Medtech / devices
Gap is partnering with Spear Bio on Bio-Hermes-002, an Alzheimer's study comparing blood and digital biomarkers across cognitive conditions. The observational platform study compares blood-based and digital biomarkers (measurable signs in blood or behaviour) across a broad range of cognitive conditions, alongside MRI and PET brain scans and diverse racial and ethnic groups, to generate [...]
Insilico Medicine has agreed a US$66m deal with a Chinese biotech for half of the rights to a brain-penetrant Parkinson's drug. Under the agreement, the artificial intelligence-powered drug developer will take the lead on bringing the preclinical asset, dubbed ISM8969, into a phase 1 trial. Hygtia Therapeutics will then take over for further studies and [...]
Scientists have developed a nanoparticle strategy to broaden which disease-causing proteins medicines can target, giving options for dementia and brain cancer. A perspective outlines an approach designed to remove harmful proteins that drive disease. By broadening the proteins that can be treated, the technology could help tackle conditions such as dementia and brain cancer. The [...]
Exciva has raised US$59.4m in series B funding to support a phase 2 trial of its Alzheimer's therapy. The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company is developing treatments for behavioural symptoms associated with the condition. Neuropsychiatric symptoms such as agitation and other behavioural symptoms affect up to 90 per cent of patients with severe Alzheimer's disease, driving caregiver [...]
L-Nutra has raised US$36.5m in series D funding for what it describes as science-driven nutrition for longevity and nutrition as medicine. The round brings its series D total to US$83.5m, the company said. As part of the investment, Mubadala and L-Nutra will establish a local joint venture in Abu Dhabi to produce scientific medical nutrition [...]
Biological age testing pioneer GlycanAge plans to use the cash raised from its recent US$8.7m funding round to expand its reach, explore additional bio-marking capabilities of its unique technology and fund its recently-opened Californian lab. Agetech World editor Peter McCusker met Jonathan White, head of its UK office, to find out more. GlycanAge was founded [...]
Non-invasive sound stimulation altered Alzheimer’s-linked proteins in aged monkeys in a recent study, with effects lasting more than five weeks. Alzheimer’s involves abnormal amyloid proteins that form plaques and damage synapses, the junctions between nerve cells. Cerebrospinal fluid is the liquid that bathes the brain and spinal cord. In a study of nine rhesus macaques [...]
SimpleC has launched Wellby, an AI companion for unpaid dementia carers, offering round-the-clock emotional support and practical guidance. Announced at CES in Las Vegas, Wellby is designed for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Some 63 million people in the US provide unpaid care to older adults, including 12 million specifically caring [...]
London-based biotech Engitix has raised US$25m in a Series A extension, with billionaire hedge fund founder Mike Platt backing the company for the second time. The preclinical company is developing therapies that target the extracellular matrix (ECM), the structural material surrounding cells in tissues, in solid tumours and fibrosis. Founder Giuseppe Mazza said the company [...]
TECregen has raised CHF 10m [£9,300,000] in seed financing to develop therapies aimed at rejuvenating the thymus, a gland that produces immune cells. The Basel-based biotechnology company is developing biologics designed to revitalise thymic epithelial cells, which support T-cell production. T-cells are a type of white blood cell crucial for immune function. The thymus shrinks [...]
