Author: Radhika Shah

Intra-Cellular Therapies ended the year 2021 with a big achievement. On December 20, 2021, Dr. Sharon Mates, Chairman, and CEO of Intra-Cellular Therapies announced the FDA approval of their medication, CAPLYTA. CAPLYTA (lumateperone) is currently the only medication approved to treat depressive disorders associated with bipolar I or bipolar II as monotherapy and in adjunct with lithium or valproate. Intra-Cellular Therapies is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in New York focusing treatment of complex psychiatric and neurologic diseases such as schizophrenia, bipolar depression, major depressive disorder, and Parkinson’s disease. The recent FDA approval makes this Intra-Cellular Therapies’ second approved indication for…

LambdaVision is a biotech company, that is designing and developing a protein-based artificial retina. This retina will utilize a light-activated protein, bacteriorhodopsin to restore function sight to those who are blind due to retinal degenerative diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

In 2021, Cognition Therapeutics completed two important clinical study trials. The first was SNAP which measured the displacement of amyloid beta oligomers into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This study confirmed the mechanism of action of their lead candidate CT1812. CT1812 is orally delivered and designed to bind selectively to the sigma-2 receptor complex to restore damaged cellular processes. The second trial, SPARC, showed evidence that CT1812 slowed brain atrophy in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer patients. Currently, there are 7 ongoing clinical trials with CT1812. Cognition Therapeutics has also achieved over $117 million in funding from the National Institute on Aging. Lisa Ricciardi, CEO, and president of Cognition Therapeutics reported, “2021 was a transformative year for Cognition Therapeutics. We completed our IPO, secured significant additional non-dilutive funding, and progressed our pipeline creating a product portfolio in addition to our lead candidate CT1812.”

Scientists are exploring the effects of epigenetic modifications and errors on gene function, protein production, and human health.Epigenetic modification opens many doors to new classes of therapeutics. Autoimmune disorders are many times caused by genetic mutations which behave similarly to the epigenome. Developing drugs that can manipulate epigenomic errors will offer a promising cure for cancer and other autoimmune diseases.Currently, companies like Chroma, Vertex, Twenty-Eight Seven are making great advances in epigenetic therapy.

EpiBone’s groundbreaking technology revolves around the bioreactor. Over 20 years of research and experience, the bioreactor was made to cultivate a nourishing and supportive environment for bone scaffolds to grow in. This three-step process consists of imaging and stem cell extraction, graft and bioreactor design, and finally bone growth. Using a CT scan, the exact 3D size and shape of the bone for the patient are determined.

With immense participation from companies dedicating their resources to finding a cure for Covid-19, Aetion has recently partnered with the FDA to use their Evidence Platform to better explore the history of the disease and integrate real world evidence in finding the best treatment. This collaboration will produce fast and real-time results in a time-sensitive situation. With over hundreds of Covid-19 treatments and vaccines in trial, Aetion will be able to use their Evidence Platform to categorize patients, prescribed medications, and adverse effects, then create statistical analysis to decide on the best treatment per patient group. Aetion, headquartered in New York…

Starting a challenging role while under the circumstances of a global pandemic, Kathryn Schubert was announced President and CEO of the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) on April 1, 2020. Paving the way for women representation, Schubert will be succeeding after Dr. Amy Miller who has led the organization as President and CEO for three years. Schubert started her role on April 27, 2020 and is excited to be working with the team and Board of Directors to create a strategic plan to fulfill their vision of normalizing women’s health research.In the heart of DC, SWHR advocates for women…

Dr. Marie Badalemente is a current professor of Orthopaedics at Stony Brook University and a member of the National Academy of Inventors. Her research focuses on studying and developing alternative non-invasive treatment options. Her research on collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) was the first FDA-approved non-surgical injection treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture, Xiaflex. Collagenase for treating cellulite The invention discovered the effectiveness of collagenase in treating cellulite in humans. By injecting sufficient amounts of collagenase, the injections are able to lyse the collagen network of cellulite and eliminate the appearance of cellulite on the skin. These collagenase injections are also presented to…

Dr. Cory Abate-Shen is the current chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Professor of Urology, Medicine, Systems Biology and Pathology and Cell Biology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. She received her Ph.D. from Cornell University Medical College. Her research focuses on the changes of gene expression and cell identity during cancer initiation. Dr. Abate-Shen has served as director of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center and has been selected as an American Cancer Society Research Professor. Method and Composition for Diagnosis or Treatment of Aggressive Prostate Cancer The invention recognizes methods, pharmaceutical formulation and medicament for treating and…

Dr. Kathryn Uhrich is currently the Dean of the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at University of California, Riverside. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Chemistry at University of North Dakota and her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry at Cornell University. Her research focuses on creating bioactive and biodegradable polymers for use in drug delivery, food safety and personal care. She is current editor-in-chief of Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers. She has been awarded Fellow of National Academy of Inventors, American Chemical Society, and Controlled Released Society. Therapeutic Polyesters and Polyamides Therapeutic Polyesters and Polyamides is the creation of…