Shankar Ramaswamy’s Gene Therapy Company Secures $313M in Funding
Summary:
Gene therapy company Kriya Therapeutics raised $313 million in a new funding round, one of the largest private biotech financings this year. The U.S.-based company disclosed the equity raise in an SEC filing on August 15.
Novo’s Wegovy is now the first GLP-1 therapy cleared for MASH
Summary:
The FDA has granted accelerated approval for Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy to treat adults with non-cirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with moderate-to-advanced liver scarring, alongside diet and exercise. Phase 3 trials showed the drug can improve liver scarring and resolve MASH without worsening the condition. Wegovy is now the first GLP-1 agonist approved for MASH, a condition affecting an estimated 22 million Americans.
Japanese Scientists Develop World’s First Jawbone from Human iPS Cells
Summary:
Japanese researchers at Kyoto University have developed the world’s first 3D jawbone-like organoids from human iPS cells, which matured into bone tissue after being transplanted into mice. The breakthrough, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, could advance regenerative medicine and drug discovery by overcoming previous challenges in replicating the jawbone’s complex structure.
Scientists Engineer the Most Genetically Streamlined Life Form Yet
Summary:
Scientists in the UK have created Syn57, a synthetic E. coli with a streamlined genetic code using just 57 of the 64 natural codons, the fewest ever in a living organism. By removing redundant codons and making over 101,000 targeted changes, the team demonstrated that life can survive with a compressed genome, opening the door to new possibilities for expanding the genetic code and engineering novel biomolecules.
India Accelerates Development of Animal-Free Drug Testing Methods
Summary:
The U.S. NIH will now prioritize human-focused research over animal-only studies, using tools like organ-on-chip systems and simulations. India is following suit, expanding labs and regulations for alternative models, though challenges in funding and standardization remain. This shift supports both ethical research and global innovation in drug discovery.
