π Health Futures #48
HolonIQ's Health Newsletter covers the latest developments in drug production, AI in health, and biotechnology and highlights the week's top skills and health deals.
Happy Monday π
CSL Vifor proposed a settlement of $28M to end a UK antitrust investigation into allegations of spreading false information about a rivalβs kidney disease drug. The UK's CMA is investigating whether CSL Vifor aimed to harm competitor products through disinformation campaigns, potentially limiting market competition. GSK paid $45M upfront to Relation, a London-based firm, to collaborate on identifying new targets for fibrotic diseases and osteoarthritis treatments. Arcellx's cell therapy for multiple myeloma, anito-cel, showed promising safety data in clinical trials. The therapy demonstrated high response rates, with 97% of patients responding to treatment, and 62% achieving a complete response. In health funding, Noema Pharma extended its Series B financing closing at $147M with an investment from EQT Life Sciences.
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HolonIQβs new Green Skills Map and Workforce section reveal industry-wide sustainability skills and jobs, as well as workforce development initiatives, supporting upskilling for a sustainable economy.
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π Drug Production
βοΈ CSL Vifor offered $28M to settle a UK antitrust probe regarding alleged disinformation campaigns against a competitor's kidney disease drug. The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating whether CSL Vifor intentionally spreads false information to harm rival products, potentially stifling market competition.
π UniQure announced alignment with the FDA on key elements of an accelerated approval pathway for its gene therapy targeting Huntington's disease. The collaboration could lead to faster approval, with AMT-130 offering a promising potential treatment option for patients.
π Dr. Reddy's Laboratories announced the addition of Toripalimab to its oncology portfolio in India. The monoclonal antibody, licensed from Shanghai Junshi Biosciences, is used to treat nasopharyngeal cancer.
π AI in Health
π©Ί GSK entered a $45M upfront collaboration with an AI biotech company to identify targets for treating fibrotic osteoarthritis. The partnership aims to use AI to discover new potential targets for this disease, focusing on developing innovative treatments.
π€ Axxess partnered with Zingage. The partnership aims to integrate AI-powered administrative tools into its platform, aiming to streamline operations for healthcare providers.
π₯ Corona Management Systems launched an AI-powered tool to enhance public health policymaking and research in Africa. This new tool is designed to improve data-driven decision-making for health crises, strengthen research capabilities, and optimize health interventions across the continent.
𧬠Biotechnology
π§ͺ Arcellx's cell therapy for multiple myeloma, anito-cel, showed promising safety data in clinical trials. It differentiates itself from competitors like Carvykti by avoiding neurological complications such as parkinsonism. Gilead Sciences is partnering with Arcellx to bring this therapy to market.
π¬ BioAge halted its Phase 2 trial of the obesity drug azelaprag due to concerns over liver damage. The trial showed elevated liver enzymes in patients using azelaprag but not those receiving the control drug. Despite this, BioAge believes in the drugβs potential and will decide its future in early 2025.
𧬠Ori Biotech and Fresenius Kabi partnered to integrate cell and gene therapy manufacturing technologies. The collaboration aims to integrate Oriβs IRO platform with Fresenius Kabiβs Cue and Lovo systems demonstrating effective integration for upstream and downstream processes, creating a closed system that reduces manual handling and process inefficiencies.
π οΈ Skills and Workforce
With reskilling and upskilling playing a key role in closing workforce gaps, HolonIQ is now tracking these impactful initiatives shaping the health industry. Read on for this weekβs insights, and discover more in HolonIQ's latest Skills newsletter.
π WHO seeks Regional Biomanufacturing Training Centres for LMIC workforce development. The WHO has invited expressions of interest for Regional Biomanufacturing Training Centres under its Workforce Training Initiative. These centers, addressing gaps in LMIC biomanufacturing capacity, will provide hands-on and online training aligned with WHO Academy standards. Partners will collaborate with universities and biotech industries, enhancing workforce readiness for vaccine and biologic production. Applications, open until February 28, 2025, support WHO's mandate to improve global health through equitable access to essential medical products.
π₯Ό HCC launches a dental assistant program with a $500,000 state grant. Halifax Community College received a $500,000 grant from the North Carolina Community College System to establish a Dental Assistant program. This short-term training initiative aims to address regional workforce shortages and prepare students for immediate employment in oral healthcare. By providing essential skills in months, the program supports the growing demand for dental assistants, who play critical roles in patient care and education, enhancing both local healthcare capacity and career opportunities.
π LSTM, NPMCN, and WBFA introduce obstetrics surgical training in Enugu. The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, NPMCN, and Wellbeing Foundation Africa launched an Advanced Obstetrics Surgical Skills training in Enugu, Nigeria. The program aims to strengthen maternal and newborn health by refining decision-making and surgical skills for 29 resident doctors and eight faculty trainers. Held at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, the initiative underscores a collective commitment to advancing Nigeriaβs healthcare system and enhancing outcomes through expert-led, practical training in obstetrics care.
HolonIQ has also launched the Green Skills Map, an open-source framework initiated for cataloging, evaluating, and contextualizing the different components of the rapidly expanding field of green jobs. This comprehensive taxonomy will serve as a resource for understanding the full spectrum and complexity of green skills required across various sectors, thereby enabling a cohesive approach toward achieving net zero and decarbonizing the global economy. Green Skills Map spans 11 areas, 54 sub-areas, and 243 green skills clusters. A snippet of the map covering four areas has been included above. Explore the full map on greenskills.org.
π° Deals of the Week
𧬠Noema Pharma extended its Series B financing closing at $147M. The company intends to use the funds to support its four active Phase 2 trials.
π¦ Cytrill NV secured $90M in Series B financing to advance its oncology and immunology therapeutics pipeline.
π©Ί Tasca Therapeutics raised $52M in Series A funding. The company intends to use the funds to advance its drug discovery platform and progress its lead program.
π Aramis Biotechnologies raised $58M in funding. The funding will support Aramis in advancing its pipeline, including vaccines addressing unmet needs.
π©Ί Cala Health secured $50M in funding. The company plans to use the funds to scale its operations and advance its development projects.
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