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Axial is centered around partnering with and investing in inventors and founders of early-stage life sciences companies. It explores innovative therapeutic approaches, such as immunotherapies beyond cancer, federated learning in healthcare, genetic tuning, and advancements in bioengineering tools. Axial highlights contributions from key figures in the industry and progress in addressing complex diseases.

Biotechnology Immunotherapy Machine Learning in Healthcare Genetic Engineering Proteomics Healthcare Innovation Drug Development Entrepreneurship in Life Sciences Federated Learning CRISPR Technology

The hottest Substack posts of Axial

And their main takeaways

Alumis: Race to a Best-In-Class TYK2 Inhibitor

22 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
💼 Business Investing Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Startups Innovation
  1. Investors are focused on early-stage life sciences companies with strong potential. They look for companies that are often just ideas at first.
  2. The goal is to support inventors who are passionate about creating lasting companies. There’s a strong emphasis on innovation and dedication.
  3. The race is on to develop a leading TYK2 inhibitor, highlighting competition in the biopharmaceutical field. This specific drug target is gaining interest for its potential benefits.

AbCellera: Going from Platform To Pipeline

29 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
💼 Business Startups Investing Innovation Life Sciences Entrepreneurship
  1. AbCellera focuses on supporting early-stage life sciences companies, often investing when ideas are still just concepts. They believe in nurturing innovation from the ground up.
  2. The company's approach emphasizes partnering with passionate inventors to help them turn their ideas into reality. They want to create lasting businesses that can make a difference.
  3. AbCellera is dedicated to building a strong ecosystem for biotech startups, showing a commitment to both science and entrepreneurship. They see value in guiding companies through their early phases.

Functional protein mining with conformal guarantees

14 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🔬 Science Bioinformatics Molecular Biology Machine Learning Genomics Proteomics
  1. A new method is developed for predicting protein functions using something called conformal prediction. This makes the predictions more reliable and provides a clear way to understand risks when selecting proteins.
  2. The approach helps in annotating genes and predicting enzyme functions more accurately without needing new training models. This is great for speeding up research in life sciences.
  3. It also offers a smart way to reduce the number of proteins needing full analysis, making the process quicker and cheaper while still keeping good accuracy.

Transannular C–H functionalization of cycloalkane carboxylic acids

14 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🔬 Science Chemistry Biology Research Innovation
  1. New methods to make cyclic compounds called carbocycles are being developed. These methods are more efficient than traditional ones.
  2. Two new types of ligands help improve the ability to manipulate these compounds, making the process more controlled. This is especially important for challenging structures.
  3. The research shows that creating complex molecules can be done in fewer steps than before, which saves time and resources in drug development.

AnaptysBio: An Immunology Pipeline-In-A-Pill

22 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
💼 Business Investment Health Life Sciences Startups Innovation
  1. AnaptysBio is focused on developing innovative immunology treatments that can be taken as a pill, making them easier to use.
  2. The company collaborates with early-stage life sciences firms, showing a commitment to supporting new ideas and innovations in the field.
  3. They aim to help dedicated inventors create lasting solutions in healthcare, which could potentially improve patient outcomes.
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Birth of protein folds and functions in the virome

14 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🔬 Science Virology Genetics Molecular Biology Bioinformatics
  1. A lot of viral proteins have unique structures, showing there's still much to discover in the viral world. More than half of these proteins are structurally different from anything we've seen before.
  2. Some viral proteins are surprisingly similar to human proteins, which allows viruses to trick our cells. This understanding could lead to new ways to combat viral infections.
  3. Using advanced techniques to study protein structures is really powerful. It can reveal function and relationships that traditional methods might miss, helping us understand viruses better.

Unbiased mapping of cereblon neosubstrate landscape by high-throughput proteomics

14 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🔬 Science Biochemistry Proteomics Drug Discovery Molecular Biology Cancer Research
  1. A new method helps find powerful compounds that can target hard-to-reach proteins for drug development. These compounds are called molecular glue degraders, and they can help break down unwanted proteins in the body.
  2. The study found many new targets for these compounds, including some that haven't been studied much before. This expands the potential for developing new treatments for diseases like cancer.
  3. The researchers created a process that combines different scientific techniques, making it easier to design and improve these drugs. This means we might see more precise and effective medicines in the future.

In vivo photoreceptor base editing ameliorates rhodopsin-E150K autosomal-recessive retinitis pigmentosa in mice

14 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
🔬 Science Gene Therapy CRISPR Molecular Biology
  1. Researchers are using CRISPR technology to fix a genetic mutation that causes a type of blindness in mice. This mutation is in the rhodopsin gene, which is important for vision.
  2. Timing is really important for the treatment to be effective. Treating mice earlier resulted in better preservation of their eyesight compared to treating them later.
  3. Despite progress, there are challenges in translating this therapy for humans. The mutation is rare, making it tough to conduct clinical trials, and the therapy needs further development for success.

The Notebook of Leonardo da Vinci, The Codex Arundel

14 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Renaissance Science Technology History
  1. The Codex Arundel is a collection of Leonardo da Vinci's writings and drawings, showing his wide-ranging interests in math, engineering, and nature. It's written in a special left-handed mirror script, which makes it unique.
  2. Leonardo's work in the codex emphasizes observation and experimentation. He wrote about scientific principles through careful study of the natural world and practical experiments.
  3. The codex is important for understanding both art and science, showing how Leonardo blended these fields. It inspires modern thinkers by highlighting the value of connecting different areas of knowledge.

Groq's inference strategy

7 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Hardware Semiconductors Innovation Computing
  1. Groq is designing chips that speed up AI by using a special kind of memory called SRAM, which is faster but also more expensive. This helps them run complex AI models more efficiently.
  2. Their choice of using separate cards for each chip instead of smaller, cheaper chips means they might face higher costs and power use. This choice could limit how easily they can grow their technology.
  3. Other companies like Microsoft are trying different approaches that might be cheaper and easier to scale. Groq needs to find a balance between speed and practicality to succeed in the competitive AI market.

Transforming biomanufacturing using software with Martin Permin

52 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Software Data Analytics AI Synthetic Biology
  1. Software and data analytics are being used to transform biomanufacturing, making it easier to control the complex variables involved in producing biological products.
  2. Invert, founded by Martin Permin, integrates with bioreactors and databases to help biomanufacturers manage and optimize their data using AI and analytics.
  3. Invert's platform streamlines bioprocessing by providing tools to plan experiments, monitor processes, analyze results, model scale-up, and collaborate with partners.

Knowde

37 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
💼 Business Startup E-commerce Supply Chain Innovation Marketplace
  1. Axial partners with great founders and inventors in early-stage life sciences companies
  2. Knowde aims to modernize the global chemical industry through its B2B marketplace
  3. Knowde's platform streamlines chemical procurement for buyers and provides digital storefronts for suppliers

An N terminomics toolbox combining 2-pyridine carboxaldehyde probes and click chemistry for profiling protease specificity

37 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🔬 Science Chemistry Biology Research Proteins Methods
  1. The paper introduces an expanded toolbox of reagents for profiling protease substrates and specificity using chemoproteomic methods.
  2. The work demonstrated high N-terminal selectivity with little intrinsic sequence bias beyond a requirement for a backbone amide at position 2.
  3. The 2PCA toolkit enables a broad range of applications in protease biology research by providing selective N-terminal labeling reagents that are easy to implement.

Engineering Antibodies to Avoid Escape Mutants

22 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🔬 Science Antibodies Viral Infections Engineering Immune System
  1. Combining antibodies directed at different viral targets helps neutralize infections like hepatitis B virus and RSV more effectively.
  2. Serial passage of virally infected cells during preclinical development helps ensure the continued efficacy of antibody combinations.
  3. Engineering antibodies through genetic manipulation can enhance effector functions and improve target specificity, increasing their efficacy in fighting infections.

Protein stability promotes evolvability

22 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🔬 Science
  1. Extra stability in proteins can help them evolve new or improved functions by tolerating beneficial but destabilizing mutations.
  2. Computational simulations and lab experiments on P450 enzymes demonstrate that protein stability enhances evolvability by allowing proteins to accept a wider range of mutations while still retaining function.
  3. Understanding the relationship between protein stability and evolvability can guide protein engineering strategies and reveal insights into natural molecular evolution.

Tune Therapeutics

37 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Drug Development
  1. Axial partners with inventors and invests in early-stage life sciences companies.
  2. Tune Therapeutics focuses on genetic tuning for controlling gene expression without DNA alteration.
  3. Genetic tuning by Tune Therapeutics may enable treating complex diseases more precisely.

Profiles in Biotech (8/30/23)

29 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
🔬 Science Biotech Cancer Treatment
  1. Axial partners with founders of early-stage life sciences companies
  2. Synthekine develops engineered cytokine therapeutics for cancer treatment
  3. Model organism Botryllus schlosseri offers insights into neurodegeneration pathways

Digest 5/29/23

29 implied HN points • 29 May 23
💼 Business Startups Investing Biotech Healthcare
  1. Axial invests in early-stage life sciences companies with great ideas
  2. Matchpoint Therapeutics focuses on developing new covalent inhibitors for immunology
  3. Founder Stories feature individuals like Özlem Türeci, highlighting the importance of balancing naivety and questioning in entrepreneurship

Axial Discovery - Voice in healthcare

37 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare Voice technology Doctors Virtual assistants
  1. Voice technology in healthcare can help patients remember conversations with doctors, save physicians' time, and reduce billing errors.
  2. Companies like Abridge and Suki are developing voice products to translate patient-doctor conversations into actionable information.
  3. Voice products in healthcare could lead to virtual assistants in exam rooms, improve treatment plans, and enhance patient information.

LabKey

7 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
💼 Business Startups Data Management Software Development Revenue Models Partnerships
  1. LabKey provides data management solutions tailored to researchers, clinicians, and biotech companies.
  2. LabKey's evolution from a project at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to a successful software company is inspiring for startups.
  3. LabKey's strategic shift to a tiered subscription service model helped in sustaining revenue and investing in new product development.

Roche's neurology strategy

7 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Neurology Alzheimer's Drug Development Research Therapies
  1. Roche is focusing on developing therapies for neurological diseases like Alzheimer's, with a new drug called trontinemab showing potential for rapid clearance of amyloid plaques in the brain.
  2. Roche's neurology strategy includes a diverse pipeline of treatments for various conditions like multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular disorders, and gene therapies for muscle-related illnesses.
  3. The company's commitment to Alzheimer's research is driven by the amyloid hypothesis, societal impact, and economic burden, aiming to improve patient outcomes and address the growing need for effective treatments in the aging population.

Gompertz–Makeham law of mortality

7 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🔬 Science Biology Aging Genetics
  1. The Gompertz-Makeham law of mortality is a mathematical model used to describe age-specific mortality rates in human and other species, crucial in actuarial science and studying aging.
  2. The law was developed by Gompertz with an exponential model showing increased mortality rates with age, later extended by Makeham to include an age-independent mortality term.
  3. While widely used, the Gompertz-Makeham law has limitations, inspiring researchers to propose alternative models to better capture the complexity of mortality patterns, especially at advanced ages.

GPCRs in kidney disease

7 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology Genetics Healthcare Research Pharmacology
  1. Kidney disease, particularly autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (PKD), has been underinvested compared to other conditions like oncology and diabetes.
  2. The development of drugs targeting GPCRs PC-1 and PC-2 in PKD could significantly improve the quality of life for patients by reducing cyst size.
  3. Business models in drug development are shifting towards rare disease candidates like PC-1/2, emphasizing treatments that exceed the current standard of care.

The phenotypic landscape of essential human genes

7 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🔬 Science
  1. A study highlighted that knocking out essential human genes caused various cell defects, showing changes in nuclear morphology, cell size, and more.
  2. Identifying co-functional genes from diverse cellular activities allows for understanding novel gene functions and relationships.
  3. Essential genes often work together, shedding light on how genes collaborate in cellular processes and offering potential new targets for therapeutic interventions.

Human Immunology Biosciences

7 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🔬 Science Biosciences Therapeutics Genetics
  1. Human Immunology Biosciences (HI-Bio) is a clinical-stage biotech company focused on precision medicines for immune-mediated diseases, with the aim to target specific cellular drivers of disease with therapeutics.
  2. HI-Bio's assets include felzartamab and HIB210, targeting dysfunctional plasma cells and other immune system components to potentially provide more effective treatments for diseases like membranous nephropathy and IgA nephropathy.
  3. The company utilizes a platform that integrates human genetics, immunophenotyping, data sciences, and therapeutic engineering to advance its clinical pipeline in understanding and addressing immune-mediated diseases.

Margin of Safety

7 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
💰 Finance Investing Value Risk management Market Analysis Portfolio Management
  1. Investing success involves focusing on undervalued securities with a margin of safety to protect against errors and volatility
  2. Prioritize avoiding losses over seeking speculative gains; learn from others' mistakes to compound returns over time
  3. Value investing requires independent thinking, estimating intrinsic value, and maintaining a margin of safety to achieve excess returns

Axial Discovery - Kidney disease

29 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Genomics Proteomics Drug Development
  1. Over 30 million people in the US are affected by kidney disease, leading to high healthcare costs and lowered quality of life.
  2. New tools like genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics are transforming drug development for kidney diseases.
  3. Companies like Goldfinch Bio and Chinook Therapeutics are developing medicines for rare kidney diseases with defined clinical milestones.

An Fc engineering approach that modulates antibody-dependent cytokine release without altering cell-killing functions

7 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🔬 Science Research Engineering Antibodies Immunotherapy
  1. An innovative Fc engineering approach can adjust antibody-dependent cytokine release without impacting cell-killing functions. This shows that manipulating cytokine release independently is possible.
  2. Different IgG isotypes have varying abilities to stimulate proinflammatory cytokine release. This indicates the importance of isotype selection beyond just cytotoxicity.
  3. Engineering antibodies to selectively engage FcγRs can potentially enhance immune responses. This opens up new possibilities for optimizing antibody immunotherapies against cancer.

MoonLake Immunotherapeutics

7 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Biotechnology Clinical Trials Drug Development
  1. MoonLake Immunotherapeutics is developing a tri-specific nanobody therapy called Sonelokimab (SLK) that has shown significant efficacy in treating inflammatory diseases like HS, PsA, and PsO.
  2. SLK offers unique benefits like blocking all IL-17 pro-inflammatory dimers, enabling tissue penetration, and maintaining high response rates in patients with moderate-to-severe conditions.
  3. MoonLake's SLK has the potential to become a best-in-class IL-17 inhibitor in a multibillion-dollar market, with its innovative structure, clinical success, and competitive advantages over existing treatments.