Horizon Discovery Group Partners With C4X Discovery Holdings to Develop Oncology Drugs

Horizon Discovery Group Plc, a UK-based company which specializes in gene editing and modification, recently entered into an exclusive partnership with C4X Discovery Holdings, a pioneer in drug discovery. The partnership aims at developing and delivering oncology drugs for conditions that have very limited or no effective treatments available in the market such as colorectal and lung cancer. Under the exclusive partnership, Horizon will put its proprietary technology CRISPR-Cas9 to use and identify new synthetic lethal oncology threats which, in turn, will be used by C4XD to identify pre-clinical drug candidates using its patented 4D shape-based chemistry technology known as Conformetrix. The ultimate goal of the partnership is to develop ground-breaking oncology drugs.

Cancer cells require DNA pathways to repair in order to replicate and survive. Synthetic lethal oncology studies harness the dependency of cancer cells on repairing DNA pathways. The drugs work by identifying a specific DNA repair pathway on which particular cancer cells with mutations are dependent on. The novel oncology drugs then inhibit the repair process causing the cancer cells to self-destruct. A great practical example where synthetic lethal oncology is implemented is the use of drugs that specifically inhibit the DNA repair pathway of mutated BRCA cells which are the main cause of ovarian and breast cancer. Other mutating DNA repair pathways identified in recent times include poly (ADP-ribose) and polymerase (PARP). Inhibitors for PARP in Zejula, Rubraca, and Lynparza were recently approved further demonstrating the effectiveness of synthetic lethal oncology in the treatment of cancer.

Horizon Discovery Group has leveraged the recent advancements in technology to improve its CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool to perform a systematic process termed as “functional genomic screening”. The innovative screening procedure aims to identify new sequences of DNA repair pathways for specific cancer mutations. So far, Horizon Discovery Group has used its cutting-edge technology to conduct a high-quality study of the CRISPR sequences of various types of cancer cells. The company has put approximately ~3000 genes for screening and has identified ~20 new synthetic lethal genes that show great potential. The exclusive partnership aims at validating the synthetic lethal genes identified by CX4D which will later run and fund pre-clinical tests to develop inhibitors and deliver oncology drugs to the market. In case CX4D discovers pre-clinical drug targets it will license out the development of those drugs to its partners and Horizon Discovery group will receive an undisclosed percentage of the revenue share as decided in the exclusive partnership agreement.

Tiny Implantable Device could help Combat Obesity Epidemic

Scientists have created a battery-free, easy-to-implant device that makes the brain think of the stomach as full after eating only a few nibbles of food. The device is capable of fighting the growing issue of obesity, worldwide. When the researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the US tried the device in laboratory testing, it aided rats shed nearly 40% of the body weight.

While referring to the growing weight related health issues as a rising epidemic, researchers said that over 700 million grownups and kids are obese. The recently published study mentioned that the battery-free, easy-to-implant weight-loss devices are likely to work efficiently at fighting the bulge.

The newly-developed devices measure less than a centimeter in size, and are fully risk-free for use in the body and can be implanted via a minimally invasive procedure. The device produces gentle electric pulses based on the natural churning motions of the stomach and transmits them to vagus nerve, the link between the stomach and the brain. This stimulation persuades the brain to think that the stomach is jam-packed, when there is still a lot of scope to eat.

Xudong Wang, one of the professors at UW-Madison said that the pulses connect with the motions of the stomach and enhance a natural response to restrict food consumption. The effects of the newly-developed devices are reversible, and aren’t like gastric bypass, which changes the stomach’s capacity `permanently.

During the study, when the device was removed after 84 days, the researchers found that the rats started following their usual eating styles and patterns again, and gained back the weight they had shed.

These new devices are more useful than an already prevailing unit that rouses the vagus nerve for body weight loss. Named Maestro, the existing unit has received the FDA approval in 2015, and it directs high-frequency zaps to the vagus nerve to eliminate communication of all kinds, between the stomach and the brain.

The already existing device needs heavy batteries and a complex control unit, which requires frequent recharging.  As per one of the surgery professors at UW-Madison, Dr. Luke Funk such ongoing maintenance is likely to become a huge issue in the way of using the existing device.

Funk added that the newly-created device could prove more beneficial than the prevailing vagus nerve stimulators, because it doesn’t need external battery charging, which is an important advantage if you think about the troubles that patients have to face at the time of recharging battery for 60 minutes or more twice a week.

Wang’s device works on the basis of the undulations of the stomach walls, using which it powers its internal generators, meaning the device stimulates the vagus nerve only with the movement of the stomach. Wang added that the device responds to the working of our body automatically, creating stimulation when required.

Health Canada Proposes Limit on Alcohol Amount in Sugary Premixed Beverages

Health Canada has taken an initiative to alleviate the quantity of alcohol permitted in the premixed sugary drinks. According to the agency, the growing amount of alcohol in such beverages are putting the health of public especially youngsters, at risk.

In a news release, the government agency said that such beverages can have nearly more than triple amount of the alcohol as compared to the usual quantity of alcohol in a container, and still they don’t taste like alcohol. It added that these drinks contain purified, flavored and usually sweet alcohol base.

Health Canada said that the proposed modifications to the Food and Drug Regulations of the country would help save youngsters from excessive intake of alcohol, which could result into alcohol poisoning and prove fatal.

If the amendments get approved, the number of alcohol servings allowed in one container would be decreased significantly. According to the amendments proposed by Health Canada, any container under a litre must have 1.5 or lesser servings of alcohol, which means they should have 25.6 millilitres of alcohol or less.

Currently, 568 millilitres of purified and flavored alcohol can is permitted to have 11.9 per cent or lesser amount of alcohol, which is equal to four alcoholic drinks.

As per the government agency’s proposed amendments, a same-sized drink must not have over 4.5 per cent alcohol in terms of volume. But these regulations won’t be applicable on alcohol sold in 750 millilitres or more sized glass bottles, as such drinks are considered to have many portions. While explaining the reason behind the same, the agency added that glass bottles of this size are a common format for old-style alcoholic beverages, like spirits and wine.

Previously, in March this year, Quebec proposed to prohibit the sale of premixed malt-based drinks that contain over 7 per cent alcohol from any other place apart from the provincial liquor stores.

Quebec had taken the action, following the death of teenager Athena Gervais from Montreal area, who reportedly consumed malt-liquor beverage known as FCKED UP, which contained 11.9 per cent alcohol, during school lunch break.

Since then, the manufacturer of FCKD UP stopped the production of the drink, but other drinks of same kind are still available on the shelves in the province.

According to the Quebec Association for Public Health (ASPQ), the suggested amendments are merely a step forward, and not a solid solution to address the issue completely.

 

Alira Health Acquires Clinical Insights to Attain Better Data Science Capabilities

In a recent announcement, one of the leading international healthcare and life sciences advisory firms Alira Health disclosed that it has purchased a data science organization Clinical Insights, which offers data analytics and predictive analysis to wide range of companies operating in the healthcare industry.

With this acquisition, every practice area of Alira Health, be it innovation, clinical, strategy, regulatory, or transaction advisory services, will get a hold on rich data. This will enable the collective organization to support its clients with a wide range of complementary, integrated services, such as helping clients deal with the problems they come across at the time of implementing novel value-based care models in EU and the U.S. as well as in clinical trial expenses and recruitment, health economics, market access, reimbursement, and the development of customized data products.

Gabriele Brambilla, CEO of Alira Health said that they have been searching for the apt analytics platform for long that can complement the working of the organization and can provide extra data tools to them enabling them to offer clients deeper insights and recommendations proved by science.

Brambilla further added that they are very excited to work with the amazing team of Clinical Insights, whose data analytics capabilities will prove highly beneficial in supporting strategic, clinical, commercial, regulatory, and innovation decision making processes in the fast-changing healthcare ecosystems. The advisor firm is eager to add the new competence and offer the best-value services to their clients.

In fact, while commenting on the acquisition, Paolo Migliari, Chief Operations and Digital Information Officer of Clinical Insights, said that the Clinical Insights team is excited to be a part of Alira Health. Migliar added that the collaboration will give them the chance to apply their knowledge to a wider range of service areas and they will be able to support clients better across their product and company lifecycles.

Alira Health has been helping the healthcare and life science companies to innovate and create value across their product and business lifecycles. Alira Health provides a wide range of advisory services, including innovation, strategy, regulatory, clinical, and transaction, and stay close to almost every aspect of healthcare, such as Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare Services, MedTech, Biotech, and IT.  It is dedicated to the healthcare sector and is constantly adding an integrated approach to the industry.

BASF Successfully Uses ChemCycling to Produce Pilot Products from Plastic Waste

BASF announced that it has successfully created the first products under its ChemCyling project. Certain plastic wastes such as mixed or uncleaned plastics cannot be recycled and are therefore burned or buried in a landfill to produce energy. However, a ground-breaking innovation by BASF uses chemicals to recycle waste plastics to produce syngas or oil which can replace fossil fuels. Under the procedure, BASF subjected plastic wastes to thermochemical processes to produce oil and syngas. BASF stated that it is already offering the products from their ChemCycling procedures to companies working in waste management, packaging, and technology.

Using the fossil fuels obtained from chemically recycling plastics, BASF is already producing fridge components, mozzarella packaging, and insulation panels. The German giants are supplying the products obtained from recycling the plastics to ten companies across different sectors. The syngas and oil produced from the subjection of plastic waste to the ChemCylcing have exactly the same properties as fossil fuels which is the reason why products manufactured using them meet the high-quality and hygienic standards laid down in the industry.

BASF’s Verbund production has further provided the company a great opportunity to utilize the products from ChemCycling. The company used the oil produced from the recycling procedure to feed its steam cracker installed at its Ludwigshafen site in October. The heat produced from the oil is used to break down the raw material required in the production of Verbund. The process outputs ethylene and propylene as the major chemical products which are further used to develop an array of chemicals.

However, the company stated that the products from recycled plastic are yet not ready for market production and delivery as certain technological and regulatory conditions must be met. The company suggested that the manufacturing processes which will utilize the plastic-based fossil fuels would need to be modified in order to assure consistent production of high-quality goods. Further, the regional regulations laid down in different parts of the world will largely influence how the idea of developing such advanced technology shapes up.

BASF further shed light on how the plastics have become a part and parcel of almost every industry due to its technical utility in medical, technological, and everyday life applications. In line with its vision, the company is working with multiple national and international firms and is promoting efficient management of plastic wastes. With increasing consumer preference for products that promote environmental preservation, BASF’s ChemCycling project is expected to garner huge popularity in the foreseeable future.

Arm Announces Cortex A65AE to Boost Safety in Autonomous Cars

Arm has recently announced a new addition ‘Arm Cortex-A65AE’ into its ‘Automotive Enhanced’ chips portfolio. It is a high-bandwidth, low-latency processor specially manufactured to handle the high-throughput needs of automotive sensor data safely.

While speaking to media, Lakshmi Mandyam, the automotive VP of Arm said that with the cars attaining higher levels of autonomy, the number of sensors meant to collect data, like radar, cameras, and LiDAR could witness immense growth. It is basically designed to optimize the processing of the multiple streams of sensor data received from next-gen vehicles.

The features, including augmented reality displays, optimized maps, and alerts are going to ensure that more data gets displayed to the driver in real time. Mandyam added that for the apt data delivery to drivers, safe information processing is required especially at the hardware level. The new addition Arm Cortex-A65AE makes this happen through its multithreading capability linked to the ‘split lock’ technology of the arm. With split-lock competences, the processor can be locked. This will deliver multiple cores running similar instructions. Otherwise, the processor can be separated for enhanced multi-core performance.

The new chip has followed the release of Cortex-A76AE, which was disclosed previously this year. It was the first in the Automotive Enhanced IP by Arm. Previously, the company also launched its ‘Safety Ready’ program to ensure the automotive OEMs possess the tools required to integrate safety mechanisms seamlessly into vehicles.

While explaining the working of Cortex-A76AE with the new Cortex-A65AE, Mandyam added that when you consider the entire chain of processing in ADAS or autonomous workloads, the step of collecting data from the sensors comes first, then you have to perceive the message it’s trying to give you, and finally come up with a course of action.

The Cortex-A65AE is a best pick for collecting data from sensors, owing to its high throughput. Whereas, an OEM may rely upon combining both chips for perceiving.

The Cortex-A76AE is apt for the third and the final step.

Mandyam mentioned that a wide range of calculations are required to cater to the needs of tomorrow’s vehicles, and one size isn’t going to fit all, in terms of compute powering such vehicles.

Players in European Auto Industry Call EU CO2 Targets Unrealistic

Auto industry groups said that a European Union aim to slash CO2 emissions from cars and vans by about 37.5 percent and 31 percent respectively by 2030 in comparison to 2021 levels would put a negative impact on the automotive jobs and consumer choice.

The EU governments and the European Parliament have agreed on the reduction decision, after finally settling things between the countries that produce vehicles and the environmentally-conscious lawmakers.

It was a tougher compromise as compared to the original EU executive proposal of 30% decline in emissions as compared to 2021. EU negotiators have also reached on an interim 15% CO2-cut target for cars and vans by 2025.

The alliance of 28 nations is highly fragmented for long time over how strictly they must follow the regulations on the CO2 emissions set as part of the initiative to alleviate greenhouse gases. Germany, the home to the largest auto sector in EU valuing approximately 423 billion euros in 2017, is concerned that the stern targets and the growing interest towards more electric cars are likely to hit its industry hard and could cost jobs.

The VDA auto industry association of Germany said that the latest regulations would set high demands while doing negligible in terms of providing incentives for shifting to electric vehicles.

The VDA head Bernhard Mattes mentioned that the negotiated deal is quite demanding. Mattes added that so far, nobody knows how they will achieve the negotiated limits in the given time.

The European auto industry’s lobby group ACEA has also expressed ‘serious concerns’ pertaining to the 2030 target as it finds a 37.5 percent CO2 reduction totally unrealistic, considering the present situation.

The EU’s existing average caps on CO2-emission from cars are 130 grams per km set for 2015 and 95g/km for 2021.

The recent deal has also disappointed Brussels-based Transport & Environment, a green lobbying group. Its clean vehicles director Greg Archer mentioned that Europe is seeking production of zero emission cars.

The agreement is yet to be approved by the member-country governments and the full EU Parliament, which are merely formalities. In a statement, Environment Minister Elisabeth Koestinger of Austria, who is also the current holder of the EU’s rotating presidency, said that the deal is a vital signal in their fight against climate change, calling the negotiations tough and intense.

The EU witnesses a sale of nearly 15 million autos every year. Electric vehicles have a market share of around 1.5 percent in Europe.

Restrictions on Manufacturing and Usage of Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether Impede the Growth of the U.S. Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE) Market

While methyl tertiary-butyl ether is commonly used in a variety of industrial applications, the growth of the U.S. methyl tertiary-butyl ether market might be hindered due to the imposition of stringent rules and regulations on the manufacturing and usage of methyl tertiary-butyl ether. As any kind of exposure to methyl tertiary-butyl ether can pose serious harm to the human health, governing bodies and environmental organizations in the U.S. have imposed stringent rules to regulate the manufacturing of methyl tertiary-butyl ether. The U.S. methyl tertiary-butyl ether market may witness slow growth in the upcoming years. Owing to the extremely hazardous effects on the human health due to any kind of exposure to methyl tertiary-butyl ether, manufacturers in the U.S. methyl tertiary-butyl ether market need to conform to the strict regulatory requirements established by the policymakers in the country.

Many states in the U.S. had banned the use of methyl tertiary-butyl ether in the oil & gas industry as a fuel additive due to its negative effects on the human health. After the government passed the Energy Policy, the oxygenate requirement for reformulated gasoline (RFG) was removed, which has made a negative impact on the growth prospects of the U.S. methyl tertiary-butyl ether market. The RFG survey data published by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) states that the demand for methyl tertiary-butyl ether has decreased in the oil & gas industry as a fuel additive. This is expected to make a major impact on the growth of the U.S. methyl tertiary-butyl ether market in the upcoming years.

With the increasing health and environmental concerns among the governing organizations in the U.S., the stringency of regulations on manufacturing and usage of methyl tertiary-butyl ether in the country is becoming more intense. Manufacturers, as well as other market players, in the U.S. methyl tertiary-butyl ether market are mandated by the government to comply with the stringent regulations imposed by the government. Many American states have banned the use of methyl tertiary-butyl ether as a gasoline additive, which can hamper the growth of the U.S. methyl tertiary-butyl ether market in the upcoming years.

Not just the manufacturers and distributors in the U.S. methyl tertiary-butyl ether market, but end-user industries in the U.S. methyl tertiary-butyl ether market are mandated to conform to the rules and regulations imposed on the usage of methyl tertiary-butyl ether. Groundwater contamination due to methyl tertiary-butyl ether is one of the major issues that lead to regulating its use in various industrial applications. The U.S. methyl tertiary-butyl ether market is witnessing relatively slower growth as many governing organizations in the U.S. are filing lawsuits against petroleum companies over groundwater pollution from methyl tertiary-butyl ether. Increasing number of such cases are leading to refrain the end-user industries in the U.S. methyl tertiary-butyl ether market from using methyl tertiary-butyl ether as a fuel additive or an oxidizing agent. This is another factor that can impede the growth of the U.S. methyl tertiary-butyl ether market in the near future.

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Regulatory Framework Restricting the Use of Eugenol as a Flavoring Agent Impacts the Growth of the Europe Eugenol Market

Eugenol is one of the most popular flavoring agents used in a variety of food products, which encourages a number of eugenol manufacturers in the Europe eugenol market to enter the food industry in the region. However, the regulations established by the European Commission that restrict market players in the food & beverage industry from adding certain substances to food products, which also includes methyl eugenol. The Europe eugenol market may witness hindrance in its growth due to the regulations associated with the use of eugenol as a flavoring agent. As eugenol is naturally present in a variety of food ingredients, adding more eugenol externally is regulated by the governing body in the region, which may impact the growth prospects of the Europe eugenol market in the near future.

The regulatory bodies in the European Union have set maximum levels of methyl eugenol in food products. Eventually, as eugenol is naturally present in various food products, the demand for additional eugenol as a flavoring agent may decline in the upcoming years. This is one of the leading restraints for the development of the Europe eugenol market. Market players including manufacturers and distributors in the Europe eugenol market need to rely on other applications of eugenol to improve sales in the region. Despite the impressive growth of the food & beverage industry in the region, it may not prove to be a leading end-user industry for the Europe eugenol market in the near future.

Other than the regulations that restrict the use of eugenol as a flavoring agent, the European Commission has imposed labeling regulations on manufacturers introducing other products that contain eugenol. This one of the important factors that is further influencing the growth of the Europe eugenol market. The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) states that if eugenol enters airways and is swallowed by the consumer, it can cause an allergic reaction or even prove to be fatal. Eventually, manufacturers in several industries, which make use of eugenol to manufacture their products, must follow the labeling regulations imposed by the ECHA to suggest precautionary measures. This is another factor that may have a significant impact on the growth parameters of the Europe eugenol market in the near future.

Despite the presence of strict regulations in the Europe eugenol market, wide-ranging applications of eugenol continue to complement the development of the Europe eugenol market. Eugenol is witnessing a high demand in the region owing to its versatile applications such as cleaning & washing products, personal care products, perfumes & fragrances, and air care products. In addition, the Europe eugenol market continues to witness healthy growth due to its increasing demand for production of waxes and polishes. Mainly, the applications of eugenol in cosmetics and personal care products are expected to continue driving the growth of the Europe eugenol market, in the upcoming years. Even though the regulations and rules imposed by the regulatory bodies in the region restrict the use of eugenol in food products, its applications in other personal care products contribute to the growth of the Europe eugenol market. Manufacturers and distributors in the Europe eugenol market are focusing on attracting cosmetics, personal care products, and perfume manufacturers in the European Union to improve their sales in the upcoming years.

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Europe Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE) Market: Proposed Ban on Petrol and Diesel Cars in European Countries can Impact the Market Growth

The Europe methyl tertiary-butyl ether market is witnessing healthy growth with its applications in the oil & gas industry as a fuel additive. However, leading European countries such as the United Kingdom, France, and Norway are proposing to ban conventional fuel-based vehicles in the coming years. The Europe methyl tertiary-butyl ether market may witness a significant impact on its growth prospects due to the proposed ban on fossil fuel-based cars in the regions. Taking into consideration the negative environmental impact caused due to the transportation sector, the UK government has proposed to ban new petrol and diesel cars by 2040. France government, also, has taken a decision to end sales of conventional fuel-based vehicles by 2040 in order to meet targets set under the Paris climate accord. This may hamper the growth of the Europe methyl tertiary-butyl ether market.

With an increasing number of European countries willing to reduce the use of conventional fuels, the growth parameters of the Europe methyl tertiary-butyl ether market may witness a major impact in the upcoming years. As methyl tertiary-butyl ether is commonly used as a fuel additive, the ban on petrol and diesel cars in European countries can hamper the growth of the Europe methyl tertiary-butyl ether market in the upcoming years. Manufacturers and distributors in the Europe methyl tertiary-butyl ether market are undertaking the regulatory impact analysis to plan appropriate future business strategies. With the increasing sales of electric vehicles in the region and proposed a ban on petrol and diesel vehicles, the growth of the Europe methyl tertiary-butyl ether market may be hampered in the upcoming years.

Increasing Use of Fuel Ethers to Reduce Harmful Emissions Boosts the Growth of the Europe Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE) Market

Though the proposed ban on petrol and diesel vehicles in the region may hamper the future growth of the Europe methyl tertiary-butyl ether market, the current demand for methyl tertiary-butyl ether remains high in the region. When methyl tertiary-butyl ether is used as a fuel additive, it can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and improve the air quality. With the use of fuel ethers like methyl tertiary-butyl ether, refining flexibility and gasoline production can be increased to a greater extent. This is boosting the growth of the Europe methyl tertiary-butyl ether market.

Growing environmental concerns among consumers as well as governing bodies in the European Union continue to trigger the growth of the Europe methyl tertiary-butyl ether market. With the use of methyl tertiary-butyl ether, the CO emissions in the region can be reduced and it helps in improving the indoor air quality, which is further improving the growth prospects of the Europe methyl tertiary-butyl ether market. Increasing awareness about these benefits of using fuel ethers such as methyl tertiary-butyl ether is boosting adoption of methyl tertiary-butyl ether in the automotive industry in Europe and, thereby, the development of the Europe methyl tertiary-butyl ether market. The Europe methyl tertiary-butyl ether market is gaining momentum with various governing bodies in the region promoting the use of fuel ethers such as methyl tertiary-butyl ether.

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