#17 - Big brains, bright minds & breaking even…
The coffee break biotech roundup, by SomX.
Hello there my fellow brainiacs,
This week, we have some big-brain thinking in biotech (don’t we always?!) From 2seventy bio’s plan to break even, and Eli Lilly investing in a monumental new drug manufacturing hub, to researchers cracking the code for off-the-shelf CAR-T therapy and a neural map of the small fry fruit fly.
Plus, let’s give a standing ovation to the Nobel Prize winners – a very exciting result for biotech innovators! 👏
Thank for reading,
Dodo
If there’s anything you’d like to see in future editions of Biotech Dodo, send us a message.
Discover 🔍
🇨🇳 World-first therapy using donor cells sends autoimmune diseases into remission (Nature): In a world-first, three patients with severe autoimmune conditions are now in remission after receiving bioengineered CAR-T immune cells created from donor cells, not their own. By altering donor cells using CRISPR, researchers can seemingly bypass the time and cost constraints of only making one treatment per person, which could lead to CAR-T becoming an “off-the-shelf” solution.
Our take: CAR-T therapy has, until now, been a bespoke affair – but using donor-derived cells could shift this model entirely. If scalable, this approach would not only trim costs and streamline production, but could transform CAR-T from a niche treatment into a broader tool in cell therapy – extending its potential to tackle complex diseases on a larger scale.
🧫 As 2seventy nears breakeven, CEO Chip Baird explains how the team survived (BioSpace): In the midst of relentless market turbulence, 2seventy bio seems to have caught a rare break. CEO Chip Baird has refocused the company – offloading much of its pipeline to Regeneron – and now, the company is zeroing in on Abecma, a CAR-T therapy for multiple myeloma. Without the usual biotech scattershot of additional targets, and with Baird’s steady hand on the tiller, 2seventy is hoping to hit profitability by year’s end.
Our take: It’s rare – and rather refreshing – to see a biotech putting steadiness before endless expansion. By homing in on Abecma, 2seventy bio isn’t chasing the usual sprawling pipeline but is exploring whether resilience lies in a single, focused strategy. But pushing a one-track approach will need solid commercial planning and revenue generation if profitability is to last. In today’s turbulent industry, 2seventy’s focus may just hold its own against sprawling pipelines and constant reinvention.
🏗️ Lilly shells out $4.5 billion for new drug development plant (Bloomberg): Nestled in Lebanon, Indiana, Eli Lilly is investing a large chunk of change in a new manufacturing plant to ramp up its supply chain. Dubbed the ‘Medicine Foundry’, this flexible facility will handle a range of treatment types – small molecules, biologics, nucleic acids – for clinical trials. Set to open in 2027, the plant is expected to generate 400 new jobs and boost self-reliance while limiting its dependency on external manufacturers: a savvy move for Lilly as it ramps up clinical trials for next-gen treatments.
Our take: Part of a “manufacturing renaissance”, Lily hasn’t been the only pharma company to bring critical production back to the US, amid geopolitical tensions and global competition for biotech resources. As more therapeutic modalities emerge – from gene therapies to RNA-based treatments – this adaptable infrastructure lets Lilly scale up with minimal delay. The in-house setup also means greater control over quality, faster innovation cycles, and the ability to respond swiftly to regulatory changes, keeping them ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving industry.
🧠 Why a map of a fruit fly’s brain has neuroscientists ‘blown away’ (STAT): Almost 50 labs across the globe have collaborated to create an extraordinary neural map (or connectome) of the adult fruit fly. This intricate neural web, the largest of its kind, showcases over 50 million connections among 130,000 cells, and could provide insights into the brain’s inner workings through advanced imaging and AI-powered analysis.
Our take: While mapping the human brain remains a distant goal, this labyrinthine network of neurons could redefine our understanding of brain function and neural circuits, which orchestrate everything from sensory perception to motor control. As researchers continue to unravel these complexities, they may unlock innovative approaches to tackle neurodegenerative diseases – transforming this fruit fly connectome into a crucial stepping stone for neuroscience.
And finally…
🏆 The Nobel Prizes 2024 (The Nobel Prize): This year’s Nobels spotlight some stunning feats in biotech... In Physics, John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton pioneered machine learning frameworks that power today’s AI, using neural networks inspired by biological principles. Chemistry laureates David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper decoded proteins – designing entirely new ones and predicting their 3D structures. Finally, Medicine laureates Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun are honoured for discovering microRNA, tiny molecules that orchestrate gene expression and drive development across organisms.
Our take: Quite the triumvirate of accolades! This year’s Nobels celebrate the elegant, often unseen, mechanisms behind both digital and biological advancements, and remind us of the power in decoding nature’s algorithms. Each breakthrough holds immense promise – proof that a peek into life's building blocks, whether in silicon or cells, can spark revolutions across fields. As we celebrate this year’s prizes, we’re reminded that science’s revelations shape the future, often long before the rest of us catch on…
Tune in 🎧
💉 What are vaccines?
Tony de Fougerelles, previously CEO of Evox Therapeutics, discusses how new treatments are being developed faster than ever before & why his illness as a child inspired him to help others.
⚙️ Automating bioprocessing to speed up workflows
Martin Permin, the co-founder of Invert, chats about automating bioprocessing to streamline workflows and uncover hidden bottlenecks in biotech processes.
🦠 From microbiome to macrobiome
Braden Tierney, co-founder and executive director of the Two Frontiers Project, shares his journey from studying the human microbiome to pioneering climate biotechnology.
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.
🧩 16.10 | DTx on Drug Labels: A Piece of Pharma's Evolving Puzzle | Online: Dive into the complexities of digital therapeutics in patient outcomes and setting new benchmarks in treatment innovation, regulation, and pharma strategy.
👩 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.
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