new research in biotechnology

‘Smart Gloves’ Teach Piano Playing through Touch

A high-tech pair of gloves can help make learning instruments and other hands-on activities easier

Riis Williams

The Tale of the Snail Slime Wrangler

Mucus is a miracle of evolution, and some researchers are trying to re-create what nature makes naturally.

Christopher Intagliata

Your Next Flight's Fuel Could Be Made By Microbes

The aviation industry is getting ready to embrace fuel produced by fermentation

Emily Waltz, Nature Biotechnology

A-fib—a Rapid, Irregular Heartbeat—Can Kill You, but New Tech Can Spot It

A fluttering heartbeat called A-fib can lead to stroke, but smartwatches can detect it, and there are good treatments

Lydia Denworth

Elon Musk’s Neuralink Has Implanted Its First Chip in a Human Brain. What’s Next?

The wealthiest person on Earth has taken the next step toward a commercial brain interface

Ben Guarino

Ultrasound Enables Remote 3-D Printing—Even in the Human Body

For the first time, researchers have used sound waves to 3-D print an object from a distance—even with a wall in the way

Rachel Berkowitz

Your Organs Might Be Aging at Different Rates

It turns out that your chronological age really is just a number. What’s more important for knowing disease risk is the biological age of each of your organs

Lori Youmshajekian

Hearing Aids May Lower Risk of Cognitive Decline and Dementia

As few as 15 percent of people who would benefit from hearing aids use them

New Soft Electrode Unfolds inside the Skull

An electrode inspired by soft robotics could provide less invasive brain-machine interfaces

Simon Makin

How Gene-Edited Insects Are Providing Food, Fuel and Waste Disposal

Companies are recruiting black soldier flies and mealworms as a protein source in animal feed, fertilizer, biofuels and even as ingredients for burgers and shakes

Karl Gruber, Lisa Melton, Nature magazine

Electric Bandages Heal Wounds That Won’t Close, Animal Study Shows

New technology combines electricity and drugs to stimulate healing of tenacious wounds

Quitting Smoking Is Hard. New Brain-Zapping Tech Could Help

Magnetic stimulation of brain regions could help people stop smoking, but researchers are still learning how to deliver the treatment effectively

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NSF, NIH partner on new research to develop RNA-based methods for biotech innovations

The U.S. National Science Foundation has awarded over $12.7 million across nine research teams to understand better the untapped capabilities of ribonucleic acid (RNA) for potentially far-reaching biotechnology applications, from disease prevention in crops to cancer-fighting therapies. The nine teams will each receive $1 million to $1.65 million from NSF through the Molecular Foundations for Biotechnology (MFB) program, a joint effort of NSF in partnership with the National Institutes of Health's National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). NHGRI plans to invest in additional projects to be announced later in 2024, which will focus on the development of novel technologies to investigate RNA biology. 

"Innovative new modes of inquiry into the molecular-level structure, dynamics and function of RNA is expected to lead to significant biotech breakthroughs at the intersection of chemistry and biology," says NSF's Chemistry Division Director David Berkowitz. "By advancing this fundamental science, we open the door to new avenues of use-inspired research and applications that can benefit society and improve our quality of life." 

"We are excited to partner with NSF to support research into the structures, interactions, functions and applications of RNA," says Carolyn Hutter, Director of the Division of Genome Sciences at NHGRI. "New tools and technologies that harness RNA research have the potential to transform the biomedical field and improve human health." 

RNA is a complex organic molecule that performs essential tasks within the biological and chemical machinery of all living cells. Although RNA was first identified nearly a century ago, many of its functional aspects are not fully understood or predictable. The nine research teams will explore RNA's roles and actions with the goal of creating new RNA-based methods for treating cancerous cells, making crops more resistant to blight and disease, fighting viral infections like the common cold and more. The teams include experts in a range of fields from chemistry, biology and physics to mathematical modeling and machine learning. Their projects are expected to provide opportunities to partner with industry to translate knowledge gained in the lab into marketable new biotechnologies. 

In addition to supporting the research, NSF's investment will provide hands-on training for students and early-career researchers through mentorship, workshops and internships for high school and undergraduate students and other activities to expand and broaden participation in the U.S. STEM workforce.  

The nine projects and teams are: 

Next-generation Proximity Labeling Technologies to Map Subcellular Transcriptomes and RNA Interactomes in Living Cells with Nanometer Resolution (Stanford University) aims to create new technologies to enable scientists to quickly visualize where RNAs localize within living cells and identify other genetic materials nearby that could interact with the RNAs; these technologies could be useful in studying in-cell interactions in diseases such as cancer. 

Stabilizing Hairpin Inserts in RNA Virus Induced Gene Silencing Vectors (University of Maryland, College Park and Silvec Biologics) will work to create stable RNA genomes that can be used as delivery devices to disable the bacteria that cause diseases in plants, such as citrus greening; a serious plant disease that impacts economically and agriculturally important citrus trees internationally and for which there is no cure.  

Cracking the Codes: Understanding the Rules of mRNA Localization and Translation (University of Colorado Denver) aims to use recent developments in RNA sequencing technology to create a model capable of predicting protein output from a messenger RNA, which could have a broad impact on what we understand about how genes encode and transmit information. 

Better Homologous Folding using Computational Linguistics and Deep Learning (Oregon State University and the University of Rochester) seeks to use artificial intelligence to develop faster and better algorithms and software tools to model RNA secondary structures, which has the potential for advancing therapeutic and diagnostic design. 

Characterization of the Biogenesis, Uptake, and Cellular Response to the Ribonucleoprotein Cargoes of Extracellular Vesicles using EV-CLASP (Vanderbilt University) will work to increase our understanding of extracellular vesicle-derived RNAs, which could enhance our ability to understand RNA dynamics during cellular communication, which would help identify novel gene regulatory elements and develop ways to deliver RNA treatments into cells. 

RNA Modifications of Frameshifting Stimulators: Cellular Platforms to Engineer Gene Expression by Computational Mutation Predictions and Functional Experiments (New York University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) aims to predict and model how two proteins can be generated from the same messenger RNA with the goal of applying that knowledge to limit how RNA viruses can use this mutation to infect humans or to develop new forms of drug delivery. 

Evaluating and Advancing Cryo-EM for RNA Conformational Ensembles (Stanford University) will test whether cryogenic electron microscopy and computational methods can accurately visualize functionally critical features of RNA machines to create a validated toolkit that could help researchers develop models of a variety of RNA-based machines of biological or biotechnological interest. 

Massively Parallel Identification of Translation Regulatory Sequences in Human and Viral mRNAs (Yale University) will take a systems-level approach to understand the various factors that impact the amount of protein synthesized from messenger RNAs, which could aid in designing new classes of therapeutic messenger RNAs. 

Continuous Evolution of RNAs with Novel Functions in Mammalian Cells (Weill Cornell Medicine and Massachusetts Institute of Technology) aims to overcome the challenges in deploying functional RNA into live cells, which could transform biotechnology, biomedicine and biology broadly by allowing scientists to develop and deliver RNAs that can bind to target proteins in living cells. 

The MFB program is a cross-disciplinary initiative led by NSF's Directorates for Mathematical and Physical Sciences and Biological Sciences, with additional support from the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering and the Directorate for Engineering. 

• For more information, visit the MFB program page.

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Advanced Research Capabilities Elevate Biotechnology Sector

H arnessing Advanced Research Capabilities with Umbrella Labs' SARMS and Peptides - An exciting development emerges in the world of scientific research with Umbrella Labs' introduction of the BPC-157 PEPTIDE. This innovative addition to the biotechnological landscape serves as a beacon for researchers, signaling a new era in advanced research capabilities. The BPC-157 PEPTIDE, emblematic of the commitment to scientific discovery, is a testament to the meticulous process of synthesizing peptides for research utility.

Umbrella Labs' Commitment to Purity and Consistency - In the realm of scientific research, the significance of purity and consistency in research materials cannot be overstated. Umbrella Labs, where sarms and peptides for sale are available, ensures that the BPC-157 PEPTIDE adheres to stringent quality control measures. Researchers can rely on the reproducibility of their experiments, an essential factor for accurate and valuable scientific outcomes. Umbrella Labs' dedication to providing high-caliber research products underscores the brand’s commitment to the scientific community.

Unveiling the Potential of Synthetic Peptides - The advent of synthetic peptides like BPC-157 opens doors to untapped research avenues. In the context of tissue repair and regenerative studies, BPC-157's role is of particular interest due to its multiple biological interactions. By offering BPC-157 PEPTIDE, Umbrella Labs, where sarms and peptides for sale are available, facilitates exploration into its efficacy and mechanisms, which could potentially inform the development of future therapeutic applications.

Enhancing Translational Research with BPC-157 PEPTIDE - The BPC-157 PEPTIDE emerges as a pivotal resource in the quest for knowledge across various scientific disciplines. As an advocate for progress, Umbrella Labs positions this product as a catalyst for translational research. The peptide’s high-fidelity synthesis allows for accurate studies in cellular migration, angiogenesis, and more, promising to influence the next wave of biotechnological advancements.

Expanding Research Frontiers with High-Quality Research Compounds - Umbrella Labs' innovative drive is manifested in its dedication to providing superior research compounds like the BPC-157 PEPTIDE. The launch signifies a commitment to expanding research frontiers, arming scientists with the tools necessary for forging new paths in understanding complex biological systems.

Empowering the Scientific Community for Future Discoveries - With the introduction of the BPC-157 PEPTIDE, Umbrella Labs continues to empower the scientific community, offering a product that meets the exacting demands of thorough scientific discovery. The company's vision for the future aligns with the intricate needs of research, providing a robust platform for the pursuit of groundbreaking discoveries and insights into biotechnology.

Elevating the Standards of Scientific Exploration - With the launch of BPC-157 PEPTIDE, Umbrella Labs establishes a new standard in the provision of research materials for the scientific community. The company's dedication to elevating research capabilities is reflected in their meticulous production processes, which offer scientists access to compounds of unparalleled purity and consistency. The impact of such precision in scientific investigation cannot be overstated, as it ensures that research into the potential applications of peptides is grounded in the most reliable data available.

The Role of BPC-157 in Scientific Innovation - Peptides such as BPC-157 are at the forefront of scientific innovation due to their complex interactions within biological systems and their implications for health and disease. By facilitating research into these small but powerful molecules, Umbrella Labs plays a pivotal role in the discovery of new therapeutic avenues. The BPC-157 PEPTIDE in particular has been anticipated by the research community for its potential influence on understanding cellular communication and tissue healing processes.

Navigating the Complexities of Peptide Research - The complexities of peptide research demand resources that are not only robust but also meticulously characterized. Umbrella Labs, where sarms for sale are available, meets this demand by offering the BPC-157 PEPTIDE, which has undergone rigorous testing to ensure it meets the highest standards for research use. Scientists can confidently navigate the intricacies of their experimental designs, backed by the assurance that their foundational materials are of the utmost quality.

Umbrella Labs: A Beacon of Research Integrity - Trust and integrity are cornerstones of scientific research, and Umbrella Labs has established itself as a beacon in this regard. By delivering products like the BPC-157 PEPTIDE that uphold the highest levels of research integrity, the company enables scientists to pursue their research with confidence. This trust is crucial in an industry where the quality of research materials directly correlates with the potential for discovery and innovation.

A Commitment to the Advancement of Health Sciences - The launch of the BPC-157 PEPTIDE demonstrates Umbrella Labs' commitment to advancing health sciences. As researchers delve deeper into the mechanisms of healing and tissue regeneration, tools such as BPC-157 become invaluable. The company's dedication to providing these cutting-edge materials is reflective of a broader mission to contribute to the development of knowledge that could ultimately improve health outcomes worldwide.

The Intersection of Quality and Innovation in Peptide Synthesis - At the intersection of quality and innovation stands Umbrella Labs' synthesis process for peptides such as BPC-157. This process ensures a product that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of the scientific community. By pushing the boundaries of what is possible in peptide synthesis, Umbrella Labs continues to foster an environment where scientific advancement is the norm.

Shaping the Future of Biomedical Research - Umbrella Labs' BPC-157 PEPTIDE is poised to shape the future of biomedical research. With its multifaceted potential effects on cellular functions, the peptide represents a key component in the toolkit of researchers aiming to unlock new biomedical applications. The company's foresight in developing and offering such research compounds positions them as a leading contributor to the forward momentum of biomedical inquiry.

Fostering Collaboration in the Research Community - Beyond providing quality peptides for individual research efforts, Umbrella Labs advocates for collaboration within the scientific community. By facilitating access to standardized research materials like BPC-157, the company fosters an environment conducive to collaborative studies, where consistent and reproducible results are paramount. This approach is instrumental in driving the collective pursuit of scientific advancement.

Setting the Benchmark for Research Excellence - With each strategic initiative, Umbrella Labs continues to set the benchmark for research excellence. The introduction of the BPC-157 PEPTIDE is a reflection of the company's unwavering pursuit of progress and its role in underpinning the empirical rigor that defines exemplary scientific work. By steadfastly providing high-caliber research tools, Umbrella Labs cements its position as an industry leader in supporting scientific endeavors.

The Future Direction of Peptide Research Applications - While the primary focus of Umbrella Labs remains on the provision of research-grade peptides, the BPC-157 PEPTIDE also points to the future direction of peptide research applications. As the body of knowledge grows, the implications of this research for practical applications in medicine and pharmacology continue to expand, with the potential to inform the development of novel treatment strategies.

A Lasting Impact on Scientific Methodology and Outcomes - The launch of BPC-157 PEPTIDE marks a milestone in research methodology and outcomes. With a commitment to advancing the scientific method through the provision of exemplary research materials, Umbrella Labs not only contributes to the current landscape of research but also to the formulation of scientific thought and practice for years to come.

Umbrella Labs and the Pursuit of Discovery - In the pursuit of discovery, resources such as the BPC-157 PEPTIDE become invaluable. Umbrella Labs’ investment in the development of such research tools reflects its understanding of the critical role that high-quality materials play in the scientific process. The company remains at the forefront of the industry, continually striving to meet the evolving needs of researchers dedicated to expanding the frontiers of science.

Umbrella Labs Pioneers New Horizons in Biotechnological Discovery - In conclusion, the introduction of BPC-157 PEPTIDE by Umbrella Labs marks a significant moment in the biotechnology sector. It represents the convergence of quality, innovation, and commitment to research integrity. As scientists engage with this new tool in their work, the potential to deepen the understanding of peptide applications in science stands at an all-time high, heralding a future rich with possibilities for discovery and advancement in health sciences and beyond.

For more information about Umbrella Labs , contact the company here:

Umbrella Labs

Kristin McFadden

415-988-7551

[email protected]

3280 E Hemisphere Loop

Tucson, AZ 85706

College of Engineering

Biotech firm’s philanthropy sponsors Iowa engineering research

An environmental biotechnology firm is innovating how philanthropy can support University of Iowa research in hopes of creating a business case for diverting waste from the landfill and converting it into energy.   

Idaho-based Valkyrie Analytics has pledged $1.5 million to the Bioenergy Innovation Fund to support the research of Craig Just, the Donald E. Bently Professor in Engineering and associate professor of civil and environmental engineering.   

The goal is a scalable approach to turning animal biproducts and food waste into renewable energy, a breakthrough that could reduce carbon footprints worldwide.    

"This collaborative agreement will further our efforts for a better, cleaner future where we can measure by the ton the impact we have on the carbon mitigation efforts, moving from a theoretical calculation model to more real time monitoring supported by real time analytics,” said Will Charlton, president of Digester Doc, the primary shareholder of Valkyrie Analytics.   

“I see this gift as an opportunity to make a difference in the world.”   

Just leads Iowa’s Wastewater and Waste to Energy Research program, which will benefit from the funds. He calls waste just a misplaced resource.   

“Iowa is the epicenter on the planet of underutilized organic waste,” Just said. “We have the most of it anywhere in the world, and we should do more with it.”    

More than a billion tons of organic waste is generated globally each year. Much of it ends up in landfills where it emits methane, a greenhouse gas responsible for nearly one-third of the world’s rising temperatures.   

One piece of the puzzle is anaerobic digestion, a process in which organic waste is used as feedstock and broken down by microorganisms in a digester facility. The process results in biogas, which can be used for heat, electricity, fuel, or natural gas, as well as biosolids, which can also be reused.   

The business model needs to operate at a large scale to work, and currently there are limited digesters in operation and the waste-to-energy conversion process is far from fine-tuned, Just said.   

Valkyrie Analytics’ financial gift will allow t he research team , which includes Just, undergraduates, PhD candidates, and research engineers, the flexibility to test machine learning on data collected by Valkyrie Analytics’ sensors, which monitor the anaerobic digestion process. The goal is for the data analysis process to yield usable real-time information so digester operators can make adjustments that will optimize production of biogas.   

A digester connected with a municipal water resource recovery facility in Muscatine, Iowa, will be among the first focal points of the project.   

“With their help we will be able to offer a fully capable service to anaerobic digesters worldwide that will give a renewable technology and opportunity to advance in ways never before imagined, moving from a reactive operational status to a more complete proactive management style,” Charlton said.  

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Chinese Company Under Congressional Scrutiny Makes Key U.S. Drugs

Lawmakers raising national security concerns and seeking to disconnect a major Chinese firm from U.S. pharmaceutical interests have rattled the biotech industry. The firm is deeply involved in development and manufacturing of crucial therapies for cancer, cystic fibrosis, H.I.V. and other illnesses.

A WuXi Biologics facility in Wuxi, China. WuXi AppTec and an affiliated company, WuXi Biologics, have received millions of dollars in tax incentives to build sprawling research and manufacturing sites in Massachusetts and Delaware. Credit... Imaginechina Limited, via Alamy

Supported by

By Christina Jewett

• April 15, 2024

A Chinese company targeted by members of Congress over potential ties to the Chinese government makes blockbuster drugs for the American market that have been hailed as advances in the treatment of cancers, obesity and debilitating illnesses like cystic fibrosis.

WuXi AppTec is one of several companies that lawmakers have identified as potential threats to the security of individual Americans’ genetic information and U.S. intellectual property. A Senate committee approved a bill in March that aides say is intended to push U.S. companies away from doing business with them.

But lawmakers discussing the bill in the Senate and the House have said almost nothing in hearings about the vast scope of work that WuXi does for the U.S. biotech and pharmaceutical industries — and patients. A New York Times review of hundreds of pages of records worldwide shows that WuXi is heavily embedded in the U.S. medicine chest, making some or all of the main ingredients for multibillion-dollar therapies that are highly sought to treat cancers like some types of leukemia and lymphoma as well as obesity and H.I.V.

The Congressional spotlight on the company has rattled the pharmaceutical industry, which is already struggling with widespread drug shortages now at a 20-year high . Some biotech executives have pushed back, trying to impress on Congress that a sudden decoupling could take some drugs out of the pipeline for years.

WuXi AppTec and an affiliated company, WuXi Biologics grew rapidly, offering services to major U.S. drugmakers that were seeking to shed costs and had shifted most manufacturing overseas in the last several decades.

WuXi companies developed a reputation for low-cost and reliable work by thousands of chemists who could create new molecules and operate complex equipment to make them in bulk. By one estimate, WuXi has been involved in developing one-fourth of the drugs used in the United States. WuXi AppTec reported earning about $3.6 billion in revenue for its U.S. work.

“They have become a one-stop shop to a biotech,” said Kevin Lustig, founder of Scientist.com, a clearinghouse that matches drug companies seeking research help with contractors like WuXi.

WuXi AppTec and WuXi Biologics have also received millions of dollars in tax incentives to build sprawling research and manufacturing sites in Massachusetts and Delaware that local government officials have welcomed as job and revenue generators. One WuXi site in Philadelphia was working alongside a U.S. biotech firm to give patients a cutting-edge therapy that would turbocharge their immune cells to treat advanced skin cancers.

The tension has grown since February, when four lawmakers asked the Commerce, Defense and Treasury Departments to investigate WuXi AppTec and affiliated companies, calling WuXi a “giant that threatens U.S. intellectual property and national security.”

A House bill called the Biosecure Act linked the company to the People’s Liberation Army, the military arm of the Chinese Communist Party. The bill claims WuXi AppTec sponsored military-civil events and received military-civil fusion funding.

Richard Connell, the chief operating officer of WuXi AppTec in the United States and Europe, said the company participates in community events, which do not “imply any association with or endorsement of a government institution, political party or policy such as military-civil fusion.” He also said shareholders do not have control over the company or access to nonpublic information.

Last month, after a classified briefing with intelligence staff, the Senate homeland security committee advanced a bill by a vote of 11 to 1: It would bar companies from receiving government contracts for work with Wuxi, but would allow the companies to still obtain contracts for unrelated projects. Government contracts with drugmakers are generally limited, though they were worth billions of dollars in revenue to companies that responded to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr. Connell defended the company’s record, saying the proposed legislation “relies on misleading allegations and inaccurate assertions against our company.”

WuXi operates in a highly regulated environment by “multiple U.S. federal agencies — none of which has placed our company on any sanctions list or designated it as posing a national security risk,” Mr. Connell said. WuXi Biologics did not respond to requests for comment.

Smaller biotech companies, which tend to rely on government grants and have fewer reserves, are among the most alarmed. Dr. Jonathan Kil, the chief executive of Seattle-based Sound Pharmaceuticals, said WuXi has worked alongside the company for 16 years to develop a treatment for hearing loss and tinnitus, or ringing in the ear. Finding another contractor to make the drug could set the company back two years, he said.

“What I don’t want to see is that we get very anti-Chinese to the point where we’re not thinking correctly,” Dr. Kil said.

It is unclear whether a bill targeting WuXi will advance at all this year. The Senate version has been amended to protect existing contracts and limit supply disruptions. Still, the scrutiny has prompted some drug and biotechnology companies to begin making backup plans.

Peter Kolchinsky, managing partner of RA Capital Management, estimated that half of the 200 biotech companies in his firm’s investment portfolio work with WuXi.

“Everyone is likely considering moving away from Wuxi and China more broadly,” he said in an email. “Even though the current versions of the bill don’t create that imperative clearly, no one wants to be caught flat-footed in China if the pullback from China accelerates.”

The chill toward China extends beyond drugmakers. U.S. companies are receiving billions of dollars in funding under the CHIPS Act, a federal law aimed at bringing semiconductor manufacturing stateside.

For the last several years, U.S. intelligence agencies have been warning about Chinese biotech companies in general and WuXi in particular. The National Counterintelligence and Security Center, the arm of the intelligence community charged with warning companies about national security issues, raised alarms about WuXi’s acquisition of NextCODE, an American genomic data company.

Though WuXi later spun off that company, a U.S. official said the government remains skeptical of WuXi’s corporate structure, noting that some independent entities have overlapping management and that there were other signs of the Chinese government’s continuing control or influence over WuXi.

Aides from the Senate homeland security committee said their core concerns are about the misuse of Americans’ genomic data, an issue that’s been more closely tied to other companies named in the bill.

Aides said the effort to discourage companies from working with WuXi and others was influenced by the U.S. government’s experience with Huawei, a Chinese telecommunications giant. By the time Congress acted on concerns about Huawei’s access to Americans’ private information, taxpayers had to pay billions of dollars to tear Huawei’s telecommunication equipment out of the ground.

Yet WuXi has far deeper involvement in American health care than has been discussed in Congress. Supply chain analytics firms QYOBO and Pharm3r, and some public records, show that WuXi and its affiliates have made the active ingredients for critical drugs.

They include Imbruvica, a leukemia treatment sold by Janssen Biotech and AbbVie that brought in $5.9 billion in worldwide revenue in 2023. WuXi subsidiary factories in Shanghai and Changzhou were listed in government records as makers of the drug’s core ingredient, ibrutinib.

Dr. Mikkael A. Sekeres, chief of hematology at the University of Miami Health System, called that treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia “truly revolutionary” for replacing highly toxic drugs and extending patients’ lives.

Janssen Biotech and AbbVie, partners in selling the drug, declined to comment.

WuXi Biologics also manufactures Jemperli, a GSK treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration last year for some endometrial cancers. In combination with standard therapies, the drug improves survival in patients with advanced disease, said Dr. Amanda Nickles Fader, president of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology.

“This is particularly important because while most cancers are plateauing or decreasing in incidence and mortality, endometrial cancer is one of the only cancers globally” increasing in both, Dr. Fader said.

GSK declined to comment.

The drug that possibly captures WuXi’s most significant impact is Trikafta, manufactured by an affiliate in Shanghai and Changzhou to treat cystic fibrosis, a deadly disease that clogs the lungs with debilitating, thick mucus. The treatment is credited with clearing the lungs and extending by decades the life expectancy of about 40,000 U.S. residents. It also had manufacturers in Italy, Portugal and Spain.

The treatment has been so effective that the Make-A-Wish Foundation stopped uniformly granting wishes to children with cystic fibrosis. Trikafta costs about $320,000 a year per patient and has been a boon for Boston-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals and its shareholders, with worldwide revenue rising to $8.9 billion last year from $5.7 billion in 2021, according to a securities filing .

Trikafta “completely transformed cystic fibrosis and did it very quickly,” said Dr. Meghan McGarry, a University of California San Francisco pulmonologist who treats children with the condition. “People came off oxygen and from being hospitalized all the time to not being hospitalized and being able to get a job, go to school and start a family.”

Vertex declined to comment.

Two industry sources said WuXi plays a role in making Eli Lilly’s popular obesity drugs. Eli Lilly did not respond to requests for comment. WuXi companies also make an infusion for treatment-resistant H.I.V., a drug for advanced ovarian cancer and a therapy for adults with a rare disorder called Pompe disease.

WuXi is known for helping biotech firms from the idea stage to mass production, Dr. Kolchinsky said. For example, a start-up could hypothesize that a molecule that sticks to a certain protein might cure a disease. The company would then hire WuXi chemists to create or find the molecule and test it in petri dishes and animals to see whether the idea works — and whether it’s safe enough for humans.

“Your U.S. company has the idea and raises the money and owns the rights to the drug,” Dr. Kolchinsky said. “But they may count on WuXi or similar contractors for almost every step of the process.”

WuXi operates large bioreactors and manufactures complex peptide, immunotherapy and antibody drugs at sprawling plants in China.

WuXi AppTec said it has about 1,900 U.S. employees. Officials in Delaware gave the company $19 million in tax funds in 2021 to build a research and drug manufacturing site that is expected to employ about 1,000 people when fully operational next year, public records and company reports show.

Mayor Kenneth L. Branner Jr. of Middletown, Del., called it “one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to land a company like this,” according to a news report when the deal was approved.

In 2022, the lieutenant governor of Massachusetts expressed a similar sentiment when workers placed the final steel beam on a WuXi Biologics research and manufacturing plant in Worcester. Government officials had approved roughly $11.5 million in tax breaks to support the project. The company announced this year that it would double the site’s planned manufacturing capacity in response to customer demand.

And in Philadelphia, a WuXi Advanced Therapies site next to Iovance Biotherapeutics was approved by regulators to help process individualized cell therapies for skin cancer patients. Iovance has said it is capable of meeting demand for the therapies independently.

By revenue, WuXi Biologics is one of the top five drug development and manufacturing companies worldwide, according to Statista , a data analytics company. A WuXi AppTec annual report showed that two-thirds of its revenue came from U.S. work.

Stepping away from WuXi could cause a “substantial slowdown” in drug development for a majority of the 105 biotech companies surveyed by BioCentury , a trade publication. Just over half said it would be “extremely difficult” to replace China-based drug manufacturers.

BIO, a trade group for the biotechnology industry, is also surveying its members about the impact of disconnecting from WuXi companies. John F. Crowley, BIO’s president, said the effects would be most difficult for companies that rely on WuXi to manufacture complex drugs at commercial scale. Moving such an operation could take five to seven years.

“We have to be very thoughtful about this so that we first do no harm to patients,” Mr. Crowley said. “And that we don’t slow or unnecessarily interfere with the advancement of biomedical research.”

Julian E. Barnes contributed reporting, and Susan C. Beachy contributed research.

Christina Jewett covers the Food and Drug Administration, which means keeping a close eye on drugs, medical devices, food safety and tobacco policy. More about Christina Jewett

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BIOTECanada

2024 Federal Budget Recognizes the Critical Role of Canada’s Biotech Industry

April 17, 2024

April 17, 2024 [OTTAWA] – The Canadian biotechnology sector welcomed the federal budget which highlighted investment, research, and regulatory performance in its commitments.

BIOTECanada, the national industry association for biotechnology representing the biotech company, research, and development ecosystem across Canada, offered the following response to the federal budget announced yesterday.

“The federal budget offered timely and important recognition on the strategic importance of securing life science innovation into the overall growth of the Canadian economy.  By reinvesting $200 million in the Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative, the initiative to bring pension fund investment capital into Canada’s innovation sectors, along with the  SR&ED and patent box consultations, suggests the government is building on the Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy’s focus on the biotechnology and life sciences as a sector driving economic growth while supporting the well-being of Canadians,” said Andrew Casey, President and CEO, BIOTECanada.

He continued, “With the existing investments in biomanufacturing, and AI, coupled with the initiative to secure investment commitments from large Canadian institutional investors, the biotech industry can look towards establishing the next cycle of company growth which will drive expansion of research and development operations in Canada. Importantly, while significant progress has been made following the pandemic, Canada still has work to do to enhance our regulatory competitiveness and attract investment for it to remain one of the leading OECD nations with biotechnology innovation as a core economic factor for long term sustained growth.”

Contact: Nina Lewis [email protected] 613-668-8872

Comparative investigations of aftersintering of UO 2 fuel pellets

• Theory and Processes of Formation and Sintering of Powdered Materials
• Published: 06 May 2010
• Volume 51 , pages 173–176, ( 2010 )

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The basic parameters of comparative tests of UO 2 fuel pellets produced by the technology of powder metallurgy for aftersinterability using their repeated thermal treatment (aftersintering) in different gas media, namely, with and without humidification, are presented. The results of an evaluation of the level of aftersinterability of these pellets by different procedures is presented, they are analyzed, and a substantiation of the expediency of using this operation manual for evaluating afersintering without the humidification of the gas medium developed at the OAO Machine Building Works (MSZ), Elektrostal’, Moscow oblast, is presented.

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Basov, V.V., Opredelenie kharacteristik termicheskoi stabil’nosti toplivnykh tabletok tipov “R”, “R-E”, “V”: Metodika (tekhnologicheskaya instruktsiya) (Determination of Characteristics of Thermal Stability of Fuel Pellets of Types “R”, “R-E”, and “V”: Procedure (Technological Instruction), Electrostal’: OAO MSZ, 1999.

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Original Russian Text © V.V. Basov, 2009, published in Izvestiya VUZ. Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya i Funktsional’nye Pokrytiya, 2009, No. 3, pp. 27–30.

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Basov, V.V. Comparative investigations of aftersintering of UO 2 fuel pellets. Russ. J. Non-ferrous Metals 51 , 173–176 (2010). https://doi.org/10.3103/S1067821210020185

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.3103/S1067821210020185

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• Published: 12 October 2023

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Nature Biotechnology volume  41 ,  page 1364 ( 2023 ) Cite this article

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Boehringer Ingelheim partners with Ginkgo Bioworks in a $406-million deal to mine Ginkgo’s metagenomic sequence database to identify and develop new therapeutic molecules for diseases with high unmet patient needs. Ginkgo will receive up-front fees and milestone payments, and is entitled to royalties on potential sales of any drugs produced in the collaboration.

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Rosatom Starts Production of Rare-Earth Magnets for Wind Power Generation

TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom has started gradual localization of rare-earth magnets manufacturing for wind power plants generators. The first sets of magnets have been manufactured and shipped to the customer.

In total, the contract between Elemash Magnit LLC (an enterprise of TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom in Elektrostal, Moscow region) and Red Wind B.V. (a joint venture of NovaWind JSC and the Dutch company Lagerwey) foresees manufacturing and supply over 200 sets of magnets. One set is designed to produce one power generator.

“The project includes gradual localization of magnets manufacturing in Russia, decreasing dependence on imports. We consider production of magnets as a promising sector for TVEL’s metallurgical business development. In this regard, our company does have the relevant research and technological expertise for creation of Russia’s first large-scale full cycle production of permanent rare-earth magnets,” commented Natalia Nikipelova, President of TVEL JSC.

“NovaWind, as the nuclear industry integrator for wind power projects, not only made-up an efficient supply chain, but also contributed to the development of inter-divisional cooperation and new expertise of Rosatom enterprises. TVEL has mastered a unique technology for the production of magnets for wind turbine generators. These technologies will be undoubtedly in demand in other areas as well,” noted Alexander Korchagin, Director General of NovaWind JSC.

For reference:

TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom incorporates enterprises for the fabrication of nuclear fuel, conversion and enrichment of uranium, production of gas centrifuges, as well as research and design organizations. It is the only supplier of nuclear fuel for Russian nuclear power plants. TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom provides nuclear fuel for 73 power reactors in 13 countries worldwide, research reactors in eight countries, as well as transport reactors of the Russian nuclear fleet. Every sixth power reactor in the world operates on fuel manufactured by TVEL. www.tvel.ru

NovaWind JSC is a division of Rosatom; its primary objective is to consolidate the State Corporation's efforts in advanced segments and technological platforms of the electric power sector. The company was founded in 2017. NovaWind consolidates all of the Rosatom’s wind energy assets – from design and construction to power engineering and operation of wind farms.

Overall, by 2023, enterprises operating under the management of NovaWind JSC, will install 1 GW of wind farms. http://novawind.ru

Elemash Magnit LLC is a subsidiary of Kovrov Mechanical Plant (an enterprise of the TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom) and its main supplier of magnets for production of gas centrifuges. The company also produces magnets for other industries, in particular, for the automotive

industry. The production facilities of Elemash Magnit LLC are located in the city of Elektrostal, Moscow Region, at the site of Elemash Machine-Building Plant (a nuclear fuel fabrication facility of TVEL Fuel Company).

Rosatom is a global actor on the world’s nuclear technology market. Its leading edge stems from a number of competitive strengths, one of which is assets and competences at hand in all nuclear segments. Rosatom incorporates companies from all stages of the technological chain, such as uranium mining and enrichment, nuclear fuel fabrication, equipment manufacture and engineering, operation of nuclear power plants, and management of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste. Nowadays, Rosatom brings together about 350 enterprises and organizations with the workforce above 250 K. https://rosatom.ru/en/

U.S. Added Less New Wind Power in 2021 Than the Previous Year — Here’s Why

Airborne Wind Energy Developer Kitemill Prepares for 24HOUR Operation and Multi-Device Demonstrations

Vietnam's Largest Wind Power Plant Starts Operational

Vietnam Plans to Double Wind Power Generation by 2030

Developer Lines up Support for Vietnam Wind Build

Australia Adopts Policy for Development of 1.2GW Wind Project