Jonathan Smith, Author at Labiotech.eu

About

Reporter for Labiotech. I hail from the UK. I was born in Bristol, studied Neuroscience in the University of Bristol, and trained mice in Eisai, Hertfordshire, for one year. I then tickled locusts for my Ph.D. at the University of Leicester, before eventually ending up here!
Out of the office, I travel, play video games and board games, drink beer and play the piano.

Articles by Jonathan Smith

stem cell therapy deafness rinri therapeutics

Startup Scout 11 Oct 2019

This Biotech Is Developing a Stem Cell Therapy for Deafness

Sheffield is one of the UK’s historic industrial bases. It also hosts the biotech Rinri Therapeutics, which is developing a stem cell therapy to treat deaf patients who are not eligible for cochlear implants. Mission: To develop a stem cell therapy for a rare form of deafness where the neuronal wiring underlying the auditory system […]

October 11, 2019 - 3 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

More News! 9 Oct 2019

Novo Nordisk and Bluebird Bio to Treat Hemophilia with Gene Editing

The Danish big pharma Novo Nordisk has joined forces with the US gene therapy company bluebird bio to develop next-generation gene editing treatments for hemophilia. The collaboration will last for three years and has the goal of developing a gene therapy that can permanently treat hemophilia A, a genetic disease causing uncontrolled bleeding. Novo Nordisk […]

October 9, 2019 - 1 minutemin - By Jonathan Smith

acne s biomedic skinbiotherapeutics skin microbiome

News and Trends 8 Oct 2019

UK Company and Merck Team Up to Develop Vaccines Based on the Microbiome

Merck will pay the microbiome company 4D Pharma up to €316.5M to develop vaccines based on delivering live bacteria to the gut. The partners will develop vaccines against three undisclosed conditions. As well as an undisclosed upfront fee for each condition, 4D Pharma will be eligible to receive up to €316.5M ($347.5M) in developmental milestones. […]

October 8, 2019 - 2 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

Interview 8 Oct 2019

Biotech Hubs: A Tale of Two Cities

Life science investors differ widely across biotech hubs in Europe. At Labiotech’s recent Refresh event, two investors from Cambridge and Paris compared the progress of these hubs and discussed the challenges that need to be overcome in biotech investment. Funding is the lifeblood of early biotech startups, and investors are a crucial supplier. For this […]

October 8, 2019 - 6 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

aleph farms lab grown meat space mission

More News! 8 Oct 2019

Israeli Biotech 3D Prints the First Beef Steak in Space

Hungry astronauts rejoice! Aleph Farms, a company that grows beef steak from animal cells, has grown the first steaks aboard the International Space Station. The Israeli biotech’s experiment is the first proof that meat can be grown in outer space. Aleph Farms created the meat using a 3D bioprinter developed by the Russian company 3D […]

October 8, 2019 - 3 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

More News! 7 Oct 2019

UK Biotech Launches with €30M Series A to Treat Autoimmune Disease

MiroBio has spun out of the University of Oxford with a Series A round of €30M (£27M) to develop treatments for autoimmune diseases that don’t disrupt the immune system as a whole. The big Series A round accompanying MiroBio’s launch was co-led by the university’s investor partner Oxford Sciences Innovation and the US investor Samsara […]

October 7, 2019 - 2 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

umea swetree technologies genetic engineering

Startup Scout 4 Oct 2019

This Biotech Genetically Engineers Trees to Produce Biofuels

The Swedish company SweTree Technologies is developing genetically engineered trees as environmentally friendly alternative sources of fuel. Mission: To improve the yield and robustness of tree crops such as spruce and eucalyptus using selective breeding and genetic engineering. This would help to boost the production of products such as biofuels and wood from each tree. […]

October 4, 2019 - 3 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

adc therapeutics nasdaq ipo aprea therapeutics

News and Trends 4 Oct 2019

ADC Therapeutics Cancels Nasdaq IPO Amidst Market Growth Fears

The Swiss biotech ADC Therapeutics has withdrawn its application for a €182M ($200M) Nasdaq IPO, citing adverse market conditions caused by global manufacturing slowdowns. ADC Therapeutics declined to comment on the specific market situation. Its withdrawal is likely due to slumps in European and US stock markets seen earlier this week caused by drops in […]

October 4, 2019 - 2 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

More News! 2 Oct 2019

Engineered Crop Plants Produce Fat Molecules for Formula Milk

A team from the Rothamsted Research center, UK, has developed plants capable of mass-producing fat molecules resembling those in human breast milk. The scientists modified the way a type of oilseed plant generates fat molecules by introducing a mutation that changed the location within the cell of an enzyme responsible for processing fat. As a […]

October 2, 2019 - 2 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

News and Trends 2 Oct 2019

RNA Therapies, Immunotherapies and Cancer Tests Showcased in Spain

Biotech companies around the world gathered in Barcelona, Spain, to present breakthroughs in cancer diagnostics and treatments such as cell therapies and cancer vaccines. Here’s our take on the most interesting offerings from the European crop. Barcelona is the home of Gaudi and Barcelona Football Club. Over the last few days, it was also the […]

October 2, 2019 - 6 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

cancer immunotherapy stipe therapeutics novo holdings arix

News and Trends 30 Sep 2019

€20M Series A Launches Cancer Immunotherapy Biotech in Denmark

The Danish company STipe Therapeutics has been launched with a €20M Series A to develop immunotherapy drugs that sensitize the innate immune system against cancer. STipe Therapeutics was spun out from Aarhus University, Denmark, last year with a small grant, and has now completed its full launch with this Series A. The round was co-led […]

September 30, 2019 - 2 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

lightcast discovery cell therapy cambridge uk

Startup Scout 27 Sep 2019

This Biotech Can Screen CAR T-Cells Using Only Light and Microfluidics

Based in Cambridge, UK, Lightcast Discovery is developing microfluidics technology that automates cell screening experiments by using lasers. Mission: To automate cell screening experiments, such as those used when screening CAR T-cell immunotherapies. This would let companies test therapies in complex cell experiments, such as cell-to-cell interactions, which are difficult with traditional drug-screening tools. Cell […]

September 27, 2019 - 3 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

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Jonathan Smith

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Articles by Jonathan Smith

This Biotech Is Developing a Stem Cell Therapy for Deafness

Novo Nordisk and Bluebird Bio to Treat Hemophilia with Gene Editing

UK Company and Merck Team Up to Develop Vaccines Based on the Microbiome

Biotech Hubs: A Tale of Two Cities

Israeli Biotech 3D Prints the First Beef Steak in Space

UK Biotech Launches with €30M Series A to Treat Autoimmune Disease

This Biotech Genetically Engineers Trees to Produce Biofuels

ADC Therapeutics Cancels Nasdaq IPO Amidst Market Growth Fears

Engineered Crop Plants Produce Fat Molecules for Formula Milk

RNA Therapies, Immunotherapies and Cancer Tests Showcased in Spain

€20M Series A Launches Cancer Immunotherapy Biotech in Denmark

This Biotech Can Screen CAR T-Cells Using Only Light and Microfluidics

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Catalonia: A biotech hub going from strength to strength, with Barcelona at its core

Top biotech deals of February 2025

Grab your free report on 3D organoids and explore their future potential

These 7 biotechs are shaping the next generation of endometriosis care

Connect with decision-makers and researchers worldwide for collaborative opportunities

Subscribe to our newsletter

Advertise with us

Catalonia: A biotech hub going from strength to strength, with Barcelona at its core

Top biotech deals of February 2025

Grab your free report on 3D organoids and explore their future potential

These 7 biotechs are shaping the next generation of endometriosis care

Connect with decision-makers and researchers worldwide for collaborative opportunities

Subscribe to our newsletter

Advertise with us

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