IBM’s Quantum Computing Apps to Cure Disease, Nanofluidics Technology Controls Remote Drug Delivery in Space, More

November 30, 2022 | An artificial intelligence-based framework that assesses the effectiveness of novel cancer therapies in real time; three new AI-rare disease partnerships; a cross-border federated network of national genome collections for biomedical research and personalized medicine solutions; multi-scale precision cardiology platforms and heart-on-a-chip technology aimed at developing the infrastructure for a digital replica of an individual’s heart; and more. 

Genomenon has announced a partnership with COMBINEDBrain, SynGAP Research Fund, and SLC6A1 Connect, three rare disease research foundations focusing on severe rare neurodevelopmental disorders and the rare genetic diseases caused by variation in SYNGAP1 and SLC6A1, respectively. Genomenon will collaborate with the foundations and their pharma partners, delivering comprehensive genomic data on their diseases of focus with the goal of accelerating the development of precision drugs to treat rare neurodevelopmental disorders. Through its AI-driven genomics platform, Genomenon delivers comprehensive genomic data for rare diseases that help pharmaceutical companies identify the patients most likely to respond to clinical trials, provides evidence-based disease prevalence estimates for market assessment, and raises awareness of the diseases and any associated clinical trials and/or treatments to researchers and clinicians at the point of diagnosis. Press release. 

Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers have developed a deep learning model that uses a single chest X-ray to predict the 10-year risk of death from a heart attack or stroke stemming from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The researchers developed a deep learning model using a single chest X-ray (CXR) input, known as CXR-CVD risk, to predict the risk of death from cardiovascular disease using 147,497 chest X-rays from 40,643 participants in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. This trial is a multi-center, randomized controlled trial designed and sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. There was a significant association between the risk predicted by the CXR-CVD risk deep learning model and observed major cardiac events. The CXR-CVD risk model performed similarly to the conventional clinical standard for this subset of patients and even provided incremental value. Press release. 

iCAD announced a strategic development and commercialization agreement with Google Health to integrate its artificial intelligence (AI) technology into iCAD’s breast imaging AI solutions portfolio. Marking the first commercial partnership Google Health has entered into to introduce its breast imaging AI into clinical practice, the companies will enhance iCAD’s market-leading breast cancer AI solutions for mammography and expand access to the technology to millions of women and providers worldwide. iCAD will also leverage Google Cloud’s secure, scalable infrastructure, accelerating the time to market for iCAD’s cloud-hosted offerings. Under the definitive agreement, Google has licensed its AI technology for breast cancer and personalized risk assessment to iCAD. iCAD will apply the licensed technology to improve its 3D and 2D AI algorithms and commercialize developed products. Press release. 

Researchers at The University of Texas at Dallas and Novartis Pharmaceuticals devised a computer-based platform for drug discovery that could make the process more effective, more efficient, and less costly. They developed an approach based on topological data analysis to screen thousands of possible drug candidates virtually and narrow the compound candidates considerably to those fittest for laboratory and clinical testing. Their method characterizes each molecular compound based on the shape of its underlying physical substructure—its topology—and a series of physical and chemical properties of the molecule's components. From this information, the researchers develop a unique “topological fingerprint” for each compound to rank it according to how well it fits the desired properties. Press release. 

The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and ST Pharm exchanged a memorandum of understanding to collaborate in the clinical development of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in efforts to promote Korea’s WHO Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing strategy. Specifically, IVI and ST Pharm will work together in defining a clinical development plan and regulatory process for ST Pharm’s pan-coronavirus vaccine candidate. The two organizations have also agreed to cooperate in training the biomanufacturing workforce in low- and middle-income countries. IVI has supported several companies from Korea and overseas to accelerate preclinical and clinical development—including clinical sample analysis—of various vaccine candidates in different stages, including mRNA vaccines. Press release. 

Under the European Commission’s (EC) Horizon Europe program, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) was selected to lead a consortium project termed ONCOVALUE. BC Platforms (BCP) will work closely with HUS as a key delivery partner in this major EC project. ONCOVALUE is an artificial intelligence-based framework that assesses, in real-time, the effectiveness of novel cancer therapies. It does this by standardizing hospital data processing, enabling them to efficiently measure the cost-effectiveness of new cancer therapies for Health Technology Assessment and regulatory purposes. BCP will create the technical architecture and provide the data analysis to ensure this technology can transform unstructured patient data from medical notes and images into structured data and real-world evidence. The ONCOVALUE consortium comprises eleven institutions and companies in Finland, The Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, and Italy. Press release. 

The UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute will lead its first launch of hematopoietic stem cells into space. This launch will be the third time stem cells were sent onto the International Space Station as part of UC San Diego’s Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Research Center, established in collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Researchers at the Sanford Stem Cell Institute will use space as an “aging accelerator,” first confirming that the microgravity environment accurately mimics human aging and then using that to dissect the aging process further. The study will inform scientists’ and clinicians’ understanding of stem cell aging without relying on lengthy and expensive clinical trials monitoring Earthbound humans as they age. Future launches will test additional features of stem cell biology and explore aging in other tissue types, including the liver and the brain. Press release. 

Chemical.AI announced a partnership with an Indian company, ChemIntel Technologies, to accelerate the expansion of Indian business and lay out the global market, thereby promoting the development of artificial intelligence (AI) in pharmaceuticals and bringing a positive impact on human welfare. Chemical.AI has always been committed to using AI to accelerate the efficiency of synthesis route design and promoting chemical synthesis towards digitalization, automation, and intelligence, thereby shaping the future of chemistry. Chemical.AI provides technical services on synthesis route design, synthesis feasibility evaluation, virtual molecular library generation, and process chemistry optimization. ChemIntel Technologies brings pioneering and innovative AI, machine learning, and automation solutions to the chemical, pharmaceutical, and other allied industries. Press release. 

Houston Methodist Research Institute researchers have developed a new remotely controlled drug delivery implant that could one day provide extended, adjustable medication for patients who need daily medicine but lack medical access. They are leveraging the International Space Station National Laboratory to test the implant’s ability to be controlled in space from a device on Earth. The implant uses nanofluidics technology that combines membranes with very small nanochannels to deliver a controlled drug dose through diffusion. The researchers will attempt to control the implant using Bluetooth and a Blackberry device on Earth to test different frequencies to determine if the implant can precisely deliver and adjust doses on command. Eventually, doctors on Earth can control drug delivery implants wherever patients are located using an application on their smartphone or computer. Press release. 

RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, FutureNeuro, and the University College Dublin are orchestrating the Irish element of a new EU project to support the integration of genomics into healthcare and advance new treatments for patients. They aim to enable access to genomics and to correspond clinical data across Europe by creating a secure data infrastructure. The project will facilitate a cross-border federated network of national genome collections for biomedical research and personalized medicine solutions. The Irish GDI hub will establish best practices to manage the Irish genetic data, protecting the security of the personal data contributed by individuals. The GDI project positions Ireland to participate in the ambitious Europe-wide “1+ Million Genomes” initiative, which drives the development, deployment, and operation of sustainable data-access infrastructures within each participating country. Press release. 

The newly launched study, called the SuperAgers Family Study, is the most ambitious study ever conducted to uncover and understand the genetic and biological mysteries of exceptional longevity and healthy aging. The study will collect the DNA samples and health histories from as many as 10,000 people who celebrated their 95th birthdays and beyond, along with their children. The study will be administered at Albert Einstein College of Medicine through the support of the multi-year Super Agers Initiative led by AFAR in collaboration with Boston University’s School of Medicine and Einstein. The biobank holding the DNA records, and all the related data, will be protected and maintained at Einstein. Future researchers can apply for permission to use the specimens and information for new studies to prevent, diagnose, or treat diseases. Press release. 

NTT Research announced that its Medical & Health Informatics (MEI) Lab had entered a three-year joint research agreement with the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). NTT Research scientists will work with the Disease Biophysics Group at SEAS to engineer a human heart model, elucidate fundamental laws of muscular pumps, and apply lessons learned to a cardiovascular (CV) bio digital twin model. The MEI Lab developed bioelectrodes as the interfaces with cells and tissues to accelerate the development of an in vitro CV bio digital twin. The MEI Lab has also undertaken joint research with the Technical University of Munich and the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center in Osaka, Japan, to work on multi-scale precision cardiology platforms and heart-on-a-chip technology aimed at developing the infrastructure for a digital replica of an individual’s heart. Press release. 

Algorithmiq entered into an engagement with IBM to combine IBM's world-leading hardware, software, and quantum applications expertise with Algorithmiq's cutting-edge algorithm developers to explore ways to dramatically cut the time and cost of drug discovery and development. The work will also contribute to Qiskit, an open-source software development kit for quantum computers. Algorithmiq’s novel measurement techniques have been shown to reduce runtime in hybrid quantum-classical algorithms significantly. In addition, Algorithmiq’s post-processing strategies for error mitigation have greatly improved the accuracy of quantum chemistry simulations. Therefore, this collaboration looks to yield promising results to boost the performance of quantum algorithms in near-term quantum technology. Algorithmiq's mission is to prevent and cure diseases by exploiting the power of quantum computing combined with a complex systems approach to drug discovery and development. Press release. 

Hack4NF, a global genomic data hackathon hosted by the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF), announced the winners of the 2022 virtual event to ideate and develop viable solutions for medical advancements in a rare genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis (NF). Throughout the hackathon, CTF provided exclusive data sets, mentor support, and patient input to foster the development of solutions with real-world applications for neurofibromatosis. This year’s teams worked with genomic data to develop drug targets, predict NF variants, and correctly classify NF tumors. The winning projects of the 2022 Hack4NF are Next GeNLP (Challenge 1 winner), DITTO4NF (Challenge 2 winner), and NF1 Drug Targeting (Challenge 3 winner). Press release. 

Advantech and Actility announce the launch of a new integrated AI-based solution, supporting the machine operation team in realizing machine prognostics and health management. The new solution is based on the Advantech WISE-2410 vibration sensor, the high-performance WISE-6610 LoRaWAN gateway, Actility’s ThingPark Enterprise IoT network management platform, and the advanced Advantech’ iMachine/PHM application. Each is available under the Trial Kit form on Actility’s IoT marketplace: ThingPark Market. Implementing efficient maintenance processes is crucial to operators of industrial facilities, but it’s not easy. One of their greatest wishes is to avoid lengthy processes of data connection, pre-processing, model development, and inference engine development. In the traditional method, still used by most factory operators, the on-site inspection is done manually, regularly but without stable inspection quality, and only passively reacting and informing the maintenance crew when the problem occurs. Press release. 

Shimmer Research announced the launch of its Verisense Digital Health Panel (DHP) to provide clinical researchers with access to raw, real-world, digital health ground-truth sensor data. These data will be combined with patient-reported outcomes and real-world data to provide a complete longitudinal view of participant health. Shimmer selected Schlesinger Clinical Research as its panel management partner for the Verisense DHP. Participants will initially be equipped with Verisense wearable sensors but other third-party devices that can contribute raw data to be added later. Verisense is a highly flexible, modular patent-pending platform designed from the ground up to meet the specific needs of clinical trials and remote patient research. As a result, it places a minimum burden on all the research stakeholders—sponsors, site staff, and participants. In addition, Verisense sensors are versatile and dependable, providing 24/7 access to high-quality raw data. Press release. 

Genomenon announced more details on their plan to curate the genes associated with over 450 rare diseases for newborn screening via next-generation DNA sequencing. The program is the first initiative in Genomenon’s mission to curate the entire human genome. It is an essential part of the BeginNGS newborn sequencing project led by the Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine. Genomenon uses its combination of AI-driven technology and expert scientific review to comprehensively assess and classify every variant seen across the 450+ rare diseases to be included in the BeginNGS panel. In addition, each variant published in the medical literature, ClinVar, or disease-specific databases is reviewed, classified, and captured in a knowledgebase that can identify variants connected to a rare disease. Press release. 

Cytek Biosciences announced the launch of Cytek Cloud, a cloud-based platform that features two integrated tools to streamline workflows on Cytek’s state-of-the-art cell sorters and analyzers. Optimized for Cytek systems and reagents, Cytek Cloud joins the company’s extensive suite of solutions for the single cell analysis market, which includes the incorporation of Full Spectrum Profiling technology onboard its flow cytometry systems, proprietary cFluor reagents, and SpectroFlo software. The new Cytek Cloud digital ecosystem combines all of Cytek’s spectral panel design tools in one place and allows users to prepare experiments remotely before accessing the instrument. Cytek adapts its offerings to meet users' needs, enabling researchers to obtain deeper insights and understanding of biological systems to accelerate the pace of discovery. Press release. 

Chemical.AI and Keen Therapeutics reached a major milestone in their strategic collaboration. Ferroptosis—distinct from apoptosis, necroptosis, and autophagy—is a new form of programmed cell death, and Keen Therapeutics has conducted target screening and selected several ferroptosis-related targets. In less than two years, Keen Therapeutics has discovered orally bioavailable compounds that demonstrate good in vivo efficacy and would significantly advance translational research in this field. Chemical.AI technology allows an automated synthesis platform to design routes and solve analysis and separation problems like chemical experts. AI has taken chemical synthesis from primary automation to intelligent automation, realizing structural data storage, remote decision-making, and monitoring the entire "dispensing, reaction, sampling, monitoring, post-processing, and separation" process online. Press release. 

The Simon Foundation is committing $250 million over the next 10 years to fund new neuroscience collaborations. The collaborations will focus on cutting-edge idea-generating research that focuses on basic principles of brain function. The foundation is particularly interested in research overlooked or deemed too risky by other funding organizations. Researchers with an idea for such an innovative collaboration should submit a vision statement by March 8, 2023. Such submissions should outline the main idea and related hypotheses the proposed partnership will address, including high-level overviews of the methods and approaches used. The foundation will prioritize cross-disciplinary collaborations integrating many levels of analysis, methodologies, ways of thinking, and scientific communities. Press release. 

Exscientia and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center announced a strategic collaboration to advance novel small-molecule oncology therapies. The research collaboration will use Exscientia’s precision medicine platform to identify novel anti-cancer, cell-intrinsic small-molecule compounds based on jointly identified therapeutic targets. Promising candidates will advance for further development with the team at MD Anderson’s Therapeutics Discovery division. The collaborators anticipate that successful target discovery programs may be moved into proof-of-concept clinical trials at MD Anderson. In addition, Exscientia will collaborate with the team at IACS, a core component of MD Anderson’s Therapeutics Discovery division, and an integrated team of researchers, physicians, and drug development experts working to advance impactful new therapies. Press release. 

In a new study (Scientific Data, DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01712-9), scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory have articulated a new set of standards for managing AI models. The researchers combined FAIR data published at an online repository called the Materials Data Facility, FAIR AI models from the Data and Learning Hub for Science, and AI and supercomputing resources at the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility. In this way, the researchers were able to create a computational framework that could help bridge various hardware and software, creating AI models that could be run similarly across platforms and that would yield reproducible results. The funcX and Globus platforms are two keys to this framework, allowing researchers to access high-performance computing resources straight from their laptops. Press release. 

The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Lemonex to introduce DegradaBALL drug delivery technology to advance vaccine development. Under the MOU, Lemonex and IVI will develop vaccines that respond to infectious viruses and cater to the needs of developing countries. LEM-mR203, which Lemonex is developing, is an mRNA vaccine candidate against COVID-19. The mRNA vaccine uses DegradaBALL, a next-generation drug delivery platform technology developed by Lemonex, instead of existing lipid nanoparticles. The mRNA vaccine adopting DegradaBALL is designed to minimize systemic side effects by increasing the residual drug rate at the administration site and improving the stability of mRNA to induce long-term mRNA expression. Press release. 

Element Biosciences announced the availability of its Element LoopSeq long-read sequencing technology kits, giving the Element AVITI System the power of both short- and long-read sequencing on the same instrument. Element is the first company to own a general-purpose long-read technology that runs on its native short-read sequencer. Element LoopSeq provides highly accurate continuous long reads, a data type identical to the output of legacy long-read technologies but without needing an additional dedicated instrument. The new Element LoopSeq Kits come in two configurations, with all reagents required to make a sequencing read library. Amplicon LoopSeq for AVITI is a general-purpose kit for sequencing any amplicon or long double-stranded DNA. It supports up to 96 samples with a multiplexed workflow. For microbiome researchers, 16S LoopSeq for AVITI enables full-length 16S sequencing for up to 96 samples. Press release. 

IBM announced the launch of its Osprey quantum processor, which features 433 qubits, up from the 127 qubits of its 2021 Eagle processor, as the slow but steady march toward a quantum processor with real-world applications continues. IBM’s quantum roadmap includes two additional stages—the 1,121-qubit Condor and 1,386-qubit Flamingo processors in 2023 and 2024—before it plans to hit the 4,000-qubit stage with its Kookaburra processor in 2025. The company also detailed its Quantum System Two—IBM’s quantum mainframe—which will be able to house multiple quantum processors and integrate them into a single system with high-speed communication links. The idea here is to launch this system by the end of 2023. Press release. 

10x Genomics announced the commercial availability of Barcode Enabled Antigen Mapping (BEAM), a kitted solution for antibody and T-cell receptor discovery. Built on top of 10x's industry-leading Chromium Single Cell Immune Profiling product, BEAM's proprietary antigen screening approach is fast and robust, delivering hundreds of antigen-receptor pairs with single-cell gene expression. In addition, BEAM offers ready-to-use kitted reagents for uniquely tagging and multiplexing antigens of interest. BEAM's protocol is fully optimized and pairs with easy-to-use software that identifies and matches putative antigens with their cognate full-length paired V(D)J receptors. The result is a comprehensive solution to interrogate the genetics and binding specificities of thousands of individual antigen-specific B- and T- cells, providing an expansive view of the underlying immune repertoires against pathogens and diseases. Press release. 

The Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE) at the University of Belgrade introduced its new research interests. Collaboration between IMGGE and BGI began with building two permanent Huoyan laboratories, one of which became a National Laboratory for Molecular Diagnostics of Infectious Agents. IMGGE collaborated with BGI again to create the Serbian Center for Genome Sequencing and Bioinformatics. Subsequently, the staff underwent extensive onsite training in COVID-19, whole exome sequencing, whole genome sequencing, and noninvasive prenatal testing. Following IMGGE’s plans, the Government of the Republic of Serbia plans to build the BIO4 campus in Belgrade, a 20-hectare facility focusing on four key areas: biomedicine, biotechnology, bioinformatics, and biodiversity. Press release. 

BC Platforms (BCP) launched a new software solution called the Trusted Collaboration Environment (TCE) to support drug discovery for various disorders, including cancer, rare diseases, and infectious diseases. To underpin this TCE approach, the company upgraded its acclaimed BC|INSIGHT 7, a fully persona-driven platform that aligns with the highest data security and regulatory standards. BCP designed its TCE platform to level the regulatory playing field for access to real-world data (RWD). It protects proprietary algorithms that support artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches for better pattern recognition. TCEs are built on the foundation of a Trusted Research Environment, a secure computing environment that manages sensitive patient data while allowing access for researchers. TCEs are increasingly vital tools for international collaborative research as they enable multiple data partners to share RWD securely. Press release. 

Bio-Rad Laboratories and NuProbe USA signed a licensing and product development agreement where NuProbe USA will exclusively license its allele enrichment technologies to Bio-Rad to develop multiplexed digital PCR assays. This technology will help to advance Bio-Rad’s menu of products in oncology, where highly sensitive and multiplexed mutation detection assays aid translational research, therapy selection, and disease monitoring. NuProbe USA developed and optimized the Blocker Displacement Amplification technology as a PCR method in which variant DNA alleles are enriched over 1000-fold over wild-type alleles. BDA has been experimentally validated on hundreds of clinical samples across multiple platforms, including quantitative PCR, digital PCR, Sanger sequencing, sequencing-by-synthesis, and nanopore sequencing. Press release. 

Nucleai announced the expansion of its spatial biology platform to include a new generation of multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) analysis that uses deep learning to establish new levels of accuracy, speed, and generalizability, further unlocking the power of mIF data for drug discovery and development. Nucleai offers a 40% improvement in accuracy compared to other solutions while reducing mIF analysis time-to-results from months to weeks. Nucleai’s cutting-edge AI spatial models, which are optimized for multiplex assays, derive new insights from tissue biopsies, including novel drug targets, mechanisms of action, and potential biomarkers to advance the field of precision medicine. The platform is agnostic to staining and scanning platforms and is currently available as a comprehensive service, providing fast turnaround times for large datasets of mid to high-plex images. Press release. 

Researchers attending the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week 2022 presented algorithms that predict patients at risk for acute kidney injury (AKI) to help clinicians take appropriate preventive measures. A Taichung Veterans General Hospital team used their artificial intelligence-based model to accurately predict AKI 24 hours ahead of time (Study: “Machine learning for development of a real-time AKI risk prediction model in ICU with external validation and federated learning at five medical centers: From model development to clinical application”). A University of Chicago team accurately predicted adverse kidney events within 90 days of discharge (i.e., acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, need for dialysis, or kidney-related death) (Study: “Development of a Machine Learning Algorithm to Predict Major Adverse Kidney Events After Hospitalization”). A third group recently developed a strategy that combines information from the treatment effects on urinary albumin:creatinine ratio change and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) slope to improve the prediction of treatments’ effects on patient outcomes. The analysis revealed that combining these two measures improves predictions of the treatments’ impact on clinical endpoints (Study: “Change in albuminuria and GFR slope as joint surrogate endpoints for kidney failure - Implications for phase 2 trials”). Press release one and two. 

Arima Genomics announced a new partnership with Basepair to empower scientists with new options for bioinformatic analysis of 3D genomic data. The deal will make the Arima Genomics bioinformatics pipelines more accessible to bench scientists by making it available through a user-friendly interface, decreasing compute time, improving data handling and sharing, and generating easy-to-understand reports. Through this partnership, Arima will enable their customers to integrate the Arima-SV bioinformatics pipeline through a white-labeled web portal powered by the Basepair platform. This portal will allow researchers to readily upload standard sequencing files using a point-and-click graphical user interface and quickly identify structural variants from their 3D genomic data. Press release. 

Saint Louis University announced the launch of the Institute for Translational Neuroscience (ITN). The new Institute brings together experts in biochemistry, chemistry, pharmacology, social justice, and community outreach under a shared research umbrella to study the physiology and diseases of the central nervous system and ease human suffering. ITN aims to improve human health through the pre-clinical and clinical research in cognition, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic neuropathic pain, opioids, metabolism, and traumatic brain injury, among others. The institute will provide neuroscience training for undergraduate and graduate students at the University, engage the neuroscience community at large, and promote neuroscience through advocacy and outreach efforts. Press release. 

CSL Limited announced that its subsidiary, CSL Seqirus, entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings to access their late-stage self-amplifying mRNA (sa-mRNA) vaccine platform technology. CSL Seqirus produces influenza vaccines across its global manufacturing network, including U.S., U.K., and Australian facilities. The company also continues to grow its R&D footprint. It invests in a new facility in Waltham, Mass. that will support the company's R&D portfolio, focusing on the sa-mRNA technology platform. This facility will be an R&D center for vaccine design and stakeholder collaborations. Press release. 

Veeva Systems announced a ten-year strategic partnership agreement with Merck—known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada—that builds on the existing 12-year partnership between the companies. Under the terms of the agreement, Merck will take a Veeva-first approach to new industry-specific software and data, selecting Veeva products when they are fit for purpose to maximize the value of Veeva’s integrated, cloud-based platform and products. In addition, Veeva will provide Merck with a strategic pricing approach, and Merck will have input into Veeva’s product roadmap. The partnership helps accelerate Merck’s digital strategy and makes it more efficient for Merck to evaluate, purchase, operate, and create value from Veeva products and services. Press release. 

Deepcell announced the rollout of the next stage of its Technology Access Program, providing access to the novel capabilities of the Deepcell platform. The University of California, San Francisco, and the Translational Genomics Research Institute, part of City of Hope, are the initial locations to have the first generation of the Deepcell platform installed, which is expanding to three more sites across the U.S. and Europe. Deepcell is pioneering an innovative area of single-cell biology analysis focused on multidimensional readouts of cell morphology at scale without using cellular markers. The company has developed AI-based technology that iteratively learns to identify and capture single cells based on morphological features that are barely discernible to the human eye. Press release. 

OpenBiome announced the expansion of its mission to catalyze microbiome research on a global scale by leading the Global Microbiome Conservancy (GMbC) and welcoming it as a flagship program. The GMbC—a nonprofit initiative—is dedicated to conserving and providing broad access to the global diversity of the human microbiome through a globally representative biobank. The GMbC collection currently comprises samples donated by more than 1,000 individuals from underrepresented communities worldwide, including hundreds of new strains with no known sister taxa and many previously unculturable bacteria. Press release. 

iSpecimen launched its Open Feasibilities Dashboard on iSpecimen Marketplace, allowing suppliers to review potential research projects at any time and initiate their interest by submitting a proposal. The iSpecimen Marketplace is a novel technology platform that connects life sciences researchers who need biospecimens for their research with patients and healthcare organizations that can provide these samples. In addition, researchers can search for biospecimens based on demographic traits, medical conditions, procedures, blood type, country of collection, and much more. Press release. 

Paradigm4’s REVEAL Integrative Analytics platform enables Alnylam Pharmaceuticals to discover novel, genetically validated drug targets from population-scale biobank genotype-phenotype datasets. It underlies the extraordinary pace and productivity of Alnylam’s RNAi therapeutics pipeline. Fundamental to Paradigm4’s REVEAL platform is a unique technology stack for working with high-dimension, content-diverse, genotypic, and longitudinal phenotypic data at human population scales, soon to be counted in millions. By pairing Paradigm4’s unique technology with a platform for rationally designed, sequence-based precision medicines, Alnylam can go from target discovery to a Phase 1 clinical trial in as little as 18 months. Using REVEAL, Alnylam scientists can systematically calculate single-variant and gene-level tests on a dynamic burst cluster that scales to 200 or more spot workers in a time- and cost-efficient manner. Press release.