Low Tumor Mutation Levels Improve Response to Immunotherapy in Recurrent Glioblastoma
Having a low level of tumor mutation improves immunotherapy treatment response and survival time in patients with recurrent glioblastoma, suggests research led by Duke University.
Neuroinvasion Mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 Discovered
SARS-CoV-2 can affect many other organs in the body including the central nervous system, where the infection is associated with a variety of symptoms ranging from headaches and loss of taste and smell to impaired consciousness, delirium, strokes, and cerebral hemorrhage.
Pacific Biosciences, Invitae to Codevelop Clinical WGS Platform
Leveraging both Sanger sequencing and long-read technology , PacBio and Invitae will look to develop new whole-genome assays in areas such as carrier screening, immune system response, and other heritable diseases.
Illumina Expands Portfolio of Precision Medicine Cancer Tests
Expanding on its agreement to acquire liquid biopsy biotech Grail for $8 billion last year, Illumina will collaborate with Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck, Kura Oncology and Myriad Genetics to develop new precision cancer tests.
Biomarker-Guided Therapy for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Kicks off Phase III Trial
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled global study plans to enroll 300 patients designed to measure overall survival in patients with Denovo Genomic Marker 1 (DGM1).
Bayer to Support CureVac’s COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Development
While CureVac will remain the EU Marketing Authorization Holder for CVnCoV, Bayer agreed to provide services for the vaccine that include clinical operations, regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, medical information, and supply chain performance.
myDNA Merges with Gene by Gene, Uniting Personalized Genetics Pioneers
myDNA and Gene by Gene said the combined companies would be a leading global provider of genealogy, pharmacogenomics, and nutrigenomic services.
Immune Memory of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Measurable for Months
The team studied antibody and immune cell responses in more than 180 men and women who had recovered from COVID-19. They reported that these patients’ immune memory to the virus—across all immune cell types studied—was measurable for up to eight months after symptoms appeared.
Color Banks $167M in Latest Financing Round
The company said it will use the new funds to expand its work building public health technology and infrastructure for governments, employers, and other institutions that serve large populations—services aimed at addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.
University of Miami Study Supports Use of Stem Cells to Treat Severe COVID-19
Although the main purpose of the study was to assess safety, the researchers also found that the treatment significantly improved survival with 91% of the stem-cell treated patients surviving until 31 days after admission versus 42% of the control group.
