FarmaKology Newsletter - Issue #52

Jul 7, 2020

Today's Startup

Alphazyme

Alphazyme was founded in 2018 , Our experienced team has a track record of success and a passion for supporting molecular biology innovators.Our mission is to be the world’s premier partner for custom, industrial-scale, molecular biology enzymes.We are enzyme development and production experts, and partner with the manufacturers of nucleic acid therapies and detection platforms to develop and produce affordable, reliable enzymes which meet the specifications of the rapidly expanding market for custom DNA and RNA molecules, genomic medicines and genetic tests. Consistent quality, scalable processes, and compatibility with regulatory requirements are the hallmarks of our business.

News

Drug Discovery and Development Platform at SciLifeLab to collaborate with Medivir AB to find potential inhibitors of SARS CoV-2

The Drug Discovery and Development Platform at SciLifeLab today announces that it has entered into a research collaboration with the Swedish drug development company Medivir AB. The aim is to find inhibitors of the main protease of SARS CoV-2, an essential non-structural protein known as Mpro, which is required for virus replication. To identify putative inhibitors and evaluate active compounds as potential drug development candidates, the DDD platform will mine a unique protease-targeted compound library, developed at Medivir. Data for up to 100 top-inhibitors will be published by SciLifeLab online, openly available for drug development efforts focused on combating COVID-19.

Boehringer creates Shanghai hub to connect with Chinese R&D groups

Boehringer Ingelheim has opened a site in Shanghai to connect its R&D, business development and venture capital groups to Chinese drug developers. The site brings together all the units involved in the identification and support of promising drug development projects. With China’s domestic biotech scene blossoming, Boehringer has identified the country as a source of programs of interest to its business development and venture funding groups. That thinking led Boehringer to choose Shanghai as the location for an External Innovation Hub designed to connect the company to the Chinese life science sector.

DeliverCareRx Announces Grand Opening of New Hospice Pharmacy in Southern New Jersey

DeliverCareRx, a market leader in home delivery pharmacy services to both chronically and terminally ill hospice patients, has announced the grand opening of its Southern New Jersey facility located in West Deptford. The new facility will provide hospice pharmacy services and home delivery to all of its New Jersey hospice customers, as well as those hospice customers in the Greater Philadelphia area and Northeastern US.

Mission Raises $15m and Expands its Relationship with Pfizer

Mission Therapeutics, a drug discovery and development company focused on selectively inhibiting deubiquitinating enzymes , today announced that it has raised $15m (£12m) in equity investment. The round was led by existing investor Pfizer Ventures, the venture capital arm of Pfizer Inc. Mission and Pfizer Inc. have also expanded their relationship by entering into an evaluation and option agreement for DUB target validation.