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Scientific discovery and innovation are no longer relegated to the margins. Indeed scientists are no longer mad megalomaniacs creating Frankenstein’s monster.  

Biotechnology is hip, happening, and certainly the cool kid on the block. Biotech was behind the speed and adeptness with which scientists could understand COVID-19. Within a few short months, scientists mapped the virus’s genome and translated novel technology – mRNA – into a groundbreaking vaccine. Millions of lives were saved. Investment grew manifold. 

A McKinsey report reveals that biotech companies raised more than $34 billion in 2021, which doubled the 2020 total of $16 billion. Venture capital companies invested in 2200 biotech startups in 2016 (globally). In 2021, this had grown to 3100. 

Here are three reasons why biotech is booming. 

Technological advancement

Biotechnology has witnessed rapid technological growth. These advancements include gene editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9, next-generation sequencing techniques, and high throughput screening methods. Such groundbreaking discovery has accelerated drug development and enabled researchers to identify potential therapies more efficiently and effectively.

Increased investment and funding opportunities

The biotech sector has attracted significant investment from both private and public sources. Venture capitalists, big pharma and governments have shown strong interest in biotech startups and research initiatives. This increased funding has allowed biotech companies to pursue ambitious projects and take more calculated risks in their research and development endeavors. 

VC investors appear focused on emerging technologies that can precisely tailor treatments to individual patients and deliver them to the target site. 

Five platforms, in particular, are creating buzz:

1. Cell therapy

This can pinpoint and treat diseased tissues or cells and other diseases (for example, solid tumors). 

2. Next-generation gene therapies

These can edit and modulate DNA and RNA and could cure genetic diseases.

3. Precision medicine

Precision medicine has the potential to diagnose conditions earlier than other diagnostic tools. Therapies can thus be tailored to a patient’s specific needs and genetic profile. 

4. Treatment of resistant illnesses

Strategies are being developed to target previously drug-resistant or complex targets, such as hard-to-hit proteins and hard-to-treat diseases. 

5. Novel delivery mechanisms

New delivery methods can send novel therapies to an affected tissue, precisely and safely. 

Growing demand for innovative healthcare solutions

The rapid rise of non-communicable diseases like hypertension and type 2 diabetes, an aging population, and other emerging health concerns, means that the healthcare industry has to respond meaningfully and efficiently. 

Biotech companies are well-positioned to develop cutting-edge therapies, personalized medicine, and other novel treatments for several medical conditions. 

Healthcare costs have also increased globally

Healthcare costs have left many bankrupt. This has pressurized the healthcare sector to find more efficient and cost-effective solutions. Innovative healthcare technologies have the potential to streamline processes, reduce operational expenses and improve patient outcomes. 

Enhanced data analytics will improve healthcare

The ability to collect, process and analyze vast amounts of healthcare data has significantly improved. Now we can harness this data to identify trends, patterns and potential health risks, leading to better-informed decision-making and targeted interventions. 

This is where Similari comes in

With Similari, your data monitoring needs are taken care of to drive data-driven business decision-making. Deep data points are mined and presented in a user-friendly and intuitive dashboard. Reach out today for a free demo, and find out how Similari can help you offload up to 90% of your data monitoring time while delivering valuable insights in real time.

While intensive research and development time is critical in the life sciences industry, keeping on top of news, insights and research is essential for data-driven decision making. A discovery is only as good as its broader context. Questions to consider include whether there are competitors playing in the arena, and what patents exist, if any, in your area of development. It’s possible to make rapid breakthroughs if all your (information) ducks are in a row. 

Covid-19 proved how rapidly the biotech sector evolves. Companies like Moderna and BioNTech were newbies in the mRNA space before the pandemic, and with significant leaps in income and status, are now household names.

But as the industry is in constant flux and fast paced, staying on top of reading material can be tricky. Indeed, information overload and time constraints are real concerns for busy biotech entrepreneurs. We’ll look at why you need to read widely, and how to carve out precious time and resources to do so. 

Why staying on top of developments, insights, data, news and research is important

Comprehensive knowledge

Reading widely opens the door to a broad range of studies, research papers, reports and expert opinions. Because the world of biotech can be complex, reading widely on the subject matter can also uncover several perspectives and nuances. 

Identify trends and patterns

Analyzing different data sources helps to identify trends and patterns. This leads to informed decision-making and more accurate predictions based on the collective knowledge from various sources. 

Validation and cross-checking

Reading widely allows you to cross-check information and validate findings. Reproducibility and verification are essential in the scientific community to ensure the credibility and reliability of data. 

Sparking new R&D ideas

There’s no doubt that exposure to diverse ideas and research can spark creativity and lead to innovative approaches in data monitoring and analysis. 

You may be thinking that this is all well and good, but how do I find the time?

Here are a few ways to prioritize your knowledge sessions.

Set specific time slots

Allocate specific time slots during your day dedicated to reading news and insights in the life sciences space. It could be during your morning coffee, lunch break, or after work. 

Use commuting time

If you have a daily commute via public transport, perhaps use the time to catch up on news. If you have a car trip, consider podcasts or recorded readings. 

Prioritize reading

It may seem pithy, but prioritizing your reading time is key. If you consider it essential for your professional development, you’ll be more motivated to find the time for it. 

Participate in webinars

Many organizations, media publications and research institutions host webinars and online seminars on a huge variety of life science topics. These can provide valuable insights without needing to read vast swathes of information. You’ll also likely hear from experts in the field and indeed, get to ask any burning question you may have.

Automating data monitoring

There’s no doubt that the sheer volume of data generated by the life sciences industry is too large for humans to monitor effectively. AI-driven insights management solutions like Similari are able to do it in real-time, collating key findings into an easy-to-read format, and helping researchers offload 90% of data monitoring time from their daily work. 

With Similari, you can do your essential reading in a smart way

It’s important to read trustworthy and robust news and research. With the right data monitoring approach, readers can expand their knowledge in an evolving and dynamic field. With Similari, you have all the information at your fingertips presented on one dashboard. Yep, no need to compile a reading list from multiple sites.  What’s more, Similari’s AI-enabled insights management platform monitors millions of deep data points in your chosen arena of inquiry. Reach out today for a free demo, and find out how Similari can help you offload up to 90% of your data monitoring time, while delivering deeper, more relevant insights in real-time.

In 2019, an HIV vaccine trial, Mosaico, began. There was of course much pinning on it. Without treatment, the dangerous human immunodeficiency virus wreaks havoc on those it infects and broader communities. An article in Nature notes that advances in care over the past three decades have transformed HIV from a deadly disease to a manageable chronic condition. This is because of the amazing research and development, and drug discovery that has taken place to treat this complex condition. Nevertheless, substantial gaps in care remain and HIV continues to be a major public health threat. The best course? Preventative vaccines. 

But Mosaico failed. The vaccine meant to target a variety of HIV subtypes didn’t invoke the necessary immune response to neutralize the antibodies powerful enough to fight the infection. All was not lost. Dr Anthony Fauci asserted that despite Mosaico’s disappointing outcome, it did show that any further vaccine should rouse the body to produce broadly neutralizing antibodies. 

As biotech entrepreneurs, we have to confront wily adversaries such as HIV and consider the most innovative and thoughtful ways to tackle them. It’s really challenging to get the preventative treatment right. Healthcare experts, such as Fauci, lament that while there are working treatments, a patient must take them for the rest of their lives. In resource-constrained public health systems, this is not ideal. 

The silver-lining: why life-sciences companies need to appreciate failure

Scientific Learning: 

Vaccine trials, whether successful or not, provide valuable scientific data that can improve our understanding of the virus and the immune response. Each trial contributes to the growing body of knowledge in HIV research, potentially uncovering new avenues for vaccine development.

Targeting a Complex Virus: 

HIV is a highly mutable virus, which means it can change its genetic makeup rapidly, making it challenging to design an effective vaccine. By conducting trials like Mosaico, researchers can assess the efficacy of different vaccine candidates and refine their approaches.

Vaccine Development Strategies:

The failure of a vaccine trial provides insights into which strategies might not work and prompts researchers to reevaluate their hypotheses. It can lead to the refinement of future vaccine candidates, guiding scientists towards more promising avenues.

Ethical Considerations: 

Vaccine trials involve extensive testing on human volunteers. While a failure may be disheartening, it is essential to ensure the safety and efficacy of potential vaccines before wider deployment to avoid potential harm.

Future Trials: 

The data and lessons learned from a trial like Mosaico can inform the design of future trials. Researchers can adapt their methodologies and focus on different aspects to increase the chances of success in subsequent attempts.

Biotech entrepreneurs can take advantage of drug discovery funding

Fauci noted that the field is “going to continue to pursue very active research in that area.” For biotech companies, this signals opportunities. It’s not only vaccines that are being trialed. Indeed, the field will always require a variety of treatment and prevention options. From long–acting injectables to oral pre-exposure prophylaxis, the drug discovery landscape is a biotech entrepreneur’s oyster. 

To stay abreast of drug discovery, new and ongoing clinical trials, choose Similari

The world of life-sciences is in constant flux and motion. New discoveries are made while others are paused or halted altogether. With Similari, you can get to grips with this information and so much more.  Similari’s AI-enabled insights management platform brings news and developments directly to you by monitoring millions of data points in your chosen arena of inquiry, many of which are invisible to traditional search methods. Reach out today for a free demo, and find out how Similari can help you keep absolutely up-to-date with the latest life sciences news and developments.

It’s no surprise that more academics and researchers are looking to start their own life science startups. Since COVID-19, the biotech market has had an unprecedented amount of funding to meet huge local and global demand for lifesaving biotechnology. Indeed, 2022 was probably the best year on record for health startup funding.  What’s more, the USA boasts a robust biotech ecosystem, creating a supportive environment for collaboration and access to resources.

Knowledge of the industry’s scientific, business and regulatory aspects is critical

Birthing a biotech company has many unforeseen obstacles. Aside from the typical entrepreneurial headaches, there are a plethora of information obstacles. Knowing your patents from your property law, what R&D exists, and who’s who in the industry is critical to your success. 

We’ve set out a few guidelines, essential to build your knowledge and expertise in the exciting biotech startup space. 

Have your biotech fundamentals down pat

Develop a strong foundation in biotechnology principles, including molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, biochemistry, and microbiology. Familiarize yourself with cutting-edge technologies and emerging trends in the biotech industry.

Do your market due diligence

Understand the current market trends, potential competitors, and opportunities in the biotech sector. Analyze the demand for specific biotech products or services and identify the target market.

Know your trademarks from your copyright

Familiarize yourself with intellectual property laws, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn how to protect your innovations and navigate the patent application process effectively.

Play it safe

Biotech companies must adhere to various regulations, especially those related to product development, clinical trials, and commercialization. Research the requirements of regulatory agencies, such as the FDA. 

Business management skills are crucial

Acquire knowledge of business management principles, including market strategy, financial planning, funding options, and risk assessment. Develop a clear business plan outlining your company’s goals, objectives, and strategies.

Follow the money

Research funding options are available to biotech startups, such as venture capital, angel investors, government grants, and partnerships. Understand the expectations of investors and how to pitch your business effectively.

It’s also wise to research the legal requirements and taxation policies applicable to biotech companies in your jurisdiction.

Drug discovery and product development essentials

Gain insights into the process of developing biotech products, conducting preclinical studies, and designing and executing clinical trials. Understanding the regulatory requirements and safety standards in this area is crucial.

First, do no harm

Understand the ethical implications of biotechnology, especially when dealing with sensitive areas such as genetic engineering or human clinical trials. Ethical practices are essential for building trust with stakeholders. Familiarize yourself with business ethics and compliance standards. Ensure that your company follows ethical guidelines in research, development, and commercialization processes.

For extensive and personalized biotech startup tips and insights, choose Similari

Getting to grips with business, competitors, existing patents and legal implications of biotech can seem overwhelming. 

With Similari, you are able to stay abreast of such topics in structured, intuitive and meaningful ways, helping you succeed on this journey riddled with challenges. 

Similari’s AI-enabled insights management platform brings you a live feed of all the latest biotech news and developments as they happen by monitoring millions of data points in your chosen arena of inquiry.

Reach out today.

There’s unprecedented firepower on the table

It’s an interesting year for M&A in the life sciences. The industry is emerging from a period of unprecedented turbulence, and there is currently approximately $1.4 trillion in firepower on the table – the highest amount of available capital for acquisitions recorded in the last decade. Analysts predict large-scale transformative dealmaking, and as life sciences organizations look to grow and future-proof their operations, strategic M&A will play an increasingly important role. 

Here’s a quick guide to navigating life sciences M&A in 2023.

M&A activity is on the rise in 2023

2022 saw a fairly muted year for M&A activity in the pharmaceutical industry. According to Bain & Company, strategic healthcare deals declined by over 30%, with average deal size dropping 15% despite some mega-deals in the fourth quarter. But so far, 2023 has delivered some key indicators that M&A is set to rebound. M&A activity increased by 43% in value terms in Q1 compared to the previous quarter’s total, a rise of 196% compared to Q1 2022. 

As the industry acclimatizes to macroeconomic uncertainties, analysts predict a number of factors will drive growth in this arena. The first is the surplus of cash on hand. The top 25 US firms had approximately $30 billion in cash on hand at the beginning of this year – enough to see some significant movement as the year progresses. To add to this, there are approximately $100 billion in patents set to expire by 2030, meaning pharma M&A activity is expected to rebound significantly in the immediate future as companies move to plug the gaps in their portfolios brought on by approaching patent cliffs. The looming patent cliff is estimated to put around $258 billion at risk as revenues are eroded by the introduction of lower-priced generics and biosimilars. 

The biggest deals of 2023 (so far)

There’s already been some significant M&A activity in the sector this year. 

In April, Merck acquired Prometheus Biosciences for $11 billion, adding an exciting experimental treatment for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease to its portfolio.

In March, Pfizer bought Seagen for $43 billion in what analysts predict will be the biggest deal of the year. The Seattle-based biotech startup is set to broaden the pharmaceutical giant’s oncology capabilities significantly.

Lastly, AstraZeneca is set to acquire American clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company CinCor for $2 billion, looking to boost its cardiorenal pipeline. 

Three steps to successful M&A dealmaking in 2023

In a guest column for Life Science Leader, Arda Ural lays out three strategies for successful M&A dealmaking in 2023. 

1. Attempt to de-risk deals as far as possible

50% of M&A deals targeted pre-Phase 3 assets in 2022, suggesting that companies are moving towards earlier-stage assets, as opposed to de-risking by targeting late-stage, well-validated clinical assets. Assets that are earlier in the R&D lifecycle come at a lower price, which offsets the higher risk of failure. 

2. Assess which deals have worked historically, and why

Ural suggests analyzing historical trends to isolate the highest areas of return. For example, bolt-on transactions have higher yields when the target company is in an adjacent therapeutic arena to the primary portfolio of the purchasing company. This suggests that depth and specialization are more lucrative than breadth. 

3. Ensure the right processes are in place to integrate new acquisitions

According to Ural, M&A doesn’t end when the funds have cleared. A robust change management infrastructure must be in place to ensure the success of the deal in the long term. This includes measures for facilitating cultural collaboration, change management, integration and new workflows.

For the latest in M&A news and insights, choose Similari

The M&A landscape changes by the minute, and to keep abreast of the latest developments, researchers need a tool that analyzes the bigger picture, while customizing granular, relevant insights to their area of immediate interest. 

Similari’s AI-enabled insights management platform brings you a live feed of all the latest M&A news and developments as they happen by monitoring millions of data points in your chosen arena of inquiry.

Reach out today to find out how Similari can help you spot trends as they’re shaped, sharpen your forecasting and keep absolutely up to date on competitor activity, minute by minute. 

Big data is changing the trial game

As big data analysis capabilities have increased over the last five years, so have the possibilities for radically improving efficiency and success rates in clinical trials. Digital transformation at the level of general healthcare, including the prevalence of digitized records, the proliferation of data-capturing wearables market and other sources of patient-related information mean that researchers now have access to a range of invaluable data collected during patients’ normal course of care outside of the clinical trial setting. 

This Real World Data (RWD) presents a wealth of information about drug and treatment efficacy, and it’s changing the way clinical trials are designed and executed. Here’s why.

What is Real World Data?

The term Real World Data refers to health-related data generated during the course of a patient’s routine care or post-treatment life that relates to their health status. This data comes from sources outside of the clinical trial itself, such as healthcare records, insurance claims and billing activity, medication order records, or from the patient’s own data generation via wearables or other at-home medical devices. 

From Real World Data, researchers can synthesize Real World Evidence (RWE), which is the clinical evidence generated by the analysis of RWD that reflects the safety, efficiency, benefits and risks associated with the drug under testing.

What are the sources of Real World Data?

Real World Data can be sourced from any reliable point of origin outside of the clinical trial itself, many of which appear fairly unconventional. RWD sources include:

• Clinical sources, including EHR records, pathology/histology data, discharge and progress reports. 
• Medication sources, including order records, Point of Sale data, concomitant therapies and prescription refills. 
• Claims, including medical and prescription drug claims, and other treatment usage data. 
• Family history, including historical data on health conditions relating to the patient’s extended history, smoking in the household and alcohol use. 
• Mobile health, including data gathered by fitness trackers and wearables delivering clinical-grade information on heart rate, PulseOx levels, sleep, calories and more. 
• Social media, including patient support groups, blogs and posts. 
• Environmental sources, including data on air quality, climate factors, community infections, and OHSA data. 

Real World Data applications

Real World Data is being applied in the drug discovery process in a number of important ways. 

Guiding pipeline and portfolio strategy

Pharmaceutical companies can use RWD to guide strategic decision-making, including estimating disease prevalence and incidence and predicting the scope of the potential patient population. Increasingly, researchers are bringing RWD into earlier phases of the product development process to help guide the allocation of resources and maximize the potential for success. 

Optimizing study design

Researchers can use RWD to optimize study design through advanced feasibility determinations, improved cohort recruitment and predictive enrichment, and lowering trial costs through the development of “synthetic” control arms built from pre-gathered RWD. Researchers are also using RWD to make more informed decisions regarding required enrollment sizes,  trial site selection and trial patient diversity. 

Post-launch safety and efficacy surveillance

RWD is emerging as an invaluable data source for post-launch drug safety and efficacy assessments. To assess the safety and efficacy of a drug, researchers need visibility of drug performance and potential associated risks across a longer period of time and against a broader scope of variables than possible during the limited time period of a trial.

How advanced data management is unlocking major value in the drug discovery pipeline

Clinical trials are producing more data than ever before, especially with the increasing use of RWD. The sheer volume of data being generated every day from clinical trials, M&A activity, press releases and publications has become impossible for human researchers to monitor and analyze effectively. 

Increasingly, pharmaceutical R&D teams are turning to AI-enabled data monitoring and insights management platforms to help them keep on top of the impenetrable data volume flooding their areas of research. Similari is one such platform. 

By monitoring millions of data points in a defined arena of inquiry, Similari is able to collate key insights which help inform data-driven decisions, identify true white spaces and avoid research duplication and dead ends. 

Find out how Similari can augment your R&D capabilities by trying a free demo today.