspective - how is the overall economy performing in terms of jobs? If we listen to the current POTUS, we will hear of record job numbers continuing in a hot economy. However, there are counter-arguments that recent job growth has been significantly driven by government sector jobs, which some suggest do not represent organic economic growth but rather positions funded by wealth transfer from the private to the government sector (Zero Hedge). The article presents data showing that government job growth has comprised a significant portion of all new job growth since 2021, reaching up to 58 percent in certain periods.
AI-Driven Drug Development in Generating Precision Antibodies Against Pathogens.
https://x.com/naterbennett0/status/1769917190973862082?s=20
University of Washington researchers are paving the way in AI's application to biomedicine by developing a generative AI program capable of designing antibodies tailored to combat pathogens like COVID-19, RSV, influenza, and C. diff. Their innovative RFdiffusion program, detailed in a proof-of-concept study, leverages computational design to generate atomically precise antibodies, potentially streamlining the traditionally time-intensive and costly process of antibody production. This approach not only promises to accelerate the creation of vital biologic therapies but also aligns with the burgeoning field of protein design, which has seen significant advancements thanks to deep learning technologies. The team's success in creating single-domain antibody fragments, known for their binding efficiency and simpler genetic assembly, underscores the transformative potential of AI in drug discovery and the broader ambition to refine and expedite therapeutic development in the face of emerging health threats.
Neurolink's first user reports and development of the bionic eye.
In a previous article (link), we delved into Elon Musk's Neuralink and its pioneering brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, colloquially termed 'telepathy.' Neuralink has begun testing its BCI device in a clinical study on those with quadriplegia and neurodegenerative disorders like ALS. Recently, Neuralink introduced its first participant, 29-year-old Nolan Arbaugh, a quadriplegic due to a diving accident, showcasing the device's remarkable capabilities. With astonishing ease, he controlled a computer cursor to play chess, pause music, and immerse himself in extended sessions of "Civilization VI" - all through thought alone, likening his experience to "using the Force". This leap forward not only showcases Neuralink's transparency and advances in BCI technology but also hints at the vast potential of such devices to significantly enhance quality of life. Arbaugh's testimony, from playing games effortlessly on his computer to expressing his gratitude for being part of this pioneering study, underscores the profound impact of Neuralink's technology. Beyond just regaining lost abilities, the initiative is now exploring further applications, including the development of the world's first "bionic eye" to address blindness, marking a monumental stride towards redefining the boundaries of human capability and technological innovation.
Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors.
The groundbreaking arrival of cell therapy for solid tumors, specifically through the use of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), marks a pivotal moment in the fight against advanced melanoma. Over 35 years after its initial discovery, this innovative treatment, known as lifileucel, has been given the green light by the FDA, distinguishing itself as the first TIL therapy and the inaugural immune-cell therapy approved for solid tumors like melanoma. Unlike previous immune cell therapies limited to blood cancers, TILs offer a robust strategy by targeting and destroying cancer cells directly within solid tumors. Originating from a patient's own tumor, these cells are isolated, expanded, and reintroduced into the patient, showing potential for long-term remission in clinical trials. This approval opens new doors for treating various cancers, signaling a significant advance in personalized medicine and offering hope for countless individuals battling cancer. (Reardon 2024).
World’s First Transplantation of a Genetically Modified Pig Kidney into a Living Human Patient.
In previous articles (link 1; link 2), we discussed the development of genetically modified pigs to address the organ transplantation crisis. In those articles, the recipients of the experimental organs were ‘brain dead’, defined as being in a state where there was no brain activity. Those experimental procedures served as safety assessments and evaluations of the potential applications of xenotransplantation. However, there has now been a significant development with the transplantation of a genetically modified pig kidney into a living human patient. This marks another milestone in the field of xenotransplantation, showcasing the potential of using animal organs in human medicine. The procedure, performed on March 16, 2024, is sparking optimism for larger clinical trials involving such genetically modified organs. The successful operation utilized several genetic modifications designed to minimize the risk of organ rejection and viral transmission to the recipient. The collaboration between Qihan Biotech and eGenesis has led to discussions with the FDA about future clinical trials, aiming to transform xenotransplantation from compassionate use cases into regular clinical practice. This development could offer new hope and life-saving opportunities for thousands awaiting organ transplants, potentially revolutionizing the field and providing a sustainable solution to the organ shortage crisis (Mallapty and Kozlov, 2024).
References:
https://davidkingsley.substack.com/p/musks-neuralink-achieves-first-human
https://futurism.com/doctors-preparing-implant-the-worlds-first-human-bionic-eye
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00673-w
https://davidkingsley.substack.com/p/pig-kidneys-and-the-future-of-transplants
https://davidkingsley.substack.com/p/update-are-pig-kidneys-the-future
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00879-y (accessed 24MAR24).
Good roundup of news, David. I'd enjoy seeing more of these bitesize bits of biotech info. I teach a bit of protein structure stuff so the AI-driven antibody design piques my interest a lot.
I really like these short digestible articles that keep the content flowing!