Lonza leads market with large and HLA-typed CD34+ cell lots for efficient humanized mouse model development

On March 7, 2022 Lonza reported that it has expanded its renowned human stem cell offerings to provide human cord blood CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (CB-CD34+ HSCs) in large batch sizes, meeting a critical and rapidly expanding market need (Press release, Lifescience Newswire, MAR 7, 2022, View Source [SID1234609585]). Lots in a range of sizes are also now available with high-resolution HLA-type information, removing the requirement for cumbersome HLA screening after lot purchase. CB-CD34+ HSCs are the preferred cell choice for creating humanized mouse models, which are critical for preclinical safety testing of a range of immunotherapies. The new offering enables mouse model developers and researchers to increase cohort sizes for bolstered model-creating capacity, simplify HLA-matched model creation, and unlock unprecedented cost and time efficiencies.

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Humanized mice are a powerful tool for exploring how novel cancer biotherapies interact with a human-specific immune system comprising different and interacting cell types. Across the market, there is a lack of large batch sizes of these cells, restricting the number of humanized mice that can be generated per cell lot. In addition, to maximize in vivo predictivity and accuracy of results, it is beneficial for mouse models to be carefully HLA matched to the grafted tumor tissue. Without ready-typed cells available, companies face lengthy in-house HLA screening that can add weeks to timelines, with no guarantee that an unscreened batch will contain the desired HLA type.

Now, leveraging its longstanding expertise and heavy investment in primary cell isolation, Lonza is able to offer a reliable and consistent supply of large-batch CB-CD34+ HSCs, as well as ready-typed cell lots in various sizes. As a result, customers can create larger mouse model cohorts of the exact HLA-type they need, expanding testing throughput capabilities and unlocking predictive results more quickly and at a significantly lower cost. The breadth of Lonza’s inventory will also allow researchers to obtain all their CB-CD34+ HSCs from a single supplier, ensuring consistency and reliable quality in their processes.

Aurita Menezes, Global Product Manager, Lonza, commented: "Isolating high-purity CD34+ stem cells from cord blood is incredibly complex, leaving most vendors unable to deliver the lot size and continuous supply required — even without HLA typing. Lonza’s technological know-how in this domain means it is leading the market with this new offering. Through this, we’re uniquely placed to accelerate routes to success for customers, further bolstering our ability to help deliver safe and affordable biotherapies to patients faster."

Lonza’s large cell lots are guaranteed to be >90% purity, contain ≥2 million viable cells in the lot, and come complete with a certificate of analysis. HLA-typed CB-CD34+ HSC lots are screened using gold-standard next-generation sequencing, providing higher-resolution HLA information that minimizes the risk of mismatches common with standard, low-resolution serological typing methods. Cell customers will also receive Lonza’s renowned global technical support, ensuring they can quickly overcome hurdles and achieve optimal outcomes in their mouse model creation.

Find out more about Lonza’s HLA-typed human cord blood CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells here: View Source

Oasmia to present at Aktiedagen Stockholm on March 14

On March 7, 2022 Oasmia Pharmaceutical’s CEO, Dr Francois Martelet reported that it will present at Aktiespararna’s Aktiedagen Stockholm on March 14, 2022 (Press release, Oasmia, MAR 7, 2022, View Source [SID1234609602]). The presentation starts at 11:00 CET and will be broadcast live as a webcast at: www.aktiespararna.se/tv/live.

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The presentation will be available online the following day on www.aktiespararna.se/tv/evenemang and on Oasmia Pharmaceutical’s website www.oasmia.com.

Novo Nordisk A/S – Share repurchase programme

On March 7, 2022 Novo Nordisk reported that it initiated a share repurchase programme in accordance with Article 5 of Regulation No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and Council of 16 April 2014 (MAR) and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 of 8 March 2016 (the "Safe Harbour Rules") (Press release, Novo Nordisk, MAR 7, 2022, View Source [SID1234609622]). This programme is part of the overall share repurchase programme of up to DKK 22 billion to be executed during a 12-month period beginning 2 February 2022.

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Under the programme initiated 2 February 2022, Novo Nordisk will repurchase B shares for an amount up to DKK 4.4 billion in the period from 2 February 2022 to 2 May 2022.

With the transactions stated above, Novo Nordisk owns a total of 34,280,319 B shares of DKK 0.20 as treasury shares, corresponding to 1.5% of the share capital. The total amount of A and B shares in the company is 2,310,000,000 including treasury shares.

Novo Nordisk expects to repurchase B shares for an amount up to DKK 22 billion during a 12- month period beginning 2 February 2022. As of 4 March 2022, Novo Nordisk has since 2 February 2022 repurchased a total of 2,494,151 B shares at an average share price of DKK 670,38 per B share equal to a transaction value of DKK 1,672,029,156.

Arctoris and Evariste Technologies form a Joint Venture to Identify Novel Small Molecule cMET Inhibitors for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

On March 7, 2022 Arctoris, a tech-enabled biopharma company, and Evariste Technologies, an AI-drug discovery company, reported they have formed a joint venture to identify novel small molecule kinase inhibitors for treatment of patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (Press release, Arctoris, MAR 7, 2022, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=arctoris-and-evariste-technologies-form-a-joint-venture-to-identify-novel-small-molecule-cmet-inhibitors-for-non-small-cell-lung-cancer [SID1234612705]).

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Current treatment options for NSCLC are limited, especially in advanced stages. It has been shown that the proto-oncogene cMet is mutated or upregulated in approximately 5% of all NSCLC cases. While cMET has been successfully targeted by two recently approved drugs (Tepotinib, Capmatinib), rapid development of resistance has been reported and there is a clear need for improved second-generation cMET inhibitors to overcome resistance.

The two companies are combining their platforms for AI-guided and robotics-powered drug discovery to develop a set of novel kinase inhibitors against cMET. The partnership will bring together two highly synergistic approaches – quantitative decision making and state-of-the-art generative chemistry, combined with real-time biological and biochemical profiling and data generation, to significantly accelerate the design-make-test-analyze cycle. The two companies will also use their strong links to leading centres for NSCLC treatment to leverage clinical insights, inform their discovery and development efforts and directly address clinically relevant liabilities limiting the effectiveness of currently available therapies.

"We are really excited to be working with Arctoris on this project. There is a huge need for next generation cMET inhibitors for NSCLC. This is a cancer that affects millions globally, and we hope that we can bring meaningful benefit to some of these lives in the near future," shares Dr. Nicholas Firth, CEO of Evariste Technologies.

Arctoris CEO Martin-Immanuel Bittner MD DPhil FRSA commented on the joint venture, "Together with our partners at Evariste, we are developing novel treatment options in NSCLC against a fully validated target, where first generation inhibitors can be improved on in a clinically meaningful way. Combining patient-derived insights on resistance and toxicity patterns with AI-powered molecule design and our robotic platform, Ulysses, we aim to develop superior next generation inhibitors within a significantly accelerated time frame."

The collaboration between Arctoris and Evariste is already underway and has identified novel, active chemical matter. "We look forward to keeping our community updated about the progress we are making within the joint venture between Evariste Technologies and Arctoris. We have had an incredible start already, and we look forward to continuing our work to develop better treatments options for patients worldwide", shares Bittner.

Immix Biopharma, Inc. Announces IMMX Milestone Day to be Held on April 5, 2022

On March 7, 2022 Immix Biopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMMX) ("ImmixBio", "Company", "we" or "us"), a biopharmaceutical company pioneering Tissue-Specific Therapeutics (TSTx) targeting oncology and immuno-dysregulated diseases, reported the IMMX Milestone Day Event, to be held on April 5, 2022 (Press release, Immix Biopharma, MAR 7, 2022, View Source [SID1234609550]). At the Event, management plans to discuss current financial position, milestones, and new opportunities presented by current market volatility.

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"With conflict in Europe and attendant volatility in capital markets, we believe it is appropriate to discuss that ImmixBio not only continues to be on track to achieve clinical data milestones as planned with the funding we raised in our IPO, but also act on new opportunities presented," said Ilya Rachman, MD PhD, Chief Executive Officer of ImmixBio. "Each day we are advancing ImmixBio forward towards the milestones we have committed to our investors, stakeholders, and patients."

"We raised $24.2 million in total gross proceeds 3 months ago at the end of December including full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option in connection with our IPO," said Gabriel Morris, Chief Financial Officer of ImmixBio. "With Dr. Rachman’s experience as a clinical investigator for approved therapies, we believe we are ideally positioned to take advantage of market uncertainty to accomplish milestones with increasing capital efficiency."