Life Inspired: The “Black Seadevil” Anglerfish that swam 2,000 metres to see light.
Welcome to the March edition of Life Inspired, your curated update on the fascinating world of Life Sciences and leadership. This month, we delve into ground-breaking medical technology and bring you some fun science facts to brighten your day.
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AAD2025 Annual Meeting
The AAD Annual Meeting is one of the world's largest dermatology conferences, bringing together top experts to showcase cutting-edge research, treatments, and innovations in skin health, medical dermatology, and aesthetics.
We are thrilled to announce that we will be attending with our Co-Founder and Talent Solutions Director Lawrence Rose .
Lawrence Rose, representing ARTO, will be available throughout the event, and we look forward to connecting with you.
Join us at the AAD Annual Meeting to discover how ARTO is providing the competitive edge in Life Sciences.
A Deep-Sea Fish of Nightmares Strays Into Shallow Waters
Marine biologists have made a rare and fascinating discovery off the coast of Tenerife, a humpback anglerfish (Melanocetus johnsonii), a deep-sea predator rarely seen in the wild. These eerie-looking fish are known for their bioluminescent lure, which they use to attract prey in the pitch-black depths of the ocean.
What makes this sighting exceptional is the location, these fish typically reside in the deep ocean, up to 2,000 meters down, and their unique reproductive strategy. Males, which are significantly smaller than females, fuse to their partners, living as permanent parasites.
This rare glimpse into the deep sea highlights how much remains unexplored in our oceans and reminds us of the strange and spectacular adaptations of life in the abyss.
Turning ‘Junk DNA’ Into a Cancer Breakthrough – Merck Backs New Discovery
Biotech startup Epitopea has partnered with Merck to develop tumour-specific antigens from non-coding DNA, often called “junk DNA” or “dark matter” DNA. The deal grants Merck exclusive rights to commercialise therapies for an undisclosed solid tumour, with milestones reaching up to $300M per product.
At the core of the collaboration is Epitopea’s CryptoMap platform, which uses mass spectrometry and computational analysis to identify Cryptigens: tumour-specific antigens from aberrantly expressed, non-mutated genetic material. These discoveries could fuel RNA-based immunotherapies for both "hot" and "cold" solid tumours.
Epitopea’s first program is set for clinical trials in early 2026, with sufficient funding secured. Founded in 2021, the company operates across Cambridge, UK, and Montreal, Canada, and recently appointed Klaus Edvardsen (ex-AstraZeneca, Merck KGaA) as Chief Medical Officer.
Leading Beyond The Lab Podcast
The Leading Beyond The Lab Podcast is hosted by Lawrence Rose, one of the Directors here at ARTO, a talent solutions agency specialising in leadership roles within the Life Sciences sector globally.
This podcast discusses insightful discussions with industry experts, leaders and innovators, shaping the future in drug development and clinical devices. We talk with biotechnology and/or pharmaceutical executives, and find out from them their stories, personal career development and analyse their opinion on how to become successful in this space. We talk on a range of topics including soft skills, oncology, leadership, micromanagement, investment, cardiology, AI, dementia, addiction, hematology, and much more.
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