Bits In Bio Weekly - September 24th 2024
Updates From and Around the Bits in Bio Community
📢 Highlights
Genentech open sources gReLU for AI-enabled DNA Sequence Analysis
Novo Nordisk launches "Golden Ticket Program” to support biotech startups
COVID-19 mRNA vaccines appear to enhance cancer Immunotherapies
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gReLU: A Comprehensive Framework for DNA Sequence Modeling and Design
Scientists at SF-based Genentech have introduced gReLU, a comprehensive deep learning framework coded in Python aimed at streamlining DNA sequence modeling for biomedical research use cases and applications. Available on GitHub, the new package is provided as a unified toolkit for each steps of DNA sequence modeling: data processing, model training, evaluation, interpretation, variant effect prediction, and ML-guided DNA design. It also provides a "model zoo" with pre-trained models that can be fine-tuned by a user's unique data. The framework aims to bridge the gap between diverse models and software, enhancing interoperability in DNA sequence modeling. One example of its utility is in modeling chromatin accessibility and predicting non-coding variant effects, such as enhancers and promoters. The team hopes to iterate and improve the tool by adding masked language models, additional sequence design algorithms and efficient training on larger multi-species datasets.
Flagship Pioneering's Generate Biomedicine Announces $1B Novartis Collaboration
Boston based Generate Biomedicines has teamed up with Novartis in a multi-target collaboration for using AI to design a variety of novel protein therapies as well as enzymes and cell therapies.. The partnership could result in milestone payments exceeding $1 billion with $65 million upfront. Founded by Flagship in 2018, Generate is no stranger to large deals - booking over $600M in financing in its last two raises, and inking an agreement worth up to $1.9 billion biobucks in 2022 with Amgen to develop five initial programs.
Insilico’s AI Drug for IPF Shows Promising Phase IIa Results
One of the founding ventures in bio AI, Insilico Medicine has reported positive Phase IIa results for ISM001-055, an AI-designed TNIK inhibitor aimed at treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The drug demonstrated safety and dose-dependent improvements in lung function, marking a significant milestone for AI-driven drug discovery. The study represents a step forward in using AI to design drugs for complex diseases like IPF, where effective treatments have been limited. With these promising results, ISM001-055 is being touted as potentially the first AI-discovered drug to enter late-stage clinical development for IPF.
Broad's LEGO Enables Modified Messenger RNAs with Enhanced Function
The Broad Institute has introduced a new mRNA framework known as Ligation-Enhanced GOod mRNA or LEGO, to unlock new treatments for a wide array of diseases by engineering multiple "caps" and "tails" on mRNA molecules—key regions that regulate how long the mRNA lasts and how efficiently it produces proteins. This could mean more effective vaccines, fewer side effects, better treatments for conditions like diabetes or anemia, and even improved COVID-19 vaccine responses. Leveraging chemotopological engineering, where multiple caps create a synergistic effect, the LEGO framework has the potential to fine-tune mRNA therapies for various medical applications. It has already shown promise in mice, enhancing SARS-CoV-2 vaccine efficacy.
George Church’s GCTx Raises $75M for Advanced Cell Therapy
GC Therapeutics (GCTx), a startup originating from George Church’s lab, has raised $75 million to accelerate its cell therapy platform, TFome, which dramatically shortens the time needed to produce induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The company’s innovative approach could cut the time for developing iPSCs by up to 100 times, offering significant advantages for disease treatments. With $65 million from a recent Series A, GCTx aims to revolutionize regenerative medicine and cell-based therapies. The platform is expected to "transform cell therapy pipelines for a wide range of diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders."
Do COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines Boost Cancer Immunotherapy?
In a surprising development, a study presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) annual meeting indicates that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines may enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies, particularly checkpoint inhibitors such as the well known biologic, Keytruda. The research suggests that these vaccines can boost the immune system’s response against tumors by activating a stronger immune reaction. Moderna and Pfizer, key players in mRNA technology, may find these findings relevant, though the exact mechanisms remain unclear and require further investigation. This discovery opens new possibilities for combining mRNA vaccines with existing cancer treatments, though more clinical trials are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy.
Nomic Bio Raises $42M to Expand Protein Profiling Platform
Montreal-based Nomic Bio has secured $42 million in Series B funding to scale its nELISA protein profiling platform. This oversubscribed round will accelerate the company’s commercial operations and meet the growing demand from biotech and pharma companies for high-throughput proteomics. Nomic’s platform enables researchers to measure thousands of proteins in parallel, improving drug discovery and development workflows. The technology offers a new level of precision in protein interaction data, a crucial aspect for modern drug discovery.
Leadership Crisis Hits 23andMe as 7 Board Members Resign
Following a steep decline in public equity value and a failed bid by CEO Anne Wojcicki to take the company private, all seven independent board members of 23andMe have resigned. This mass resignation marks a major governance crisis for the direct-to-consumer genetic testing pioneer, which has faced mounting challenges due to falling demand for its services and increased competition. Despite 23andMe’s early role in revolutionizing personalized genetics, its stock price has plummeted by over 90% since going public through a SPAC. The company now faces an uncertain future, as it grapples with a strategy to recover from its downward trajectory.
AI-Powered Portal for Cancer Clinical Trial Access by Massive Bio
Massive Bio has launched the "Patient Connect" platform, an AI-powered portal that matches cancer patients to clinical trials tailored to their medical profiles. The tool enhances access to cutting-edge cancer therapies by identifying eligible trials, offering concierge services, and connecting patients with a clinical support network. This initiative addresses a crucial gap in cancer treatment by improving patient recruitment for clinical trials, which often face challenges in finding suitable participants. Massive Bio’s AI solution "helps eliminate the barriers to clinical trial enrollment, making life-saving therapies more accessible to cancer patients globally."
Novo Nordisk Supports Early Biotech Innovation with "Golden Ticket"
Pioneer Group and Novo Nordisk have teamed up to launch the Golden Ticket Programme, offering early-stage biotech companies 12 months of rent-free lab space, access to Pioneer’s venture programs, and expert mentoring from Novo Nordisk. This initiative aims to support breakthrough research in cardiometabolic health, diabetes, and rare diseases by fostering collaboration between industry experts and emerging biotech startups. With the application deadline set for November 15, 2024, the program is designed to propel early-stage innovations forward. The Golden Ticket winners will also gain "access to global R&D opportunities through Novo Nordisk’s extensive research network."
Constructive Bio Raises $58M to Advance Synthetic Biology
The UK-based biotech, Constructive Bio, has secured $58 million in funding to enhance its synthetic biology platform, which focuses on rewriting genomes and engineering cell systems for new molecules. This funding round, led by Blue Horizon, supports the development of programmable biomolecules for a range of industries, including pharmaceuticals and agriculture. The company's board has gained significant expertise with the addition of Nobel laureate Venki Ramakrishnan. Constructive Bio’s platform has the potential to revolutionize the way we manufacture complex molecules across different sectors.
WhiteLab to Collaborate With Debiopharma for AI-Enhanced Cancer Drug Delivery
Debiopharm has partnered with WhiteLab Genomics to leverage AI in optimizing lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery for oncology treatments. By identifying cancer-specific receptors and binding agents, the collaboration aims to improve the targeting and effectiveness of cancer therapies. This partnership will enable more precise drug delivery, increasing treatment specificity and reducing side effects. WhiteLab’s AI-driven platform will "help identify new biomarkers for enhancing the precision of cancer drug delivery."
BRD4 Inhibitor from DeepCure Shows Preclinical Efficacy for MAS
DeepCure will present promising preclinical data on its BRD4 (BD2) inhibitor, DC-9476, at the EMBO 2024 Conference. The drug demonstrated significant efficacy in treating macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), outperforming standard glucocorticoid therapy in preclinical models. DC-9476 works by directly inhibiting macrophage activation, a crucial driver of MAS, which has limited treatment options. The preclinical results highlight the potential for DC-9476 to address unmet medical needs in inflammatory diseases like MAS, which is currently bereft of effective and available therapeutics interventions.
Variational AI and Rakovina Therapeutics Parts for AI-enabled Cancer Drug Discovery
Rakovina Therapeutics has announced a collaboration with Variational AI to develop small-molecule therapies targeting DNA-damage response (DDR) kinases. Using Variational AI’s Enki™ platform, the partnership will focus on identifying drug candidates for cancer treatments that address DDR-related mechanisms. The collaboration is set to accelerate the drug discovery process, providing new therapeutic options for difficult-to-treat cancers. The Enki™ platform "has shown promise in identifying molecules with superior drug-like properties for oncology applications."
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Highlights say Novartis is golden ticket but lower that is Novo Nordisk