All news articles for September 2021

© GettyImages/Bet_Noire

Japan backs Takeda stem cell therapy targeting Crohn’s disease

By Jane Byrne

Takeda has received approval from Japan’s ministry of health to manufacture and market its stem cell therapy, Alofisel, for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas in patients with non-active or mildly active luminal Crohn’s disease (CD).

© GettyImages/AlexanderFord

Ocular gene therapy biotech launches with $19M seed funding

By Jane Byrne

This month sees the launch of a new gene therapy player, Opus Genetics, a company backed and spun out by leading patient group Foundation Fighting Blindness’ venture arm, the Retinal Degeneration Fund (RD Fund).

© GettyImages/Design Cells

AstraZeneca invests in saRNA specialist

By Jane Byrne

AstraZeneca has announced a long-term research collaboration with VaxEquity for the discovery, development and commercialization of its self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) therapeutics platform.

Pic:getty/wasantita

UK rips up COVID-19 vaccine contract with Valneva

By Rachel Arthur

The UK government accuses Valneva of being in breach of its supply agreement obligations - something the company 'strenuously denies' - as it cancels its COVID-19 vaccine contract.

© GettyImages/niphon

Moderna to develop mRNA therapeutic for very rare disease

By Jane Byrne

Moderna and the nonprofit Institute for Life Changing Medicines (ILCM) are collaborating to develop a new messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutic (mRNA-3351) for Crigler-Najjar Syndrome Type 1 (CN-1), an ultra-rare disease.

Pic:getty/sanjeri

Vaccitech to scale up operations with new facility

By Rachel Arthur

Vaccitech has signed a lease for 31,000 sq. ft at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in the UK, fitting out the facility with a state-of-the art wet laboratory and offices.