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        Karius has gained breakthrough designation from the FDA for its DNA-based blood test. The test, known as the Karius Test, is designed to detect ~1,000 different pathogens and has been commercially available since 2017. Currently, it is being used at ~400 locations across the US.
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        The Karius Test is used primarily in cancer centers to monitor immunocompromised patients suspected of having potentially fatal lung conditions. The test is able to identify infectious agents including bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses from blood samples. The Karius test was reportedly able to identify the probable cause of pneumonia in 12% of patients in clinical studies.
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        Karius operates in the life sciences sector, focusing on infectious disease diagnostics through genomic insights. Its Karius Test is a liquid biopsy test that non-invasively detects ~1,000 pathogens from a single blood sample. This test uses advanced genomics and AI to analyze microbial cell-free DNA, providing diagnostic information that enables rapid treatment decisions.
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    <a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/karius-snares-fda-breakthrough-tag-genomic-infectious-disease-blood-test">
      <b>Press release</b>
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Precision Medicine

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 <p>The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has awarded breakthrough designation to Karius for its DNA-based blood test, the Karius Test. Developed to detect nearly 1,000 different types of pathogens, the test has been commercially available since 2017 and is being utilized at around 400 locations across the US.</p>
 <p>The Karius Test finds its key application in cancer centers, where it is used to monitor patients with compromised immune systems who might have potentially fatal lung conditions. The test is capable of identifying various infectious agents such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses from blood samples. In clinical studies, it was able to ascertain the likely cause of pneumonia in 12% of patients tested.</p>
 <p>Karius, an entity operating in the life sciences sector, specializes in infectious disease diagnostics using genomic insights. Its Karius Test is a liquid biopsy test that can non-invasively detect close to 1,000 pathogens from just one blood sample. The test employs advanced genomics and artificial intelligence to analyze microbial cell-free DNA. This provides diagnostic information that can rapidly facilitate treatment decisions.</p>
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Karius Receives FDA breakthrough designation for its DNA-based blood test

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 <p>Metabolon, a metabolomics service provider, recently closed a credit facility led by Trinity Capital, bringing in USD 60 million. This comes soon after a previous investment round in January 2023 which raised USD 25 million. An upfront payment of USD 42.5 million was made at the closing of the new round. Metabolon plans to use the funds to boost its R&amp;D capabilities, upgrade its metabolomics platform, enter new markets and establish strategic partnerships.</p>
 <p>Metabolon offers in-depth biochemical data and insights that are utilized in various scientific and clinical studies. Its proprietary Metabolon Discover global discovery panel is reportedly capable of detecting and identifying more than 5,400 metabolites in any biological sample via its metabolite library, making it the largest in the industry. The company's key services for the biopharma industry include biomarker discovery, target identification, pharmacokinetics, and growth media analysis.</p>
 
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Metabolon raises USD 60 million in debt financing to strengthen R&D capabilities and enhance metabolomics platform

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

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 <p>Accelerated Biosciences is partnering with Spanios tumor therapy research firm to develop cancer therapeutics using its human trophoblast stem cell (hTSC) platform. The goal is to merge Spanios' COMPASS platforms and patient-derived tumor models with AcceleratedBio's hTSC platform for better therapy designs particularly for solid tumor cancers. Accelerated Biosciences will provide ethically sourced pluripotent stem cells for diverse medical and biotech uses. Spanios will use its expertise in tumoroid research to swiftly model preclinical therapeutic performances and generate relevant clinical data for these stem cells. This aims to improve cell-based therapies, particularly for tough cancers like Ovarian and Colorectal. </p>
 <p>Spanios is a precision oncology company that uses its unique patient-derived 3D tumoroid (PDT) platform to study the biological complexity of solid tumors for developing treatments. The platform replicates host tumor environments and allows customizable testing conditions to study drug responses and efficacy.</p>
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Accelerated Biosciences and Spanios partner to advance therapeutic design in solid tumor cancers

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 <p>Telo Genomics has formed a partnership with Emery Pharma to combine their technologies and offer clinical research and development solutions to their clients in the pharmaceutical and diagnostics sectors.</p>
 <p>This collaboration aims to improve their capacity to give cellular and molecular bioanalytical solutions. Telo Genomics is contributing its TeloView platform, which can identify genomic instability, while Emery Pharma is contributing services like mass analysis, peptide mapping, glycan analysis, post-translational modifications, immunogenicity analysis, as well as general research and development and good laboratory practice support.</p>
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Telo Genomics and Emery Pharma put together their technologies to provide clinical R&D solutions

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 <p>UK-based biotech company Oxford Biodynamics (OBD) has joined forces with King's College London to capitalise on its EpiSwitch technology in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), subsequent to a successful APIPPRA trial of the biological therapy Abatacept. This therapy strives to fight arthritis by pinpointing the root of inflammation.</p>
 <p>Through OBD’s unique EpiSwitch platform, the partnership aims to pinpoint high-risk RA patients who could see benefits from Abatacept treatments. EpiSwitch, an epigenetic platform, has the ability to identify and authenticate biomarkers for a range of diseases, including cancer, as well as autoimmune and neurodegenerative conditions. It has been reported that the APIPPRA trial showcased encouraging results, with a noteworthy 92.8% of patients who underwent Abatacept therapy maintaining an RA-free status after a year.&nbsp;</p>
 <p>Positioned in the UK, Oxford BioDynamics specialises in the development of precision medicine tests, delivered through its patented EpiSwitch 3D genomics platform. This platform affords the creation of molecular diagnostic classifiers, designed for a variety of uses, such as predicting drug response, patient diagnosis, and prognosis. Included in OBD’s headline products are EpiSwitch CiRT (devised for the prediction of cancer immunotherapy responses), EpiSwitch PSE (Prostate Screening Test), EpiSwitch CST (Covid Severity Test), and the EpiSwitch Explorer for 3D genome profiling.</p>
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Oxford Biodynamics partners with KCL to enhance rheumatoid arthritis treatment using EpiSwitch technology

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 <p>Monte Rosa Therapeutics is planning a public offering with the aim of raising around US$100 million. This offering will include the sale of 10,638,476 common shares at a cost of US$4.70 per share. Additionally, there will be the opportunity to purchase pre-funded warrants for 10,638,524 shares, each priced at US$4.69.</p>
 <p>The closing of this offering is set to be on or about May 20, 2024. The lead on the round is Dimension, accompanied by a life-sciences-focused investor. A mix of new and existing investors are also set to take part in this offering.</p> 
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Monte Rosa Therapeutics prices USD 100 million underwritten public funding

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 <p>Fulgent Pharma and Moffitt Cancer Center have announced a partnership to expedite the development of personalized cancer therapies. This collaboration gives Moffitt priority access to Fulgent's resources and expertise to accelerate the advancement of clinical trials, enhance patient screening and share data. The companies will combine Moffitt's scientific knowledge with Fulgent's nanotherapeutic drug development platform to create personalized cancer treatments. </p>

 <p>Fulgent Pharma, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, specializes in the development and commercialization of novel cancer therapies. As a subsidiary of the nanobiotechnology company Fulgent Genetics, it uses technologies such as nanoencapsulation to enhance the delivery and effectiveness of cancer drugs. The company's pipeline includes targeted therapies for various cancers, including breast, lung, ovarian, colon, and pancreatic.</p>
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Fulgent Pharma and Moffitt Cancer Center partner to advance personalized cancer therapies

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 <p>Ambry Genetics and PacBio are collaborating to support the Pediatric Mendelian Genomics Research Center program managed by the University of California, Irvine, and the GREGoR Consortium. The partnership aims to identify genetic causes of rare diseases that went unnoticed in prior studies.</p>
 <p>Over the span of three years, the project will make use of long-read sequencing technology to analyze up to 7,000 human genomes. The primary focus is to gain insights into the causes of rare diseases, generate analytical methods for genetic data, and discover potential treatments.</p>
 <p>Pacific Biosciences of California (PacBio), a biotechnology firm, specializes in creating advanced sequencing systems. The company has developed its Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT) sequencing technology, providing accurate long-read sequencing. PacBio's products support numerous scientific applications, ranging from human genomics and microbial genomics to plant and animal sciences.</p>
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Ambry Genetics and PacBio partner to advance rare disease research in pediatric genomics

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 <p>Navigo Proteins and Oncodesign Precision Medicine have formed a partnership, with the goal of enhancing the development of new systemic radiotheranostic agents used in cancer treatments. The collaboration aims to develop treatments for metastatic and resistant cancers by creating radiotheranostic agents which can detect and eradicate tumor cells. The partnership will initially focus on developing two targets in oncology to the stage of drug candidates, with plans of extending the collaboration to additional targets in the future.</p>
 <p>Navigo Proteins is a German biotechnology company specializing in protein engineering, with a focus on the development of precision affinity ligands and biotherapeutics. Navigo uses its proprietary platforms, Precision Capturing and Precision Targeting, to create custom affinity chromatography solutions and develop novel biotherapeutics.</p>
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Oncodesign Precision Medicine and Navigo Proteins partner for systemic radiotheranostic agents development

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 <p>Bio-technology firms FogPharma and ARTBIO partner to develop cancer therapies. The financial terms of the collaboration haven't been disclosed, though both firms will equally contribute throughout all stages, from research to commercialization.</p>
 <p>This collaboration will combine the peptide abilities of FogPharma’s Helicon platform with ARTBIO’s AlphaDirect platform for radioligand therapies to develop Helicon-enabled ARTs, abbreviated as HEARTs, for multiple types of cancers.&nbsp;</p>
 <p>FogPharma, based in Massachusetts, is in the process of discovering and developing Helicon Therapeutics which are a new class of precision medicines with the potential to target difficult areas. These peptides are capable of entering cells and managing interactions between proteins and DNA. FogPharma aims to target intracellular mechanisms that are notable in contributing to diseases with the help of Helicon Therapeutics.</p>
 
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All Updates

Karius Receives FDA breakthrough designation for its DNA-based blood test

Metabolon raises USD 60 million in debt financing to strengthen R&D capabilities and enhance metabolomics platform

Accelerated Biosciences and Spanios partner to advance therapeutic design in solid tumor cancers

Telo Genomics and Emery Pharma put together their technologies to provide clinical R&D solutions

Oxford Biodynamics partners with KCL to enhance rheumatoid arthritis treatment using EpiSwitch technology

Monte Rosa Therapeutics prices USD 100 million underwritten public funding

Fulgent Pharma and Moffitt Cancer Center partner to advance personalized cancer therapies

Ambry Genetics and PacBio partner to advance rare disease research in pediatric genomics

Oncodesign Precision Medicine and Navigo Proteins partner for systemic radiotheranostic agents development

FogPharma and ARTBIO partner to co-develop novel therapies for multiple cancer types

Precision Medicine

Karius Receives FDA breakthrough designation for its DNA-based blood test

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