PHARMACEUTICAL
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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019 Volume 23, Number 1
High-yield transient production of antibodies and proteins for use in pre-clinical programs
How electroporation can enhance gene editing in 2019
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R&D News.................. 1 Appointments............. 6 New Products........... 12 App Reviews.............. 15
MARS INNOVATION’S TRIPHASE ACCELERATOR ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH CELGENE FOR FIRST-IN-CLASS WDR5 LEUKEMIA THERAPY
This image depicts a chemical probe interfering with the WDR5 protein (in red, white and blue) in patients with leukemia. This chemical probe served as the starting point for OICR’s drug discovery efforts towards a potential first-in-class drug targeting the WDR5 protein. (CNW Group/FACIT) Toronto-based Triphase Accelerator, a drug development company co-founded by MaRS Innovation, has partnered with Celgene Corporation to create a pre-clinical drug developed by the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, targeting the WDR5 protein for the treatment of leukemia and other blood cancers.
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Rafi Hofstein, co-founder and director of Triphase and president and CEO of MaRS Innovation noted, “Celgene’s expertise together with the commitment of our founding partners will not only continue to support the successful Triphase model but will also ensure increased global focus on Toronto
and Ontario more broadly.” This partnership marks the largest to date for a pre-clinical asset based on Canadian research with Celgene paying $40 million US up front and
the option to acquire TRPH-395 from Triphase Accelerator for up to an additional $940 million US including contingent development, regulatory and sales milestones. “I am thrilled that our initial vision of creating a stellar oncology drug development engine is now bearing fruit,” says Hofstein. Triphase Accelerator’s primary focus in oncology. They are dedicated to advancing novel compounds through operations in Toronto and San Diego. WDR5 is the third asset Triphase has developed with Celgene. In 2016 marizomib became the first asset acquired by Celgene and is currently in Phase 3 development for glioblastoma. The second acquired asset was recently moved into Phase 1 clinical trials. Triphase is committed to advancing novel compounds through Phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical studies using faster and more cost-effective approaches than traditional pharmaceutical and biotech industry drug development approaches. Triphase’s partnership with Celgene is strategically focused on oncology drug development opportunities.
23ANDME ADDS WEIGHT-LOSS COACHING TO ITS DNA TESTING SERVICE Mountain View, California-based DNA-testing giant 23andMe Inc announced in January that it will add weight-loss coaching to its DNA testing service. To deliver this option, 23andMe is partnering with Lark Health, an AI coaching service that delivers personalized weight-loss and diabetes advice through an app.
“This was born from our desire to get our customers to do more with their genetics,’’ said Emily DrabantConley, vice president of business development at 23andMe. Some genetic experts are concerned about the science behind the Continued on page 3
