Biotech Startups Hoping to ‘Thrive’ Amid Coronavirus Chaos
Not long ago biotechnology entrepreneurs expected 2020 to be another flush year for their industry, with funds flowing into startups pursuing new medicines for cancer, rare diseases and other illnesses.
Critical Colonoscopy Advancements Impact Results and Costs with Tim Moran Motus GI
Tim Moran, CEO, Motus GI talks about their focus on endoscopy solutions that improve clinical outcomes for patients facing a critical colonoscopy while in the hospital. The Pure-Vu system developed by Motus GI is a disposable sleeve that fits on the top of their reusable scope to allow irrigation and suction evacuation. This enhancement can save time by eliminating delays in conducting the colonoscopy as well as reducing costs and need for additional time in the hospital.
GigaGen Focuses Its Technology to Address COVID-19 Pandemic
GigaGen announced that it is developing a recombinant polyclonal antibody therapy for the treatment of COVID-19, the pandemic coronavirus that has been sweeping the world and for which humans have no innate immunity. Based in South San Francisco, GigaGen spent the first seven years of its existence developing its single cell technology drug discovery and development platform, often raising money just on ideas during that period. It eventually came up with a powerful way to make recombinant polyclonal antibodies and now has a pipeline targeting infectious disease, transplant rejection, and checkpoint resistant cancers.
GEN2 Pure-Vu System Receives CE Mark Approval
Motus GI is assessing potential strategic partnership opportunities for the Pure-Vu System with established medical device companies and distributors with commercial operations across the EU. The CE Mark signifies that the Pure-Vu System meets the essential requirements of all relevant European Medical Device Directives. The directives outline the safety and performance requirements for medical devices in the European Union (EU). Receiving this regulatory clearance allows Motus GI to commercialize the Pure-Vu System and disposable sleeves across the EU and other CE Mark geographies.
GigaGen jumps into COVID-19 arena with polyclonal antibodies
Mining the blood of recovered patients for treatments during a pandemic isn’t a new idea. Takeda and Grifols are already doing it, working on antibody-rich drugs made from the plasma of patients who have fought off COVID-19 infection. But a small South San Francisco startup thinks its approach could be even better.
Work and Hiring Slowing in Biotech, But Layoffs Unlikely
The COVID-19 pandemic isn’t likely to end soon. Instead, the crisis stage may continue for weeks or even months before business regains some semblance of normality. The good news is that while biotech companies have slowed their hiring initiatives, layoffs remain unlikely at this point. Instead, biotech companies are enhancing flexibility on nearly every front.
Is Inhaled Insulin Safe During the COVID-19 Outbreak?
We also connected with North Carolina-based Aerami Therapuetics (formerly Dance Pharmaceuticals), which is working on a next-generation inhalable insulin product. Theirs is a fine mist aerosol formulation instead of a powder, delivered by their new inhaler device called AFINA. It will have built-in Bluetooth capability to track data and integrate with apps and platforms. The company has completed seven early stage trials to date, and is now looking for a partner for their phase 3 study design with the Food and Drug Administration.
Coronavirus Pandemic Delays Testing of New Drugs
Scynexis Inc., of Jersey City, N.J., is directing patients in a trial for its experimental fungal treatment to have blood drawn at home or alternative sites, and to receive the drug at home, after some patients missed appointments in Italy and other European countries, said Chief Executive Marco Taglietti.
