STANFORD UNIVERSITY

Clearside Biomedical presented suprachoroidal delivery tech and pipeline data at APVRS, OIS, and FLORetina, highlighting ODYSSEY wet AMD results and XIPERE real-world data.

OneCell Diagnostics raised $16 million in Series A funding led by Celesta Capital to advance precision oncology through accessible, actionable, and affordable cancer diagnostic testing. The company's liquid biopsy technology, OncoIndx Ikon, detects and analyzes Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) for precision diagnosis and treatment, with plans to expand to the U.S. market. OneCell's technology integrates CTC-DNA, CTC-RNA, and cell surface protein testing from a single blood draw, a significant advancement over current liquid biopsy methods.

OVP reduces CDI in ASCT recipients; Biktarvy shows long-term efficacy for HIV/HBV co-infection; E. coli O121 risks from organic farming; climate change worsens dengue spread; 7-day antibiotic regimen as effective as 14-day for bloodstream infections.

CAS, established in 2015, has managed over 240,000 calls, focusing on patient safety. It recently won the Malinda Mitchell Award for service excellence, achieving goals of improving patient safety and clinician wellness. CAS has avoided 24,000 ED visits and saved $19 million annually through efficiency and care coordination.

The Southwest Forum on Difficult to Treat Depression, chaired by Jordan F. Karp, MD, convened experts to discuss novel mechanisms, evidence-informed algorithms, and access to comprehensive depression care. Topics included advanced treatments like brain stimulation and neurosteroids, challenges in late-life depression, digital mental health treatments, and the role of biomarkers in precision psychiatry. The forum emphasized the need for equitable access and personalized medicine to improve outcomes in treatment-resistant depression.

The global life science tools market is projected to grow from USD 179.44 billion in 2024 to USD 455.30 billion by 2033, driven by advancements in NMR, chromatography, MS, sequencing, and increased funding for modern therapeutics. Key trends include AI-powered data analysis, multi-omics integration, sustainability initiatives, and growth in cell and gene therapies. North America dominated the market in 2023, while Asia Pacific is expected to grow the fastest. Major companies include Agilent Technologies, Bio-Rad Laboratories, and Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Blood tests for Alzheimer’s are ready, with many plasma p-tau217 assays meeting triage criteria and several vendors filing for FDA approval. CMS may reimburse, but rates are uncertain. Vendors like Fujirebio and Roche have filed for IVD approval, and leaders in AD drug development await regulatory approval. The CEOi panel recommends tests with 90% sensitivity and 85% specificity, prompting vendors to optimize their tests. The p-tau217/Aβ1-42 ratio outperforms p-tau217 alone in identifying amyloid-positive individuals, with fewer indeterminate results. Post-approval, integration into clinical practice and appropriate-use recommendations are crucial.

Ipsell, a biotech company, specializes in using induced pluripotent stem cells for cell lines, treatments, and platform services. Focusing on regenerative treatments for degenerative diseases, Ipsell aims to commercialize advanced stem cell therapies by 2030. Their cartilage regeneration treatment, MIUChon, has shown 30% improvement in joint indicators post-animal trial and is set for clinical trials. Ipsell has attracted over 30 billion won in investment and plans to administer the first patient dose early next year.

Brendan, a Ph.D. in organic synthesis from Stanford, worked at Merck and biotech start-ups before co-founding 1200 Pharma. He holds a beneficial long position in KURA shares and is short put options, anticipating a larger position. Investment involves risk; consider objectives, experience, and risk appetite. This is a framework for understanding security price movement, not advice.

Early trials of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) treatments for rare genetic epilepsies show promise in reducing seizures, but high costs pose challenges. ASOs have grown from a single N-of-1 study in 2019 to involve over two dozen patients, with some trials reporting significant seizure reductions. Despite promising results, the high cost of ASO treatments, potentially in the millions, raises concerns about accessibility. Neurologists emphasize the need for genetic screening at birth to identify patients early and streamline the development of these gene-based therapies.