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Our man Chris Sykes is on the move again - this time on 7th April at the Biotech Vendor Services, Inc. Sustainability Expo in Cambridge, Watertown. We're looking forward to introducing our sustainable products, our sustainable shipping materials and our sustainable T-shirts!!

Why Hillstar Bio's $67M Series A Could Signal the End of Broad Immunosuppression in Autoimmunity Amidst the flurry of biotech funding news, Hillstar Bio's $67M Series A stands out not just for its size, but for what it represents: potentially the beginning of the end for broad immunosuppression in autoimmune treatment. Here's what makes their approach truly revolutionary: • Instead of the traditional "sledgehammer" approach of suppressing the entire immune system, they're targeting specific pathogenic T cell populations (TRBV9) while leaving beneficial immune cells intact • Their initial focus on axial spondyloarthritis leverages a specific genetic connection (HLA-B27) that essentially creates a fingerprint for identifying which patients will respond • Most importantly, they're aiming for immune "reset" rather than chronic suppression – potentially offering durable remission instead of lifetime medication dependence The autoimmune treatment landscape has long been dominated by two approaches: 1️⃣ Broad immunosuppressants that leave patients vulnerable to infections 2️⃣ Biologics that block specific cytokines but still require lifelong administration Hillstar Bio is pioneering a third path: precision depletion of the exact immune cells driving disease. This mirrors the revolution happening in cancer immunotherapy, where we've moved from chemotherapy to targeted therapies to immune cell engineering. Led by Robert Mabry (former CSO of Orna Therapeutics and Takeda's Global Head of Biologics), Hillstar has assembled a team with deep expertise in antibody engineering – crucial for developing the selective targeting agents required for this approach. If successful, this could transform how we think about autoimmune treatment – from managing symptoms to potentially curative approaches that address the root cause. What's your take? Is selective immune cell depletion the future of autoimmune disease treatment? #PrecisionMedicine #Autoimmune #Immunotherapy #BiotechInnovation #AxialSpondyloarthritis

Beyond PD-1/PD-L1: Exploring the Next Wave of Immune Checkpoint Targets While PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors have revolutionized cancer treatment, many patients still don't respond. The future of cancer immunotherapy may lie in the broader B7-H family of checkpoint molecules. Here's what immunotherapy developers need to know about this promising family: The B7-H Family Members: • B7-H2 (ICOSL) - Primary Effect: Co-stimulatory - Key Expression: APCs, tumor cells - Clinical Progress: Early targets for autoimmune disease - Notable Feature: Can promote both effector T cells and Tregs • B7-H3 - Primary Effect: Co-inhibitory - Key Expression: Widely expressed across tumor types - Clinical Progress: Multiple ADCs in Phase 2/3 trials - Notable Feature: Receptor remains unidentified despite clinical advances • B7-H4 - Primary Effect: Co-inhibitory - Key Expression: Tumor cells, suppressive immune cells - Clinical Progress: ADCs showing promise in Phase 1/2 - Notable Feature: Marks "super-cold" tumors with low PD-L1 expression • B7-H5 (VISTA) - Primary Effect: Co-inhibitory - Key Expression: Primarily on tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) - Clinical Progress: pH-sensitive antibodies advancing - Notable Feature: Functions uniquely in acidic tumor environments • B7-H6 - Primary Effect: Co-stimulatory for NK cells - Key Expression: Tumors but not normal tissues - Clinical Progress: BiTEs in Phase 1 development - Notable Feature: Directly activates NK cells via NKp30 • B7-H7 (HHLA2) - Primary Effect: Dual function (receptor-dependent) - Key Expression: Multiple tumor types - Clinical Progress: Early clinical stage - Notable Feature: Stimulatory via TMIGD2, inhibitory via KIR3DL3 Why these targets matter: 1. B7-H3 ADCs are showing remarkable response rates (60-70%) in lung cancers 2. B7-H4 identifies immunologically "cold" tumors resistant to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade 3. VISTA functions in acidic microenvironments where other checkpoints may be less effective 4. B7-H6 offers a pathway to enhance NK cell activity against tumors 5. B7-H7's dual regulation potential creates unique therapeutic opportunities Key development challenges: - Orphan receptor status (B7-H3, B7-H4) - Safety concerns with B7-H3 therapies - Balancing dual immune effects (B7-H2, B7-H7) - Optimizing pH-sensitivity for VISTA targeting - Limited understanding of optimal patient selection The complex interplay between these checkpoints and PD-1/PD-L1 pathways suggests significant potential for combination approaches targeting multiple immune evasion mechanisms simultaneously. What's your view - will these "next-gen" checkpoint targets transform cancer care, or will they remain niche players compared to the established PD-1/PD-L1 axis? #CancerImmunotherapy #ImmunecheckpointInhibitors #B7HFamily #PrecisionOncology #DrugDevelopment

Enhancing the Cancer Immunotherapy Arsenal: NKG2D-Bispecifics Show Promise in Dual Activation of NK and CD8+ T Cells Exciting research published in Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy reveals how targeting NKG2D could be a game-changer for solid tumor treatment. Here's why this matters: **The Challenge:** Current cancer immunotherapies face significant hurdles in solid tumors - including poor T cell infiltration, immunosuppression, and heterogeneous antigen expression. **The Innovation:** Researchers at Genentech and Evotec developed HER2-CRB, a bispecific antibody that simultaneously targets: * HER2 on tumor cells * NKG2D (a co-stimulatory receptor) on NK and CD8+ T cells **Why NKG2D is unique:** * Unlike other co-stimulatory targets (4-1BB, GITR, OX40), NKG2D is predominantly expressed on effector cells (NK cells, CD8+ T cells) but minimally on regulatory T cells * High expression on tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells in breast cancer samples * Associated with improved survival in atezolizumab-treated TNBC patients **Key findings:** 1. Enhanced NK cell activation - increased cytokine production, cytotoxicity, and immunological synapse formation 2. Amplified T cell response when combined with anti-CD3 bispecifics 3. Improved anti-tumor activity in both humanized and immunocompetent mouse models 4. Augmented effector function without increasing systemic cytokine release This approach represents a potentially safer alternative to other co-stimulatory bispecifics that have faced toxicity challenges in clinical development. **Broader implications:** This strategy could be applied across multiple tumor types and combined with various immunotherapeutic modalities (checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T/NK cells, and ADCC-competent antibodies). What's your view on co-stimulatory bispecifics in cancer immunotherapy? Are dual NK/T cell approaches the future for solid tumors? #CancerImmunotherapy #BispecificAntibodies #NKCells #TCells #PrecisionOncology #DrugDevelopment

Multiple myeloma's heterogeneity has long been its escape route from targeted therapy. Innovent Biologics's trispecific approach reveals why hitting a single tumor antigen was always a temporary solution... What makes this approach particularly clever is how it works: - By simultaneously targeting GPRC5D and BCMA (two independent tumor-associated antigens), the antibody expands eligible patient populations - The dual TAA targeting creates a "safety net" where antigen loss in one pathway doesn't lead to treatment resistance - CD3 engagement redirects T cells specifically to cells expressing either or both TAAs - The single-molecule format simplifies treatment regimens compared to combination therapies With Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer making headway with bispecific approaches (teclistamab, elranatamab, talquetamab), Innovent is taking a fundamentally different approach to the problem of antigen escape. The patent application (US20250074996) points to a strategy that addresses the core limitation of current bispecifics. This isn't just about better targeting - it's about understanding tumor evolution. Could targeting multiple tumor antigens simultaneously be the key to creating more durable responses in multiple myeloma, where heterogeneity and clonal evolution have frustrated previous targeted approaches? What do you think - will trispecific approaches become the new standard for overcoming the inevitable resistance that emerges with single-antigen targeting? #MultipleMyleloma #CAR-T #Immunotherapy #AntibodyEngineering #CancerResearch

We're all set up for today's Biotech Vendor Services, Inc. Community Expo. If you're coming along, don't forget to stop by our booth - Chris has goodies for you!

Thanks to everyone who popped by our stand today! Don't forget that we'll be at the BVS Biotech Community Expo at Embassy Suites, Waltham 11-1.30pm tomorrow. Tickets are free if you want to come along. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/g-GGaaXb

We’re looking forward to meeting everyone at Boynton Yards today for networking and ice cream sundaes! If you're based at Boynton Yards come and say hello, Christopher Sykes has goodies for you and you can build yourself a Ben & Jerry's ice cream sundae! We'll be here 12-2pm today - hope you can make it! A big thanks to Boynton Yards - Somerville and Biotech Vendor Services, Inc. for organizing—looking forward to great conversations and of course ice cream!🍨 Cellarity Generate:Biomedicines Laronde Tessera Therapeutics #Biotech #LifeSciences #BoyntonYards #ichorbio

Exciting News! Meet us this week at the Biotech Vendor Services, Inc. Community Expo in Waltham, MA! This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow scientists, researchers, and biotech innovators. If you haven't got a ticket yet, book on the link below or drop us a message and we'll arrange a ticket for you. 📍 Embassy Suites | Waltham, MA 📅 Thursday, March 20 | 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/g-GGaaXb Let us know if you'll be attending—we’d love to connect! #Biotech #LifeSciences #Networking #BVSExpo #ichorbio #Antibodies #ScientificInnovation

🎗️ Today is World Cancer Day 2025 🎗️ This year's theme, "United by Unique," reminds us that cancer is more than a diagnosis—it's a deeply personal journey that affects millions of people worldwide. Some facts to reflect on: 🔹 In the UK, 375,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed every year. 🔹 Thanks to advancements in research and treatment, cancer survival rates have doubled in the last 40 years. At ichorbio, we stand with the oncology community by providing high-quality reagents that support cancer research and treatment development. Our mission is simple: to empower scientists and clinicians in their work to improve patient outcomes. How can we all make a difference today? ✔️ Raise awareness and share knowledge. ✔️ Support research and innovation. ✔️ Advocate for better access to care. On this day, let's honor the unique stories of those affected by cancer and reaffirm our commitment to progress. Together, we can make a difference. 💙 #WorldCancerDay #UnitedByUnique #CancerAwareness #Ichorbio #OncologyResearch