Biotech Newsfeed
A continuously updated stream of biology and biotech news, aggregated from leading science and industry sources and sorted by what's newest.
Sources: Phys.org · GEN · Endpoints News · ScienceDaily · MIT Tech Review
Researchers study how AI could improve weed management
Advances in weed management technology could reduce reliance on herbicides and manual labor, but a new review from the University of Mississippi and Cornell University indicates those tools also bring steep costs and potential challenges.
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Roche, Hansoh Launch Up-to-$15B+ Cancer ADC Collaboration
The companies' strategic collaboration will consist of two preclinical Hansoh ADC programs and “multiple” ADC programs based on Roche-identified targets, to be developed through Hansoh’s ADC technology platform. The post Roche, Hansoh Launch Up-to-$15B+ Cancer ADC Collaboration appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engine…
Takara Bio USA, SPT Labtech Team Up to Automate NGS Library Prep Workflows
The partners are targeting NGS core labs with a combined offering that automates next-generation sequencing library prep workflows using kits from Takara Bio and SPT Labtech’s firefly instrument. They are starting with RNA-seq with plans to expand. The post Takara Bio USA, SPT Labtech Team Up to Automate NGS Library…
Immune Pathway Contributing to Radiation Therapy-Related Lung Damage Identified in Mice
Working with a mouse model of radiation-induced lung injury, researchers uncovered an immune pathway that may contribute to radiation-related lung damage and, suggest their results may point to a potential preventive strategy. The post Immune Pathway Contributing to Radiation Therapy-Related Lung Damage Identified i…
New ICER report suggests drug launch prices are outpacing their worth
The median list price of drugs at launch rose 24% from 2022 to 2025, and the net prices of those drugs rose even higher, according to a new report from the Institute for Clinical and ...
'Raman barcodes' distinguish 20 SARS-CoV-2 variants by their RNA architecture
A research team led by distinguished professor Giuseppe Pezzotti at the Biomedical Engineering Center, Kansai Medical University (Japan), has demonstrated that differences in the molecular structures of viral RNA can be captured as "Raman barcodes," enabling the identification of 20 SARS-CoV-2 variants and subvarian…
The road to discovery: DNA in the air maps biodiversity
Curtin University researchers have detected traces of hundreds of plants and animals by collecting DNA from the air as they drove more than 1,100km (684 miles) across Western Australia.
Scientists discover a promising blood sugar–regulating compound in red alga
It is a dietary staple found in sushi, rice wraps and ramen toppings. Commonly known as nori in Japan and gim in Korea, red seaweed is especially popular across Asia. Yet, despite its widespread consumption, many of its nutritional benefits remain poorly understood. Now, research led by Hokkaido University scientist…
An EHR giant backs consumer healthcare
Epic last week said it was launching a "prescription marketplace" that would allow physicians and their patients to compare prices for medicines at different pharmacies — all while in the doctor’s ...
Pfizer ends Phase 2 autoimmune study; Lycia aims for $227M IPO
Pfizer halts Phase 2 autoimmune trial: The study was testing a program called PF-06835375 in the rare autoimmune disorder primary immune thrombocytopenia. The federal clinical trials database noted the halt was ...
Biopharma Sentiment Index | Q3 2026 survey results
The latest BPSI shows dramatic improvements in biopharma conditions and a level of optimism not seen in years. It's official: Biopharma is finally in a good mood. For the first time since the four-year downturn ...
Exclusive: Astellas partners with Boston ‘miniproteins’ startup
Chris Bahl believes AI can help make tiny proteins capable of doing things that bigger and more traditional proteins like antibodies struggle to do. And now the Japanese drugmaker Astellas is buying into his vision ...
Rapport says drug it licensed from J&J clears Phase 2 bipolar mania study
Rapport Therapeutics said Tuesday its investigational oral drug that dials down the effect of AMPA receptors has cleared a mid-stage trial in bipolar mania, paving the way for registrational studies slated to start next year. ...
Canada’s Arctic Research Could Help Discover Next-Gen Therapeutics
Unlocking the Arctic’s subterranean DNA must ensure a delicate balance between scientific rigor and ethical stewardship. Synthetic biology and chemistry could help discovery of new life-saving therapeutics. The post Canada’s Arctic Research Could Help Discover Next-Gen Therapeutics appeared first on GEN - Genetic En…
Researchers unlock new way to map molecular structure on surfaces
Scientists at NPL, with the University of Surrey, University of Oxford, the Francis Crick Institute and IONTOF GmbH, have developed a technique to distinguish and map molecules that share the same chemical formula and mass but have different structures and functions. The research is published today (Oct. 19) in Natu…
ASHG: Long-Read Genomics Meets Clinical Data in PacBio, Verily Health AI Deal
A multi-year collaboration will connect PacBio's HiFi sequencing with Verily Pre, combining long-read genomic and clinical data for biomedical research and AI model development. The post ASHG: Long-Read Genomics Meets Clinical Data in PacBio, Verily Health AI Deal appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biot…
New wheat disease detection tool established in Tanzania
John Innes Centre researchers have trained scientists from across Tanzania to use new loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays to rapidly detect wheat blast, a looming fungal threat to wheat harvests.
Scientists are growing human brain tissue in living mice—could this make their welfare harder to assess?
What happens when scientists start changing the brain—the very system through which an animal's mental states are expressed in behavior?
Antheia gets $80M conditional DOD loan to onshore to the US
Biosynthesis manufacturer Antheia has won a conditional loan of $80 million from the US Department of Defense to help boost the domestic production of generic drugs. "Over time, we aim to manufacture Antheia's full pipeline ...
Smart farming is already proving profitable in some regions, global analysis finds
The use of robots, drones and AI tools in agriculture is already paying off on 42% of the world's cropland. This could increase to 50% in the next 20 years and to as much as 75% if every country tightened environmental regulations. If every country loosened its regulations, it would fall to 31%.
ASHG 2026: Landmark UK Biobank, IMU Immune Profiling Initiative Taps Ultima and Waters
IMU Biosciences and UK Biobank will profile 80,000 blood samples using technologies from Waters and Ultima Genomics, creating a high-resolution immune dataset to advance AI-driven biomedical research and disease prediction. The post ASHG 2026: Landmark UK Biobank, IMU Immune Profiling Initiative Taps Ultima and Wate…
Psychological Stress Triggers Arthritis Flares in Mice via IL-6-Dependent Pathway
A study in mice offers up a biological explanation for how psychological stress can contribute to arthritis flares, and identifies a stress-responsive pathway that could be explored as a potential therapeutic target. The post Psychological Stress Triggers Arthritis Flares in Mice via IL-6-Dependent Pathway appeared…
#ESMO26 regular abstracts featuring Zai Lab, GSK, Merck and more
The last time the ESMO congress was in Madrid, a presentation on first-line data in bladder cancer drew a rapturous standing ovation. Contenders that might draw the same reception include hotly anticipated ...
Researchers use artificial intelligence to design potential antiviral compounds
Viral infections can be difficult to treat because viruses evolve rapidly, allowing them to develop resistance to drugs designed to attack viral proteins directly.
Gilead’s pill posts stronger colitis remission rates than Entyvio
Gilead Sciences will start late-stage trials of its oral α4β7 inhibitor in ulcerative colitis next year after data from a Phase 2 dose-finding trial suggested that the drug looked better than rival products. After taking ...
EyePoint's Phase 3 failure; Lilly's China drug delivery deal
Plus news about Longwood's next fund and Ryzumvi's label expansion. EyePoint drug fails, biotech halves staff: The Watertown, MA-based biotech is letting go of 53% of its positions after its experimental ...
Merck KGaA to buy Silence Therapeutics and its siRNA pipeline for $1.3B
Germany's Merck KGaA agreed to buy UK drug developer Silence Therapeutics for $1.3 billion, building out its work in rare and specialty diseases using genetic medicines. Silence is developing the siRNA drug divesiran, which is ...
Sanofi taps new startup ScionxBio for long-acting RNA
ScionxBio has inked a deal with French drugmaker Sanofi — its first partnership since splitting from parent company Eleven Therapeutics a few months ago. Under the agreement, ScionxBio will screen Sanofi’s mRNA candidates through its so-called ...
A simple touch can bring dying corals back to life in just 7 weeks
Scientists have discovered that severely bleached corals can make a remarkable comeback simply by touching healthy, genetically identical corals. In laboratory experiments, dying corals regained their color and fully recovered within seven weeks, with as little as five days of contact sometimes enough to start the h…
StockWatch: Liquidia Rebounds After Settling Legal Wrangle with United Therapeutics
Two weeks after its stock lost more than half its value following a setback in a seven-year legal wrangle, Liquidia shares finally began bouncing back thanks to a settlement with United Therapeutics that drew mixed conclusions from four analysts about which company won out long-term. The post StockWatch: Liquidia Re…
Diasome’s HDV-Insulin for T1D Finalizing Phase III Plans After Promising Data
HDV is intended to address the difficulty of insulin, GLP-1, or other molecules traveling to the liver when injected subcutaneously, due to the large number of receptors in peripheral tissue such as fat cells and muscle cells. The post Diasome’s HDV-Insulin for T1D Finalizing Phase III Plans After Promising Data app…
Optical imaging links altered metabolism and oxygen use in Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease is best known for its effects on memory and cognition, but the disease also involves changes in how brain cells produce and use energy. Mitochondria, the structures that supply much of a cell's energy, can become dysfunctional in Alzheimer's disease. At the same time, changes in blood flow and ox…
Stanford’s new microscope reveals living cells like never before
Stanford scientists have developed a revolutionary microscope that reveals the hidden inner workings of living cells in real time, without the fluorescent labels that can interfere with observations. The breakthrough could provide new insights into cancer, infectious diseases, and how drugs interact with cells.
AI designs working molecular scissors that recognize and cut selected protein targets
Proteases are naturally occurring enzymes that break down proteins into peptides and even single amino acids. They are useful in medicine and industrial processes, where they clean tissue, digest waste and help in the manufacture of everyday products. Now scientists have used artificial intelligence to design new ve…
Scientists discover a plastic-eating “Pac-Man” enzyme with a surprising secret
Scientists have discovered a remarkable “Pac-Man enzyme” that helps bacteria devour certain types of plastic and may offer new hope in the fight against plastic pollution. Researchers found that several biodegradable plastics completely broke down in soil within about a year, while conventional plastic remained larg…
This implant can restore sight for patients with macular degeneration
More than 5 million people around the world have an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) called geographic atrophy, in which cells in the retinas die off. And until now, no treatment could restore their vision. The PRIMA system, which was approved in Europe in July and is awaiting FDA clearance in…
Can’t bear to say goodbye to your pet? Biotech’s got you covered.
I don’t remember much about Peppy, my first and only pet cat. I can conjure the sensation of stroking her while she purred, recall how she used to get stuck in trees (just like in cartoons!), and chuckle about the time she pooed in my baby sister’s cot. That’s about it. What I do vividly…
Finding new ways to catch a thief—via intruders' airborne eDNA
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is increasingly being investigated by forensic scientists as a tool to help solve criminal cases that lack biological traces—and attention is also turning to collecting trace airborne eDNA left behind by intruders in residential burglaries.
Six wild ideas for perpetuating your mind
Have you ever thought about what makes you you? Science assures us it has everything to do with the three-pound organ between our ears, with its billions of neurons and trillions of delicate connections. But it’s a lot trickier to explain why we have a sense of self-awareness or to pin down precisely where that…
DNA recording system reveals how a single cell becomes a body
Scientists have traced the development of a mouse embryo from its first two cells to the formation of organs, using a remarkable DNA recording system that reveals the family history of individual cells. Their findings uncover how different cell types emerge on their own schedules and could help explain what goes wro…
Scientists uncover a hidden map of the brain with 539 distinct regions
Scientists have uncovered a hidden layer of organization in the brain by creating the first detailed 3D map of its lipids, the fatty molecules essential for brain structure and communication. By analyzing millions of measurements from mouse brains, researchers identified 539 distinct chemical zones, revealing patter…
Scientists find a surprising genetic twist behind octopus intelligence
The remarkable intelligence of octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish may trace back to an ancient reshuffling of their DNA that created new connections between genes. Scientists discovered that these changes in the genome's 3D structure may have helped drive the evolution of their unusually complex nervous systems.
Scientists discover why a 100-year-old mushroom disease won't go away
Scientists have uncovered a surprising secret behind a mushroom disease that has frustrated growers for more than a century: It involves more than 17 species of harmful bacteria, not just one. The discovery could explain why treatments have struggled to stop the disease and open the door to more effective, eco-frien…
We’re still figuring out the side effects of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs
This week my colleague Antonio Regalado had an interesting update on GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. According to research presented at an aging meeting in Boston, these drugs seem to affect at least some measures of biological age. Overweight and diabetic people who take GLP-1s have a biological age around two to three ye…
Scientists accidentally discover a genetic code that breaks the rules of life
Scientists accidentally discovered a microscopic organism with a genetic code that breaks a rule researchers thought was nearly universal. While testing a new DNA sequencing technique, they examined a previously unknown protist collected from a freshwater pond at Oxford University. To their surprise, the organism us…
A new way to fight gum disease without wiping out good bacteria
Scientists discovered that disrupting the chemical messages bacteria use to communicate can push dental plaque toward a healthier microbial balance. The approach could lead to new treatments for gum disease that control harmful bacteria without destroying beneficial species.
Weight-loss drugs show signs of slowing biological aging, say drugmakers
Popular weight-loss drugs may do more than help people shed pounds. They might also melt away the years. Drug giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk say patients taking their drugs age less quickly, according to readouts from molecular “aging clocks.” Such clocks assess a person’s biological age by looking at changes to…
Scientists discover a human brain gene that can jump through DNA
Scientists have discovered a human gene with a remarkable double life: it appears to play an important role in brain cells while still retaining the ability to jump around the genome. Called BC200, the gene evolved millions of years ago from a mobile piece of DNA known as a transposon, but unlike most genes that aro…
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