🧬 Omics-Insights: Your Weekly Genomics & Proteomics Digest 🧬

Welcome to our latest Omics newsletter, your portal for the freshest updates and innovations in genomics. This week's newsletter brings you the latest updates from the dynamic world of Omics. In this edition, we bring you the latest developments in the dynamic world of Omics, including key industry news, strategic collaborations, skill development essentials for finding a new job, & essential career tips for omics professionals.

This week's latest news in the field of Life Science:

🚀🔬 Vizgen Announces End of Litigation with 10x Genomics and Harvard University 🔬🚀

Vizgen, a leader in spatial genomics, has officially settled its litigation with 10x Genomics and Harvard University, securing its freedom to operate and continue driving innovation in the field. On February 5th, after three days of trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, Vizgen, 10x Genomics, and Harvard University reached an agreement, leading to a joint stipulation of dismissal. With all definitive agreements now finalized, Vizgen is set to move forward without legal distractions.

This settlement is a testament to the strength of Vizgen’s intellectual property and the pioneering work of its founders, including Dr. Xiaowei Zhuang. With the legal battle behind them, the company is fully focused on advancing spatial biology research and expanding its impact in fields such as oncology and neurodegenerative diseases. Vizgen has already supported over 300 pre-print and peer-reviewed studies, proving the scientific community’s confidence in its MERSCOPE® technology. Now, with new product launches on the horizon, the company is more committed than ever to accelerating discoveries in spatial multi-omics. For professionals in genomics and spatial biology, this is an exciting time to engage with Vizgen as it continues its rapid growth.

📈 Parse Biosciences Signs Japan Distribution Deal With Scrum 🇯🇵

Parse Biosciences recently announced that it has signed an agreement with Tokyo-based Scrum to distribute its single-cell sequencing products in Japan. This deal includes Parse’s entire range of single-cell sequencing products, such as the Evercode Whole Transcriptome RNA sequencing kit, the CRISPR Detect kit for single-cell pooled CRISPR screens, and the Trailmaker cloud computing platform for single-cell analysis. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

This move is part of Parse Biosciences' ongoing strategy to expand its global distribution network. Earlier in 2024, the company signed a similar agreement with Prisma Biotech to market its products in Taiwan and nearby regions. Parse has also inked distribution deals covering South America, Israel, and South Korea in recent years.

🩺 Guardant Health, Bayshore HealthCare Partner to Provide Testing in Canadian Clinics 🇨🇦

Guardant Health has entered into an agreement with Bayshore HealthCare, a Canadian home and community healthcare service provider, to offer Guardant’s portfolio of precision oncology tests through its clinics across Canada. Bayshore provides care to over 350,000 Canadians every year, and under this new agreement, its clinics will now offer patients access to Guardant’s tests. These tests include Guardant360, a genomic profiling test to guide therapy selection in advanced cancer, Guardant Reveal, a blood test for minimal residual disease detection and recurrence monitoring in early-stage cancer, and Shield, a blood test for colorectal cancer screening.

The terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but this collaboration is set to make Guardant’s advanced oncology tests more accessible to Canadian patients, further cementing the company’s role in precision medicine.

🧬 Pillar Biosciences Receives CMS Coverage for Pan-Cancer CDx Assay 🏥

Pillar Biosciences has announced that its OncoReveal CDx pan-cancer test for solid tumors has received national coverage from the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The next-generation sequencing-based assay uses Pillar’s proprietary Stem-Loop Inhibition-Mediated amplification (SLIMamp) technology to detect single nucleotide variants, insertions, and deletions in 22 genes using DNA isolated from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissue specimens. This test is designed for tumor mutation profiling in previously diagnosed cancer patients with solid malignant neoplasms.

The OncoReveal CDx test has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to run on Illumina’s MiSeqDx instrument in 2024. Pillar also partnered with Illumina in 2023 to distribute its oncology tests globally as part of Illumina’s cancer portfolio. Pillar’s Chief Marketing Officer, Brian Wright, stated that the CMS decision will help make highly accurate, actionable NGS testing available to clinical laboratories and biopharmaceutical companies, ensuring faster treatment decisions and better outcomes for patients.

🧪 Leica Biosystems, Bio-Techne Expand Spatial Biology Research Partnership 🔬

Bio-Techne has announced an expansion of its long-term partnership between its spatial biology subsidiary, Advanced Cell Diagnostics (ACD), and Danaher subsidiary, Leica Biosystems. The companies have automated ACD’s RNAscope Multiomic LS Assay and protease-free workflows on Leica’s Bond RX research staining instrument. The assay allows for the simultaneous fluorescent detection of up to six RNA and/or protein biomarkers on the same slide, significantly advancing spatial multiomics research.

The newly automated workflow also includes a protease-free process for RNAscope 2.5 single-plex assays. Bio-Techne’s President of Diagnostics and Spatial Biology, Matt McManus, stated that this collaboration marks a major milestone in spatial multiomics research, empowering researchers with a fully automated solution that preserves sample integrity and accelerates scientific discoveries. Bio-Techne and Leica first partnered in 2015 to streamline in situ hybridization workflows and continue to innovate in spatial biology research.

Current Live Roles at Kinetica:

Business Development Manager - Organ on a chip - West Coast

Business Development Manager - Organ on a chip - UK

Sales Manager - Genomics Reagents - UK

Account Manager - Proteomics - Scotland

Account Manager - Proteomics - Ireland

Account Manager - Proteomics - SW Germany

Account Manager - Proteomics - NW Germany

Field Application Specialist - Proteomics - SW Germany

Inside Sales - Life Science - Polish Speaking

Data Scientist - Neuroscience - UK Remote

Business Development Manager - Neuroscience - West Coast

Business Development Manager - Neuroscience - UK

Business Development Manager - Spatial Biology - UK

Business Development Manager - Spatial Biology - Germany

💡 Tip from a Specialist Life Science Recruiter: How to Handle a Job if Your Company Goes Bankrupt 💡

Experiencing a company bankruptcy can be stressful, but it’s important to remain calm and strategic. Here are some key steps to take:

1. Stay Informed: First, understand your rights. Review your employment contract and any company policies on severance, unpaid wages, and benefits. Reach out to HR to clarify the situation and discuss your options.
2. Assess Your Finances: Make sure you have a financial cushion for at least a few months, if possible. If you're in an unstable situation, try to reduce non-essential expenses and prioritize savings until you secure another job.
3. Network, Network, Network: The life science industry is vast, and your professional network is one of the best resources to tap into. Reach out to former colleagues, industry connections, and recruiters. Let them know you're exploring new opportunities.
4. Update Your Resume and LinkedIn: Ensure your resume reflects your latest skills, accomplishments, and the experience you gained at the company. Be prepared to explain the situation in a positive light during interviews—focus on your adaptability and lessons learned.
5. Explore Your Options: Start looking for new opportunities within the life science sector. There are always positions available in research, sales, clinical trials, and more. It’s important to keep an open mind and consider roles in companies that align with your career growth.
6. Consider Freelancing or Consulting: If you’re able, freelancing or consulting can be a great way to bridge the gap between jobs, maintain a steady income, and keep your skills sharp.
7. Take Care of Your Well-being: Navigating a career setback can be overwhelming. Make sure to take time for self-care, maintain a support system, and seek professional advice if needed.

Remember, while a bankruptcy can be an unexpected hurdle, it can also open the door to new and potentially better opportunities. Stay proactive, keep learning, and focus on what’s next! 🚀

Wrapping Up Another Omics-Insights:

Thank you for embarking on a journey into the dynamic world of Omics with Kinetica! Explore the latest genomics job opportunities, stay informed with industry news, and indulge in insightful blogs at www.kinetica.co.uk. Your curiosity drives my commitment to relevant content, and I'm here to provide insights that fuel your scientific endeavors. Feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback. Wishing you ongoing inspiration and discovery in your scientific pursuits. Until next week, may your experiments yield groundbreaking results, and may your Omics journey remain as fascinating as science!

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