Category: Uncategorized
etherna, a leading provider of cutting-edge mRNA and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology across the biotech and pharma industry, announces that one of its key collaborators, Almirall, a leading medical dermatology company, nominated LAD116 as a novel therapy targeting non-melanoma skin cancer for further development in IND enabling studies. LAD116 is based on etherna’s intratumoral mRNA/LNP platform for therapies intended to generate a potent immune response directly within the tumor microenvironment. The collaboration with Almirall on this potential new therapy will now focus on manufacturing and producing GMP-grade material for IND enabling studies and intended Phase I clinical trials.
Bernard Sagaert, CEO, etherna, added:
"This collaboration is a perfect example of what can be achieved when teams are fully aligned and driven to succeed. The combined efforts of both companies to discover and advance an mRNA-LNP based therapy to preclinical candidate nomination, on time and on budget, has been outstanding. We are extremely happy to continue to support Almirall as they advance this promising approach for non-melanoma skin cancer patients."
Karl Ziegelbauer, Chief Scientific Officer, Almirall, commented:
“Almirall is committed to advancing innovation in medical dermatology to address significant unmet medical needs. We are very excited to advance this innovative intratumoral approach to potentially treat patients with non-melanoma skin cancer and we are delighted to see rapid progress of our collaboration with etherna based on their mRNA and LNP capabilities."
About etherna
etherna is a leading technology platform company pioneering the development of mRNA and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technologies, including manufacturing up to GMP. With over a decade of expertise, the company provides pharma and biotech partners with an integrated suite of proprietary platforms, including customizable lipid nanoparticles (cLNPs) and advanced mRNA chemistry to enable the delivery of differentiated and efficacious RNA therapeutics. Founded in 2013 as a spin-off from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), etherna has evolved from a developer of immunotherapies into a key strategic partner for the global life sciences industry, supporting projects from early research over development to GMP manufacturing. The company is headquartered in Niel, Belgium, with R&D facilities in Ghent and commercial operations in the U.S. and Asia.
Media Contact: Richard.Hayhurst@59north.bio
Jonas Båtelson of CuraCell has been featured in Citeline’s In Vivo, offering a sharp analysis of why platform‑driven models are becoming essential to the future of cell therapy. In his commentary, Båtelson argues that the sector’s next wave of winners will be those able to industrialise innovation by building scalable, modular platforms that reduce cost, accelerate development, and enable a broader pipeline of therapies.
His perspective positions CuraCell at the forefront of the industry conversation, highlighting the company’s strategic focus on technologies that can unlock true commercial viability for advanced cell‑based treatments.
Read the full article here.
What to expect from 2026? We asked some of our journalist friends working in life sciences and healthtech. Here are answers from BioCentury, Clarivate, In Vivo, Scrip, Nature Biotech, Labiotech, Medtech Insight GlobalData, BioPharm International and Advancing RNA. We’ve included links to their relevant articles.
Please click here to read more...
AAVantgarde Bio, a clinical-stage,biotechnology company pioneering therapies for inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) has successfully closed a $141 million Series B financing round.
“This investment is a strong endorsement of our team, our science, and two clinical IRD programs,” said Dr. Natalia Misciattelli, CEO of AAVantgarde. “Both programs address the root genetic causes of devastating conditions and offer hope of improvement to patients and families living with progressive vision loss”
Please click here to read more
CEO Rafiq Hasan describes to BiotechTV's Amy Brown during an interview in London how this program works, and he compares and contrasts it to more traditional therapies that are on the market currently. Plus, and overview of Complement's other programs and operations.
Please click here to read more
team of scientists from KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Karolinska Institutet has reported the development and characterization of a new class of small non-immunoglobulin affibody proteins that bind to the highly glycosylated human carcinoembryonic antigen-related adhesion molecule 5 (CEACAM5, CEA) with high affinity.
Please click here to subscribe and read the full story
Blind patients can read and recognise faces again with a “revolutionary” bionic chip, signalling a “new era” for artificial vision. The implant is an ultra-thin wireless microchip, measuring 2mm by 2mm, which is inserted under the retina and links to a video-camera fitted on a pair of augmented-reality glasses. Dozens of patients who lost their eyesight through age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were fitted with the device on a trial including Moorfields Hospital in London, with more than 80 per cent seeing major improvements.
About 600,000 people in the UK suffer from AMD, a number that is expected to increase with an ageing population, but there is currently no cure and the condition can be managed only with injections to slow the damage.
The device works with a video camera recording the scene in front of the patient, then AI is used to convert the information to an infrared signal that is beamed to the implant.
The implant stimulates undamaged inner retinal neurons, so they can transmit the signal to the brain, through the optic nerve, where it is interpreted as vision.
Biotechnology company Neumirna Therapeutics has announced its partnership with CDMO company ten23 health to advance treatments for epilepsy and other neurological diseases.
The companies will collaborate to advance NMT.001, a microRNA–targeting antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) designed to treat drug-resistant epilepsy, towards clinical development. The goal is to bring the therapy into clinical trials, combining ten23’s formulation and manufacturing expertise with Neumirna’s RNA innovation.
Please click here to read the full story
CPHI Frankfurt 2025:
New Trends Deliver Promise in OSDs from Core to Coating to Functional Packaging.
Click here to watch the video