Welcome to the Ninth Edition of the Biosynth Bulletin

Stay ahead in the life sciences industry with our updates on the latest developments and key events to mark on your calendar.

In the News

A round-up of the latest developments from across our industry

• A Phase 3 trial of a norovirus vaccine commences in the UK this month. Moderna's mRNA norovirus vaccine (mRNA-1403) will assess efficacy and safety in 2,500 adults, prioritizing those over 60 who are most vulnerable to this prevalent and severe gastroenteritis-causing virus, for which there is currently no vaccine.
• A leading NIH scientist has been found guilty of research misconduct . Dr. Eliezer Masliah, who headed the National Institute on Aging's neuroscience division, is accused of manipulating images in two scientific papers. Evidence was found of figures being reused and mislabeled across different experiments.
• The FDA has approved Cobenfy (KarXT), a first-in-class schizophrenia drug with a novel mechanism of action targeting muscarinic receptors. This combination of xanomeline and trospium effectively reduces dopamine levels in the brain, leading to improved schizophrenia symptoms.

• Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a novel molecule, LaKe, to mimic the physiological effects of exercise and fasting . LaKe elevates blood lactate and ketone levels, leading to increased production of appetite-suppressing hormones and reduced free fatty acids. This may offer therapeutic benefits for metabolic syndrome, cognitive impairment, and physical recovery.

Top Reads

• The first complete wiring diagram of an entire brain has been published, mapped from an adult female fruit fly. Using electron microscopy, researchers reconstructed 139,255 neurons and 50 million synapses, creating a comprehensive connectome. This provides a valuable tool for understanding brain function and sets the stage for future connectome projects in other species.

• Rwanda has launched the world's first clinical trial for a Marburg virus treatment . The trial will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of two drugs: Remdesivir , an antiviral used to treat COVID-19, and MBP091, an antibody specifically designed to combat Marburg. This initiative follows a recent Marburg outbreak in Rwanda, which has since been declared under control. While there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for Marburg, this trial represents a significant step towards combating the deadly virus.
• Colombia University researchers have developed a genetically modified E.coli ? strain for use as a cancer vaccine platform , raising the possibility of utilizing engineered bacteria as a safe and effective strategy for delivering personalized cancer vaccines. This engineered strain enhances the production and delivery of tumor-specific neoepitopes, while also increasing bacterial susceptibility to immune clearance in murine models.
• Researchers at the University of Oxford are conducting a study to investigate the link between period pain in teenagers and the development of chronic pain in later life . They will use MRI scans to identify changes in the brain associated with period pain. The study will include 120 volunteers, half with period pain and half without, aged 11 to 20 years old. The goal is to understand why some individuals develop chronic pain and to potentially develop targeted interventions for period pain that could reduce the risk of chronic pain in later life.
• There is a potential breakthrough in glioblastoma treatment using the antidepressant vortioxetine . Researchers screened a library of neuroactive drugs against glioblastoma patient tumor samples and discovered that vortioxetine effectively inhibits tumor growth by targeting the AP-1/BTG pathway, a key regulator of cell growth and survival.

Featured: How Science is Rewriting the Rules of Aging

• A new study from the University of Illinois, analyzing mortality trends in the world's longest-lived populations reveals that life expectancy gains have decelerated since 1990. The probability of surviving to 100 remains low , and achieving radical life extension would require dramatically lower mortality rates than observed historically. These findings suggest that significant increases in human lifespan this century are unlikely without interventions that slow the aging process. So, how do we live longer and healthier?
• A study in Nature involving over 1,000 genetically diverse mice revealed that both caloric restriction (CR) and intermittent fasting (IF) extend lifespan , with CR additionally slowing the aging rate. Unexpectedly, metabolic improvements typically associated with DR were poor predictors of longevity, while maintenance of body weight and composition, along with specific immune traits, were strongly correlated with lifespan. Genetic analysis confirmed substantial heritability of lifespan and identified a locus linked to both longevity and red blood cell traits. These findings suggest that DR's pro-longevity effects involve diverse mechanisms beyond metabolic health and underscore the importance of individual variation in response to dietary interventions.
• One such dietary intervention published in the Journal of Future Foods demonstrates anthocyanins (ACNs) promote healthy aging via modulation of gut microbiota . ACNs have low bioavailability?and?are metabolized by gut microbiota into bioactive compounds that positively influence gut composition, enriching beneficial bacteria. This modulation protects against age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, cancer, and sarcopenia. ACNs modulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis will be investigated to develop functional foods that promote healthy aging.

• Investigations modulating the gut-brain signaling are showing promising results. A study in PNAS demonstrated that suppressing the gut hormone neuropeptide F (NPF) in Drosophila melanogaster significantly increased lifespan via its regulatory effect on insulin and juvenile hormone signaling. While NPF is not present in mammals, the analogous incretin GLP-1 , known for its role in insulin regulation and currently used in diabetes therapies, may offer similar longevity benefits in humans. This research highlights the evolutionary conservation of gut-brain signaling in aging and suggests a potential new avenue for anti-aging interventions targeting incretin pathways.
• While the evidence about GLP-1 agonists is still being understood, they are also emerging as a potential key to healthy ageing and longevity. Research suggests GLP-1-based interventions can have neuroprotective effects, improve cardiovascular health, and help manage diabetes and obesity. These benefits, along with its potential to slow cellular aging, make GLP-1 agonists promising candidates for combating age-related decline and promoting a longer, healthier life.?

Events

Where we're going to be

??Bio Europe (Stockholm, Sweden) ?4th - 6th November - Attending will be our Head of Complex Chemicals Business Development,?Stefan Soderman, PhD ?and our Head of Bioconjugation,?Ralf Kr?hmer .

? SITC 2024 (Houston, Tx, USA) 8th?- 10th?November Booth 433.

?? Society for Glycobiology Annual Meeting?(Amelia Island, FL, USA)? 10th?- 13th?November.

? Medica?(Dusseldorf, Germany) 11th?- 14th?November Hall 3, Stand 3D66. Our Chief Commercial Officer Philip Noone will be attending with the team Audrey Bradley, Dearbhla Kane , Jovita Sakalyte and Catie Barrett.

? Tides Europe (Hamburg, Germany) 12th?- 14th?November. One of our lead scientists, Sheena Ong PhD , will be giving a talk.

Check out all our upcoming events .

That's it for this month. See you in next month's edition.

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