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Collaborative, Multiomics, Patient-first Approach to Transform Cancer Care, Treatment SEATTLE, Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Providence Swedish today announced the official opening of the Paul G. Allen Research Center at Providence Swedish Cancer Institute (PSCI). The new center takes a highly collaborative, sophisticated approach to improving the experience and outcome for every cancer patient by advancing modern oncology research to transform clinical care and treatment. "We are thrilled to officially open the Paul G. Allen Research Center, a focused extension of our long-standing, robust clinical trials program, to enhance resources available to our researchers and collaborators. The model convenes a broad range of problem solvers by inviting competitive proposals from physicians across our institution, stewarding the best research ideas and creating an optimal environment for them to collaborate with academic and industry partners," said Elizabeth Wako, M.D., Swedish Health Services president and CEO. "The center provides advanced analytics for specimens and data, while bringing together a broad range of clinical, biologic and computer scientists at the forefront of their respective fields. In effect, creating a nimble, responsive environment to drive innovation, united behind a mission to improve care. Our physician researchers are the secret sauce. They know firsthand existing gaps, develop ideas and evaluate promising treatments to identify care improvement opportunities." The center's research portfolio is divided among three independent, but complimentary, research pillars focused on prevention, exploration and treatment. The Initiative for Prevention and Early Detection – led by Charles Drescher, M.D. – investigates the genesis of cancer, focused on ways to prevent cancers before they start and ways to detect them as early as possible. The Initiative for Molecular and Genomic Evaluation of Cancer – led by Henry Kaplan, M.D. – uses genetic and molecular testing, combined with patients' disease and treatment history, to examine cancer progression and how it evolves to evade therapies. Lastly, the Center for Immuno-oncology – led by Kelly Paulson, M.D., Ph.D. – focuses on developing and testing leading-edge immunotherapies to improve cancer treatment. "By combining multiomics data through these synergistic research pillars – transcending the cancer continuum from genesis to recurrence or cure – we've created an opportunity to discover new approaches to prevent, detect and fight cancer," said Douglas Kieper, director of the new First Hill Campus-based center. "This is a mission far beyond the lab benches and computer workstations. With this gift, Paul challenged us to improve the experience and outcome of every patient. That simple, aspirational charge is a natural extension of our role as a nonprofit health system, with patient care at the center of all we do." Unlike traditional research models, where a lab is established for one major researcher who guides the work, Paul G. Allen Research Center is investigator agnostic, using a competitive review model to select and mentor the most promising research ideas from all Providence Swedish researchers. The center currently supports 42 studies from 16 Providence Swedish physician investigators which, collectively, involve more than 27 academic and commercial partner organizations. "We can make a meaningful difference in people's lives by expanding access to a broad range of clinical trials and the most contemporary treatment options," said Providence Swedish Cancer Institute Executive Medical Director Ashwani Rajput, M.D. "Paul G. Allen Research Center's novel resource combinations, personalized and data-backed approaches will help foster a new wave of cancer care." Early successes from Paul G. Allen Research Center team members include: Its first clinical trial opened in February 2023 to examine the role of Tarlatamab in lung cancer as part of a multicenter study. The therapy received FDA clearance in May 2024 as the first approved immunotherapeutic in its class. On May 7, 2024, the center was part of a first-in-man allogeneic CAR-T therapy for lupus. Charles Drescher, M.D., is preparing a manuscript for Nature Genetics – funded, in part, by Paul G. Allen Research Center – that supports his efforts to launch an ovarian cancer precancer atlas project with a team of national researchers. Center history, resources Paul G. Allen Research Center was made possible through a generous $20 million donation from the late philanthropist, Paul G. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft. It remains the largest ever donation made to Swedish Health Services. "Paul believed Swedish and its leadership would create lasting impact, with patients at the center, and built on years of innovation, research, and compassionate care," said Jody Allen, Allen's sister and executor of his estate. "As a cancer patient himself, Paul knew too well the toll that cancer takes on so many people and their families, but also the many opportunities there are to create a better future." The center, which is located in the First Hill Medical Pavilion, is a translational research lab with both biospecimen (wet) and data (dry) laboratory spaces. The wet lab is staffed and equipped to quickly collect tissue for individual clinical research projects. The dry lab provides infrastructure needed to seamlessly, swiftly analyze bioinformatics output of internal and external labs, and amplify the value of these specimens and data by placing them into the context of disease and treatment history. About Providence Swedish Providence Swedish has served the Puget Sound region since the first Providence hospital opened in Seattle in 1877 and the first Swedish hospital opened in 1910. The two organizations affiliated in 2012 and today comprise the largest health care delivery system in Western Washington, with 22,000 caregivers, eight hospitals and 244 clinics throughout Western Washington – from Everett to Centralia. A not-for-profit family of organizations, Providence Swedish provides more than $545 million in community benefit in the Puget Sound region each year. The health system offers a comprehensive range of services and specialty and subspecialty care in a number of clinical areas, including cancer, cardiovascular health, neurosciences, orthopedics, digestive health and women's and children's care. For more information, visit providence.org/swedish. About Swedish Cancer Institute Swedish Cancer Institute has been a Seattle-area leader in innovative cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery since 1932. It utilizes a multidisciplinary team of providers focused exclusively on cancer care, from diagnosis to treatment to survivorship. The institute's specialists – who practice at the First Hill, Ballard, Edmonds and Issaquah campuses – have helped develop screening tests, technologies and therapies that are helping cancer patients around the world. Swedish Cancer Institute is a longtime member of SWOG Cancer Research Network, which is a major part of the cancer research infrastructure in the U.S. and around the world. It has members in 45 states and nine other countries as part of the NCI's National Clinical Trials Network. The Commission on Cancer (CoC) is a group of organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for patients with cancer by setting – and raising – standards. The CoC promotes cancer prevention, research, education, and monitoring of comprehensive quality care. Providence is designated as an integrated network cancer program by the American College of Surgeons, the overseeing organization of the CoC. For more information, visit swedish.org/cancer. About Paul G. Allen Research Center at Swedish Cancer Institute Founded with a cornerstone gift from the late Paul G. Allen in 2018, this translational research center drives innovation in care and provides resources to physician researchers and their collaborators. For more information, visit paulgallenresearchcenter.org. 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Inspired by "The Remarkable Life of Ibelin" Documentary, Players in World of Warcraft can Support Global Nonprofit and Fund Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Oct. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Blizzard Entertainment and the massively multiplayer online role-playing game, World of Warcraft®, are teaming up with CureDuchenne, a global nonprofit dedicated to funding and finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, to launch an in-game promotion that will raise funds for the nonprofit and accelerate a cure for the rare neuromuscular disease. Continue Reading CureDuchenne Partners with Blizzard Entertainment and World of Warcraft for Limited-Time Charity Pet Program The charity partnership is inspired by the incredible story of Mats Steen, which was captured in the newly released award-winning Netflix documentary, The Remarkable Life of Ibelin. Mats, a Norwegian World of Warcraft player known in game as Ibelin, suffered from Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In the wake of his death at age 25, his family discovered what they thought was a life lived in total isolation was in fact filled with joy, laughter, friendship and love through Mats' adventures in World of Warcraft. The game opened a world of community and connection his family never knew existed and gave him a rich set of friends and experiences that would not have been possible outside of the game environment. Mats was a supportive friend and trusted advisor who made a tremendous impact on the lives of all he encountered in the game. World of Warcraft players will have the opportunity to build on Mats' legacy and adopt a limited-edition pet in World of Warcraft to accompany them on their adventures while supporting CureDuchenne's mission of improving and extending the lives of those with Duchenne muscular dystrophy around the world. The Reven Pack, available for US$20 now through January 7, 2025, features an adorable fox pet, Reven ("fox" in Norwegian), for both modern World of Warcraft and Classic Progression realms. Additionally, modern WoW players will also get a transmog backpack, Reven's Comfy Carrier, complete with a sleepy Reven. One hundred percent of the purchase price* will be donated to CureDuchenne to accelerate research toward a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and improve care for individuals worldwide living with the disease. "We are immensely grateful to Blizzard Entertainment and World of Warcraft for their partnership to fund critical research that will bring us closer to a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and support families living with Duchenne around the world," said Debra Miller, founder and CEO of CureDuchenne. "Mats Steen brought hope and support to so many who were lucky enough to know him but, like many with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, he left his loved ones far too soon. With the generous support of the World of Warcraft community, we will be able to help will help more boys and young men like Mats live longer, stronger lives." "Mats Steen lived a life in World of Warcraft that he couldn't in the real world as he fought Duchenne muscular dystrophy alongside his incredible family, who I'm proud to have met and fallen in love with," said Holly Longdale, executive producer of World of Warcraft. "Working with CureDuchenne for our Charity Pet Program, in honor of Mats' memory, allows us to harness the power of our phenomenal global community to bring meaningful impact to so many lives." To learn more or purchase The Reven Pack, visit . Note that buying or purchasing this digital item is a license. * Now through January 7, 2025, 10:00 AM PDT, Blizzard Entertainment will donate 100% of the purchase price of "The Reven Pack" digital bundle to CureDuchenne, less any chargebacks, refunds, transaction fees, and Value Added Taxes (VAT), or other similar taxes paid. These versions of items are special editions available as part of this initiative only. Buying or purchasing this digital item is a license. About CureDuchenne CureDuchenne is the global nonprofit leader in research, patient care, and innovation for improving and extending the lives of those with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive neuromuscular disease that affects about 300,000 individuals around the world. CureDuchenne accelerates research toward a cure for Duchenne by funding early-stage science with the goal of bringing treatments to everyone affected by Duchenne, no matter where they live, what language they speak or their financial status. We also support families through education and outreach and improve standards of care for individuals worldwide with Duchenne, including those in underserved communities. Visit to learn more. About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry's most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. 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作者｜自由译员Isabelle 10月10日，晶泰科技旗下生物药发现业务线Ailux Biologics与强生公司下属Janssen Biotech, Inc.签署授权协议，协议的中心是晶泰科技自有生物AI平台。Ailux Biologics授权Jassen及其附属公司可以使用XtalFold™平台发现和工程化设计生物制剂。 XtalFold™ 利用序列信息对生物分子之间的相互作用进行建模，而这些相互作用构成了单克隆抗体等生物治疗药物的基础。 今年，AI制药赛道合作频现，形式多样。   01   BD纷纷的国内AI制药 10月7日，阿斯利康宣布牵手石药集团，共同推进开发一款临床前新型小分子脂蛋白(a) (Lp (a)) 抑制剂YS2302018。 根据协议，石药集团将获得阿斯利康1亿美元的首付款并有权收取最高3.7亿美元的潜在开发里程碑付款和最高15.5亿美元的潜在销售里程碑付款，总计20.2亿美元，以及根据该产品的年度销售净额计算的分层销售提成。阿斯利康将获得全球范围内开发、制造及商业化该化合物及该产品的独家授权。 根据石药集团的公告，YS2302018是由石药集团AI驱动的小分子药物设计平台发现的。该平台利用AI技术分析目标蛋白与现有化合物分子的结合模式，对成药性进行针对性优化，最终选出高效且具有优良开发性的Lp (a) 小分子抑制剂。 这笔交易告诉我们，不仅AI制药公司可以对外授权，传统药企同样可以深耕AI，获得海外巨头的认可。 9月30日，锐格医药与基因泰克达成最终购买协议。基因泰克将购买锐格医药的下一代CDK抑制剂，用于乳腺癌治疗，首付款为8.5亿美元现金，同时，锐格医药有资格额外获得未来开发、监管和商业化里程碑现金付款。8.5亿的首付款，刷新了国内AI制药对外授权的首付款记录。 1月4日，美纳里尼集团及其全资子公司Stemline Therapeutics, Inc.与英矽智能签订全球独家授权协议，协议的中心是新型KAT6抑制剂，用于潜在乳腺癌治疗和其他肿瘤并发症。Stemline获得开发和商业化新型小分子KAT6A抑制剂的全球权利，该抑制剂是使用英矽智能AI平台设计的。英矽智能获得潜在总价值可达5亿美元的首付款、里程碑付款和销售分成。   02   “All in AI”的赛诺菲 2024年，巨额融资寥寥无几，但 Formation Bio 成功吸引到了3.72 亿美元的 D 轮融资。此轮融资由a16z领投，赛诺菲等重量级投资者跟投。红杉资本、Thrive Capital等投资机构已经参与了该公司数轮融资，而赛诺菲是此轮新加入的投资者。Formation Bio（前身是 TrialSpark）表示计划利用这笔资金继续从生物技术和制药合作伙伴那里收购和获得处于临床阶段资产的授权。                 左：Formation Bio首席执行官&联合创始人 Ben Liu 右：Formation Bio首席科技官&联合创始人 Linhao Zhang 值得注意的是，就在融资前1个月，5月21日，赛诺菲刚与Formation Bio、OpenAI宣布将进行同类首创合作。三家公司将数据、软件和经过调整的模型汇于一处，共同开发贯穿药物开发生命周期的定制专用方案，这是制药和生命科学行业同类合作中的首次。随着赛诺菲继续向成为“首家大规模由人工智能驱动的生物制药公司”的目标迈进，赛诺菲将利用这一合作关系，为开发AI模型提供专有数据的访问途径。 又是合作又是投资，Formation Bio为何如此吸引赛诺菲？原因就在于这家公司的技术平台可以加快临床试验的各个环节，同时提高质量，包括研究启动、患者招募以及数据的持续收集和验证。众所周知，临床试验是药物开发流程中最费时费力费成本的环节，严重制约了药物开发进度。 传统的患者招募和参与方法往往导致患者数据不完整、运营响应缓慢，最终延误开发计划。另外，传统的临床数据监督和分析方法难以跟上日益增长的试验数据量和复杂性，效率低下，存在盲点。Formation Bio的平台可以自动摄取、调节和清理临床数据，及早发现关键问题，更深入地了解每一个数据源，避免试验读出延迟，解锁复杂的开发计划和试验设计，实现更快、更好的决策。 作为AI的坚定支持者，4月17日，赛诺菲还宣布将与肿瘤学真实世界数据 (RWD) 和分析的领导者Cota Healthcare合作，利用RWD和AI加速癌症试验，尤其关注多发性骨髓瘤。这一合作的目的是深入了解临床结果，获得宝贵的洞见，最终造福癌症患者。   03   与AI技术公司合作的阿斯利康、诺华和礼来 虽然MNC普遍对AI在提高药物开发效率中的潜力持积极态度，大胆试水，但是术业有专攻，MNC一般不会自己投入资源开发工具，除了通过股权投资切入AI赛道，还有一种途径是利用专业AI技术公司现有的平台。 10月5日，AI biotech Owkin宣布与阿斯利康合作，为乳腺癌开发AI gBRCA预筛查方案。该方案利用 Owkin 的庞大数据网络和尖端AI，可以直接从数字化 H&E 病理切片中优化乳腺癌 gBRCA 基因突变的预筛查，改进 gBRCA 鉴定，扩大获得新型治疗方案的机会。 为了确保在多种实验室环境下该工具都能发挥强大的性能，开发过程中将用到6,500多张全视野数字切片 (WSI) 的高质量数据，这些切片来自约2,000名患者的切除术和活检。其中半数患者存在gBRCA突变。 通常，从最初的咨询到出具检测结果，患者检测乳腺癌易感基因 (BRCA) 可能需要耗时数月，需要多名医疗工作者参与，严重影响患者的治疗效果。gBRCA 预筛查方案有可能显著提高识别BRCA 基因突变的效率。不到1小时，该方案就能利用H&E切片等现有材料，识别出携带gBRCA突变的高风险患者。这将极大简化gBRCA检测流程，使肿瘤医师和遗传咨询师能够加快高风险患者的gBRCA检测流程，并及时将这些检测结果纳入治疗方案。 9月26日，阿斯利康宣布扩大与Immunai的合作，达成一项多年合作协议，旨在在阿斯利康的癌症免疫疗法临床试验设计中应用人工智能驱动的免疫细胞图谱。 双方之前就有合作，基于免疫系统逐个细胞分析研究炎症性肠炎的靶点。 阿斯利康还曾借用Immunai的多组学技术开发CTLA-4和PD-L1双抗volrustomig，该药目前正在进行III期临床试验，适应症是肺癌、宫颈癌和头颈癌。 Immunai的创始人是来自麻省理工学院、哈佛和斯坦福大学的研究人员和计算机工程师，总部在纽约，致力于记录每种细胞类型的功能及其与人体和各类疾病的互动，绘制免疫系统的数字地图。 2021年末，这家创立于2018年的初创公司获得了2.15亿美元的巨额B轮融资。此前，同一年，Immunai获得了6,000万美元的A轮融资。这些资金助力Immunai通过自家的细胞图谱和被称为免疫动力学引擎或IDE的AI模型，从免疫肿瘤学扩展至自免、心血管和神经疾病等更广泛的研究领域。 重新签订协议后，Immunai将在新项目的第一阶段获得1,800万美元。Immunai表示，此次合作的核心是基于对患者免疫系统的描述和药物的作用机制，识别最有可能对不同治疗方法有反应的患者，涵盖临床决策、剂量选择和生物标志物的识别。然后，阿斯利康可以选择是否需要扩大双方团队的合作范围。 Immunai CEO Noam Solomon博士在申明中称：“我们在肿瘤学和免疫学领域成功推进药物开发，自然而然就发展至达成此项合作。将药物推向市场极具挑战、极其耗时且成本高昂。通过此次与阿斯利康的合作，我们很高兴利用我们的AI引擎IDE提高药物研发上市的效率，将潜在的新疗法带给患者。” 9月24日，Genenerate: Biomedicine宣布与诺华达成多靶点合作，以生成式AI发现和开发蛋白质疗法。Generate自有的生成式AI平台The Generate Platform融合了机器学习和高通量实验验证。此项合作结合了The Generate Platform和诺华在靶点生物学、生物制剂开发、临床开发上的专业知识和能力，以创造新型疗法，加快药物发现和开发。 9月5日，礼来与RNA专业公司Genetic Leap达成了合作协议，研发AI药物。 Genetic Leap的技术基石是为发现RNA靶向药物提供支持的AI模型。Genetic Leap旗下平台的特色是发现新靶点、找到方法攻克已经过验证但是无成药性的靶点。2022年，安斯泰来曾与Genetic Leap合作，利用该平台针对一个未披露的肿瘤靶点寻找RNA靶向小分子药物。 如今，礼来也成为了Genetic Leap的合作伙伴。礼来将利用自己的RNA靶向AI平台，针对选定的靶点生成候选基因药物。礼来将在优先级高的领域挑选靶点，Genetic Leap将针对这些靶点寻找寡核苷酸药物。 RNA是天然极化分子，结合口袋较浅，一度被认为不适合小分子。然而在过去10年中，一些新的biotech成立了，开始尝试靶向RNA，Arrakis Therapeutics是一个，Genetic Leap也是一个。 6月25日，礼来宣布与OpenAI合作，利用OpenAI的生成式AI，发明新型抗菌药物，以对抗耐药性病原体。抗菌素耐药性 (AMR) 是全球健康领域最严重的公共卫生和发展威胁之一。 1月7日，诺华与Isomorphic签署协议，后者将负责识别针对三款未披露靶点的小分子。Isomorphic平台的基础是Google DeepMind’s AlphaFold AI技术。Isomorphic表示，新迭代的AlphaFold正从蛋白质预测扩展至小分子和核酸预测。 Isomorphic的科学顾问里有4位诺贝尔奖得主：CRISPER科学家Jennifer Doudna博士、Sir David MacMillan博士、Sir Paul Nurse博士和Venki Ramakrishnan博士。 同一天，Isomorphic也与礼来签订了类似的协议，无独有偶，也是为几款未披露的靶点发现小分子疗法。 作为积极拥抱AI的大型药企，诺华早在2019年就与微软合作，建立诺华AI创新实验室，成为少有的自建AI实验室的MNC药企。实验室有两个核心目标： 一、将诺华的海量数据集与微软的先进AI解决方案结合，建立新的AI模型和应用，增强迎接下一波医学挑战的能力； 二、将运用AI的力量从生成化学、图像分割和分析疗法的智慧和个性化交付开始，应对生命科学领域最困难的计算挑战。 Iya Khalil, 诺华AI创新中心全球负责人 如今，诺华的研究人员可以运用AI仔细梳理过去成千上万次药物开发实验积累的实验室数据宝库，那些发现埋在PDF文件、Excel表格和之前对分子化学性质的书面描述中。最终，诺华科学家的目标是使用计算机模型帮助预测哪些分子结构有望成功，或揭示测试中哪些实验会最有帮助，保证质量的同时，缩短现在动辄花上数年的测试过程。   写在最后   巴菲特说：“人生就像滚雪球，找到湿雪和长长的山坡，让财富越滚越大”。然而，想要滚出大雪球，除了长坡和厚雪，还需要“不弃微末，久久为功”。任何形式的尝试都值得鼓励，任何方式的合作都创造价值。前进的每一步，都会迈向《礼记·大学》中“长坡厚雪，深涧草茂，山木茂盛，山水清澈”的美好前景。 参考资料： Fierce Biotech “AstraZeneca extends AI immuno-oncology R&D pact with Immunai” Generate: Biomedicines、Microsoft、晶泰科技、Sanofi、Lilly官网 Fierce Biotech “Alphabet’s Isomorphic stacks two new deals with Lilly, Novartis worth nearly $3B ahead of JPM” Fierce Biotech “Eli Lilly jumps deeper into AI with $409M Genetic Leap deal” Businesswire “Owkin Announces Partnership with AstraZeneca to Develop an AI gBRCA Pre-Screen Solution for Breast Cancer” PR Newswire: Regor Enters into a Definitive Purchase Agreement for Genentech to Acquire Regor's Portfolio of next-generation CDK inhibitors for the Treatment of Breast Cancer PR Newswire: Menarini Group and Insilico Medicine Enter Global Exclusive License Agreement for Novel KAT6 Inhibitor for Potential Breast Cancer Treatment and Other Oncology Indications Fierce Biotech: AI-focused Formation secures Sanofi-backed $372M series D to license more drugs Becaris Publishing: COTA and Sanofi collaborate to accelerate multiple myeloma trials through real-world data insights 智药局《60亿！再来140亿！中国AI制药疯狂吸金》 BiG近期会议 10月26日，第三届生物计算大会保留栏目-第二届吐槽大会即将再度来袭！将围绕投融资、行业心态、年轻人，及AI等热门话题展开策划，通过移幕换景，大咖带新秀，一同探讨AI+Biomed的融合之道！ ▼ 10月31日，BiG联合Citeline，将于10月底，举办自免小规模私董研讨会，聚焦：TCE vs. CAR-T，自身免疫开发策略，线上同步直播，敬请期待！ ▼ 共建Biomedical创新生态圈！ 如何加入BiG会员？