Feb 4, 2021 11:05am Scientists at Moffitt Cancer Center showed that immune dysregulation can affect the efficacy of Gilead s CAR-T therapy Yescarta in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. (Moffitt Cancer Center)
CAR-T therapy, which involves modifying a patient’s own T cells to better recognize and destroy cancer cells, offers a valuable treatment option for some people with blood cancers. But it doesn’t work for every patient.
In a new study published in the journal Blood, scientists at Moffitt Cancer Center showed immune dysregulation might be to blame for lackluster responses to Gilead Sciences’ CAR-T therapy Yescarta among patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
Catamaran Bio CEO Alvin Shih, M.D. (Catamaran Bio)
Catamaran Bio has named Alvin Shih, M.D., as CEO. Shih arrives at the allogeneic CAR-NK cell specialist fresh from leading Disarm Therapeutics to a takeover by Eli Lilly.
Massachusetts-based Catamaran is one of a clutch of companies trying to harness the attractive elements of natural killer (NK) cells, such as their off-the-shelf potential and ability to penetrate solid tumors, to create engineered cell therapies that improve on existing CAR-Ts. Catamaran broke cover with a $42 million series A last year and has now hired a CEO to oversee the use of the money.
Tim Haines, chairman and managing partner at Abingworth (Abingworth)
Abingworth has raised a $465 million life sciences fund, positioning it to build on earlier investments in biotechs including Alnylam and CRISPR Therapeutics. The transatlantic fund will follow a similar playbook to its seven predecessors, with slight tweaks such as a greater interest in vaccines and CNS diseases.
London-based Abingworth will use the money to support biotechs across multiple stages, from seed funding for startups it is helping to build through to clinical co-development opportunities with more established organizations. Abingworth took a similarly broad approach across earlier funds. In other ways, Abingworth is making small adaptations to its investment strategy in light of the pandemic and other changes since it raised its seventh, $315 million Bioventures fund in 2018.
Feb 3, 2021 10:00am BD s new diagnostic evaluates the status of a person’s immune system by gauging the amounts of specific types of white blood cells. (Getty Images)
BD has launched a new COVID-19 blood test in Europe that can help hospitals identify incoming patients that may be more likely to require intensive care with a ventilator and carry a higher risk of death from the disease.
The diagnostic evaluates the status of the person’s immune system by gauging the amounts of specific types of white blood cells.
The test kit “may help clinicians better determine an appropriate course of action for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, which is a top priority for this population,” said Puneet Sarin, worldwide president of BD Biosciences, and that the diagnostic can also help preserve medical resources.