Biotech Industry Updates

We're back with the latest insights and highlights from the biotech world! From new product launches to financing milestones, this year is gearing up to be full of exciting opportunities and innovations. In this edition, explore our top industry must-reads and get an insider look at some key takeways from SLAS2025.

?? A round up of the latest developments from across our industry:

• Bio-Rad Laboratories extended its range of Foresight? Pro prepacked chromatography columns for biotherapeutic production, and launched Nuvia wPrime 2A Media for biomolecule purification. Supporting the reliable assessment of AAV vector quality, Bio-Rad also announced the launch of Vericheck ddPCR? Empty-Full Capsid Kits for AAV Serotypes 2 and 8. Offering a convenient method to label any antibody with Bio-Rad's StarBright Dyes, the Company also introduced the TrailBlazer? Tag and TrailBlazer StarBright? Dye Label Kits, for use in either flow cytometry or fluorescent western blot experiments.
• Geneoscopy announced the closing of a Series C funding round raising $105 million. Bio-Rad Laboratories led the financing and was joined by Petrichor, Labcorp, Morningside Ventures, Lightchain Capital, NT Investments, Granger Management and Mercy Health, Tri Locum Partners, and others.
• 4basebio announced the appointment of Gabe Longoria as Chief Commercial Officer, following the completion of the Company's ￡40 million investment announced on 12 November 2024.
• CN Bio entered into a strategic partnership with Japanese life sciences research equipment distributor, Primetech, providing customers streamlined access to localized support and technical expertise while solidifying the Company's presence in Asian markets.
• Pheno Therapeutics received clinical trial authorisation (CTA) from the UK’s MHRA for its lead candidate, PTD802, designed for treatment of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
• Enhanced Genomics launched a suite of integrated 3D multi-omics solutions based on patented Promoter Capture Hi-C technology, to accelerate and improve the precision of drug discovery.
• Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies and FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific announced a strategic collaboration using Fujifilm’s PRIME-XV? T Cell Expansion Media on Terumo BCT’s Quantum Flex? Cell Expansion System, offering an optimized workflow solution with a ready-to-use process, aimed at reducing the barriers in scaling T cell expansion.
• FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific entered into an agreement to sell its Medical Media Business Unit (MBU) to Astorg, a leading pan-European private equity firm with an extensive track record in global healthcare investments.
• Sapio Sciences launched Sapio Lab Informatics Platform (Release 24.12), streamlining lab operations, enhancing accuracy, and supporting the growing demands of scientific research. The Company also announced that Schr?dinger, a global leader in computational chemistry, has adopted the Sapio Platform to improve data management, enhance lab efficiency, and accelerate the discovery of novel molecules.
• Owlstone Medical announced a first closing of $27 million (circa ￡22 million) in its Series E financing round. The fundraise was led by Ventura Capital, joined by Aviva Ventures, Horizons Ventures, and other existing investors. The close also saw completion of the investment from the Gates Foundation.
• Metrion Biosciences was listed in The Sunday Times 100 Tech, Britain’s fastest-growing private technology companies.
• Artificial, Inc. announced proof-of-concept data demonstrating the Artificial Platform’s workflow and model integration capabilities using NVIDIA BioNeMo, a generative AI platform for chemistry and biology.
• Sphere Fluidics launched Cyto-Mine? Chroma and announced the opening of its Early Access Program for the optimisation of functional single-cell analysis workflows expanding applications in life science.
• Tecan launched Veya?, a transformative liquid handling platform designed to streamline complex workflows and enable data-driven decision-making, while reducing downtime and enhancing productivity.
• Trilobio introduced the first version of its comprehensive robotics, lab equipment and software platform alongside pilot customer data, demonstrating the platform’s abilities in advancing research workflows.

?? In other news...

Zyme was named #1 Marketing Agency by Business Weekly newspaper, with reference to the quality of our work and global expansion!

?? Check out a few of our top reads and interviews from this month:

?? Where we've been:

Our team had a fantastic week in San Diego for SLAS2025. As official media coordinator, we provided PR opportunities for exhibitors, including managing the press room and press conference schedule and facilitating media introductions. The event provided the opportunity to explore cutting-edge research through a diverse lineup of talks, workshops and poster presentations, fostering valuable discussions about the state of the industry.

We look forward to seeing you in Hamburg, Germany, 20-22 May for SLAS Europe! Applications for the Innovation AveNEW program are now open with a deadline of 24 February - selected companies receive complimentary exhibition space, travel and registration, and business consulting, with the opportunity to compete for the SLAS Ignite Award.

For more details on SLAS and its upcoming events, please visit slas.org.

We also attended BioSeed - OBN (UK) Ltd's one-day pitching event where companies seeking seed funding had the opportunity to showcase their innovative technologies to a packed audience of investors.

?? Where we're going:

• Milner Therapeutics Institute - Founders Growth Community Event: Unlocking IP: Protect, grow, and maximize your start-up’s value, 26 February, Cambridge
• One Nucleus: From Innovation to Adoption in Gene Therapies, 27 February, London
• BIA Women in Biotech, 6 March, Cambridge
• ELRIG Research & Innovation 2025, 10-11 March, London
• Enhanced Genomics’ Virtual Seminar: Epigenetic regulation of environmental and genetic risk in neurodegenerative diseases, 13 March, Online
• Milner Therapeutics Institute - Minler Seminars: Focus on programmable biology, 19 March, Cambridge
• ELRIG UK Forum: Advances in cell and gene therapy, 20 March, Cambridge
• One Nucleus Annual Awards, 27 March, London
• BioTrinity 2025, 1-2 April, London
• SLAS Europe 2025, 20-22 May, Hamburg, Germany

That's all for this month's industry round-up!

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