Nanotechnology, which is the manipulation of molecules on an atomic scale, has been implemented by companies in medicine, with applications galore – in drug discovery, tissue engineering, imaging and diagnostics. A rapidly growing field, the initial developments in nanomedicine took place at the turn of the century, although the study of nanoparticles such as colloidal […]
Molecules are incredibly small – around one hundred millionth the size of a softball – and they move randomly in liquids, making it difficult to manipulate them in a single form. To overcome this challenge, “nanofluidic devices” that can transport molecules in extremely narrow channels, similar in size to one millionth of a straw, are […]
The bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito abets the entry of Plasmodium sporozoites in the bloodstream of humans, marking the beginning of the parasite’s life cycle. The sporozoites then travel to the liver and multiply, following which they invade red blood cells, proliferating in numbers yet again. And in about a week or two, malaria, […]
Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are novel therapeutics that can be used to treat a wide range of diseases. This has led to a growing demand for selective, efficient, and safe ways of delivering siRNA in cells. Now, in a cooperation between the universities of Amsterdam and Leiden in the Netherlands, researchers have developed dedicated molecular […]
A research team from LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) has developed thyroid hormone (TH) – encapsulated nanoparticles modified with adipose-homing peptide, which selectively transport TH to adipose tissues. The researchers say this will advance the treatment of obesity-related medical complications with TH by overcoming its severe adverse effects caused by […]
Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd. has launched the “Nano 100 Project,” which aims to develop fully human nanobody drugs for more than 100 targets. The project combines Biocytogen’s proprietary fully human nanobody mouse, RenNano, with its high-throughput in vitro and in vivo antibody screening platforms to develop fully human nanobody drugs on a large-scale. Compared […]
A new study by the University of Barcelona in Spain has analyzed the viability of a new nanomolecule that can be used as a nanotransporter to deliver drugs. The results, published in the journal Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, show that liposomes designed by researchers are able to transport and deliver an anticancer drug that […]
ExeVir Bio, a Belgian biotech company developing nanobody therapies for broad protection against infectious diseases, has secured a venture debt financing agreement of up to €25 million ($26.5 million) with the European Investment Bank (EIB). The EIB financing will help advance ExeVir Bio’s lead asset, XVR012, into clinical trials for COVID-19. ExeVir Bio’s COVID-19 development […]
India is brimming with biotech companies and a young and skilled workforce. Here’s a quick glance at the private healthcare biotechs in India that captured investors’ imaginations in the last couple of years. India has historically been known for its large IT, pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing sectors, but is also a force to be reckoned […]
A group of researchers in Switzerland is using photosynthetic bacteria to generate energy. After implanting nanotubes into them, the bacteria can create energy. And when the cells divide, those nanotubes stay with subsequent generations. While there’s a long way to go, and many questions to be answered, Ardemis Boghossian at EPFL’s School of Basic Sciences […]
Researchers from Cytimmune Sciences, a clinical-stage biotech company, have presented new data on the company’s novel cancer nanomedicines. The presentation took place at the Cytokine Drug Development Conference held in Boston, Massachusetts, late last month. David Oarr, Cytimmune’s president, participated in the event’s opening panel to discuss the current clinical status and future anticipated progress […]