< PreviousCORONAVIRUS UPDATE 30 Pharma Business International www.pbiforum.net At the end of July, a partnership between Yale University and AI Therapeutics, the Connecticut-based precision medicine focussed biopharma that owns the rights to LAM-002A, has proposed a Phase II trial to assess the drug’s effectiveness at inhibiting SARS- CoV-2 in humans. While the trial will explore the effective of the drug in its own right, AI Therapeutics said that it could also boost the effectiveness of remdesivir. New industry-academia collaborations continue to form, while other pharmaceutical companies in- or out- licence drugs, or undertake innovative research using stem cells, messenger RNA and immunotherapies (more of which can be read in our immunotherapy exposé on page 8). But one of the most promising breakthroughs came from an unlikely source – llamas. A UK-based team made up of researchers from the Rosalind Franklin Institute, Oxford University, Diamond Light Source and Public Health England have used antibodies derived from llamas to neutralise the SARS-CoV-2 virus in lab tests. Writing in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, the researchers hope that these antibodies – known as ‘nanobodies’ owing to their small size – could eventually be developed as a treatment for patients with severe COVID-19. The effectiveness of these antibodies is down to the fact that llamas, camels and alpacas naturally produce quantities of small antibodies with a simpler structure, that can be turned into nanobodies. The team engineered their new nanobodies using a collection of antibodies taken from llama blood cells. They have shown that the nanobodies bind tightly to the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, blocking it from entering human cells and stopping infection. Using advanced imaging with X-rays and electrons at Diamond Light Source and Oxford University, the team also identified that the nanobodies bind to the spike protein in a new and different way to other antibodies already discovered. There is currently no cure or vaccine for COVID-19. However, transfusion of critically ill patients with serum from convalesced individuals, which contain human antibodies against the virus, has been shown to greatly improve clinical outcome. This process – known as passive immunisation – has been used for over a century, but it is not straightforward to identify the right individuals with the right antibodies and to give such a blood product safely. A lab-based product which can be made on demand would have considerable advantages and could be used earlier in the disease where it is likely to be more effective. “These nanobodies have the potential to be used in a similar way to convalescent serum, effectively stopping progression of the virus in patients who are ill,” said Professor James Naismith, Director of The Rosalind Franklin Institute and Professor of Structural Biology at Oxford University. “We were able to combine one of the nanobodies with a human antibody and show the combination was even more powerful than either alone. Combinations are particularly useful since the virus has to change multiple things at the same time to escape; this is very hard for the virus to do. The nanobodies also have potential as a powerful diagnostic.” This multi-pronged approach to combatting the pandemic bodes well for future therapies and vaccines. Yet, in all probability, a functional vaccine won’t be likely until at least 2021. The silver lining, however, is that the world will be better prepared for future outbreaks. 28-31.qxp_Layout 1 10/08/2020 15:30 Page 3Pharma Business International 31 www.pbiforum.net CORONAVIRUS UPDATE © Shutterstock /angellodeco 28-31.qxp_Layout 1 10/08/2020 15:30 Page 4Nano Pharmaceuticals 2020 19 – 20 August Online Nano Pharmaceuticals 2020 will illustrate innovative research ideas on nano medicine & nanotechnology, pharmaceutical technology, drug delivery, medical devices for drug delivery, biotechnology, nanorobots and formulation technology. It provides interdisciplinary platform to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends as well as practical challenges encountered and solutions adopted in the fields nanomedicine & nanotechnology. To find out more, visit www.nanomedicine. pharmaceuticalconferences.com/usa. ProcureCon Pharma 2020 3 – 4 September Hotel Palace Berlin Join more than senior procurement Pharma EVENTS © Shutterstock / Sergey Nivens Advanced Therapies 2020 7 – 9 September Business Design Centre, London The Advanced Therapies Congress is the place where life changing dialogue occurs. With both a conference and exhibition, it brings together industry leaders to meet, discuss and showcase their work in the cell and gene therapy industry. Attracting a large audience of biotech, pharma, start-ups, investors, research and technology companies from around the world, the event is a centralised meeting point to learn about new innovations, share discoveries and connect with industry partners. Get new perspectives and be inspired by over 500 global companies represented. Find out more by visiting www.terrapinn.com/congress/advanced -therapies. 32 Pharma Business International www.pbiforum.net CPhI North America 9 – 11 September USA Pennsylvania Convention Centre, Philadelphia 80% of pharma and biotech companies in the US have offices located in the tri-state area around Philadelphia. So, what better place than CPhI North America to source the best solutions, network with the best minds in pharma, and access hours of content on all the latest trends? Visit this theatre for sessions on continuous manufacturing, innovative manufacturing technologies, integration challenges with smart equipment and a host of other hot topics. To find out more, visit www.cphi.com/northamerica. Understanding Pharma Market Access 20 October Basel, Switzerland In an increasingly cost-conscious health professionals from Merck, Astra Zeneca, Roche, Sanofi, Lonza and other world- leading pharma businesses over two days and 40 interactive sessions that will help you make better outsourcing decisions, speed up transformation, co-create value with business partners and unlock more innovation from suppliers. For more information, visit wwww.procureconhealthcare.wbresearch.com. LogiChem 2020 8 – 10 September De Doelen ICC Rotterdam LogiChem is Europe’s leading chemical supply chain event. Join over 350 senior supply chain and logistics professionals from BASF, Dow, Sabic, Du Pont and other world leading chemical manufacturers. Find out more by visiting https://bit.ly/2Im9FOw. LogiPharma 2020 1 – 3 September Nice Acropolis, France LogiPharma is the world’s leading pharma supply chain event. With over 1,200 pharma supply chain leaders exclusively meeting in one place at one time, LogiPharma is the meeting place to benchmark your business with the best pharma companies and shape the future of your industry. To find our more, visit https://bit.ly/2lxpvNC. Image: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/medical-factory-supplies-storage-indoor- workers-76568923 © Shutterstock/dotshock 32-33.qxp_Layout 1 10/08/2020 15:31 Page 1care environment, pharma companies must make a thorough case for not only the clinical, but also the economic value of their products. This one-day course provides an introduction to the Pharma Market Access dynamics and challenges. Find out more by visiting www.ctcresourcing.com/course/introduction- to-pharma-market-access. 2020 Pharma CI Europe Conference & Exhibition 5 – 6 November Hilton Zurich Airport The 2020 Pharma CI Europe Conference & Exhibition (November 5-6, 2020, Zurich) is the industry’s gold standard event for senior level pharma, biotech, and medical device professionals who seek the latest in competitive and business intelligence. The Pharma CI Conference & Exhibition is the best and largest assembly of competitive intelligence executives in pharma, biotech, and medical devices for 10+ years. For more information, visit www.pharmaciconference.com. www.pbiforum.net Pharma Business International 33 © Shutterstock/PhotobyT awat 36th World Vaccines & Immunization Congress 18 – 19 November Bangkok, Thailand The 36th World Vaccines and Immunization Congress mainly focuses on the gathering and concentrate on the trending advances and development in every aspect of Vaccines and Immunization research which takes an opportunity in meeting, organizing and see the new logical advancements of the specialists and researchers. To find out more, visit www.vaccines.vaccineconferences.com. 32-33.qxp_Layout 1 10/08/2020 15:31 Page 2FEATURES Precision medicine exposé Stem cell therapies Finance Fill Finish Manufacturing Inhibitors Blockchain Next issue: Deadline - 23rd September 2020 REGULARS News Events M&A Round-up Eye on approvals Pharma BUSINESS INTERN ATION AL Visit us at www.pbiforum.net where you’ll find the latest news as it breaks – and why not subscribe to our newsletters so you can have the latest news emailed to your inbox, in between printed issues? @pbiforumwww.pbiforum.net company/po-business-international 34.qxp_Layout 1 10/08/2020 15:32 Page 1Next >