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Table of contents
How the market performed this week
Licenses / Partnerships
Clinical trials
Financing
RIF
Disease of the week
What I’ve read this week
Paid Content Section
Upcoming Catalysts Next Week
Reminders
Biotech Valuation
Most Shorted Biotech Stock as of This Week
Market
Notes from analysts
Venture Capital Market
M&A
How the market performed this week
ETFs
Gene Therapy
RNA Therapy
Big Pharma
Gainers / Decliners this week in biotech
News of the week
Licenses/Partnerships
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Symbol: RYTM
Event Phase: II
Drug: LB54640
Indication: Obesity
Lead Indication: Y
Molecule: Small Molecule
Target: Melanocortin (MC) receptors
LOA: 25%
Partner Companies: LG Chem, Ltd. (051910:KS)
AstraZeneca PLC
Symbol: AZN
Event Phase: II
Drug: MEDI0457
Indication: Head and Neck Cancer
Lead Indication: N
Molecule: Other Nucleic Acid
Target: Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Immune System
LOA: 11%
Partner Companies: Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (INO)
ABVC Biopharma, Inc.
Symbol: ABVC
Event Phase: II
Drug: ABV-1505
Indication: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Lead Indication: N
Molecule: Not Specified
Target: Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline)
LOA: 14%
Partner Companies: AiBtl BioPharma, BioLite, Inc., Hopkin Biomedical Co., Ltd.
Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.
Symbol: ESPR
Event Phase: Approved
Drug: Nexletol
Indication: Dyslipidemia / Hypercholesterolemia
Lead Indication: Y
Molecule: Small Molecule
Target: ATP citrate lyase (ACL)
LOA: 100%
Partner Companies: Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. (4568), Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd. (4578)
Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.
Symbol: ESPR
Event Phase: Approved
Drug: Nexlizet
Indication: Dyslipidemia / Hypercholesterolemia
Lead Indication: Y
Molecule: Small Molecule
Target: Acyl-CoA synthase, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Cholesterol Absorption, Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) protein
LOA: 100%
Partner Companies: Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. (4568), Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd. (4578)
Roche Holding AG
Symbol: RHHBY
Event Phase: Development Outside U.S.
Drug: YL211
Indication: Solid Tumors
Lead Indication: N
Molecule: Monoclonal Antibody
Target: Hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-Met, HGFR)
Partner Companies: Suzhou Medilink Therapeutics Ltd.
Clinical trials (LOA=likelihood of approval)
GSK plc
Symbol: GSK
Event Phase: Development Outside U.S.
Drug: CV-0601
Indication: COVID-19 Prevention
Lead Indication: N
Molecule: Monoclonal Antibody
Target: SARS-CoV-2
LOA: Not specified
Partner Companies: CureVac NV (CVAC)
GSK plc
Symbol: GSK
Event Phase: Development Outside U.S.
Drug: CV-0701
Indication: COVID-19 Prevention
Lead Indication: N
Molecule: Monoclonal Antibody
Target: SARS-CoV-2
LOA: Not specified
Partner Companies: CureVac NV (CVAC)
Soligenix, Inc.
Symbol: SNGX
Event Phase: II
Drug: SGX302
Indication: Psoriasis
Lead Indication: N
Molecule: Small Molecule
Target: Reactive Oxygen Species/Free Radicals
LOA: 19%
Source Link: PR Newswire
Applied Therapeutics Inc.
Symbol: APLT
Event Phase: III
Drug: AT-001
Indication: Cardiomyopathy - Diabetic
Lead Indication: Y
Molecule: Small Molecule
Target: Aldose Reductase
LOA: 44%
Source Link: Globe Newswire
InflaRx N.V.
Symbol: IFRX
Event Phase: I
Drug: INF904
Indication: Inflammatory Disorders
Lead Indication: N
Molecule: Small Molecule
Target: C5a Receptor, Complement component 5 (C5), Complement Pathway
LOA: 11%
Source Link: Globe Newswire
GlycoMimetics, Inc.
Symbol: GLYC
Event Phase: I
Drug: GMI-1687
Indication: Sickle Cell Anemia
Lead Indication: N
Molecule: Small Molecule
Target: Selectins
LOA: 24%
Partner Companies: Apollomics, Inc. (APLM)
Bayer AG
Symbol: BAYN
Event Phase: I
Drug: AB-1005
Indication: Parkinson's Disease (PD)
Lead Indication: N
Molecule: Viral Gene Therapy
Target: Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF)
LOA: 6%
Source Link: Bayer
Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A.
Symbol: NWRN
Event Phase: III
Drug: Evenamide
Indication: Schizophrenia
Lead Indication: Y
Molecule: Small Molecule
Target: Sodium Channels
LOA: 50%
Source Link: Newron
Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Symbol: FUSN
Event Phase: I
Drug: FPI-1434
Indication: Solid Tumors
Lead Indication: Y
Molecule: Monoclonal Antibody
Target: IGF-1R (Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Receptor)
LOA: 5%
Source Link: PR Newswire
Biophytis SA
Symbol: ALBPS
Event Phase: III
Drug: Sarconeos
Indication: COVID-19 Treatment
Lead Indication: N
Molecule: Small Molecule
Target: MAS G-protein coupled receptor
LOA: 59%
Source Link: Biophytis
Keros Therapeutics
Symbol: KROS
Event Phase: Preclinical
Drug: KER-034
Indication: Obesity
Lead Indication: N
Molecule: Small Molecule
Target: Activin A, Myostatin/GDF-8
Source Link: Globe Newswire
Alvotech
Symbol: ALVO
Event Phase: Development Outside U.S.
Drug: AVT-06
Indication: Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Wet AMD) (Ophthalmology)
Lead Indication: Y
Molecule: Protein
Target: Placental growth factor (PlGF), VEGF (Vascular endothelial growth factor)
Partner Companies: Cipla Limited (CIPLA), Fuji Pharma Co. Ltd. (4554), Kamada Ltd. (KMDA), Polifarma Ilac Sanayi VE Ticaret AS, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA), Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group, YAS Holding
Alkermes plc
Symbol: ALKS
Event Phase: Approved
Drug: Lybalvi
Indication: Schizophrenia
Lead Indication: N
Molecule: Small Molecule
Target: Alpha 1 Adrenergic Receptor, Dopamine 1 (D1) Receptor, Dopamine 2 (D2) Receptor, Dopamine 4 (D4) Receptor, Histamine H1 Receptor (HRH1), Opioid receptors, Serotonin 5-HT2A receptor, Serotonin 5-HT2C receptor
LOA: 100%
Source Link: PR Newswire
Dyne Therapeutics
Symbol: DYN
Event Phase: Preclinical
Drug: DYNE-101
Indication: Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy
Lead Indication: Y
Molecule: Antisense
Target: Myotonic dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK) gene
Dyne Therapeutics
Symbol: DYN
Event Phase: II
Drug: DYNE-251
Indication: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)
Lead Indication: Y
Molecule: Antisense
Target: Dystrophin gene (DMD)
LOA: 25%
Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Symbol: AGIO
Event Phase: III
Drug: Pyrukynd
Indication: Thalassemia
Lead Indication: N
Molecule: Small Molecule
Target: Pyruvate kinase (PK)
LOA: 82%
Keros Therapeutics
Symbol: KROS
Event Phase: I
Drug: KER-065
Indication: Obesity
Lead Indication: N
Molecule: Protein
Target: Activin A, Myostatin/GDF-8, Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-beta) and Superfamily
LOA: 15%
Salarius Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Symbol: SLRX
Event Phase: II
Drug: Seclidemstat
Indication: Ewing Sarcoma
Lead Indication: Y
Molecule: Small Molecule
Target: Lysine-specific demethylase-1 (LSD1)/KDM1A
LOA: 11%
Partner Companies: HLB LifeScience Co., Ltd. (067630)
Longboard Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Symbol: LBPH
Event Phase: II
Drug: LP352
Indication: Seizure Disorders (Epilepsy)
Lead Indication: Y
Molecule: Protein
Target: Serotonin 5-HT2C receptor
LOA: 14%
Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Symbol: AVXL
Event Phase: III
Drug: Blarcamesine
Indication: Rett Syndrome
Lead Indication: N
Molecule: Small Molecule
Target: Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, NMDA Glutamate Receptor, Sigma-1 Receptor, Sodium Channels
LOA: 57%
atai Life Sciences BV
Symbol: ATAI
Event Phase: Development Outside U.S.
Drug: EMP-01
Indication: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Lead Indication: Y
Molecule: Small Molecule
Target: Trace Amine Associated Receptor 1 (TAAR1)
Windtree Therapeutics, Inc.
Symbol: WINT
Event Phase: II
Drug: Istaroxime
Indication: Acute Decompensated Heart Failure - Reduced Ejection Fraction (Acute HFrEF)
Lead Indication: Y
Molecule: Steroid
Target: Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA)
LOA: 10%
Partner Companies: Alfasigma S.p.A., Debiopharm S.A., Lee's Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited (950:HK)
Windtree Therapeutics, Inc.
Symbol: WINT
Event Phase: Preclinical
Drug: CVie-216
Indication: Acute Decompensated Heart Failure - Reduced Ejection Fraction (Acute HFrEF)
Lead Indication: Y
Molecule: Small Molecule
Target: Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA)
Financing events
Company: Beckley Psytech
Description: Developer of a drug pipeline intended to treat mental health and central nervous system disorders. Focus on developing psychedelic medicines for innovative and differentiated treatment options.
Verticals: Life Sciences
Deal Date: 04-janv-2024
Deal Type: Later Stage VC
Deal Size: $50.00 million
Investors: ATAI Life Sciences (NAS: ATAI), Florian Brand
Deal Synopsis: Beckley Psytech raised $50 million of venture funding from ATAI Life Sciences on January 4, 2024. The funds will be used to accelerate the development of clinical-stage psychedelic candidates, BPL-003 and ELE-101.
Company: Ceretype
Description: Developer of brain imaging technology revolutionizing neuropsychiatric healthcare. Technology improves drug discovery and patient care by sub-typing and classifying the human brain on a neurobiological level.
Verticals: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, HealthTech, Life Sciences, LOHAS & Wellness
Deal Date: 04-janv-2024
Deal Type: Seed Round
Investors: Cedar Street Group (Paul Francis), Leafy Tunnel, One Mind
Deal Synopsis: Ceretype raised an undisclosed amount of seed funding led by Cedar Street Group on January 4, 2024. The funds will accelerate the mission to make targeted biomarkers accessible in psychiatric and neurological disease.
Company: CRISPRQC
Description: Operator of an analytics platform simulating gene editing process before introduction to cells. Provides key information for quality control in CRISPR gene editing, enhancing editing efficiency and outcomes.
Verticals: Life Sciences, SaaS
Deal Date: 04-janv-2024
Deal Type: Early Stage VC
Investors: Xcellerant Ventures
Deal Synopsis: CRISPRQC raised an undisclosed amount of Series A venture funding from Xcellerant Ventures on January 4, 2024, for further developments in the company.
Company: HI-Bio
Description: Developer of precision medicines for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Specializes in discovering and developing transformative biotechnology-based therapies.
Verticals: Life Sciences
Deal Date: 04-janv-2024
Deal Type: Early Stage VC
Deal Size: $95.00 million
Investors: Alpha Wave Global (Chris Dimitropoulos), ARCH Venture Partners, Arkin Holdings, Jeito, Viking Global Investors
Deal Synopsis: HI-Bio raised $95 million of Series B venture funding led by Alpha Wave Global on January 4, 2024. Funds will be used for clinical development and advancing discovery-stage programs.
Company: Moonwalk Biosciences
Description: Operator of a genomic medicine company offering precision epigenetic medicines. Develops a profiling and engineering technology platform using AI for a complete view of the epigenome in health and disease.
Verticals: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Life Sciences
Deal Date: 04-janv-2024
Deal Type: Early Stage VC
Deal Size: $57.00 million
Investors: Alpha Wave Global (Rick Gerson), ARCH Venture Partners (Robert Nelsen), Future Ventures (San Francisco), GV, Khosla Ventures, YK Bioventures
Deal Synopsis: Moonwalk Biosciences raised $57 million of Series A venture funding led by Alpha Wave Global on January 4, 2024. Funds will be used for advancing the company's epigenetic profiling and engineering technology platform.
Company: OnCusp Therapeutics
Description: Developer of innovative oncology therapies focusing on translating preclinical drug candidates to clinical proof-of-concept and advancing them into global early clinical development.
Verticals: HealthTech, Life Sciences, Oncology
Deal Date: 04-janv-2024
Deal Type: Early Stage VC
Deal Size: $100.00 million
Investors: BioTrack Capital (Jiacong Guo), Blackbird BioVentures, Catalio Capital Management, CJNV BioVentures, F-Prime Capital (Chong Xu), Forge Life Science Partners, Marshall Wace, Novo Holdings (Karen Hong), OrbiMed, Sofinnova Investments
Deal Synopsis: OnCusp Therapeutics raised $100 million of Series A venture funding led by OrbiMed, F-Prime Capital, and Novo Holdings on January 4, 2024. Funds will be used to advance a portfolio of assets for cancer patients.
Company: Carcinotech
Description: Operator of a medical technology company offering effective cancer treatments. Provides a platform for rapid, ethical, and accurate drug discovery, screening, and pre-clinical testing.
Verticals: 3D Printing, HealthTech, Life Sciences, Oncology
Deal Date: 03-janv-2024
Deal Type: Later Stage VC
Deal Size: $508,454
Investors: Undisclosed
Deal Synopsis: Carcinotech raised $508,454 of venture funding from undisclosed investors on January 3, 2024.
Company: Centrient Pharmaceuticals
Description: Manufacturer of sustainable antibiotics, next-generation statins, and antifungals based in Rijswijk, Netherlands. Engaged in the production and commercialization of sustainable antibiotics.
Verticals: Life Sciences, Manufacturing
Deal Date: 03-janv-2024
Deal Type: Merger/Acquisition
Deal Size: EUR 1,092.93 million
Deal Synopsis: Rumored talks for a potential acquisition for EUR 1 billion on January 3, 2024.
Company: Dignify Therapeutics
Description: Developer of novel drug therapies to restore voluntary control of excretory function to neurologically impaired people.
Verticals: Life Sciences
Deal Date: 03-janv-2024
Deal Type: Seed Round
Deal Size: $3.00 million
Investors: Undisclosed
Deal Synopsis: Dignify Therapeutics raised $3 million of seed funding from undisclosed investors on January 3, 2024.
Company: ENYO Pharma
Description: Developer of a clinical-stage biotechnology platform to develop innovative drug candidates by mimicking virus strategies. Develops new small molecule therapeutics.
Verticals: HealthTech, Life Sciences, Oncology
Deal Date: 03-janv-2024
Deal Type: Later Stage VC
Deal Size: EUR 42.62 million
Investors: Andera Partners, Bpifrance (Laurent Arthaud), Morningside Group (Jason Dinges), OrbiMed (Iain Dukes)
Deal Synopsis: ENYO Pharma raised EUR 39 million of Series C venture funding led by OrbiMed and Morningside Group on January 3, 2024. Funds will be used to support clinical studies and profiling of drug candidates.
Company: Fortress Biotech (NAS: FBIO)
Description: Biopharmaceutical company involved in acquiring, developing, and commercializing pharmaceutical and biotechnology products.
Verticals: Life Sciences, Oncology
Deal Date: 03-janv-2024
Deal Type: Public Investment 2nd Offering
Deal Size: $11.00 million
Deal Synopsis: Fortress Biotech raised $11 million in its second public offering on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange on January 3, 2024.
Company: InVivo Biosystems
Description: Developer of a genome editing platform to accelerate insights into human biology. Creates custom genome-edited C. elegans and zebrafish models for aging, developmental, and disease studies.
Verticals: Life Sciences
Deal Date: 03-janv-2024
Deal Type: Later Stage VC
Deal Size: $3.00 million
Investors: Rogue Venture Partners, Oregon Nano and Microtechnology Institute (ONAMI), Portland Seed Fund
Deal Synopsis: InVivo Biosystems raised $3 million of venture funding led by Rogue Venture Partners on January 3, 2024. Funds will be used to accelerate CRISPR and MedTech innovation.
Company: Keros Therapeutics (NAS: KROS)
Description: Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel treatments for hematological, pulmonary, and cardiovascular disorders.
Verticals: Life Sciences
Deal Date: 03-janv-2024
Deal Type: Public Investment 2nd Offering
Deal Size: $140.00 million
Deal Synopsis: Keros Therapeutics completed a public investment second offering on January 3, 2024.
Company: Midoribio
Description: Supplier and distributor of green biodegradable plastic additive based in Toronto, Canada. Offers biosolutions additive compliant with various regulations.
Verticals: CleanTech, Life Sciences, LOHAS & Wellness
Deal Date: 03-janv-2024
Deal Type: IPO
Deal Size: $15.47 million
Deal Synopsis: Midoribio filed to go public on the Nasdaq stock exchange on March 13, 2023. The offering was withdrawn on January 3, 2024.
Company: Nalu
Description: Developer of neuro-stimulation devices for mitigating chronic pain. Battery-free, micro-implantable pulse generator devices based on neuromodulation.
Verticals: HealthTech, Life Sciences
Deal Date: 03-janv-2024
Deal Type: Later Stage VC
Deal Size: $65.00 million
Investors: Novo Holdings (Eric Snyder), MVM Partners (Hugo Harrod), Gilde Healthcare (Geoff Pardo), and others
Deal Synopsis: Nalu raised $65 million of Series E venture funding led by Novo Holdings on January 3, 2024. Funds will be used to accelerate growth, expand evidence, continue product development, and scale operations.
Company: Perosphere Technologies
Description: Operator of a medical technologies company focusing on coagulation diagnostics and medical device-based drug delivery systems.
Verticals: Life Sciences
Deal Date: 03-janv-2024
Deal Type: Seed Round
Deal Size: $7.46 million
Investors: Undisclosed
Deal Synopsis: Perosphere Technologies raised $7.46 million of seed funding from undisclosed investors on January 3, 2024.
Company: PranaX
Description: Developer of exosome-based natural supplements and wellness products. Products aim to activate the body's natural cellular regeneration processes.
Verticals: Life Sciences, LOHAS & Wellness
Deal Date: 03-janv-2024
Deal Type: Early Stage VC
Deal Size: $10.00 million
Investors: Undisclosed
Deal Synopsis: PranaX raised $10 million of venture funding from undisclosed investors on January 3, 2024.
Company: Remix Therapeutics
Description: Operator of a biotechnology company developing small molecule therapies to reprogram RNA processing and treat disease in new ways.
Verticals: Life Sciences
Deal Date: 03-janv-2024
Deal Type: Later Stage VC
Deal Size: $60.00 million
Investors: The Column Group, Alexandria Venture Investments, ARCH Venture Partners, and others
Deal Synopsis: Remix Therapeutics raised $60 million of venture funding led by The Column Group on January 3, 2024. Funds will be used to support clinical development of the lead program and advance RNA processing targeted therapeutics.
Company: Vasa Therapeutics
Description: Operator of a biopharmaceutical company for the development of therapies for vascular disease. Engages in the discovery and development of therapeutics for heart failure, peripheral artery disease, sarcopenia, and other vascular diseases.
Verticals: Life Sciences
Deal Date: 03-janv-2024
Deal Type: Seed Round
Deal Size: $6.00 million
Investors: Orphinic Scientific (Jarosław Leszczyszyn), SeedFolio, NuFund, and others
Deal Synopsis: Vasa Therapeutics raised $6 million of seed funding led by Orphinic Scientific on January 3, 2024.
Company: Apollo Therapeutics
Description: Operator of a biopharmaceutical company focusing on translating fundamental medical research into medicines. Develops pre-clinical and clinical-stage assets in oncology, major inflammatory disorders, and rare diseases.
Verticals: HealthTech, Life Sciences, Oncology
Deal Date: 02-janv-2024
Deal Type: Later Stage VC
Deal Size: $260.00 million
Investors: Patient Square Capital (Laura Furmanski), Rock Springs Capital, M&G (LON: MNG), and others
Deal Synopsis: Apollo Therapeutics raised $260 million of Series C venture funding led by Patient Square Capital on January 2, 2024. Funds will be used for advanced pipeline programs, clinical development, and drug discovery activities.
Company: CG Oncology (NAS: CGON)
Description: Operator of a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical agency developing oncolytic immunotherapy for patients with advanced cancer.
Verticals: Life Sciences, Oncology
Deal Date: 02-janv-2024
Deal Type: IPO
Deal Synopsis: CG Oncology filed to go public on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol CGON on January 2, 2024.
Company: Galapagos (Jyseleca Business)
Description: Provider of medicines for the healthcare industry, offering arthritis medicine, oncology drugs, and immunity medicines.
Verticals: Life Sciences
Deal Date: January 2, 2024
Deal Type: Merger/Acquisition
Investors: Alfasigma (Francesco Balestrieri)
Deal Synopsis: Alfasigma reached a definitive agreement to acquire the Jyseleca Business of Galapagos (NAS: GLPG) on January 2, 2023. This acquisition contributes to the growth of Alfasigma.
Company: ImmunityBio (NAS: IBRX)
Description: Late-clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing next-generation therapies for defeating cancers and infectious diseases.
Verticals: Life Sciences, Oncology
Deal Date: January 2, 2024
Deal Type: PIPE (Private Investment in Public Equity)
Deal Size: $200 million
Investors: Oberland Capital
Deal Synopsis: In talks to receive $200 million of development capital through a private placement. The additional capital aims to accelerate commercialization efforts, expand the pipeline, and fund ongoing operations and clinical trials.
Company: Verona Pharma (NAS: VRNA)
Description: Operator of a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on improving the health and quality of life for people with chronic respiratory diseases.
Verticals: Life Sciences
Deal Date: January 2, 2024
Deal Type: Debt Refinancing
Deal Size: $400 million
Deal Synopsis: Completed a $400 million debt refinancing round to support the growth and assist with the commercial launch of the drug candidate ensifentrine for treating COPD.
Company: Acousia Therapeutics
Description: Developer of regenerative drugs designed to treat acute forms of hearing loss.
Verticals: Life Sciences
Deal Date: January 1, 2024
Deal Type: Later Stage VC
Investors: Esperante Ventures
Deal Synopsis: Raised an undisclosed amount of venture funding from Esperante Ventures in approximately January 2024.
Company: Minicircle
Description: Developer of a human genetic therapy aiming to facilitate life extension capabilities using DNA minicircles.
Verticals: HealthTech, Life Sciences
Deal Date: January 1, 2024
Deal Type: Later Stage VC
Investors: Calm Ventures
Deal Synopsis: Raised an undisclosed amount of venture funding from Calm Ventures in approximately January 2024.
Company: Reconnect Foundation
Description: Developer of regenerative therapeutics addressing affective disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, chronic pain, and insomnia.
Verticals: Life Sciences
Deal Date: January 1, 2024
Deal Type: Later Stage VC
Investors: Esperante Ventures
Deal Synopsis: Raised an undisclosed amount of venture funding from Esperante Ventures in approximately January 2024.
Company: RhizeBio
Description: Provider of soil testing services for improved farm productivity, utilizing metagenomic sequencing and bioinformatic AI.
Verticals: Life Sciences
Deal Date: January 1, 2024
Deal Type: Early Stage VC
Investors: Crescent Ridge
Deal Synopsis: Raised an undisclosed amount of venture funding from Crescent Ridge in approximately January 2024.
Reduction in force (RIF)
January 4 - Pfizer: The Big Pharma's vaccine R&D site in Pearl River, NY is expecting to lay off 285 employees starting in February, according to a New York WARN notice. The spot is one of Pfizer’s nine major R&D sites and currently employs 1,012 workers. The layoff wave is set to conclude by March 25. Release
AlloVir lays off 95% of staffers after shuttering PhIII antiviral cell therapy trials release
Disease of the week
Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body. TB is an airborne disease, meaning it spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing tiny droplets containing the bacteria.
Here are key aspects of tuberculosis:
Causes and Transmission:
TB is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
It spreads through the air, and individuals can become infected by inhaling the bacteria.
Symptoms:
Common symptoms include coughing, often with sputum (phlegm) production, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Other symptoms may include fatigue, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss.
Latent TB vs. Active TB:
Latent TB infection occurs when a person has the TB bacteria in their body but does not exhibit symptoms. However, they may develop active TB later.
Active TB disease involves symptoms and can be contagious. It requires prompt medical treatment.
Diagnosis:
Tuberculosis is diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, chest X-rays, and laboratory tests (such as sputum cultures).
Treatment:
TB is treatable with a combination of antibiotics, usually taken for several months. It's crucial to complete the entire course of medication to ensure the bacteria are fully eliminated.
Drug-Resistant TB:
In some cases, TB bacteria may develop resistance to the drugs used for treatment, leading to drug-resistant TB. This makes treatment more challenging and lengthy.
Prevention:
Prevention involves identifying and treating active cases promptly to prevent the spread of the disease.
BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine is available in some countries and can provide partial protection against severe forms of TB in children.
Global Impact:
Tuberculosis is a major global health concern, with a significant impact on public health.
Efforts to control and eliminate TB include widespread testing, treatment programs, and vaccination campaigns.
Risk Factors:
Factors that increase the risk of TB include weakened immune systems (e.g., HIV/AIDS), close contact with someone who has active TB, and living in crowded or unsanitary conditions.
Public Health Measures:
Public health measures include contact tracing, isolation of active cases, and health education to promote awareness and prevention.
What I’ve read this week
*Click on the pic to read*
