What’s Inside: IGD Simulation Lab with Illumina; The Latest in Sustainable Materials; Vir Presents Positive Data for HBV Therapies; Midterm Election Results; and more.
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We’re championing the progress made by California’s life science community and want to hear about your company’s latest scientific breakthrough, investment milestone, or commitment to creating positive change for our industry. We welcome all members to submit your story here for possible inclusion in an upcoming issue.
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What’s Happening at Biocom California
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Furthering Our Allyship for Women in the Workplace
With only 23 percent of biotech CEOs identifying as women, we know the life science industry has a long way to go to close the current gender gap. This past March, we brought together 24 female biotech CEOs to discuss impactful ways to support women leaders in the industry. The conversations that emerged were honest and insightful, and led us to create a new event series where the dialogue could continue. We are pleased to host the first Let’s Talk About (Female) Life Science CEOs in San Diego on December 1 with panelists Sheila Gujrathi, Sabrina Johnson, Ciara Kennedy, and Laura Shawver, and look forward to organizing additional events across California.
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Virtual Simulation Lab Fuels Students’ Fascination in Genomics
Teachers are key to inspiring the next generation of life science leaders and it’s critical to equip them with the latest technology that can bring science to life in new and exciting ways for students. To meet this goal, Biocom California Institute has partnered with Illumina to create the Illumina Genomic Discoveries (IGD) DNA Library Preparation and Sequencing Simulation Lab, a hands-on virtual simulation experience that exposes them to micropipetting, DNA library preparation, PCR, and Illumina’s whole-genome sequencing technology. With genome sequencing rapidly transforming healthcare through precision medicine, providing meaningful experiences for students to understand
genomics early on encourages them to pursue careers in the ever-evolving field. We’re proud to partner with member companies such as Illumina to build our workforce for generations to come and encourage members to learn more about partnership opportunities through our student programs.
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Trending: The Latest in Sustainable Materials
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The concepts of sustainability and eco-friendly products are well beyond being a buzzworthy trend–these principles are here to stay. Today’s consumer, in fact, demands that the brands they regularly purchase products from show a commitment to sustainability. A recent survey by GreenPrint shows that nearly two-thirds (66 percent) of U.S. consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products despite inflation. Young people ages 18 to 34, especially, want more sustainable living options (80 percent). Biotechnology is behind many advances in developing
products that are sustainable and help preserve our natural resources.
In this edition, we’re highlighting member companies behind some of the latest innovations in sustainable materials, including eco-friendly industrial chemicals and snowboards, a new vegan leather made from fungi, and a multimillion-dollar quest to find an alternative for palm oil. Featured members include: Refiberd; Bolt Threads; Checkerspot; Geno; and Lygos.
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Member Moments & Industry Intelligence
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- Arima Genomics will team up with Basepair to accelerate bioinformatics analysis of 3D genomics data.
- Artiva Biotherapeutics and Affimed announced a new partnership to advance a combination therapy using Affimed’s Innate Cell Engager and Artiva’s allogeneic NK cell therapy.
- IGM Biosciences and ADC Therapeutics formed a partnership to evaluate the combination of IGM’s novel T cell engaging bispecific antibody and ADC Therapeutics’ antibody drug conjugate for the treatment of relapsed or refractory B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
- Illumina and Twist Bioscience will partner to produce a co-branded exome panel that will advance disease research.
- Juvena Therapeutics raised $41M in a Series A to expand its drug discovery platform and further develop the company’s biologics pipeline targeting chronic and age-related diseases.
- Kura Oncology will receive up to $150M from Bristol Myers in an equity investment and a loan from Hercules Capital to continue operations through 2026.
- Rejuvenate Bio launched its new office in San Diego, a 15,500 square foot facility that will help the company expand its development for new gene therapies.
- Sanofi inked a deal with Insilico worth up to $1.2B that will give Sanofi access to Insilico’s AI platform to advance drug development candidates.
- Vir Technology presented new data from ongoing trials evaluating its two novel hepatitis B virus therapies which showed significant reductions in hepatitis B surface antigen.
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Public Policy Perspective
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Feedback Requested for Rare Disease Endpoint Advancement Pilot
Biocom California welcomes feedback from our members on the recently announced FDA Rare Disease Endpoint Advancement Pilot Program (RDEA). The RDEA pilot will provide sponsors with additional opportunities to engage with the FDA through early meetings to discuss efficacy endpoint development for rare disease drug and biological products. Please email Zoe Bilis to provide your input on the program.
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Decades after Biocom California’s Formation, Water Supply in Spotlight Again
Twenty-seven years ago, life sciences industry leaders in San Diego saw a need to boost water supply reliability and formed Biocom (now known as Biocom California) around the need for desalination. Today, after years of drought conditions, water supply is back in the front of policymakers’ minds as a variety of alternatives are up for debate again in Sacramento. California is once again considering desalination as an option as well as recycling more water, capturing stormwater runoff, transforming agriculture, and other conservation methods.
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Midterm Election Results and Updates
Early election results are rolling in, but many races won’t be decided until November 15, the last day vote-by-mail ballots can be counted. Outcomes are required to be submitted to the state by each county election official by December 9. Sign up to receive our policy newsletter and watch our Twitter page for relevant election updates.
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Proposal for Transit Priority Areas in San Diego
Biocom California staff testified at the City of San Diego’s Planning Commission meeting on October 27 regarding the city’s proposal to shrink Transit Priority Areas (TPAs)—land around transit stops where dense development is allowed to locate. The commission voted to continue the TPA proposal to the next Planning Commission meeting on December 8.
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General Plan and Climate Action Plan for South San Francisco Adopted
On October 12 the South San Francisco City Council adopted a new General Plan and Climate Action Plan, which will guide the strategic direction of the city for the next 20 years.
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Biocom California
For over 27 years, Biocom California has helped move the life science industry forward with transformative resources that enable companies to make meaningful connections. With a membership base of over 1,600 companies, we connect our members to each other so they can collaborate and work stronger and smarter together. We connect organizations to capital investment and purchasing solutions so they can grow faster and work more efficiently. We’re their link to advocacy that fights for innovation and we provide an environment where their business and talent can thrive. Biocom California is how the life science industry gets connected.
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