Author: Alexandra Barnes

Fusion Genomics is a company that is working to advance molecular diagnostics through developing tests for pathogens that cause disease. They do this using proprietary technologies in combination with Next Generation Sequencing. Based in Vancouver, their ONETestTM products, in combination with their FUSIONCloudTM data analysis platform, allow for rapid identification of the genetic signatures of human pathogens and cancers precisely and cost-effectively. Fusion Genomics’ ONETestTM technology is currently being tested at governmental organizations in Canada. The goal of Fusion Genomics is to provide global and local professionals in the healthcare industry the tools they need to perform both population surveillance…

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TapImmune, a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing peptide and gene-based immunotherapeutics for cancer and metastatic disease, announced the receipt of a $3.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The grant is to be used in carrying out a Phase 2 clinical study on the company’s HER2/neu-targeted T-cell vaccine. The trial will enroll women diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Should the results of the study prove to be successful, the vaccine has the potential to replace standard surgery and chemotherapy, possibly playing a key role in the routine immunization schedule…

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Interpace Diagnostics is a company focused on the development and commercialization of molecular diagnostic tests aimed to optimize patient diagnosis and management. The company currently has three commercialized molecular tests: (1) PancraGen, for the diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatic cancer from pancreatic cysts, (2) ThyGenX, for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer from thyroid nodules utilizing a next generation sequencing assay and (3) ThyraMIR, for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer from thyroid nodules utilizing a proprietary gene expression assay. PancraGEN is a unique, DNA-based, integrated molecular pathology test that assesses the risk of cancer in pancreatic cysts. The use of PancraGen…

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Biocept is a diagnostic company that focuses on developing solutions aimed to optimize outcomes for cancer patients. Their most recent diagnostic comes in the form of a liquid biopsy, developed in an effort to alter the way in which doctors and other clinicians interpret blood samples of cancer patients. The company’s patented methodology works to isolate and identify those indicators of cancer that appear in the bloodstream. These include circulating tumor cells, (CTCs) and cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Biocept’s testing service allows a doctor to obtain the critical information they need to develop a personalized cancer treatment plan for…

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Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company in Boston, is developing Anticalin-based drugs for the treatment of cancer, asthma, anemia and other conditions that show a high unmet medical need. Pieris’ drugs are created in a unique and transformative way, using immuno-oncology multi-specifics tailored for the tumor microenvironment, in addition to an inhaled Anticalin to treat uncontrolled asthma and a half-life-optimized Anticalin to treat anemia. Pieris’ drugs are created in a unique and transformative way, using immuno-oncology multi-specifics tailored for the tumor microenvironment, in addition to an inhaled Anticalin to treat uncontrolled asthma and a half-life-optimized Anticalin to treat…

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ITUS Corporation is an early cancer detection technology company currently developing a platform called Cchek, a series of inexpensive, non-invasive blood tests for the early detection of cancer. Specifically, the test will be able to detect early-stage solid tumor based cancer. This is based on the body’s immunological response to the presence of a malignancy. The Cchek platform has already demonstrated efficacy in detection of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer fatalities in men in the United States and is the fourth most common cancer on a global scale. Each year, approximately 1.1 million people…

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Dr. Christopher Schaber is the President and CEO of Soligenix, a late stage biopharmaceutical company with a pipeline of pharmaceutical products to treat a variety of rare diseases with an unmet need. Brett Johnson speaks with Dr. Schaber to discuss Soligenix’s mature pipeline of products, their business in biodefense, and investment opportunities in the company. Brett Johnson: Dr. Christopher Schaber, President and CEO of the biopharmaceutical company, Soligenix. First off, can you just tell those who aren’t familiar with Soligenix, what is your business? Christopher Schaber: Our business, we think, is quite unique. It’s a two-segment business. We have…

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Angionetics Inc. reported that the FDA has granted Fast Track designation for the Phase III clinical investigation of Generx (Ad5FGF-4) cardiovascular angiogenic gene therapy. Angionetics is a biotechnology company focused on the clinical and commercial development of gene-based bio-therapeutics for the treatment of the almost 1.8 million patients in the U.S. who have late-stage coronary artery disease and refractory angina, as well as other medical conditions due to myocardial ischemia. Generx was developed as a one-time treatment for improving exercise tolerance in angina patients, a condition that is refractory to standard medical therapy and not amenable to conventional revascularization procedures such as coronary…

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