CORNELL UNIVERSITY
🇺🇸United States
- Country
- 🇺🇸United States
- Ownership
- Private
- Established
- 1865-04-27
- Employees
- 10K
- Market Cap
- -
Biostate AI Secures $12M Series A to Revolutionize RNA Sequencing and Molecular Diagnostics
• Biostate AI has raised $12 million in Series A funding led by Accel to develop affordable RNA sequencing technology and AI-powered diagnostic models.
• The company's proprietary BIRT and PERD technologies reduce RNAseq costs by nearly an order of magnitude, enabling researchers to run 2-3 times more samples within existing budgets.
• Founded by former professors David Zhang and Ashwin Gopinath, Biostate AI aims to build "foundation models" for molecular medicine by analyzing billions of RNA expressions to predict disease evolution and drug responses.
Trump Administration Halts Medicare and Medicaid Coverage for Anti-Obesity Medications
• The Trump administration has rejected a Biden-era proposal that would have provided Medicare and Medicaid coverage for anti-obesity medications to over 7 million Americans.
• Despite the high cost barrier—with drugs like Wegovy priced at nearly $1,350 for a four-week supply—CMS did not provide specific reasoning for the decision but indicated it may reconsider coverage after further review.
• Medicare will continue covering these medications for specific conditions like heart disease, while 13 states currently offer coverage through their Medicaid programs for obesity treatment.
XyloCor Therapeutics Secures $67.5 Million to Advance Gene Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease
• XyloCor Therapeutics has raised $67.5 million in a Series B financing round led by Jeito Capital to advance its cardiovascular gene therapy program.
• The funding will support two Phase 2 clinical trials of XyloCor's lead candidate, XC001, for refractory angina and as an adjunctive treatment to CABG.
• XC001, a novel gene therapy, aims to stimulate new blood vessel formation in the heart, offering a potential treatment for patients with limited options.
• The EXACT-2 trial will utilize a novel catheter-based delivery system, eliminating the need for surgical administration of XC001.
Tiziana Life Sciences Advances Foralumab for MS and SCI Treatment
• Tiziana Life Sciences is expanding its Phase 2 trial of intranasal foralumab for non-active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (na-SPMS) to include more prestigious U.S. medical centers.
• The company announced the discovery of new immune biomarkers in patients with na-SPMS treated with nasal foralumab, enhancing understanding of the drug's mechanism.
• Preclinical studies show that nasal anti-CD3 treatment, foralumab, led to notable advancements in motor functions in models with spinal cord injury (SCI).
• Tiziana Life Sciences has dosed additional patients in its Expanded Access Program for na-SPMS, with early data showing disease stabilization or improvement.
AVMA and Cornell University Launch Clinical Trial to Combat Veterinary Burnout
• The AVMA and Cornell University are collaborating on a clinical trial to address burnout among veterinary professionals, funded by AVMA and Zoetis.
• Participating veterinary practices will receive free training materials valued at $5,000, focusing on burnout reduction, work performance enhancement, and work-family balance.
• The trial involves virtual workshops (5 hours for managers, 30 minutes for team members), with incentives including $100 per participant, a certificate of completion, and a chance to win $1,000.
• Enrollment is open to all types of veterinary practices until early January; interested practices are encouraged to sign up promptly.
Ziftomenib Shows Promise in AML: Kura Oncology and Kyowa Kirin Advance to Phase 3 Trials
• Kura Oncology and Kyowa Kirin's ziftomenib demonstrates statistically significant efficacy in Phase 2 trial for relapsed/refractory NPM1-mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
• The companies plan to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA in the second quarter of 2025, seeking approval for ziftomenib in R/R NPM1-m AML.
• Phase 3 trials are set to begin in the second half of 2025, evaluating ziftomenib in combination with intensive and non-intensive chemotherapy regimens for newly diagnosed AML.
• FDA feedback supports potential accelerated approval pathways in both intensive and non-intensive treatment settings, based on MRD negative CR and CR endpoints.
Convergent Therapeutics Receives First Actinium-225 Shipment for Prostate Cancer Clinical Trial
• Convergent Therapeutics has received its first shipment of Actinium-225 (Ac-225) from Cardinal Health, marking a significant advancement in the supply chain for this critical radioisotope.
• The Ac-225 will support Convergent's Phase 2 clinical trial of CONV01-α, a PSMA-targeted monoclonal antibody, as a potential treatment for prostate cancer.
• CONV01-α combines the precision of antibodies with the tumor-killing potential of alpha-emitting radionuclides, offering a targeted approach to cancer therapy.
• This collaboration between Convergent and Cardinal Health aims to increase access to Ac-225, facilitating the development of next-generation cancer treatments.
University of Michigan's Rogel Center Bolsters Pancreatic Cancer Research with $50 Million Gift
• The University of Michigan's Rogel Cancer Center receives a $50 million gift to enhance pancreatic cancer research, accelerating translational studies and clinical trials.
• The Rogel and Blondy Center for Pancreatic Cancer emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, integrating genetics, metabolism, and immunology to combat the disease's aggressive nature.
• Researchers focus on personalized oncology, using longitudinal tumor sampling and blood analysis to understand treatment responses and resistance mechanisms in individual patients.
• The center prioritizes collaborative research, bringing together basic scientists and clinicians to share data and ideas, fostering innovation in pancreatic cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.
HeartLung Technologies' AutoChamber AI Receives FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for Cardiac Chamber Volumetry
• HeartLung Technologies' AutoChamber AI, designed for cardiac chamber volumetry, has received FDA Breakthrough Device designation and marketing authorization.
• AutoChamber AI analyzes non-contrast CT scans to report cardiac chamber volumes and left ventricular wall mass, aiding in early detection of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and stroke.
• Studies presented to the FDA demonstrated AutoChamber AI's superior performance compared to traditional risk scores in predicting cardiovascular events.
• The AI tool integrates into existing CT scan workflows, offering a cost-effective solution for identifying high-risk patients and enabling earlier interventions.
HeartLung Technologies' AutoChamber AI Receives FDA Breakthrough Status for Opportunistic Heart Disease Detection
• HeartLung Technologies' AutoChamber AI received FDA Breakthrough Device designation and marketing authorization for opportunistic heart disease detection in CT scans.
• AutoChamber AI analyzes thoracic CT scans to evaluate the risk of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and stroke, conditions often missed in current radiology reports.
• The AI leverages deep learning to analyze cardiac chamber volumes, providing a quantitative imaging report within seconds to aid physicians in early intervention.
• Studies presented to the FDA demonstrated AutoChamber AI's superior performance compared to traditional risk scores in predicting heart failure, atrial fibrillation and stroke.
Liquid Biopsy Advances Transform MRD Detection in High-Risk Breast Cancer Management
• Liquid biopsy technology has evolved from detecting circulating tumor cells to identifying specific tumor DNA mutations, enabling more precise treatment targeting in metastatic breast cancer.
• Current guidelines recommend cell-free DNA testing to detect actionable mutations like PI3K, AKT, PTEN, HER2, and ESR1, which can be targeted with FDA-approved therapies.
• Advanced liquid biopsy techniques now allow early disease detection through MRD testing, particularly beneficial for high-risk patients including triple-negative breast cancer cases and those with significant lymph node involvement.
Selinexor Shows Promise as Affordable Myelofibrosis Treatment Option
• Selinexor, an exportin 1 inhibitor, has shown potential in treating myelofibrosis, both as a single agent and in combination with ruxolitinib.
• The SENTRY-2 study is evaluating selinexor monotherapy in JAK inhibitor-naive patients, with the flexibility to add JAK inhibitors based on patient characteristics.
• Selinexor's approval could alleviate financial burdens associated with myelofibrosis treatment, offering a more affordable option compared to combination therapies.
• The FDA granted fast track designation to selinexor for myelofibrosis, expediting its development and potential approval for primary and post-myelofibrosis.
Convergent Therapeutics Advances Prostate Cancer Therapy with Phase II Trial and $40M Funding
• Convergent Therapeutics initiates Phase II CONVERGE-01 trial of CONV01-α for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
• The trial will assess the safety and efficacy of CONV01-α, an Ac-225 rosopatamab tetraxetan, in PSMA PET-positive mCRPC patients.
• Convergent secures a $40 million Series A extension from Novo Holdings to support its radiopharmaceutical pipeline development.
• Richard Messmann, MD, a veteran in oncology drug development, joins Convergent as Chief Medical Officer.
Oxford Drug Design Achieves In Vivo Validation of AI-Discovered Cancer Therapeutic
• Oxford Drug Design's AI platform, SynthAI, has yielded a novel cancer therapeutic demonstrating significant tumor regression in initial in vivo mouse trials.
• The therapeutic, targeting tRNA-synthetase, showed a well-defined dose response in MCF7 breast cancer cells, suggesting potential for improved efficacy.
• Further in vivo studies are planned against colorectal cancer and other tumor types, with ongoing optimization to enhance drug candidate properties.
• Oxford Drug Design is seeking investment to advance the program towards clinical trials, aiming to deliver superior therapeutic options for oncologists.
Medicaid Expansion Linked to Increased Racial, Ethnic Diversity in Cancer Clinical Trials
• A recent study reveals that Medicaid expansion, particularly with mandated coverage for routine trial costs, significantly boosts Black and Hispanic participation in oncology clinical trials.
• States with Medicaid expansion and coverage mandates saw a 5.3 percentage point increase in Black and Hispanic participants, compared to a 1.1 point increase in states without such mandates.
• The findings underscore the importance of removing financial barriers to improve diversity in clinical trials, aligning with the goals of the CLINICAL TREATMENT Act.
• Clinician awareness and targeted outreach to low-income populations are crucial for leveraging Medicaid policies to enhance clinical trial enrollment among underrepresented groups.
Pharma Giants Embrace Open Science: Pfizer, Merck Lead Industry Transformation
• Major pharmaceutical companies are adopting innovative open science initiatives, with Pfizer exploring social media for clinical trials and Merck funding CALIBR with significant investment for biomedical research.
• The open science movement is gaining momentum through three key pillars: open access to scientific data, easy access to research tools, and community collaboration, paralleling the successful open source software model.
• Janssen has established a groundbreaking research innovation center in San Diego, offering fully equipped laboratories and expertise access to 20 small drug discovery companies, marking a significant shift in pharmaceutical R&D approach.
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