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< Back World Health Summit 11th - 13th October, 2026 Berlin, Germany From Crisis to Resilience: Innovating for Health. ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. Previous Next

£2.7 million will be allocated to six smart insulin projects to help fund research into the potentially revolutionary therapy area. < Back New Funding for Smart Insulin Projects £2.7 million will be allocated to six smart insulin projects to help fund research into the potentially revolutionary therapy area. Smart insulin, or glucose-responsive insulin (GRI) could potentially revolutionize the management of both Type 1 and insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes. Unlike traditional insulins that require multiple daily injections and precise management, smart insulin is designed to respond automatically to fluctuating blood glucose levels, offering a more streamlined and safer treatment option. It was announced on Monday that the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge (a partnership consisting of Diabetes UK , the Steve Morgan Foundation , and JDRF ) has recently announced £2.7 million ($3.4m USD) will be allocated to fund six smart insulin research projects across the US, Australia, and China. The Promise of Smart Insulin One of the most exciting developments in this field is the concept of a "holy grail" insulin that can remain dormant in the body and activate only when needed. This innovation could reduce the frequency of insulin administration to as little as once a week, a significant improvement over the current regimen where patients may need to inject insulin up to 10 times daily. Researchers from institutions in the U.S., Australia, and China have successfully designed these novel insulins, which mimic the body’s natural glucose-regulation mechanisms by activating only when blood sugar levels rise, thereby preventing hyperglycemia, and deactivating when levels fall, preventing hypoglycemia. This responsive mechanism is typically achieved through the incorporation of glucose-sensing molecules within the insulin formulation. These molecules trigger the release or activation of insulin only when glucose levels exceed a certain threshold, thereby mimicking the natural pancreatic response. Several approaches have been explored in the development of smart insulin, including: Polymer-Based Systems : These systems use glucose-sensitive polymers that swell or shrink in response to glucose levels, controlling the release of insulin. Enzyme-Linked Insulin : In this approach, insulin is linked to enzymes that are sensitive to glucose. When glucose levels are high, the enzyme facilitates the release of insulin. Nanoparticle Carriers : Insulin is encapsulated in nanoparticles that release their payload in response to glucose-triggered changes in the environment. Recent Advances and Research Significant progress has been made in developing different forms of smart insulin. For example, researchers at UCLA, University of North Carolina, and MIT are working on a smart insulin patch that uses micro-needles to detect high glucose levels and administer insulin as needed. Another approach, being developed at the University of Birmingham, involves a smart insulin capsule that releases insulin when blood sugar levels are high. Additionally, the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge has awarded millions in grants to accelerate the development of these technologies. Six major research projects are currently exploring various GRI formulations, including ultrafast, short-acting insulins and combined hormone therapies that incorporate both insulin and glucagon to maintain stable blood glucose levels. Challenges and Future Prospects Despite the promising potential of smart insulin, the technology is still in its early stages. Many smart insulin projects are undergoing animal testing, with human trials not expected for several years. The first generation of smart insulin drugs is anticipated to help with meal-related glucose spikes, though patients may still require basal insulin and regular glucose monitoring. Looking ahead, the ultimate goal is to develop an "ideal" smart insulin that requires only a single daily injection, eliminates the need for other insulins, and drastically reduces the frequency of blood glucose monitoring and hypoglycemic events. Achieving these outcomes would represent a paradigm shift in diabetes care, significantly improving the quality of life for millions of people. Author BioFocus Newsroom Previous Next

BCC Research’s findings underscore a decisive moment for women’s health therapeutics, a sector finally gaining the investment, innovation, and strategic focus it should. < Back Women’s Health Therapeutics Market Enters Transformative Growth Phase BCC Research’s findings underscore a decisive moment for women’s health therapeutics, a sector finally gaining the investment, innovation, and strategic focus it should. The women’s health therapeutics market is poised for a major evolution, driven by a convergence of scientific innovation, policy support, and a growing demand for personalized care. According to a new report from BCC Research, the global market is expected to climb from $61.5 billion in 2024 to $81.2 billion by 2029, growing at a 5.7% CAGR as stakeholders reshape the landscape of gender-specific medicine. This growth reflects a dramatic shift in both perception and prioritization. Once considered a niche or underserved area (although arguably still far too-often considered as such), women’s health is now emerging as a key battleground for pharmaceutical innovation, with industry giants like Pfizer, Eli Lilly, and Roche ramping up investment in conditions that predominantly or uniquely affect women—such as breast cancer, menopause, endometriosis, and polycistic ovary syndrome. Progress in this area, albeit too slow, is at now showing signs of ramping up. At the heart of this transformation is a broader industry trend toward personalized therapeutics and biologics . As outlined in the BCC Research report , this pivot is not just technological—it’s strategic. Companies are racing to adapt their pipelines to include hormonal, non-hormonal, and biologic therapies, aiming to improve efficacy while minimizing side effects. The most dominant therapeutic area remains breast cancer, buoyed by rising global incidence and significant progress in monoclonal antibodies and biosimilars. But other segments, notably menopause and postmenopausal osteoporosis, are drawing increased attention. Firms like Novartis and Eli Lilly are actively expanding their late-stage R&D footprints in these areas. Roche, in particular, has fortified its position in the U.S. market with a diversified therapeutic presence spanning multiple women’s health disorders, including the chronically underfunded PCOS and endometriosis. The report’s analysis of emerging technologies (Chapter 4) highlights cutting-edge developments such as gene editing, CRISPR -based treatments, and transdermal delivery platforms as key to unlocking safer, more tailored treatment options. These innovations are enabling the growth of remote and digital care models, sectors forecasted for rapid expansion as healthcare systems embrace decentralization. Digital health is particularly promising in regions with strong tech infrastructure, where remote monitoring and digital therapeutics can fill gaps in access, especially for chronic gynecological conditions that often go underdiagnosed or undertreated. Regional growth anchored by North America, opportunities in Asia-Pacific North America continues to dominate the global women’s health therapeutics market, projected to grow from $28.4 billion in 2024 to $37.4 billion by 2029. This growth is supported by robust R&D capabilities, favorable regulatory pathways, and access to advanced biologics and hormone replacement therapies. Yet the report also points to significant untapped potential in Europe and Asia-Pacific. As these regions modernize healthcare infrastructure and evolve policy frameworks, pharmaceutical companies are presented with new opportunities to expand access and address unmet needs. Despite strong momentum, the report flags persistent challenges, particularly around access and affordability. Regulatory complexity, particularly in low-income countries, continues to delay time-to-market and hinder broader adoption of new therapies. Variations in clinical trial standards and intellectual property protections also complicate global expansion strategies. Moreover, the high cost of biologics and innovative therapies may strain healthcare budgets, reinforcing the need for scalable, cost-effective solutions. ESG and the future of women’s health Importantly, the industry’s growing alignment with environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals is highlighted as a key differentiator. According to Chapter 9 of the report, companies that embed inclusivity in clinical trials, adopt sustainable manufacturing practices, and prioritize equitable access are likely to see stronger investor confidence and long-term market positioning. With women’s health now central to the broader conversation around healthcare equity and innovation, the next five years represent a defining period for pharmaceutical companies. Those able to adapt to new technologies, navigate complex regulatory environments, and align with evolving social expectations are best positioned to lead this high-growth, high-impact sector. Author BioFocus Newsroom Previous Next

German biotech, Ovo Labs, claims breakthrough treatment could nearly halve chromosome errors in eggs, potentially transforming success rates for women over 35. < Back First Human Egg ‘Rejuvenation’ Offers Hope for Older IVF Patients German biotech, Ovo Labs, claims breakthrough treatment could nearly halve chromosome errors in eggs, potentially transforming success rates for women over 35. For women over 35 undergoing IVF, the statistics are sobering: ~35% of all their eggs contain abnormal chromosome numbers (aneuploidy), a primary driver of treatment failure and miscarriage. The figure rises to ~90% at age 44. Research presented in Edinburgh this week at the British Fertility Conference suggests this age-related defect might be reversible, marking what could be the first successful rejuvenation of human eggs. Ovo Labs , a Munich-based biotech startup focused on improving IVF outcomes, has revealed first-time efficacy data showing that microinjections of a single protein, EmbryoProtect 1 (EP1), can significantly reduce chromosome abnormalities in eggs donated by fertility patients. The treatment targets a vulnerability that emerges as eggs age, when the molecular ‘glue’ holding chromosomes together begins to weaken. In a preclinical study involving over 100 eggs from patients aged 22 to 43, admittedly a small sample size for a preclinical trial, the proportion of eggs showing defects dropped from 53% in control samples to 29% in those receiving the protein injection. For women over 35, the improvement was similarly pronounced, though statistical significance was limited by the small sample size of just nine eggs in this age group. Although this data has not been through peer-review yet, these findings are of great importance to IVF for women with repeated problems in IVF. ‘Overall we can nearly halve the number of eggs with [abnormal] chromosomes. That’s a very prominent improvement,’ said Prof Melina Schuh, a director at the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences in Gottingen and co-founder of Ovo Labs. ‘Most women in their early 40s do have eggs, but nearly all of the eggs have incorrect chromosome numbers. This was the motivation for wanting to address this problem.’ The findings are generating cautious optimism among the scientific and fertility community, and, of course, experts are rightly calling for more comprehensive data before drawing firm conclusions. Professor Richard Anderson, Elsie Inglis Professor of Clinical Reproductive Science at the University of Edinburgh, called the results potentially transformative. "Being able to treat eggs to make this process work better would be a huge advance, and is what Ovo Labs are claiming to be able to do," he said, though he cautioned that "the details are rather sketchy" and emphasized the need for confirmatory clinical trials addressing safety issues. The decline in egg quality drives a steep drop in IVF success rates as women age. The problem stems from meiosis, the specialised cell division that occurs in sex cells. But in older eggs, Schuh’s team has discovered , the chromosome pairs begin loosening at their midpoint well before fertilisation. This causes the X-shaped structures to drift chaotically rather than lining up properly, resulting in uneven splits that produce embryos with too many or too few chromosomes - aneuploidy. This leads to failed implantation, miscarriage, or chromosomal disorders like Down syndrome. Schuh and colleagues previously identified that a protein called Shugoshin 1 (SGO1), which appears to function as a molecular glue for chromosome pairs, declines sharply with age. Their latest experiments in both mouse and human eggs suggest that restoring this protein through microinjection can reverse the premature separation problem. Professor Robin Lovell-Badge of the Francis Crick Institute recognised the significance of these early results and, interestingly, was keen to understand why Schuh’s lab focused on SGO1 rather than SGO2 as previous research has indicated that there is a clear link between SGO2 and age-related aneuploidy. Dr Güneş Taylor of the University of Edinburgh, who was not involved in the research, described the findings as "really promising.", noting that "if there's a one-shot injection that substantially increases the number of eggs with properly organised chromosomes, that gives you a better starting point." Ovo Labs was founded in 2025 by Schuh along with co-CEOs Dr Agata Zielinska and Dr Oleksandr Yagensky, and is now working toward clinical trials. The company builds on more than two decades of research from Schuh's laboratory, which has published extensively on egg biology in top-tier journals including Science, Cell, and Nature. Dr Zielinska emphasized the potential impact for patients who currently face repeated IVF cycles with limited prospects for success. "Currently, when it comes to female factor infertility, the only solution that's available to most patients is trying IVF multiple times so that, cumulatively, your likelihood of success increases," she said. "What we envision is that many more women would be able to conceive within a single IVF cycle." If validated in clinical trials, the EP1 treatment could result in an additional one million babies born through IVF annually worldwide, potentially the most significant advance in IVF success rates in decades. Professor Antonio Pellicer, founder of IVRMA, the world's largest IVF clinic network, described the approach as "scientifically grounded and could not be more clinically relevant." Aside from intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), there are currently no treatments involving microinjections into eggs, but Schuh's team does not anticipate major safety hurdles and is in discussions with regulators about trial design. A critical question for future research will be whether the observed improvements in chromosome organisation translate into embryos with fewer genetic errors and, ultimately, higher live birth rates. The approach would not extend fertility beyond menopause, when the ovarian reserve is depleted. However, for the growing population of women attempting conception in their late 30s and 40s, the prospect of improved egg quality represents a potential paradigm shift in reproductive medicine. Author BioFocus Newsroom Previous Next

< Back A New Device Could Improve How Progesterone is Delivered in Early Pregnancy A first-in-human trial for a tampon-like intravaginal drug delivery platform arrives at a moment when England's newly published Women's Health Strategy is calling for exactly this kind of patient-centred innovation. Miscarriage is one of the most common pregnancy complications in the UK, and also one of the least talked about. It is estimated that between 120,000 and 250,000 miscarriages occur each year in the country, a range that already signals how poorly captured this data remains. Against that backdrop, a London-based medical technology company has reached an important milestone: the first patients have been dosed in a clinical trial evaluating a new intravaginal drug delivery platform designed to administer progesterone more reliably in women at risk of pregnancy loss. Calla Lily Clinical Care announced on 6 May 2026 that its FREEDOM study, a first-in-human safety and usability trial, had begun enrolling patients at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust. The trial is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and will evaluate the company's Callavid device in women diagnosed with luteal phase insufficiency: a condition in which the body produces insufficient progesterone during the second half of the menstrual cycle to sustain early pregnancy, increasing the risk of infertility and recurrent miscarriage. What is the problem with existing progesterone delivery? Progesterone supplementation in early pregnancy is not new. Administering 400mg micronised progesterone twice daily is recommended by NICE for women who have suffered a previous miscarriage and experience bleeding in early pregnancy, clinically termed threatened miscarriage. However, current delivery relies on vaginal pessaries, suppository-style products that, as any patient using them knows, are far from ideal. They can leak, their placement during use is uncertain, and women are routinely advised to lie horizontally for extended periods following each administration. These aren't trivial inconveniences. Unreliable placement means uncertain drug absorption, which raises genuine questions about whether the intended therapeutic dose is actually being delivered at the moments it matters most. Calla Lily argues that its Callavid device, described as tampon-like in form, with a patented leak-free design, directly addresses these shortcomings, enabling more consistent intravaginal drug delivery with better user experience. If that holds up under clinical scrutiny, it would represent a genuine improvement in care for a patient population navigating an already stressful period. The FREEDOM study - which stands for F i R st in human saf E ty and E ase of use assessment of 400mg progesterone Callavi D in w OM en with luteal phase insufficiency - is designed to assess safety, user acceptability, and progesterone absorption, building the evidential foundation regulators will require before any wider deployment. What do the trial investigators say? Professor Siobhan Quenby MBE, a world-leading authority on miscarriage and preterm birth who serves as Chief Investigator of the FREEDOM trial, offered a clear-eyed view of the clinical gap Callavid is intended to fill. "Through my clinical practice, I see the difficulties patients face with existing vaginal progesterone products at an already very stressful time. Callavid offers a promising new solution to ensure delivery of the correct progesterone dosage and give women greater confidence in their treatment." The company's co-founder and chair, Dr Lara Zibners, brings a perspective that goes beyond the clinical. "As a physician and entrepreneur, I believe we have a responsibility to create more effective, patient-centred solutions in women's health. Having been through seven rounds of IVF myself, I have experienced how difficult progesterone treatment can be, and I am proud to be advancing an innovation shaped by both medical insight and lived experience." How does this connect to England's Women's Health Strategy 2026? The Renewed Women's Health Strategy for England was recently published in April 2026. It is forthright about the scale of the problem it is attempting to address. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care opens the document with a frank admission that the NHS has a problem with medical misogyny, citing women being ignored, gaslit, and disrespected as experiences shared by more than eight in ten women when engaging with healthcare professionals. The strategy explicitly prioritises improving support for fertility and pregnancy loss, and commits to reviewing the evidence for rolling out a graded model of care for repeated pregnancy loss. More broadly, the strategy positions women's health innovation as central to its ambitions. The NIHR R&D Innovation Catalyst, launched this year, is intended to provide funding and wrap-around support for high-priority innovations, explicitly including those in reproductive health. Within two years, the government also plans to launch a FemTech healthcare challenge with a £1.5 million funding pot, aimed at developers addressing areas of unmet clinical need, with a focus on community service models and health inequalities. A device like Callavid which targets a specific, well-documented gap in a high-need area, backed by NIHR funding, and developed with patient experience at its centre, is precisely the kind of innovation that framework is designed to support. Whether it will ultimately benefit from such mechanisms depends on what the FREEDOM trial data shows. Reproductive health innovation in a broader moment The Calla Lily announcement sits within a period of genuine, if uneven, progress in women's reproductive health innovation. At BioFocus, we've covered related developments that are worth placing alongside this one. We reported on research published in The BMJ demonstrating that menstrual blood collected on a modified sanitary pad could detect HPV with comparable accuracy to clinician-collected cervical samples, a finding with significant implications for cervical cancer screening access, particularly among women who avoid clinic-based procedures. And in a broader analysis of cross-sector collaboration, we examined the systemic barriers that continue to prevent cervical cancer elimination from becoming a reality, despite the tools to achieve it already existing. These are not unrelated stories. They share a common thread of healthcare systems not designed around women's bodies or women's lives, and the slow, often incremental work of addressing that deficit through innovation, policy, and a growing determination, at both industry and government level, to close the gap. What are the limitations and what comes next? Callavid has not yet demonstrated anything beyond safety and usability in this initial human trial. The FREEDOM study is an early-phase assessment, and the path from first-in-human data to an approved product that reaches patients at scale is long and uncertain. CEO Thang Vo-Ta was candid about where the company sees the device's potential: "Callavid represents a differentiated delivery modality for a broad range of therapeutics in the pharma pipeline, and will create new opportunities to extend the lifecycle of existing drugs. This trial is a key step in demonstrating Callavid's massive potential." That language signals a commercial pipeline that extends well beyond miscarriage, which is a reasonable ambition for a drug-device combination platform if the underlying delivery technology proves out. For context , the average time from first seeing a doctor with symptoms to an official endometriosis diagnosis in the UK is around nine years and four months. It is a useful reminder of how far intention and evidence-gathering remain from patient impact in women's health. But it is also precisely because that gap has been so persistent and so consequential that early-stage trials like FREEDOM deserve attention. Author BioFocus Newsroom Previous Next

The futuristic visions of Mars we see on our movie screens could be closer than we think - but what’s the biology that would make it a reality? < Back Life on Mars - Science Fiction, or Real-Life Science? The futuristic visions of Mars we see on our movie screens could be closer than we think - but what’s the biology that would make it a reality? The concept of life on the Red Planet has long captured the interest of scientists and filmmakers alike, and with new discoveries and groundbreaking expeditions, this future may no longer just be a thing of fiction. Yet, beyond space discovery, biology would be the backbone for truly bringing this planet to life. So this poses the question: what science would it take for life to really be possible on Mars? Offering insight into this is NASA’s Perseverance rover , a crucial tool in the Mars Exploration Programme that’s examining life from land to water, addressing whether Mars craters have hosted life before - and whether they could again. Key biosignatures recorded by Perseverance - namely from the Martian rock Sapphire Canyon - have recently been studied and have suggested habitable conditions on one of Mars’ most promising and insightful craters, Jezero. This article aims to dissect Perseverance’s findings through the lens of the key earth systems - land, water and air - to assess the true potential for life on Mars in an interconnected way. A solid start The lithosphere encompasses the fundamental geological requirements for a liveable planet, providing fundamental habitats, essential chemical resources, and partaking in crucial ancient rock-water interactions, providing the backbone for water cycles and fundamental water bodies. Twenty-four diverse minerals have been identified in the Jezoro crater, characterised by their volcanic origin, but also their interactions with water. Perseverance’s x-ray features enabled the creation of a mineralogical archive, and these minerals revealed details of those key water-rock interactions. The older rocks studied closer to the crater floor bore signs of harsh, hot, acidic liquid interactions - while this doesn’t rule out possible habitability, these conditions are harsh and unfavourable, making it more unlikely. When looking at more neutral and cool waters, completely different possibilities are revealed. Possibilities are flowing The hydrosphere is another earth system fundamental for planet habitability, going beyond meeting the individual metabolic and nutrient requirements for any living organisms it hosts, but also playing crucial roles in regulating temperatures and weather through complex interactions with the atmosphere. Continuing to look at the Jezoro craters’ multiple episodes of water activity, more cooler, neutral waters in later episodes left behind further insightful minerals. While direct biological evidence is still absent, these conditions could be interpreted as more microbe friendly, increasing the chances for the flourishing of life within the crater. While the intricate interactions between the lithosphere and hydrosphere have been covered, one can’t speculate over life on Mars without taking into account the other entire life systems which play a fundamental role in not only supporting life, but allowing it to flourish. There must be something in the air Despite past interactions revealing that the geology and water on Mars once exhibited favourable conditions for life, the potential for life on Mars cannot be theorised comprehensively without looking at the atmosphere enveloping it all. Providing not only gases that sustain biological life, but working with both the litho- and the hydrosphere in order to regulate temperature, the climate and weather, the atmosphere is a key backbone for not just the complexity of life, but the existence of life at all. On Earth, the atmosphere is able to successfully sustain an abundant Earth biosphere due to its gas composition of primarily nitrogen - the key component for life’s complex proteins, DNAs and RNAs - followed by oxygen vital for respiration and combustion. Contrastingly, the thin and comparatively weaker Mars atmosphere, composed of predominantly carbon dioxide, lacks the ability to provide a stable habitat due to its periods of extreme freezing, leading to an inability for water to flow freely on the planet. To conclude After compiling the fascinating evidence of the elements currently on Mars, and comparing these to the speculated optimal conditions that would sustain life there, it’s safe to say that fully functioning Martian societies may be confined to our favourite sci-fi books and films for the time being. However, this is nothing to be disheartened by - paying attention to just how fine tuned the systems that enable planetary health are could influence how we look after the planet we are lucky enough to inhabit now. All of the processes discussed through this article that would need to be kept within set ranges to enable life on Mars, from the gases that keep us breathing and the systems that control the weather, also need to be kept within set ranges on Earth. While we may not be expanding our livable universe to Mars just yet, the Red Planet can serve as a symbol of how delicate and worthy-of-preserving our own Earth is. Author Monica Bhatia , freelance contributor Previous Next

< Back World Health Summit 11th - 13th October, 2026 Berlin, Germany From Crisis to Resilience: Innovating for Health. ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. Previous Next

CN Bio has launched new PhysioMimix® computational modeling tools to strengthen ADME profiling, improve bioavailability predictions, and accelerate drug discovery workflows. < Back CN Bio Expands ADME Services with Computational Modeling Tools to Advance Drug Discovery CN Bio has launched new PhysioMimix® computational modeling tools to strengthen ADME profiling, improve bioavailability predictions, and accelerate drug discovery workflows. CN Bio, a global leader in organ-on-a-chip (OOC) systems, has unveiled new computational modeling tools designed to enhance bioavailability profiling and strengthen in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) for drug development. The company’s new PhysioMimix® in silico capabilities integrate mathematical modeling with insights from microphysiological system (MPS) assays, offering drug developers deeper functional understanding of a compound’s absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) profile. Available through CN Bio’s Contract Research Services (CRS) or as standalone kits, these tools complement its proprietary dual-organ Gut/Liver bioavailability assay. The new computational models are fully compatible with physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) frameworks, enabling more accurate predictions of how compounds behave in the human body while extracting additional value from preclinical data. Dr. Yassen Abbas, Lead Scientist at CN Bio, highlighted the regulatory momentum driving innovation: “This year, the FDA made significant changes to phase out animal testing requirements, signaling a clear shift toward more relevant human approaches for preclinical safety and toxicity testing,” Abbas said. “By integrating advanced in silico modeling into our offering, we’re helping customers bridge the gap between in vitro data and in vivo translation, providing tools to design safer, more effective therapies.” The updated CRS offering provides end-to-end support for clients, from study design to data interpretation. CN Bio’s team of MPS and computational modeling specialists collaborate closely with customers to ensure high-quality experimental outputs and clear, decision-ready insights to inform drug dosing and go/no-go decisions. This launch follows CN Bio’s 2024 introduction of its bioavailability assay, marking another step toward modernizing preclinical workflows as the pharmaceutical industry moves away from traditional animal testing. Author BioFocus Newsroom Previous Next

Collaboration aims to develop species-specific binders to accelerate research and improve control of zoonotic diseases. < Back ProImmune and Roslin Institute Partner to Expand Tools for Veterinary Immunology Collaboration aims to develop species-specific binders to accelerate research and improve control of zoonotic diseases. ProImmune Ltd has announced a new collaboration with the Roslin Institute to advance veterinary immunology through the development of novel, species-specific binding reagents. The partnership will focus on generating and validating Ankyron® binders , small, high-specificity proteins designed to target key immune system components across a range of animal species. The initiative is expected to address a longstanding bottleneck in animal health research: the limited availability of high-quality, species-specific reagents. Addressing Gaps in Veterinary Research Tools Despite growing recognition of the importance of animal health in global disease prevention, veterinary immunology has historically lagged behind human-focused research due to a lack of reliable tools. Under the agreement, researchers at the Roslin Institute will identify priority protein targets, particularly where suitable reagents do not yet exist. ProImmune will then use its proprietary platform to generate highly specific Ankyron binders against targets in porcine, bovine, avian, and salmonid species. These reagents will support a range of applications, including flow cytometry and immunofluorescence imaging, enabling more detailed analysis of immune responses across species. Leveraging Ankyron Technology Ankyrons are small (~15 kDa) binding proteins identified through ProImmune’s high-throughput, in vitro screening platform. Their size and specificity allow for rapid and cost-effective discovery compared to traditional antibody-based approaches, particularly in species where antibody availability is limited. By expanding access to such reagents, the collaboration aims to unlock new areas of research and improve experimental reproducibility across veterinary and comparative immunology. Supporting a Global Research Community Validated data generated through the collaboration will be made available via the Immunological Toolbox, a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)-funded initiative led by the Roslin and Pirbright Institutes. The platform is designed to provide researchers with easy access to high-quality immunological reagents, helping to standardise tools and streamline workflows across the field. Advancing One Health Priorities The collaboration also aligns with the World Health Organization’s One Health framework, which recognises the interconnected nature of human, animal, and environmental health. By improving the ability to study immune responses in animals, the partnership is expected to support efforts to monitor and control zoonotic diseases, those that can be transmitted between animals and humans, as well as contribute to more sustainable farming practices and enhanced food security. Professor Jayne Hope of the Roslin Institute highlighted the impact of the technology, noting that improved reagent availability could help address longstanding gaps in veterinary immunology research. Dr. Nikolai Schwabe, CEO of ProImmune, added that the collaboration represents a step toward developing tools that support both animal and human health, reinforcing the importance of integrated approaches to global health challenges. As interest in zoonotic disease prevention and animal health continues to grow, initiatives that expand the research toolkit are likely to play a critical role in accelerating discovery. By combining ProImmune’s binding technology with the Roslin Institute’s expertise in animal health, the collaboration aims to deliver practical solutions that enable new scientific insights and ultimately, more effective strategies for disease prevention and control. Author BioFocus Newsroom Previous Next

New validated protocols on SPT’s firefly platform aim to boost throughput and reproducibility for sequencing labs. < Back SPT Labtech and Twist Bioscience Team-up to Automate NGS Library Prep Workflows New validated protocols on SPT’s firefly platform aim to boost throughput and reproducibility for sequencing labs. SPT Labtech has rolled out new automated workflows for Twist Bioscience’s next-generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation kits on its firefly liquid handling platform, aiming to boost throughput and consistency for genomics laboratories. Developed in collaboration with Twist , the validated methods are accessible via the Firefly Cloud and support Twist’s FlexPrep UHT Library Preparation Kit as well as the company’s Enzymatic Fragmentation Kit 2.0. According to SPT Labtech , the workflows address growing demand from research and core facilities for standardised, hands-free NGS protocols as sequencing volumes continue to scale. The automated FlexPrep workflow integrates on-deck fragmentation and ligation, alongside an auto-normalising protocol that consolidates indexing and final clean-up into four columns of a 96-well plate. The company says this supports higher throughput without requiring access to 384-well thermal cyclers, while also improving reproducibility across samples. In parallel, the integration of Twist’s Enzymatic Fragmentation Kit 2.0 with firefly is intended to offer an efficient sequencing pipeline with reduced error rates and more accurate readouts. SPT Labtech expects ongoing combinations of Twist kits with firefly to expand its catalogue of validated, ready-to-deploy automated workflows. Rob Walton, Chief Executive Officer at SPT Labtech, said: “We are delighted to be working with Twist Bioscience to bring these high-demand methods to our customers. By making these Twist workflows available on Firefly, we are giving users a straightforward way to adopt automation without adding complexity to their existing processes, while access through the Firefly cloud allows laboratories to implement these methods quickly and scale as their needs evolve.” Emily Leproust, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Twist Bioscience, added: “Our customers are increasingly seeking validated, hands-free solutions to improve the efficiency and reproducibility of their NGS workflows. By collaborating with SPT Labtech, we are providing a simple path to automation for our kits, beginning with our new FlexPrep kit, which offers significant benefits in terms of speed and scalability." The workflows are available immediately to Firefly users via the Firefly Cloud. The collaboration reflects a broader trend towards workflow simplification and automation in sequencing, driven by mounting sample volumes and tightening turnaround expectations across research and clinical settings. As libraries become faster and more consistent to prepare, bottlenecks increasingly shift upstream or downstream of sequencing itself. By validating Twist’s kits on firefly and making the methods instantly accessible through the cloud, SPT Labtech is positioning automation as a turnkey choice rather than a complex engineering project. Author BioFocus Newsroom Previous Next

Sartorius, a leading life sciences and bioprocessing company, has expanded its collaboration with NVIDIA, a pioneer in AI-powered computing. < Back Sartorius Expands Drug Discovery and Biomanufacturing Deal with NVIDIA Sartorius, a leading life sciences and bioprocessing company, has expanded its collaboration with NVIDIA, a pioneer in AI-powered computing. Sartorius, a leading life sciences and bioprocessing company, has expanded its collaboration with NVIDIA, a pioneer in AI-powered computing. This partnership aims to leverage AI technology to enhance drug discovery and biomanufacturing processes. The collaboration Since 2020, Sartorius has integrated NVIDIA’s technology into its instruments, enhancing live-cell imaging and AI assays. The collaboration focuses on developing predictive AI models, particularly for stem cell-derived organoids, to replace animal models in drug discovery and precision medicine. Expansion highlights NVIDIA Clara Suite: Sartorius will increase the use of NVIDIA Clara's AI-powered computing platforms and services. Predictive Models: New predictive AI models, tools, and simulations will be developed for various applications, available through the NVIDIA Clara suite and DGX platform. Advanced Technologies: The partnership will explore 3D-bioprinted spheroids, organoids, and synthetic biological pathways designed with Sartorius cell lines to create novel therapies. Impact on bioprocessing The expanded partnership aims to simplify and accelerate biopharma drug discovery and manufacturing, promising technological innovations that benefit both Sartorius customers and patients. Sartorius and NVIDIA’s enhanced collaboration signifies a step forward in integrating AI with life sciences, potentially revolutionizing drug discovery and biomanufacturing by providing advanced predictive tools and improving efficiency and product quality in the biotech industry. Author BioFocus Newsroom Previous Next

Promising early data at CROI 2025 shows that HIV functional cure candidate, IMC-M113V, is well-tolerated and may offer prolonged viral suppression without the need for lifelong antiretroviral therapy. < Back Immunocore Unveils Promising HIV Functional Cure Data at CROI 2025 Promising early data at CROI 2025 shows that HIV functional cure candidate, IMC-M113V, is well-tolerated and may offer prolonged viral suppression without the need for lifelong antiretroviral therapy. Immunocore is a leading biotechnology company focused on developing cutting-edge therapies that harness the power of the immune system to treat a variety of cancers and infectious diseases. The company’s proprietary ImmTAC platform enables the development of novel immunotherapies that can target and destroy diseased cells with precision. Immunocore’s portfolio includes therapies for both oncology and infectious diseases, with a strong commitment to transforming the treatment landscape for patients worldwide. Immunocore Holdings plc (IMCR), a leader in immuno-oncology, has revealed groundbreaking early-stage data from its Phase 1/2 STRIVE trial of IMC-M113V, a novel candidate aimed at providing a functional cure for HIV. The data were presented in an oral session at the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). The multiple ascending dose (MAD) phase of the trial showed promising results, indicating that IMC-M113V is well-tolerated and capable of inducing dose-dependent viral control in HIV patients. These findings come as a major step forward in the ongoing quest to develop a treatment that could eliminate the need for lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART). Notably, some patients demonstrated viral suppression lasting for up to 12 weeks after ART interruption, providing early evidence of the potential for long-term control. IMC-M113V, Immunocore’s most advanced HIV candidate, targets the virus in a unique manner, leveraging the company’s proprietary ImmTAC technology to activate the immune system’s T cells to target and destroy HIV-infected cells. The STRIVE trial is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of IMC-M113V at escalating doses, and these initial findings mark an important milestone in the development of a functional cure for HIV. “We are excited to share the early results from the STRIVE trial, which represent an important step toward potentially transforming the treatment landscape for people living with HIV,” said Dr. Anna Taylor, Chief Medical Officer at Immunocore. “While these data are still in the early stages, the ability of IMC-M113V to provide prolonged viral suppression without the need for ART is encouraging, and we look forward to continuing to explore its potential in future trial stages.” Immunocore emphasized that while the data is still in its early phase, the results suggest the potential of IMC-M113V to be a game-changer in the fight against HIV, offering hope for a functional cure that could reduce or eliminate the dependency on daily ART regimens. The company is continuing to test higher doses of IMC-M113V in the ongoing trial, with further data expected in the coming months. Researchers and clinicians alike are watching closely to see how these findings progress, as the development of a functional cure for HIV remains one of the most sought-after goals in the field of infectious disease. Author BioFocus Newsroom Previous Next