On February 26, 2025 ImmunoPrecise Antibodies Ltd. (NASDAQ: IPA) ("IPA" or the "Company"), a global leader in AI-powered antibody discovery and development, reported a strategic collaboration with RIBOPRO, a pioneering technology provider specializing in mRNA and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technologies (Press release, ImmunoPrecise Antibodies, FEB 26, 2025, View Source [SID1234651869]). This collaboration seeks to revolutionize the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies by integrating RIBOPRO’s advanced mRNA-based antigen expression expertise with IPA’s in silico and wet-lab antibody discovery capabilities.

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The collaboration leverages RIBOPRO’s expertise in mRNA sequence optimization and LNP-based delivery with IPA’s advanced B-cell screening, single-cell analysis, and deep-learning AI-driven discovery workflows. Together, the two companies aim to accelerate and enhance the development of novel therapeutics by improving antigen presentation and immune responses, a critical step in antibody discovery.

Transforming Antibody Discovery with mRNA Technology

The success of generating therapeutic lead antibodies towards complex antigens using traditional immunization-based discovery platforms may be hampered by challenges associated with the proper expression of these antigens. By leveraging RIBOPRO’s proprietary mRNA and LNP technologies, this partnership enables precise, efficient antigen expression, thereby facilitating potentially more effective immune responses and possibly accelerating the path to discovering novel antibody therapeutics.

"Partnering with ImmunoPrecise Antibodies enables us to push the boundaries of mRNA-based immunization for therapeutic antibody discovery," said Sander van Asbeck, CEO of RIBOPRO. "By integrating our expertise in mRNA design and nanoparticle delivery with IPA’s cutting-edge antibody discovery and engineering capabilities, we can address longstanding challenges in antigen expression, bringing forth new possibilities for precision therapeutics."

Driving Innovation in AI-Powered Antibody Discovery

IPA’s approach combines advanced AI-driven analytics with highly specialized wet-lab methodologies to design and optimize antibodies with the highest clinical relevance. The integration of mRNA immunization into IPA’s workflow is expected to further enhance the precision and efficiency of their antibody discovery pipeline.

"We are enthusiastic to expand our toolbox for the discovery of novel therapeutic antibodies with a state-of-the-art mRNA immunization platform in this alliance," said Dr. Ilse Roodink, CSO of ImmunoPrecise Antibodies. "Combining RIBOPRO’s and IPA’s unique expertise further strengthens our commitment to be at the forefront of solving complex challenges with innovative and high-quality solutions."

On February 26, 2025 Mabqi reported the company secures a €5 million non-dilutive financing from the France 2030 public investment plan to advance preclinical development of it’s lead antibody candidate MQI-201 in oncology (Press release, Mabqi, FEB 26, 2025, View Source [SID1234651774]).

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We are thrilled to announce a €5 million funding as part of the "Innovations in Biotherapies and Bioproduction" call for projects under the France 2030 public investment plan program, managed by BpiFrance.

This non-dilutive funding will accelerate the development of a patented first-in-class antibody for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer, one of the most common cancers in the world.

Mabqi develops a first-in-class MQI-201 antibody specifically targeting the TRPV6 ion channel, an innovative therapeutic target in oncology. This funding will enable Mabqi to launch the bioproduction of this antibody, regulatory IND-enabling studies and FIH trial. We target a Phase I clinical study early 2027.

MQI-201 antibody candidate is the result of a close collaboration with SATT Nord and INSERM teams in Lille. It has already shown excellent tolerance and high efficacy in vivo prostate cancer models and could, in the long term, be used in combination with standard prostate cancer treatments.

Mabqi aims at discovering 2 antibodies candidates per year thanks to its proprietary human antibody library combined to an AI-powered phage & yeast display platform.

On February 26, 2025 Starpharma (ASX: SPL, US OTC: SPHRY), an innovative biotechnology company with two decades of experience in advancing dendrimer technology from the lab to the patient, reported its Interim Report and Half-Year Financial Results for the period ended 31 December 2024 (H1 FY25) (Press release, Starpharma, FEB 26, 2025, View Source [SID1234650765]).

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Starpharma’s Chief Executive Officer, Cheryl Maley, commented:
"In the first half of FY25, Starpharma has made good progress in executing our strategy, aimed at maximising the value of our DEP assets, accelerating early asset development, and building longterm sustainability. I know our internal progress may not always be evident externally, but I can vouch for the dedication and hard work of everyone at Starpharma as we work towards achieving our strategic objectives.

"We have made important progress in advancing our DEP clinical assets, particularly DEP SN38, which has shown promising clinical outcomes in patients with high unmet need. A key regulatory milestone during the period was the recent meeting with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding DEP SN38. The FDA provided feedback on the path to market for DEP SN38, confirming that the 505(b)(2) regulatory approval pathway is appropriate for DEP SN38 and the potential for Fast Track designation and accelerated approval. The positive response from the US regulator increases our confidence in the potential of DEP SN38 for treating platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. During the six months to December, our partner engagement through ongoing meetings and conference participation highlighted the importance of FDA feedback to potential partners for the commercialisation of DEP SN38.

On February 26, 2025 Renovaro Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ: RENB), a TechBio leader focused on next-generation diagnostics, drug discovery, and genetically enhanced cancer therapies, reported a definitive agreement to merge with BioSymetrics, an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug discovery and biomarker identification company (Press release, Renovaro Biosciences, FEB 26, 2025, View Source [SID1234650756]). This transformative partnership is designed to enhance Renovaro’s data repository, biomarker discovery capabilities, accelerate translational research, and bring precision medicine solutions to cancer and other critical disease areas.

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At the core of this collaboration is BioSymetrics’ proprietary Elion platform, a cutting-edge AI and machine learning engine that uncovers complex biological relationships to accelerate the discovery of diagnostics and therapeutics. BioSymetrics’ Phenograph provides a translational engine that maps human clinical signals to prioritized therapeutic targets and is designed to expedite and improve target and biomarker identification and enable patient stratification and drug repurposing. BioSymetrics’ advanced AI in vivo modeling and machine vision systems enable high throughput phenotypic screening, leveraging AI-powered analysis to detect subtle biological responses with unprecedented accuracy. Through in vivo modeling BioSymetrics has amassed an incredible database of proprietary in vivo experimentation, with associated behavioural and morphological analysis. This integrated approach hastens the discovery and validation of transformative therapeutics by bridging computational insights with real-world biological validation, and has enabled platform and analytic partnerships with Janssen, Pfizer, Merck, Supernus Pharma, and Deerfield Cures. By integrating Elion into Renovaro’s workflow, the combined entity aims to streamline the translation of biomarker insights into accelerated discovery timelines, enhancing precision in target identification and improving overall research efficiency, ultimately enabling faster and more effective drug discovery and therapeutic development.

"This merger represents a pivotal step in our mission to diagnose cancer and advance precision medicine," said David Weinstein, CEO of Renovaro. "By combining our expertise in oncology with BioSymetrics’ AI-driven biomarker discovery, we are creating a powerful synergy that will enhance our ability to identify new therapeutic targets, validate diagnostics and accelerate drug development."

BioSymetrics’ AI technology has been instrumental in uncovering novel disease signatures and optimizing precision medicine strategies. Through this merger, Renovaro will gain access to cutting-edge computational tools that enhance the ability to stratify patients, predict treatment responses, and drive more effective therapeutic interventions.

"We are excited to join forces with Renovaro to translate cutting-edge biomarker discoveries into tangible advancements in drug development," said Anthony Iacovone, CEO of BioSymetrics. "Our AI-driven Elion platform is significantly impacting precision medicine and by aligning with Renovaro’s deep expertise in immunotherapy and oncology, we can accelerate the journey from discovery to clinical application."

On February 26, 2025 Argobio and the Institut Pasteur reported the launch of Enodia Therapeutics, a groundbreaking French biotech company dedicated to block and degrade disease-causing proteins for treating cancer, inflammatory diseases and viral infections (Press release, Argobio, FEB 26, 2025, View Source [SID1234650658]). "With the convergence of an unprecedented diverse set of small molecules inhibitors of the Sec61/translocon molecular complex and advancements in generative artificial intelligence (AI), our vision is to develop novel small molecules drugs with good pharmaceuticals properties that could overcome the most critical limitations of today’s medicines," said Yves Ribeill, CEO of Enodia Therapeutics.

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Enodia Therapeutics stems from pioneering research at the Institut Pasteur, with the discovery of the mechanism of action of Mycolactone, a natural Sec61 inhibitor responsible for Buruli Ulcers. "Our infectious diseases research revealed a new way to target disease-causing proteins. This breakthrough highlights how fundamental research can help uncover entirely new therapeutic opportunities," said Pr. Caroline Demangel, co-founder of Enodia Therapeutics and Head of the Immunobiology and Therapy Unit at the Institut Pasteur.

Rooted in groundbreaking research at the Institut Pasteur and supported by Argobio, Enodia Therapeutics received Pfizer x BioLabs’ prestigious Golden Ticket Award. "This recognition supports our newest small molecule Targeted Protein Degrader (TPD) developed by the combined teams of Argobio and the Institut Pasteur. We are grateful for Pfizer’s support and proud to be part of the vibrant BioLabs life sciences ecosystem in Paris Hotel Dieu, where collaboration and innovation are driving significant advancements in healthcare," Yves Ribeill remarked.

"Pfizer is committed to supporting innovative biotech startups that have the potential to redefine patient care. We are excited to see how Enodia Therapeutics will harness its technology for novel treatment approaches," said Dr. Luca Mollo, Vice-President and Medical Director at Pfizer in France.

Enodia Therapeutics was incubated by Argobio, a premier French biotech studio company dedicated to fostering innovative science and accelerating its transition into a fully-fledged biotech company. The scientific project behind Enodia Therapeutics was supported by the Institut Pasteur’s Innovation Accelerator. The aim of this program is to accelerate the market launch of innovative products resulting from laboratory discoveries. With the creation of its first spin-off company in 1997, the Institut Pasteur has been a pioneer in the creation of spin-off companies based on its research. To date the Institut Pasteur has been involved in the development of 38 spin-off companies.