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What’s Inside: Biocom California Welcomes Miguel Motta; The Latest in Developing Treatments for Alzheimer’s; Berkeley Lab Creates New Class of Biofuels; and more.
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We’re championing the progress made by California’s life science community and want to hear about your company’s latest scientific breakthrough, investment milestone, or commitment to creating positive change for our industry. Submit your story here for possible inclusion in an upcoming issue. |
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What’s Happening at Biocom California
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Welcome, Miguel Motta
We are pleased to announce that Miguel Motta will be joining Biocom California as vice president, strategic operations and San Diego head and will be responsible for customizing and delivering Biocom California member benefits to our San Diego members, as well as supporting the implementation of the organization’s strategic plans across California. Miguel brings extensive experience, holding several executive positions at Fortune 500 companies as well as many growth-stage venture capital-backed companies.
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Over the Airwaves
Vital Transformations welcomed our president and CEO Joe Panetta on its latest podcast episode where he discusses the current industry landscape and why California continues to be at the epicenter of life science innovation. He also discusses the swirling headwinds that biotech companies face from Congress such as recent proposals to alter the criteria of the accelerated approval pathway, CMS’ ability to limit access to treatments by requesting additional evidence, proposed pricing negotiations from Build Back Better, and statements by Senator Elizabeth Warren to use march-in rights to lower the price of therapies.
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The Latest in Developing Treatments for Alzheimer’s
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A recent article in Fierce Biotech illustrates the challenges biotech companies face in finding a treatment or cure for Alzheimer’s, especially in light of the recent news about the drug crenezumab not seeing success in its latest clinical trial. Alzheimer’s is a complex disease that is notably difficult to treat since it develops slowly, but scientists and companies who specialize in finding therapies for the disorder remain hopeful and optimistic. Ionis Pharmaceuticals, a Carlsbad-based firm that is partnering with Biogen on developing an antisense therapy that reduces tau protein in the brain, is one such company. Roger Lane, M.D., senior vice president and head of clinical development neurology at Ionis Pharmaceuticals, told Fierce Biotech
that drug development for Alzheimer’s has improved greatly, with better tests and imaging techniques that previous researchers “can only dream about.” “It’s never been easier to index what’s going on in the brain than it is now,” he said.
Here are other Biocom California members and institutions making advancements in research for Alzheimer’s and devoting themselves to finding a cure: |
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New Finding Could Identify Early Signs of Cognitive Decline
University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine recently published a finding in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease that illustrates a possible early warning sign for Alzheimer’s: a willingness to give away money. In the study, participants who gave away more money scored significantly lower on cognitive assessments than those who did not. Researchers said one of the study’s goals is to help protect older adults from financial exploitation in addition to understanding more about how to identify cognitive decline.
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A Generous Gift to Help Find a Cure
A $50M gift from a San Diego-based philanthropist accelerated advancements in Alzheimer’s research by establishing the Epstein Family Alzheimer’s Research Collaboration. The initiative combines the resources of UC San Diego and USC (each institution received $25M) and launched a new collaborative effort to find a cure. At UC San Diego, the gift is funding research for the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study under the leadership of Howard Feldman, M.D., dean of Alzheimer’s Disease Research and professor of neurosciences at UC San Diego School of Medicine.
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Sanford Burham Prebys Launches Long-Term Alzheimer’s Study
This spring, Sanford Burham Prebys embarked on a five-year project to explore the role of heparan sulfite, a molecule found on the surface of cells and the spaces between them, and its possible link to the development of Alzheimer’s. Professor Yu Yamaguchi is leading the study and was awarded a $2.9M grant from the NIH.
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Industry Intelligence & Member Moments
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- Astellas and Sutro Biopharma announced a global strategic collaboration and licensing agreement focused on the discovery and development of novel immunostimulatory antibody-drug conjugates.
- Azzur Group appointed Todd McEvoy as senior director of laboratory services who brings experience in complex scientific output, lab training, and management.
- Berkeley Lab scientists are using bacteria to produce an entirely new class of energy-dense biofuels named POP-FAMEs (for polycylcopropanated fatty acid methyl esters).
- Biologics Consulting welcomed two new team members: Robert Kutner as a new addition to its CMC Business Unit and Rita Wilson, MS as its new Regulatory Project Manager.
- Evofem received a patent from USPTO on the composition of matter in Phexxi, its FDA-approved hormone-free contraceptive gel.
- George Clinical shared a recap of discussions around disparities in cancer care and research that took place during the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.
- Gilead resubmitted a New Drug Application to the FDA for lenacapavir, an investigational, long-acting capsid inhibitor for the treatment of HIV-1.
- Nurix Therapeutics received FDA clearance to expand the Phase 1 study of its Casitas B-lineage lymphoma proto-oncogene inhibitor to sites in the US.
- Ra Medical Systems was granted 510(k) clearance by the FDA for its DABRA 2.0 catheter with improved design features that offer better deliverability.
- ReCode Therapeutics closed its series B funding round, receiving a total of $200M with investments from the venture arms of Bayer and Amgen.
- Twist Bioscience has partnered with Ildong Pharmaceutical, a South Korea-based pharma manufacturing firm, to accelerate discovery of antibodies for immuno-oncology and broaden the company’s global reach.
- Visby Medical received an additional $35M, bringing the series E round total to $135M which will help the company add new diagnostics outside of COVID-19 and sexual health.
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Democrats Reach Drug Pricing Deal
Senate Democrats have reached a compromise on drug pricing legislation and released language on July 6 after months of negotiation. Last year, Democrats tried to advance a $2T package known as the Build Back Better Act, which included drug pricing reform, but opposition from several Representatives and Senators stalled the bill. The newly negotiated drug pricing bill is similar to last year’s and likely to be included in a scaled back version of Build Back Better. The plan would impose price controls on certain drugs, inflation rebates, and out-of-pocket caps for patients, as well as a redesign of the Medicare Part D benefit program.
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Golden State Pathways Program
California’s state budget has designated $500M in grants as part of its Golden State Pathways Program which aims to help students transition seamlessly from high school to high-paying, skilled careers, especially those in STEM. The pathways include A-G course requirements for admission to state universities and the opportunity to earn 12 college credits through dual enrollment, AP or IB classes. Another component of the pathway is work-based learning to help prepare students for real-life job scenarios.
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Community Planning Group Reform and New Climate Action Plan Advance in San Diego
San Diego City Council moved forward with two important legislative proposals impacting Biocom California members. Community Planning Group reform aimed at bringing the groups into compliance with the city charter, ensuring access to participation, and encouraging diversity of membership passed the council’s Land Use and Housing Committee vote on June 16. At the end of June, the council’s Environment Committee members moved forward with an update to the city’s Climate Action Plan aimed
at achieving zero emissions by 2035. Both proposals are expected to go to the full council for final approval this month.
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Pasadena Selects New City Manager
Biocom California staff and consultants have been working with city staff and elected officials on policy updates that can further encourage industry growth in Pasadena. We were excited to learn that on July 1 the city announced a new City Manager, Justice Miguel Márquez, who will step into the role in August. Márquez comes to Pasadena from Santa Clara County, where he served as chief operating officer. We look forward to working with Justice Márquez in his new position.
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Biocom California
For over 27 years, Biocom California has helped move the life science industry forward with transformative resources that enable companies to make meaningful connections. With a membership base of over 1,600 companies, we connect our members to each other so they can collaborate and work stronger and smarter together. We connect organizations to capital investment and purchasing solutions so they can grow faster and work more efficiently. We’re their link to advocacy that fights for innovation and we provide an environment where their business and talent can thrive. Biocom California is how the life science industry gets connected.
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