Lars Frelin om nya sortens läkemedelsutveckling: ”Låter lite som science fiction”

Nu nalkas vinterns ledigheter. Det uppmärksammar Life Science Sweden med att ställa bakåt- och framåtblickande frågor till branschprofiler fram till jul. Idag talar vi med Lars Frelin, docent och grundutbildningsansvarig vid Karolinska institutet.

Collaboration across the Øresund – Camurus enters Danish licensing agreement

Lund‑based Camurus has entered into a collaboration and licensing agreement with Danish company Gubra, which specializes in peptide‑based drug development.

Gothenburg-based Anyo Labs gains ground in the AI race

In a fifty-square-metre space in Gothenburg sits a company aiming to secure its place on one of the world's hottest technological stages: AI-driven drug development. “We are driven by the technical challenge and by ensuring that we have the best possible tools,” the company’s CEO tells Life Science Sweden during our visit.

“There’s no magic wand” – The urgent need for new treatments

One in ten women with recurrent yeast infections develops a stubborn, hard-to-treat condition for which no effective therapies currently exist. At Danderyd Hospital, researcher Cathrin Alvendal at the Women’s Clinic research unit is working to change that. This is the second instalment in Life Science Sweden’s series on fungi.

”Trickier than bacteria”: Why severe fungal infections are on the rise

There’s a reason Earth is sometimes called the planet of fungi. These ancient organisms – billions of years old and more closely related to animals than to plants – underpin life on Earth. Yet they can also cause serious illness. This is the first instalment in Life Science Sweden’s series on fungi.

Acne medication may be the solution when hair starts falling out

A treatment originally developed for acne has shown remarkable Phase III results in a completely different area: male-pattern hair loss.

“Access to capital increases when there’s an exit”

It remains a tough environment for biotech companies seeking financing – but there is good reason to hope for improvement ahead. That’s the view of Okee Williams, Corporate Adviser at Redeye.

Otsuka får klartecken för nytt läkemedel mot sällsynt njursjukdom

Japanska Otsuka får accelererat godkännande från FDA för den nya behandlingen Voyxact, vilket ger bolaget inträde på den snabbt växande och konkurrensutsatta marknaden för den sällsynta njursjukdomen IgA-nefrit (IgAN).

FDA launches investigation into gene therapy following child death

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has initiated a safety investigation into Takeda’s Adzynma after reports that a child has died during treatment. The incident is described as likely related to the drug.

Genmab drops another ADC candidate from billion‑dollar ProfoundBio deal

Danish biotech Genmab has discontinued development of its antibody‑drug conjugate (ADC) candidate GEN1160, citing low patient enrollment in an early‑stage cancer trial.

Southern Swedish company Aqilion develops drug for eosinophilic esophagitis

When Aqilion began developing a drug for eosinophilic esophagitis, the molecule was classified as an orphan drug. But the prevalence of the disease now appears to be increasing. “We needed a molecule that is extremely selective,” said the company’s CEO, Sarah Fredriksson, during a meeting last week.

Merck & Co betalar 87 miljarder för influensakandidat

Läkemedelsjätten Merck & Co har ingått avtal om att förvärva Cidara Therapeutics, som utvecklar influensaläkemedel, i en av årets största biotech-affärer.

Mikael Dolsten hoppar av kandidatur till Novos styrelse

Läkemedelsprofilen Mikael Dolsten har ångrat sig och kommer inte att kandidera till en styrelseplats i Novo Nordisk.

”Din pappas testosteron var högre än ditt – men ingen berättar varför”

Flera studier visar att män i dag har lägre testosteronnivåer än sina fäder – oberoende av ålder, vikt och hälsa. Ändå saknar svensk primärvård tydliga riktlinjer för hur vi ska utreda och behandla manlig hormonbrist, skriver Khalid Kashwa, specialist i allmänmedicin och medicinsk chef, Specialistläkarhuset i Sundsvall.

The vaccine has saved 94 million lives – but measles is spreading again

A disease we once believed belonged to the past is now resurging in both Europe and the United States. In the shadow of growing skepticism and declining vaccination coverage, measles – which has claimed millions of lives throughout history – is making a comeback.

Lilly bygger tablettfabrik i Nederländerna

Efter att ha lanserat flera stora satsningar i USA under året vänder nu Eli Lilly blicken mot EU, och avsätter tre miljarder dollar till en ny tablettfabrik i Nederländerna.

Trögt för genterapi mot blödarsjuka – kan dumpas av bolaget

Roctavian, en genterapi mot blödarsjuka som sågs som ett medicinsk genombrott, har floppat kommersiellt. Nu planerar företaget bakom att avyttra läkemedlet från sin portfölj.

New findings on the diseases that crushed Napoleon’s army

As if cold, starvation, and typhus weren’t enough. New research reveals that Napoleon’s defeated army also suffered from paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever during the retreat from Russia.

Vaccine project targeting congenital infection scrapped in late-stage trial – “Clearly disappointed”

Hope for the first vaccine against the world’s most common congenital infection has taken a serious hit

Canada approves leqembi as global alzheimer’s drug race heats up

Leqembi has secured approval in Canada, further consolidating its global lead among disease-modifying Alzheimer’s therapies. The antibody is now authorized in 15 major markets — one more than its closest rival, Eli Lilly’s Kisunla.

Swedish life science is growing – but capital is not keeping up

The number of employees and companies in Swedish life science is increasing and the sector is more equal than many other sectors. But investments in unlisted companies are weak.

A cluster contribution to European life science innovation and competitiveness?

Strömhopp från Novos styrelse – extra stämma utlyst

Större delen av styrelsen i danska läkemedelsjätten Novo Nordisk hoppar av efter oenighet med huvudägaren Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Swedish team tests Alzheimer antibody for brain imaging

Recent breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s treatment have increased the need for precise diagnostics in the field. Researchers in Uppsala are working to develop improved methods for both identifying suitable patients and ensuring they receive the right therapy.