Bionest

Bifunctional Antibodies: The Next Generation of Immuno-oncology Agents

Immuno-oncology agents, particularly checkpoint inhibitors, have moved to the forefront of cancer research and treatment in recent years. Indeed, the discovery that cancer could be treated by activating the immune system was honored with a Nobel Prize in 2018. But, as revolutionary as immuno-oncology drugs have been for the cancer field, many patients still do...

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Targeting Brain Cancer with New Vaccine Approaches

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common form of brain cancer affecting adults. It is also one of the deadliest and hardest to treat cancers. About half of all people with GBM survive longer than 18 months, but only 15% are still alive five years post diagnosis. Of the approximately two dozen experimental treatments tested...

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Artificial Intelligence and Image-Based Diagnostic Tools

We have recently been hearing much about “machine learning” and “artificial intelligence” (A.I.). While many tend to use the two terms almost interchangeably, there is a distinct difference between the two.   Machine learning, also known as “deep learning,” is a field of applied mathematics that uses algorithms and statistical models to build predictive systems...

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Seminal Immuno-oncology Discoveries Honored by 2018 Nobel Prize

Seemingly spontaneous remissions from terminal cancers are known to occur on rare occasions.  For over 100 years, this observation has spurred scientists to attempt to engage the immune system to fight cancer, with little success. But on October 1, the 2018 Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine was awarded to two scientists whose seminal discoveries...

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Analysts’ Predictions on Top 10 Best Selling Drugs in 2024 — And Our Take

Market analyst firm Evaluate released their annual report, “EvaluatePharma World Preview 2018: Outlook to 2024,” last month. The report predicts that worldwide prescription drug sales will grow to over $1.2 trillion over the next six years. Novartis is projected to be 2024’s leading prescription drug company with $53.2 billion in overall sales, followed by Pfizer...

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Anticipating ASCO

We always greatly anticipate the scientific and educational sessions presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, this year being held in Chicago from June 1-5. The meeting is the largest of its kind focused on cancer, attracting more than 30,000 oncology professionals from around the world to discuss ”state-of-the-art treatment modalities, new therapies,...

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New Gains in Frontline Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Each spring, those of us who watch the oncology space turn our attention to two big U.S. meetings for the latest research news: the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) annual scientific meeting, held in April, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), which will take place in June. AACR previously focused primarily on...

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BIO2018, here we come: Real-time oncology and biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease

The BIO International Convention is a huge gathering each year, as around 15-18,000 representatives from across industry and around the world get together to discuss policy, partnering, and product development over the course of four days. This year’s event, to be held in Boston from June 4 – 7, should be no exception. BIO has...

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New Contender in Race to Develop Allogeneic CAR-T Treatments

Just months after negotiating the sale of autologous CAR-T pioneer Kite Pharma to Gilead for $11.9 billion, two of the executives who led Kite to success are back with a new company, a clinical-stage asset, and a portfolio of 16 preclinical therapeutic candidates, as well as substantial financing. This time, the focus is the development...