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December Industry Round-Up Suncombe

December Industry Round-Up

Industry Insights from Suncombe Bringing you the latest breakthroughs and developments in industrial processing, straight from the frontlines of innovation.

 

Breakthrough in Cell Therapy Manufacturing: Thermo Fisher’s Latest Innovation

 

In a significant development for the cell therapy industry, Thermo Fisher Scientific has showcased the latest new technology ready to enhance the CAR-T cell therapy production.

The company’s latest offerings – CTS Detachable Dynabeads CD4 and CD8 – represent a major leap forward in cell isolation and activation technology.

 

The timing couldn’t be more crucial, with CAR-T cell clinical trials having surged by 125% between 2016 and 2022. This new technology addresses a critical challenge in cell therapy manufacturing: the need for precise control over cell population isolation while maintaining cell quality.

 

What makes this development particularly noteworthy is its potential impact on treatment efficiency.

Research indicates that balanced CD4+ and CD8+ Chimeric Antigen Receptors are crucial for optimal CAR-T cell therapy outcomes.

The new Dynabeads technology enables manufacturers to achieve this balance with unprecedented precision, potentially accelerating the development of treatments for complex conditions like blood cancers.

 

The platform’s integration with existing cGMP manufacturing processes makes it particularly relevant for both clinical trials and commercial production.

Currently, the Dynabeads magnetic core is being utilised in over 200 active clinical trials and several approved cell therapy drugs, demonstrating its growing importance in the field.

 

This advancement aligns perfectly with the industry’s push toward more efficient, controlled, and scalable cell therapy manufacturing processes – a development that could significantly impact the future of personalised medicine.

Industry News: Biotech Investment Highlights – November 2024

In November 2024, Metsera secured the largest private biotech funding round, raising an impressive $215 million in series B financing. The company aims to advance its innovative Nutrient-Stimulated Hormone (NuSH) therapies, targeting obesity and metabolic diseases.

Close behind, Alentis Therapeutics raised $181.4 million in series D funding to develop Claudin-1 targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapies for solid tumours. Adcendo, another ADC-focused company, completed a $135 million series B round to support the clinical advancement of its programs.

 

Geographically, North America continued to dominate biotech fundraising, raising the largest amount overall.

However, the region saw a significant decline compared to October, with $1.7 billion less raised and ten fewer rounds completed.

Europe followed a similar trend, with seven fewer rounds and $176.8 million less raised. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region bucked the trend, experiencing an increase in activity with one additional round and $92 million more raised than the previous month.

 

In terms of funding types, series B rounds brought in the most capital, contributing $454 million across four rounds and making up 35.4% of the total funds raised.

While series A rounds were the most frequent, with eight completed, they generated comparatively less funding overall, reflecting the focus on more advanced-stage investments in November.

 

Oncology companies led the way among therapeutic subsectors, securing 44.1% of the total funds raised, amounting to $565 million across eight rounds.

Central Nervous System (CNS) players ranked second in overall funding, raising $131 million from three rounds, while genetic disorder companies lagged with $37 million raised in the same number of rounds.

 

Month-to-month trends showed a decline in biotech fundraising activity as the industry edged closer to the festive season.

While November saw fewer rounds and less total investment compared to October, the activity remained higher than August, which was the slowest month of the year. This suggests a gradual winding down of activity as the year comes to a close.

Announcing 2 New Core Appointments at Suncombe

Suncombe has announced two significant appointments, strengthening its core team as part of its continued commitment to growth and innovation in biowaste decontamination equipment.

Philip Bacon, with over 24 years of marketing experience in the manufacturing and engineering sectors, has joined as Marketing Lead. His expertise is expected to enhance Suncombe’s market presence.

Additionally, Helen has been appointed HR Manager to oversee recruitment and talent development, with a particular focus on expanding the company’s apprenticeship program.

These strategic hires reflect Suncombe’s dedication to building a world-class team and fostering innovation. The company is also seeking two experienced sales engineers to bolster its team further, aiming to provide tailored solutions for customer challenges.

How Suncombe continue to optimise the Clean In Place and EDS solutions

Suncombe continues to optimise energy efficiency and safety in its industrial cleaning systems, catering to sectors such as pharmaceuticals, life sciences, and food production.

Innovations include automated Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems, which reduce labour requirements and improve safety, and compact pH neutralisation units designed to save space while ensuring regulatory compliance.

The EDS+ Effluent Decontamination System has been enhanced with advanced features like variable treatment times, anti-foam controls, and remote monitoring, further showcasing Suncombe’s commitment to cutting-edge solutions.

These technologies help clients achieve faster, validated results with minimal downtime, aligning with Suncombe’s longstanding reputation for safety and efficiency.

 

That’s all for this month’s industry news!

 

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