Omics-Insights: Your Weekly Genomics & Proteomics Digest

Greetings, Omics Enthusiasts!

Welcome to our latest Omics Newsletter, your portal to the freshest updates and innovations in genomics. This week's newsletter brings you the latest updates from the dynamic world of Omics. In this edition, we highlight several exciting stories: Owkin’s strategic expansion into Western Europe with nine new precision medicine partnerships, Olink's introduction of a global network of certified service providers to accelerate protein biomarker discovery, and RareCyte’s successful $20 million funding round to commercialize its Orion Spatial Biology platform. We also delve into Biomodal’s lawsuit against New England Biolabs for patent infringement and Roche’s legal action against Foresight Diagnostics and Stanford University over cancer detection technology. Finally, we present a range of exciting job opportunities at Kinetica for those looking to advance their careers in the dynamic field of omics. Dive in to stay informed about the transformative changes and opportunities in the omics landscape!

This week's latest news in the field of Omics:

Owkin Expands Into Western Europe With Nine Precision Medicine Partnerships

Owkin has expanded its artificial intelligence-enabled precision medicine platform to nine centers across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, focusing on prostate cancer, muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), and cardiovascular disease. The company will contribute its BiomarkerPlus outcome prediction platform, TargetMatch target discovery platform, and TrialPlus clinical trial optimization platform to these partnerships. The participating centers, which include Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Lausanne University Hospital, University Hospital of Basel, Technical University of Munich, University Hospital Erlangen, University Hospital Leipzig, University Hospital of Bern, University Hospital Mannheim-Heidelberg, and the Medical University of Vienna, account for 24 percent of all outpatient cases and 15 percent of all patients in the three countries. Owkin's BiomarkerPlus platform will identify early-stage prostate cancer patients at risk of disease progression post-treatment and analyze MIBC patient slides for FGFR3 mutations at University Hospital Erlangen. The TargetMatch platform will analyze multimodal patient data to inform neoadjuvant chemotherapy responses and identify new treatment targets for MIBC patients. Owkin will also use its TrialPlus platform to optimize cardiovascular disease clinical trials at University Hospital Leipzig. Additionally, Owkin will validate the second version of its MSIntuit CRC AI diagnostic tool for colorectal cancer screening at University Hospital Erlangen and expand its MOSAIC network to three new centers, aiming to build the world's largest spatial omics dataset in oncology. Guillaume Bézie, Director of Western Europe Partnerships at Owkin, emphasized the importance of these collaborations in leveraging diverse patient data to enhance AI-driven precision medicine.

Olink Introduces Global Network of Certified Service Providers to Accelerate Protein Biomarker Discovery

Olink, a global leader in proteomics, has launched its inaugural network of Olink Certified Service Providers, comprising leading contract research organizations and service labs worldwide. To become certified, each provider undergoes rigorous training, annual concordance testing, and re-certification to ensure the highest quality in performing Olink workflows. This certification allows researchers to access Olink’s advanced proteomics technology through a network of trusted providers. Mike Irwin, Vice President of Global Sales, Support, and Marketing at Olink, stated that the company maintains high standards of precision and scientific excellence, and each certified provider has demonstrated exceptional proficiency with Olink’s platforms, ready to support the global research community.

RareCyte Raises $20M to Commercialize Spatial Platform

RareCyte has secured $20 million in funding from new and existing investors, including Arboretum Ventures, F-Prime Capital, Forest Road, HealthQuest Capital, 5AM Ventures, Agilent Technologies, Sheatree Capital, GKCC, and founder Ron Seubert. This capital will be used to advance the commercialization of its Orion Spatial Biology platform. The Seattle-based firm plans to develop new multiplex assays, reagents, and software applications, and to expand its protein-based spatial biology and liquid biopsy assays, along with its presence outside the US. With previous funding, including $24 million in 2021, RareCyte has raised at least $96 million in total. The Orion platform enables detailed scanning and analysis of tissue and blood samples for up to 20 biomarkers.

Biomodal Sues New England Biolabs for Patent Infringement

Biomodal has filed a lawsuit against New England Biolabs (NEB) for allegedly infringing on eight patents related to its evoC sequencing technology. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts, seeks damages and an injunction to prevent NEB from using, selling, or offering certain products that infringe on Biomodal’s patents. The patents in question cover the use of ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes and DNA beta-glucosyltransferase enzymes for detecting methylation and hydroxymethylation. These methods are integral to Biomodal’s Duet Multiomics Solution evoC and +modC products. Biomodal CEO Peter Fromen emphasized the company’s commitment to protecting its intellectual property and the significant investments made in bringing the Duet platform to market.

Roche Sues Foresight Diagnostics, Stanford Over Cancer Detection Technology

Roche has filed a lawsuit against Foresight Diagnostics and Stanford University, alleging theft of trade secrets related to cancer detection and genetic sequencing technology. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, claims that Foresight founders and Stanford professors Maximilian Diehn and Ash Alizadeh misappropriated Roche’s technology to establish Foresight while under noncompete contracts and confidentiality agreements. Roche acquired CAPP Medical, founded by Diehn and Alizadeh, in 2015, including its CAPP-Seq technology for analyzing circulating tumor DNA to detect cancer. Roche alleges that Diehn, Alizadeh, and Stanford professor David Kurtz used this technology to secure over $70 million in funding for Foresight and filed patent applications disclosing technical data belonging to Roche. Roche seeks damages and an injunction to prevent the use or disclosure of its trade secrets and requests that Stanford and Foresight relinquish patent applications covering Roche’s technology. Neither Roche nor the defendants have commented on the litigation.

Current Live Roles at Kinetica:

Account Manager – Proteomics - Belgium

Account Manager – Proteomics - Switzerland

Inside Sales – Proteomics - Benelux

Business Development Manager - Proteomics Reagents - DACH

Business Development Manager - Proteomics Reagents - USA

Account Manager – Mid-Atlantic – Genomics reagents

Sales Specialist - NGS - Boston

Job Hunting Tips from an Omics Specialist Recruiter: The Importance of Soft Skills in the Workplace

As an omics specialist recruiter, I've seen how crucial soft skills are for securing and excelling in jobs within the scientific and research fields. While technical expertise is essential, soft skills often distinguish candidates. Here are some tips on the importance of soft skills in the workplace for omics specialists.

Communication

Effective communication is vital for conveying complex scientific concepts clearly to interdisciplinary teams. Being able to explain your work, present findings, and collaborate seamlessly can significantly enhance project outcomes and foster a productive work environment.

Adaptability and Problem-Solving

The rapidly evolving field of omics requires adaptability and quick learning. Demonstrating your ability to solve problems creatively and handle unexpected challenges shows that you are a valuable, forward-thinking asset.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Scientific research is a collaborative effort. Strong teamwork skills contribute to a harmonious and efficient work environment. Highlighting successful collaborations can make a strong impression on potential employers.

Emotional Intelligence

Understanding and managing emotions, both your own and others', is crucial in high-pressure environments. Emotional intelligence helps in resolving conflicts, providing constructive feedback, and building a supportive work culture.

Time Management and Organization

Managing time effectively and staying organized is crucial where deadlines and precision are paramount. Demonstrating your ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects can bolster your candidacy.

Networking and Relationship-Building

Building professional relationships within the scientific community can open doors to new opportunities. Effective networking involves nurturing relationships over time and participating in relevant scientific communities.

While technical skills and expertise in omics are fundamental, soft skills play an equally important role in professional success. By honing and showcasing these soft skills, you can enhance your employability and thrive in the competitive field of omics. It's the combination of hard and soft skills that will make you a standout candidate and a valued employee.

Wrapping Up Another Omics-Insights:

Thank you for embarking on a journey into the dynamic world of Omics with Kinetica! Explore the latest genomics job opportunities, stay informed with industry news, and indulge in insightful blogs at www.kinetica.co.uk . Your curiosity drives my commitment to relevant content, and I'm here to provide insights that fuel your scientific endeavors. Feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback. Wishing you ongoing inspiration and discovery in your scientific pursuits. Until next week, may your experiments yield groundbreaking results, and may your Omics journey remain as fascinating as the science itself!