Biotechnology

Charles River and MVC to develop enterovirus vaccine

Charles River Laboratories International and Medigen Vaccine Biologics (MVC) have entered a collaboration to support the characterisation along with validation of the virus seed bank for the latter’s next-generation multivalent enterovirus vaccine.

FDA grants accelerated approval to Ultragenyx’s Genglycos gene therapy

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical has received accelerated approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its gene therapy, Genglycos (pariglasgene brecaparvovec-opnr), to treat glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSDIa).

SandboxAQ introduces AQPotency for virtual drug screening

US-based SandboxAQ has introduced AQPotency, a Large Quantitative Model (LQM) designed to virtually screen and predict the potential of drug candidates without the need for a solved protein structure.

Andelyn Biosciences to develop GM2 gangliosidosis therapy

Andelyn Biosciences is set to develop and manufacture a gene therapy known as AAV9-GM2, for Queen’s University to treat GM2 gangliosidoses, including Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases.

Fulcrum and Slate Medicines sign merger agreement

Fulcrum Therapeutics and Slate Medicines have signed a definitive agreement to merge in an all-stock transaction backed by a $245m private placement financing from a syndicate of healthcare investors.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals to acquire Actio Biosciences for $820m upfront

Jazz Pharmaceuticals has signed a definitive agreement to purchase Actio Biosciences in a deal that includes an upfront payment of $820m and up to $500m in additional contingent payments.

Schrödinger and BMS expand partnership to deploy AI for drug discovery

Schrödinger has entered a strategic agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) to integrate its AI-based co-scientist platform Bunsen into BMS’s research operations.

AsymBio to secure $184m to support growth in biologics manufacturing

Biologics contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) AsymBio is set to secure 1.2397bn yuan (approximately $184m) from Asymchem Group, Hillhouse Qirui and other investors to support its long-term growth.

Phylo and Chugai collaborate to deploy AI platform in drug discovery

Phylo has entered a collaboration with Japan-based company Chugai Pharmaceutical to implement Biomni Lab, an agentic AI platform designed for biomedical research, within the latter’s drug discovery operations.