Month: June 2021

Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is an emerging therapeutic modality that has the potential to enable the treatment of difficult-to-treat diseases. While conventional medicines, such as small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, address fewer than 20% of the proteome, TPD offers a unique means to tap into the rest of the vast, unexplored proteome. Through TPD,

Over the years, several industries have implemented evolutionary changes in their respective manufacturing processes. One to the most rewarding advancements in this direction, is process automation. In pharmaceutical contract manufacturing, the automation of various aspects of the production process has led to the establishment of the continuous manufacturing system providers. However, the transition to continuous

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a condition in which the ovaries produce abnormal amount of androgens (males sex hormones), higher than the amount usually present in a woman with normal ovaries. The ovaries develop fluid filled sacs, known as follicles, which contain an immature egg. However, in polycystic ovary syndrome, none of the eggs mature and

The growing pipeline of monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, enzymes, biosimilars and other therapeutic proteins have created an ever- increasing demand for highly- productive and stable cell lines. Many of the recombinant biotherapeutic products, produced in cellular systems, have been translated into commercial successes; these include ALPROLIX®, ELOCTATE® and ELAPRASE®.  Given their impact on the overall quality

The concept of modular cleanroom has long been employed in other sectors, but it has only recently acquired traction in the pharmaceutical business over the last two to three decades. Modular cleanroom construction is a process wherein factory-produced, pre-engineered building units, which are constructed offsite under controlled plant conditions, are assembled on site to construct

Over time, advances in molecular biology and pharmacological chemistry have enabled the identification of biological targets localized in the subcellular space, and development of therapeutic leads against them. In fact, there are several clinical conditions, which were previously considered undruggable since the traditional small molecule-based interventions were unable to penetrate the selectively permeable cell membrane.

Over time, several innovative technologies have been developed to support the designing and manufacturing of various types of antibody products; however, the aforementioned processes are characterized by high costs and technical complexities, especially during the production and downstream processing steps. Therefore, it is challenging for new entrants and companies with limited resources and capital, to

Oligonucleotide (commonly referred to as oligos), are short single stranded DNA or RNA molecules, typically containing 15-20 nucleotide residues.[1],[2] In the modern biopharmaceuticals and biotechnology, the applications of these molecules are vast, including (but not limited to) genetic testing, fundamental biomolecular research, and forensic analysis. Antisense oligonucleotides are a diverse class of therapeutics that are

Advances in the field of biotechnology have enabled the development of several minimally invasive / non-invasive approaches for diagnosis of fibrotic disease which include imaging diagnostics and biomarker-based assays. Among the biomarker-based tests, liquid biopsy (based on the analysis of biofluids such as blood, urine and / or plasma), a relatively new concept, has emerged

Stimulator of interferon genes or STING, discovered by the laboratory of Glen N Barber in 2008, is one of the signaling proteins that is responsible for the transcription of genes associated with the innate immunity of an individual. Amidst the recent COVID-19 pandemic, it has become even more essential to strengthen the immune system. The

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, accounting for an estimated 0.6 million deaths in 2020, in the US alone. The World Health Organization has estimated the number of new cancer cases to rise by 70%, worldwide, over the next 20 years. It is a well-known fact that the conventional treatment options,