Using gene therapy to edit embryos, sperm or eggs in order to improve health conditions in a child should not be conducted due to the unreliability of the science, as well as due to significant ethical and moral concerns.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are enabling clinical trial sponsors to fill in the gaps when real world evidence is incomplete or inconsistent. Trials suggest it can do even more, detecting early indicators of disease, and even quantifying pain.

PPD has signed up to a new collaboration with Lupus Therapeutics to deepen its biotech clients’ lupus research capabilities.

Texas-based biotech Savara is killing off a midstage test of its investigational cystic fibrosis (CF) hopeful Molgradex after a new winner-takes-all competitor from Vertex.

A study from Google and epidemiology researchers at Oxford University found that digital contract tracing using a network of smartphones could potentially help stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, even if a relatively small number of people download the app.

OTC-listed Lixte Biotechnology has filed to uplist to Nasdaq, raising $11 million in the process. The uplisting comes as Lixte seeks to accelerate enrollment in a phase 1b/2 myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) trial that is lagging behind expectations.

Adenovirus vectors have become a popular delivery platform for gene therapy and vaccines. However, many people have preexisting immunity against adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), which could significantly reduce vector uptake and therefore render the therapeutic cargo they carry ineffective. Even in individuals that lack preexisting immunity, the first inoculation of a vector could induce immune responses that can thwart repeat administration.

The National Institutes of Health has picked nine additional test manufacturers to advance through its “Shark Tank”-like COVID-19 diagnostics competition—alongside $129.3 million in new funding to help scale up the production of both point-of-care screening tests and high-throughput laboratory assays.

A novel combination of compounds has shown that it can help slow down the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as ALS, by supporting the inner workings of the brain’s neurons.

For a new company working to help expand life spans, it’s growing up quickly.