University of Oxford

British medtech company Brainomix and Switzerland-based remote robotic surgical company Nanoflex Robotics announced the receipt of £400,000 ($420,418) and CHF 400,000 ($443,700), respectively, to co-develop an AI-assisted magnetic navigation system for stroke-related robotic surgical tools. Innovate UK, the innovation agency in the United Kingdom, and Innosuisse, Switzerland's Innovation Agency, awarded the funds. Brainomix, spun out of the University of Oxford, creates AI-enabled software to aid in treatment decision-making for stroke, cancer and lung fibrosis. Nanoflex is a medical robotics company focusing on the treatment of ischemic stroke. The company developed a soft robotics system that inserts guidewires and catheters into the brain. It says its tech can simplify and shorten procedure time while reducing risks associated with assessing the brain for interventional stroke treatment. Through the partnership, starting in 2024, the companies will combine their technologies to create an AI-assisted navigation tool for devices, such as catheters, as they move through the vascular system. "The project aims to leverage the power of artificial intelligence to enhance Nanoflex Robotics' cutting-edge magnetic robotic navigation system to be the first system worldwide to enable remote thrombectomy, thus transforming stroke treatment options and helping improve outcomes for patients," Dr. George Harston, chief medical and innovation officer at Brainomix, said in a statement. THE LARGER TREND Earlier this year, Brainomix received FDA clearance for its AI-enabled stroke software Brainomix 360 e-ASPECTS, used in stroke patients to measure the extent of early ischemic changes or a reduction or restriction of blood flow in the brain. In 2021, the company closed a £16 million ($16.8 million) Series B funding round. Earlier this month, Nanoflex Robotics announced it scored a second grant from the Swiss Innovation Agency, bringing its total grant funding this year to CHF 2.9 million ($3.2 million). In February, the company also received $12 million in funding in a round led by Ascend Capital Partners with participation from Kinled Holding Ltd and Mountain Labs AG. Other companies in the robotics healthcare space are California-based Mendaera, which garnered $24 million in Series A funding in August, and Diligent Robotics, which scored $25 million in funding last month to expand the reach of its 'socially intelligent service robots.'

Brainomix Awarded Innovate UK Grant to Collaborate with Swiss-based Nanoflex Robotics OXFORD, England, Oct. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brainomix Ltd, an AI-powered medtech solutions company, and Nanoflex Robotics AG, a remote robotic surgical company based in Switzerland, have been awarded a grant under the "UK – Switzerland Bilateral: Collaborative R&D" program, in which the companies will work together to jointly develop an integrated remote diagnosis and treatment platform for stroke, powered by artificial intelligence. The grant, administered by Innovate UK, the United Kingdom's innovation agency, and Innosuisse, Switzerland's Innovation Agency, awarded Brainomix and Nanoflex Robotics £400,000 and CHF 400,000 respectively. Starting in 2024, Nanoflex Robotics and Brainomix will collaborate to create an artificial intelligence-assisted magnetic navigation system for robotic surgical tools. The project will leverage Brainomix's AI-enabled diagnostic imaging capabilities and Nanoflex Robotics' precise magnetic navigation technology to create an assisted-navigation feature for interventional devices, such as catheters, as it moves through the vascular network. Dr George Harston, Chief Medical & Innovation Officer at Brainomix said, "We are grateful for the support of Innovate UK to fund our work with Nanoflex Robotics. The project aims to leverage the power of artificial intelligence to enhance Nanoflex Robotics' cutting-edge magnetic robotic navigation system to be the first system worldwide to enable remote thrombectomy, thus transforming stroke treatment options and helping improve outcomes for patients." "Time is critical when it comes to treating stroke patients. Every delay in removing a blood clot reduces the chance of post-stroke functional independence. By enabling increased and earlier access to mechanical thrombectomies through our remote robotics platform, we hope to give more people a greater chance to live independent lives after stroke," said Christophe Chautems, Chief Technology Officer, Nanoflex Robotics. Nanoflex Robotics' first product will be a mobile robotics system that utilizes ultra-flexible guidewires to allow for direct steering control of the tip. This gives physicians precise control and dexterity over a range of complex interventions. About Brainomix Brainomix specializes in the creation of AI-powered software solutions to enable precision medicine for better treatment decisions in stroke, lung fibrosis, and cancer. With origins as a spin-out from the University of Oxford, Brainomix is an expanding commercial-stage company that has innovated award-winning imaging biomarkers and software solutions that are used in more than 30 countries worldwide. Its first product, the Brainomix 360 stroke platform, provides clinicians with the most comprehensive stroke imaging solution, driving faster treatment times and improving functional independence for patients. To learn more about Brainomix and its technology visit , and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contacts Jeff Wyrtzen, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer jwyrtzen@brainomix.com M +44 (0)7927 164210 T +44 (0)1865 582730 Media enquiries Charles Consultants Sue Charles Sue@charles-consultants.com M +44 (0)7968 726585 Logo: SOURCE Brainomix

CAMBRIDGE, England, Oct. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mestag Therapeutics ("Mestag"), a biotech company harnessing new insights into fibroblast-immune interactions to develop impactful treatments for patients, today announced the appointment of expert advisors Dr. Cassandra Choe-Juliak MD, formerly Chief Medical Officer at Flame Biosciences; Dr. Greg Elson, an expert in end-to-end development of novel antibody-based products with more than 30 years of industry experience; and Samantha Vieira MBA PMP, formerly Chief Operating Officer at Anjarium Biosciences. Each newly appointed advisor further strengthens Mestag's experienced team of drug developers and brings world-leading expertise in translating innovative science into clinically meaningful benefit for patients. Collectively, Dr. Choe-Juliak, Dr. Elson and Ms Vieira have played significant roles in multiple clinical trials across indications, particularly solid tumors including lung, breast and colorectal cancer. "Mestag is honored to appoint Dr. Choe-Juliak, Dr. Elson and Ms Vieira to our advisory team. Each brings an outstanding track record in their field, and we are delighted to welcome them to Mestag at an important stage in our development as we progress towards clinic," said Susan Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Mestag Therapeutics. "As members of our advisory team, they will play a key role in guiding Mestag as we leverage our unique understanding of fibroblast-immune biology to urgently advance our first-in-class antibody programs." Cassandra Choe-Juliak, MD, MS , has spent more than 17 years in oncology medical affairs and clinical drug development. She was Chief Medical Officer at Flame Biosciences, acquired by Leap Therapeutics in January 2023. At Karyopharm, Dr. Choe-Juliak was Head of Development for the multiple myeloma and sarcoma programs, leading the development program for selinexor, a first-in-class XPO inhibitor that was ultimately approved via accelerated approval in multiple myeloma. She was previously Head of Clinical Development at Affimed, responsible for clinical-stage innate (NK-) cell bispecific engagers, leading AFM13 from Phase 1 to a registration-directed program, and developing first-in-human monotherapy and combination trials for AFM24 in EGFR-associated cancers. Other companies Dr. Choe-Juliak has worked for include Ipsen, Merck, AVEO Oncology and Celgene. She received a BA from Georgetown University and an MS in Pharmacology/Toxicology along with her MD from Medical College of Virginia. Greg Elson, PhD , is co-founder and managing partner at Prevail Biopharma Solutions, and Chief Technology Officer at Alentis Therapeutics. Previous industry roles include AMAL Therapeutics (Boehringer Ingelheim), Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, NovImmune, Pierre Fabre and Glaxo Biomedical Research Institute. He specialises in end-to-end development of novel monoclonal, bispecific, multispecific and biosimilar antibody-based products. Dr. Elson has a proven track record of successful regulatory submissions for multiple products (monoclonal, bispecific and biosimilar antibodies) at various stages of development. Dr. Elson has a PhD in Molecular Immunology, and more than 50 publications in peer-reviewed journals covering bioprocessing sciences and immunological research (toll-like receptors, cytokine-cytokine receptors, Ig regulation). He has numerous patents filed in the fields of bioprocessing sciences and immunological research. Samantha Vieira, MBA PMP, brings 18 years of broad experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, spanning early-to-late stage R&D and pre-launch planning, within roles across program management, cross-functional leadership, strategy and operations. Mostly recently she was COO at Anjarium Bioscience, a Swiss-based non-viral gene therapy company. Prior to that she was Global Product Development and Commercial Lead at Biogen, and VP Program Management at Nightstar Therapeutics before its acquisition by Biogen. She has a strong track record of driving the development of integrated strategy and its execution across teams and development phases. Samantha holds an EMBA from Henley Business School and BSc (Honours) in Physiology from University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. For enquiries, please contact: Jonathan Birt M: +44 (0)7860 361746 [email protected] About Mestag Therapeutics Mestag harnesses new insights into fibroblast-immune interactions to develop impactful treatments for patients. We are progressing a pipeline of sophisticated first-in-class antibodies designed to improve the lives of patients with cancer and inflammatory disease. Together with our collaboration partner Janssen Biotech, Inc. we are also identifying novel targets for future therapies. Our founding investigators comprise global experts in inflammatory disease, cancer, computational biology and fibroblast biology from the University of Oxford, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. We are supported by leading life science investors SV Health Investors, Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc., Forbion, GV (formerly Google Ventures) and Northpond Ventures. Mestag is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, and in 2021 was recognized on the Fierce 15 list of innovative biotechnology companies. For further information please visit our website SOURCE Mestag Therapeutics