Lumen Bioscience's oral therapeutic proteins for GI diseases, backed by Jeff Raikes

Engineered Living Therapeutics: A New Era in Medicine The World Economic Forum's Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2025, released in June, features engineered living therapeutics as a transformative biotech innovation. This involves genetically engineering bacteria or other microbes to act as living drugs, capable of detecting disease markers and producing therapeutic molecules in response. Building on CRISPR and synthetic biology tools developed over the past decade, these therapeutics can be programmed for specific tasks, such as breaking down tumors or restoring gut microbiome balance. Clinical trials initiated in 2024 have shown promising results for treating inflammatory bowel disease and certain cancers, with microbes surviving in the body and delivering payloads effectively. This technology reduces the need for frequent dosing and systemic drug exposure, potentially lowering costs and improving patient outcomes in chronic conditions. As regulatory frameworks evolve, engineered living therapeutics could become a cornerstone of precision medicine, integrating with other tech like AI for optimized designs. Have you heard of living therapeutics? Share your views on how this could transform healthcare, reply with your questions or opinions! #LivingTherapeutics #Biotech #EmergingTech #PersonalizedMedicine #WEF2025

Engineered Living Therapeutics: A New Era in Medicine The World Economic Forum's Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2025, released in June, features engineered living therapeutics as a transformative biotech innovation. This involves genetically engineering bacteria or other microbes to act as living drugs, capable of detecting disease markers and producing therapeutic molecules in response. Building on CRISPR and synthetic biology tools developed over the past decade, these therapeutics can be programmed for specific tasks, such as breaking down tumors or restoring gut microbiome balance. Clinical trials initiated in 2024 have shown promising results for treating inflammatory bowel disease and certain cancers, with microbes surviving in the body and delivering payloads effectively. This technology reduces the need for frequent dosing and systemic drug exposure, potentially lowering costs and improving patient outcomes in chronic conditions. As regulatory frameworks evolve, engineered living therapeutics could become a cornerstone of precision medicine, integrating with other tech like AI for optimized designs. Have you heard of living therapeutics? Share your views on how this could transform healthcare, reply with your questions or opinions! #LivingTherapeutics #Biotech #EmergingTech #PersonalizedMedicine #WEF2025

Cyclana Bio has announced the close of a £5 million pre-seed funding round, which will be used to support the discovery of treatments for endometriosis. "We are redefining how therapies are developed, starting with the basic science, by zooming out and studying disease at the level where it truly emerges: the tissue itself." Read more: https://lnkd.in/e97_M9EC #MedTech #FemTech #BioTech #Endometriosis

🧪 Zag Bio Launches with $80M Series A to Reset the Immune System 🧪 Zag Bio has emerged from stealth with an $80M Series A, led by T1D Fund and Polaris Partners, with participation from AbbVie, Regeneron, Sanofi, and others. The Cambridge-based biotech is pioneering thymus-targeted therapies to reprogram the immune system and treat autoimmune diseases — starting with Type 1 diabetes. “When others in the autoimmune space are zigging, we are zagging,” said CEO Jason Cole, who previously led SalioGen Therapeutics and held senior roles at bluebird bio. Zag’s platform delivers antigens to the thymus to expand regulatory T cells (Tregs) — the immune system’s natural peacekeepers — while reducing harmful effector T cells. This approach could restore immune tolerance rather than simply suppress symptoms. Zag joins a growing wave of Treg-focused biotechs — from Orca Bio to Quell Therapeutics — all racing to translate Nobel Prize–winning science into real therapies for patients. 🎧 Hear more from Jason on leadership and biotech innovation in his conversation with Windsor Bux CEO Shakir Bux on our BioBytes podcast. https://lnkd.in/eYvXYTkp #Biotech #AutoimmuneDisease #Tregs #Innovation #Leadership #WindsorBux #LifeSciences #VentureCapital

Seattle-based biotech #startup Lumen Bioscience raised a $30 million Series C extension and announced several leadership updates. WestRiver Group led the latest funding round, bringing the company’s total capital raised to $186.8 million. The new investment will help Lumen accelerate its pipeline of orally delivered #biologic drugs made from genetically engineered spirulina, a type of blue-green algae. Lumen’s #technology platform enables therapeutic proteins — traditionally injected or infused — to be produced and delivered orally in an edible, low-cost form. #LumenBioscience #BioPharma #VentureCapital #Investing #Biotech #Geekwire https://lnkd.in/gRWuBy4C

🎉 Future Medicines Accelerator cohort announced!   The wait is over! Meet the innovators shaping the future of medicines.   These innovators are developing breakthroughs in: 💊 Radiopharmaceuticals 🧬 Cell & gene therapies 🦠 Microbiome therapeutics 🧫 Antimicrobial resistance 🧠 Advanced drug discovery & delivery   Over the coming months, they’ll take part in our Future Medicines Accelerator designed to fast-track innovation, strengthen commercial strategy, and move closer to real-world healthcare impact.   Spectre Bio | GutSee Health | NuclearMediX | Veirulence Ltd | Finn Therapeutics Ltd | Bionevix | New Path Molecular Research | Astral Systems | Beyond Blood Diagnostics | AURApeutics | Auroracell | Co-Ed Biosciences | Cognichip | CureAge Therapeutics | Epona Bio | Errigal Bio | Hado Therapeutics | Lee Dunham | ImmunoKey | Kindling Bio | Luteo Medical | mycoBiologics Ltd | MyT Bioscience | OPPILOTECH LTD | Optosense | PentaBind | RS&RS Scientific | Serova | UNIK Biotherapeutics | Vector Bioscience Cambridge | Anish Parmar | Recondria Therapeutics   ✨ Together, they’re shaping the next generation of Future Medicines.   Stay tuned as we spotlight each company and share their journey through the programme.   This Accelerator is funded by Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst. Innovate UK is creating a better future by inspiring, involving, and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations.   #FutureMedicines #BiomedicalCatalyst #Innovation #HealthInnovation #UKSMEs #UKInnovation

Exciting to see the breadth of innovations selected for the LYVA Labs Future Medicines Accelerator. The R&D Consulting arm of Medicines Discovery Catapult is excited to partner in delivering this programme and support innovators build strategies that de-risk growth and accelerate innovation and ultimately bring new treatments closer to patients.

When it comes to rare disease, speed matters — but so does rigor. That’s why Orphan Therapeutics Accelerator partnered with Vibe Bio: to bring structure, consistency, and AI-enabled insight to their asset search and evaluation process. Our analysis helped highlight under-explored programs and filter out lower-priority candidates, giving their team clarity on where to focus next. Read this case study to learn how this collaboration is advancing rare disease innovation: 🔗 in first comment #RareDisease #Biotech #AI #casestudy

Partnerships accelerate progress. Orphan Therapeutics Accelerator is pioneering a faster, more systematic way to identify promising rare disease programs — and we’re proud that Vibe Bio’s AI-powered analysis played a role. Using our platform, the OTxL team rapidly assessed scientific rationale, IP strength, clinical data, and development feasibility across a broad landscape of potential assets — helping them focus resources where they’ll have the greatest impact. This case study shows how technology and collaboration can shorten the path from possibility to progress. 🔗 in first comment #RareDisease #Biotech #AI #casestudy

The NIH just announced an $87M investment in organoid research, a bold step toward advancing human-relevant science. 💰🧬 This initiative has the potential to transform how we model disease and develop new medicines, accelerating innovation for patients everywhere. 🌍💊 #NAMs #Organoids #Innovation #DrugDiscovery #ThermoFisherScientific Read more in Fierce Biotech: https://lnkd.in/ekVxxzJQ