#16 - Farm fresh ideas and therapeutic trials
The coffee break biotech roundup, by SomX.
Greetings, fellow cultivators of knowledge,
Autumn is here and with it a season of change in the biotech sector: Sir Gregory Winter joins Constructive Bio, vertical farming gets a smart energy-saving boost, Pfizer makes the tough call to withdraw Oxbryta, experts recommend a slow-and-steady approach to using AI in cell therapy, and Bristol Myers Squibb’s long-awaited schizophrenia therapy arrives – the first new treatment in decades.
Until our next harvest,
Dodo
If there’s anything you’d like to see in future editions of Biotech Dodo, send us a message.
Discover 🔍
❄️ Winter of great content: Sir Greg joins board as Constructive Bio takes funding haul to $75m (Business Weekly): Cambridge’s Constructive Bio has bolstered its cash reserves with an additional $58m in Series A funding, now totalling a handsome $75m. But the real coup? Securing none other than Sir Gregory Winter – Nobel laureate and monoclonal antibody expert – on the board. The company aims to shake up biomanufacturing by crafting bespoke peptides and proteins, addressing global supply headaches with a deft genomic touch.
Our take: Well, it seems Winter is coming…to Constructive Bio’s board, that is. With his stellar track record in biotech (he helped birth Humira, after all) and the fresh funding injection, the company’s future is certainly looking bright. Constructive Bio’s cutting-edge technology – which enables them to programme the sequence, composition and chemistry of proteins and biopolymers – could soon be cranking out everything from therapeutic peptides to sustainable materials. This might just turn into a biotech masterclass in how to scale genius ideas into global solutions. Fancy that!
🐌 Cell therapy developers should build slowly with artificial intelligence (GEN): AI might be the belle of the biopharma ball right now, but for cell therapy developers, experts suggest it may pay to start small. Building AI systems calls for robust data infrastructure: in cell therapy manufacturing, that means investing in real-time data collection; snappy data management systems; and people with AI expertise. Companies willing to take the slow, laborious route – painstakingly feeding their algorithms with high-quality data – will be the ones reaping the rewards, while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements as they digitally mature.
Our take: The cell therapy industry is crying out for technology that will allow them to optimise their processes and develop therapies at scale. But AI is a huge investment, which puts many therapy developers off. Focusing on building a strong digital foundation – by investing in data infrastructure, or carrying out pilot AI projects – will not only save funds now, but enable more robust and flexible AI systems for the cell therapies of today and tomorrow. You know what they say…slow and steady wins the race!
❌ Pfizer pulls sickle cell med Oxbryta off market after deaths (pharmaphorum): In an unfortunate blow to the sickle cell disease (SCD) community, Pfizer is pulling its once-celebrated therapy Oxbryta from global markets, citing an "imbalance" in trial-related deaths. Pfizer had high hopes for Oxbryta as the first drug to tackle the root cause of SCD, rather than just treating symptoms, making its withdrawal all the more disheartening. The drug had already launched in 35 countries, offering a real life-line to communities historically underserved by medical innovation – particularly those with ancestral ties to sub-Saharan Africa.
Our take: Pfizer’s decision to pull Oxbryta might not be entirely unexpected – the EMA flagged concerns back in July after trial deaths – but it still sends a shockwave through the SCD community. This decision highlights the increasingly delicate balance biotech companies must navigate: better real-time safety data (especially in diseases like SCD, where treatment options are already scarce) and the heightened pressure to avoid any misstep, as even small errors can feel far more significant when alternatives are scarce.
🌾 New indoor vertical farming research could help future-proof food demand for a changing planet (Frontiers): With food production predicted to rise a whopping 70% by 2050, vertical farming offers a controlled, space-efficient alternative to traditional agriculture. But these vertical farms guzzle energy, making them tough to scale up. Not to fear…new research shows that smart lighting (matched to plants’ photosynthesis whims) and dynamic environmental control could cut electricity use by 12% without compromising plant growth, making vertical farms more sustainable and cost-effective. Read the full study.
Our take: Well, isn’t this a bright idea! With the increasing need for food production placing crippling demands on land, vertical farming seems like a no brainer. This research zeroes in on what has long been the Achilles' heel of vertical farming: high energy use and increasing energy costs. If we can make vertical farming – long touted as the future of urban food production – energy and cost efficient, then we inch ever closer to real-world scalability. The future of food isn’t just about producing more…it’s about doing it smarter.
And finally…
🥇FDA approves Bristol Myers Squibb’s schizophrenia drug, the first new type of treatment in decades (CNBC): Bristol Myers Squibb’s long-awaited schizophrenia drug, Cobenfy, has received FDA approval – the first-in-class schizophrenia treatment in over 70 years. Cobenfy offers something completely novel: it targets brain receptors without directly blocking dopamine (which means fewer nasty side effects like nausea or constipation) thanks to its two-part formula of xanomeline and trospium. However, it doesn’t come cheap, at almost $2,000 for a month’s supply (before insurance and other rebates…)
Our take: Cobenfy’s approval marks a rather meaningful shift in how we tackle schizophrenia, as patients have long struggled with medications that either don’t work well or come with unpleasant side effects. With a more bearable side-effect profile, it might just help patients stick with treatment for the long haul, avoiding the usual disruptions that can leave care in tatters. The pricing, though steep, underscores the ongoing tension between innovation and accessibility – a challenge BMS seems ready to address through assistance programs. The real question will be how this balance plays out in practice.
Tune in 🎧
🗳️ Should scientists endorse political candidates?
Cameron English and Dr. Liza Dunn discuss Scientific American’s recent endorsement for Kamala Harris in the upcoming US election.
🐛 Uncertainties in gene drive technology for agricultural pest control in the U.S.
Nourou Barry, PhD, Anthropologist and Postdoctoral Scholar, discusses the factors that influence public and stakeholder attitudes towards genetic engineering.
Apply ✍️
💼 Senior Technical Recruiter, WhiteLab Genomics – Got a sixth sense for spotting top-tier talent? You’ll lead full-cycle recruitment, build partnerships, and ensure seamless onboarding for global hires in the DeepTech and life sciences industry across North America and Europe.
🤖 Project Engineer - Global Robotics, Eli Lilly – Fancy deploying cutting-edge robots across the globe? In this role you’ll design, test and deliver robotic systems while troubleshooting on-site and leading multi-disciplinary teams – to build “the future of automation”.
🌍 Chief Scientific Adviser, FCDO – Ready to steer the UK’s global science agenda? Lead 270 experts, advising on everything from climate change to emerging technologies, and shape the future of foreign and development policy.
RSVP 📆
🧬 15.10 | European Cell & Gene Therapy Summit 2024 | London, UK: Now in its second year, connect with leading experts, executives and thought leaders in an event aimed to inspire, educate, and connect you with the people shaping the future of advanced therapies.
💊 16.10 | Generative AI in Pharma - Five Years From Now | Online: Learn how pharma is using generative AI-powered platforms across the whole value chain: from drug discovery and clinical trials to increasing efficiencies and developing personalised treatments.
👩 17.10 | Biotech Innovation in Women’s Health and Beyond | Online: Find out about the pioneering work being done in the biotech space to address critical health challenges, focusing on the latest advancements and their potential impact on human health.
Got news, jobs or events you think are worth coo-ing over? Post an event here, or email us at biotechdodo@substack.com!
SomX is a communications and creative agency for healthcare. We are clinicians, scientists, creatives and communicators dedicated to serving our healthtech, biotech, pharma and public sector clients with services across strategy, content, PR, design, events and media production. Get in touch to learn more.