Rob Shaffer
@shafferbiotech.bsky.social
Biotech entrepreneur and consultant. Biochem PhD. Opinions strictly my own.
Super curious what AbbVie's antibody(/ies) is here that they're planning to use
AbbVie and ADARx Pharmaceuticals Announce Collaboration and License Option Agreement to Develop Next-Generation siRNA Therapies Across Multiple Therapeutic Areas news.abbvie.com/2025-05-14-A...
AbbVie and ADARx Pharmaceuticals Announce Collaboration and License Option Agreement to Develop Next-Generation siRNA Therapies Across Multiple Therapeutic Areas news.abbvie.com/2025-05-14-A...
AbbVie and ADARx Pharmaceuticals Announce Collaboration and License Option Agreement to Develop Next-Generation siRNA Therapies Across Multiple Therapeutic Areas
- Collaboration to leverage AbbVie's expertise in biotherapeutic drug development and commercialization together with ADARx's proprietary RNA technology to advance next-generation siRNA therapies...
news.abbvie.com
May 14, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Super curious what AbbVie's antibody(/ies) is here that they're planning to use
AbbVie and ADARx Pharmaceuticals Announce Collaboration and License Option Agreement to Develop Next-Generation siRNA Therapies Across Multiple Therapeutic Areas news.abbvie.com/2025-05-14-A...
AbbVie and ADARx Pharmaceuticals Announce Collaboration and License Option Agreement to Develop Next-Generation siRNA Therapies Across Multiple Therapeutic Areas news.abbvie.com/2025-05-14-A...
Great to see private financing activity lately in the cardiology space!
Lead is a lncRNA for nHCM about to enter the clinic.
HAYA Therapeutics Raises $65 Million in Series A Funding www.hayatx.com/news-and-pub...
Lead is a lncRNA for nHCM about to enter the clinic.
HAYA Therapeutics Raises $65 Million in Series A Funding www.hayatx.com/news-and-pub...
HAYA Therapeutics | HAYA Therapeutics Raises $65 Million in Series A Funding to Deliver Precision RNA-Guided Medicines for Chronic and Age-Related DiseasesYouTube icon
HAYA Therapeutics Raises $65 Million in Series A Funding to Deliver Precision RNA-Guided Medicines for Chronic and Age-Related Diseases
www.hayatx.com
May 8, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Great to see private financing activity lately in the cardiology space!
Lead is a lncRNA for nHCM about to enter the clinic.
HAYA Therapeutics Raises $65 Million in Series A Funding www.hayatx.com/news-and-pub...
Lead is a lncRNA for nHCM about to enter the clinic.
HAYA Therapeutics Raises $65 Million in Series A Funding www.hayatx.com/news-and-pub...
Impressive fundraising. These guys raised $60M less than a year ago. All-in $245M, before starting a clinical trial.
RNA editing startup AIRNA raises $155M for liver and lung disease therapy - endpts.com/rna-editing-...
RNA editing startup AIRNA raises $155M for liver and lung disease therapy - endpts.com/rna-editing-...
RNA editing startup raises $155M to bring liver and lung disease therapy into clinic
When the transatlantic startup AIRNA launched in 2023, it was already years behind other companies that were trying to bring a new form of genetic medicine known as RNA editing ...
endpts.com
April 1, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Impressive fundraising. These guys raised $60M less than a year ago. All-in $245M, before starting a clinical trial.
RNA editing startup AIRNA raises $155M for liver and lung disease therapy - endpts.com/rna-editing-...
RNA editing startup AIRNA raises $155M for liver and lung disease therapy - endpts.com/rna-editing-...
Reposted by Rob Shaffer
HERE COMES CHINA'S BOOMING BIOTECH SECTOR
New Odd Lots on yet another area where in the last few years, Chinese firms have suddenly rushed to the technological cutting edge. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
New Odd Lots on yet another area where in the last few years, Chinese firms have suddenly rushed to the technological cutting edge. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
Here Comes the Booming Chinese Biotech Sector
Podcast Episode · Odd Lots · 03/10/2025 · 43m
podcasts.apple.com
March 10, 2025 at 12:55 PM
HERE COMES CHINA'S BOOMING BIOTECH SECTOR
New Odd Lots on yet another area where in the last few years, Chinese firms have suddenly rushed to the technological cutting edge. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
New Odd Lots on yet another area where in the last few years, Chinese firms have suddenly rushed to the technological cutting edge. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
Congrats to fellow LabCentral company Gensaic. Awesome news!
Novo bets up to $354M per target on Gensaic’s tissue-selective delivery tech www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/novo...
Novo bets up to $354M per target on Gensaic’s tissue-selective delivery tech www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/novo...
Novo bets up to $354M per target on Gensaic’s tissue-selective delivery tech
Novo Nordisk has forged a deal with Gensaic, agreeing to pay up to $354 million per target to access technology for the tissue-selective delivery of molecules to cardiometabolic targets i | Novo Nordi...
www.fiercebiotech.com
March 3, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Congrats to fellow LabCentral company Gensaic. Awesome news!
Novo bets up to $354M per target on Gensaic’s tissue-selective delivery tech www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/novo...
Novo bets up to $354M per target on Gensaic’s tissue-selective delivery tech www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/novo...
This is just terrible for all of these prospective students and for American competitiveness
Graduate student admissions paused and cut back as universities react to Trump orders on research www.statnews.com/2025/02/19/t... via @statnews.com
Graduate student admissions paused and cut back as universities react to Trump orders on research www.statnews.com/2025/02/19/t... via @statnews.com
Graduate student admissions paused and cut back as universities react to Trump orders on research
In response to Trump science policies, universities are accepting fewer graduate students than normal and freezing positions, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com
February 20, 2025 at 3:40 PM
This is just terrible for all of these prospective students and for American competitiveness
Graduate student admissions paused and cut back as universities react to Trump orders on research www.statnews.com/2025/02/19/t... via @statnews.com
Graduate student admissions paused and cut back as universities react to Trump orders on research www.statnews.com/2025/02/19/t... via @statnews.com
Super interesting. Better control over synthesis enables better/other delivery approaches, more efficient and lower COGS production, etc.
First direct chemical synthesis of a gene over 1700 nucleotides long
www.chemistryworld.com/news/first-d...
Orig article pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
First direct chemical synthesis of a gene over 1700 nucleotides long
www.chemistryworld.com/news/first-d...
Orig article pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
First direct chemical synthesis of a gene over 1700 nucleotides long
Innovative use of non-porous solid supports allows synthesis of very long oligonucleotides
www.chemistryworld.com
February 14, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Super interesting. Better control over synthesis enables better/other delivery approaches, more efficient and lower COGS production, etc.
First direct chemical synthesis of a gene over 1700 nucleotides long
www.chemistryworld.com/news/first-d...
Orig article pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
First direct chemical synthesis of a gene over 1700 nucleotides long
www.chemistryworld.com/news/first-d...
Orig article pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
I hope people choose to stay and promote the importance of science for American competitiveness. Push back on harmful policies from here.
Trump policies spark fears of brain drain, threatening to undermine U.S. dominance in biomedicine www.statnews.com/2025/02/12/t... via @statnews.com
Trump policies spark fears of brain drain, threatening to undermine U.S. dominance in biomedicine www.statnews.com/2025/02/12/t... via @statnews.com
Trump policies spark fears of brain drain, threatening to undermine U.S. dominance in biomedicine
A torrent of Trump administration policies is alarming scientists who fear the current climate is weakening researchers’ resolve to stick with careers in academic science.
www.statnews.com
February 13, 2025 at 12:02 AM
I hope people choose to stay and promote the importance of science for American competitiveness. Push back on harmful policies from here.
Trump policies spark fears of brain drain, threatening to undermine U.S. dominance in biomedicine www.statnews.com/2025/02/12/t... via @statnews.com
Trump policies spark fears of brain drain, threatening to undermine U.S. dominance in biomedicine www.statnews.com/2025/02/12/t... via @statnews.com
Interesting work towards unlocking greater and more localized brain delivery of gene therapy
Focused ultrasound widely broadens AAV-delivered Cas9 distribution and activity www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Focused ultrasound widely broadens AAV-delivered Cas9 distribution and activity www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Focused ultrasound widely broadens AAV-delivered Cas9 distribution and activity - Gene Therapy
Gene Therapy - Focused ultrasound widely broadens AAV-delivered Cas9 distribution and activity
www.nature.com
February 3, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Interesting work towards unlocking greater and more localized brain delivery of gene therapy
Focused ultrasound widely broadens AAV-delivered Cas9 distribution and activity www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Focused ultrasound widely broadens AAV-delivered Cas9 distribution and activity www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Sincerely hope this is reversed asap.
Trump administration suspension of global HIV treatment program sparks chaos and fear of lost lives www.statnews.com/2025/01/28/h... via @statnews.com
Trump administration suspension of global HIV treatment program sparks chaos and fear of lost lives www.statnews.com/2025/01/28/h... via @statnews.com
Trump administration suspension of global HIV treatment program sparks chaos and fear of lost lives
A move by the Trump administration to freeze funding for PEPFAR, the widely heralded international HIV/AIDS program, is putting countless lives at immediate risk, experts say.
www.statnews.com
January 28, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Sincerely hope this is reversed asap.
Trump administration suspension of global HIV treatment program sparks chaos and fear of lost lives www.statnews.com/2025/01/28/h... via @statnews.com
Trump administration suspension of global HIV treatment program sparks chaos and fear of lost lives www.statnews.com/2025/01/28/h... via @statnews.com
Atalanta gets $97M boost to take two siRNAs into clinic for rare neuro disorders - endpts.com/atalanta-get...
Atalanta gets $97M boost to take two siRNAs into clinic for rare neuro disorders
For five years, Atalanta Therapeutics operated with one investor. Now, F-Prime Capital is getting a bevy of financial support to propel two of the Boston biotech's RNAi drugs for rare ...
endpts.com
January 28, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Atalanta gets $97M boost to take two siRNAs into clinic for rare neuro disorders - endpts.com/atalanta-get...
Reposted by Rob Shaffer
Auschwitz was at the end of a long process. It did not start from gas chambers.
This hatred was gradually developed by humans. From ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
This hatred was gradually developed by humans. From ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
January 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Auschwitz was at the end of a long process. It did not start from gas chambers.
This hatred was gradually developed by humans. From ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
This hatred was gradually developed by humans. From ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
We're looking to hire a future CMC leader as a Senior Scientist to drive bioconjugation chemistry! Please see the attached JD and email resumes/leads to [email protected].
www.linkedin.com/posts/robert...
www.linkedin.com/posts/robert...
January 13, 2025 at 3:12 PM
We're looking to hire a future CMC leader as a Senior Scientist to drive bioconjugation chemistry! Please see the attached JD and email resumes/leads to [email protected].
www.linkedin.com/posts/robert...
www.linkedin.com/posts/robert...
Great to see cardiovascular disease funding continue to take off. Big dollars and names here
Trio behind MyoKardia raise $300 million for new biotech firm focused on heart disease www.statnews.com/2025/01/10/k... via @statnews.com
Trio behind MyoKardia raise $300 million for new biotech firm focused on heart disease www.statnews.com/2025/01/10/k... via @statnews.com
January 10, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Great to see cardiovascular disease funding continue to take off. Big dollars and names here
Trio behind MyoKardia raise $300 million for new biotech firm focused on heart disease www.statnews.com/2025/01/10/k... via @statnews.com
Trio behind MyoKardia raise $300 million for new biotech firm focused on heart disease www.statnews.com/2025/01/10/k... via @statnews.com
Theoretical chemist Martin Karplus dies at 94 cen.acs.org/people/obitu...
Theoretical chemist Martin Karplus dies at 94
The Nobel laureate developed the first molecular dynamics simulation of a biomolecule
cen.acs.org
January 6, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Theoretical chemist Martin Karplus dies at 94 cen.acs.org/people/obitu...
Gene-editing field sees another merger, this time between Chroma Medicine and Nvelop Therapeutics www.statnews.com/2024/12/11/c... via @statnews.bsky.social
Gene-editing field sees another merger, this time between Chroma Medicine and Nvelop Therapeutics
In industry parlance, the deal joins a “delivery” company with a “cargo” company — fusing the two key pieces needed to build a genetic medicine.
www.statnews.com
December 11, 2024 at 12:18 PM
Gene-editing field sees another merger, this time between Chroma Medicine and Nvelop Therapeutics www.statnews.com/2024/12/11/c... via @statnews.bsky.social
My culinary contribution for today - a potato focaccia pugliese. Happy Thanksgiving!
November 28, 2024 at 2:48 PM
My culinary contribution for today - a potato focaccia pugliese. Happy Thanksgiving!
Reposted by Rob Shaffer
Every drug I used when I took care of kids with cancer had serious risks.
The only thing that could justify my using them was that their benefits outweighed their risks.
But without proof of efficacy, there’s no way to make that calculation.
Safety & efficacy are 2 sides of the same coin.
The only thing that could justify my using them was that their benefits outweighed their risks.
But without proof of efficacy, there’s no way to make that calculation.
Safety & efficacy are 2 sides of the same coin.
HHS Deputy Secretary pick Jim O’Neill, believes the FDA should only consider safety and not efficacy when making approval decisions.
Someone should let him know that taking ineffective medical products DOES affect patient safety.
thehill.com/homenews/adm...
Someone should let him know that taking ineffective medical products DOES affect patient safety.
thehill.com/homenews/adm...
Jim O’Neill selected to lead HHS alongside RFK Jr. as deputy
President-elect Trump’s choice for deputy secretary of Health and Human Services is Jim O’Neill, an investor and historically close associate of billionaire Peter Thiel, the president-e…
thehill.com
November 27, 2024 at 8:39 PM
Every drug I used when I took care of kids with cancer had serious risks.
The only thing that could justify my using them was that their benefits outweighed their risks.
But without proof of efficacy, there’s no way to make that calculation.
Safety & efficacy are 2 sides of the same coin.
The only thing that could justify my using them was that their benefits outweighed their risks.
But without proof of efficacy, there’s no way to make that calculation.
Safety & efficacy are 2 sides of the same coin.
Sarepta Therapeutics Announces Global Licensing and Collaboration Agreement with Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals for Multiple Clinical and Preclinical siRNA Programs
ARWR to receive $500 million upfront, $325 million equity investment at a 35% premium
www.businesswire.com/news/home/20...
ARWR to receive $500 million upfront, $325 million equity investment at a 35% premium
www.businesswire.com/news/home/20...
Sarepta Therapeutics Announces Global Licensing and Collaboration Agreement with Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals for Multiple Clinical and Preclinical siRNA Programs
Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRPT), the leader in precision genetic medicine for rare diseases, today announced an exclusive global licensing an
www.businesswire.com
November 26, 2024 at 12:26 PM
Sarepta Therapeutics Announces Global Licensing and Collaboration Agreement with Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals for Multiple Clinical and Preclinical siRNA Programs
ARWR to receive $500 million upfront, $325 million equity investment at a 35% premium
www.businesswire.com/news/home/20...
ARWR to receive $500 million upfront, $325 million equity investment at a 35% premium
www.businesswire.com/news/home/20...
Reposted by Rob Shaffer
Novartis is buying gene therapy and neuroscience biotech Kate Therapeutics in a deal worth $1.1 billion.
endpts.com/novartis-buy...
endpts.com/novartis-buy...
Novartis seeks more bolt-on deals as it purchases neuro startup for up to $1.1B
Novartis is acquiring Kate Therapeutics for $1.1 billion, focusing on gene therapy and neuroscience. CEO Vas Narasimhan and CFO Harry Kirsch indicate future M&A deals will likely stay under $3 billion...
endpts.com
November 21, 2024 at 11:43 AM
Novartis is buying gene therapy and neuroscience biotech Kate Therapeutics in a deal worth $1.1 billion.
endpts.com/novartis-buy...
endpts.com/novartis-buy...
Love this - “The best decisions are made [...] under capital constraint.” See you all around the LabCentral ecosystem.
Former NCI chief and serial biotech entrepreneur raise $70 million to start companies that fail fast www.statnews.com/2024/11/19/j... via @statnews.bsky.social
Former NCI chief and serial biotech entrepreneur raise $70 million to start companies that fail fast www.statnews.com/2024/11/19/j... via @statnews.bsky.social
Former NCI chief and serial biotech entrepreneur raise $70 million to start companies that fail fast
.@nes047 and @NathanielEDavid formed Jupiter Bioventures to quickly test out, and if necessary discard, ideas in biotech.
www.statnews.com
November 20, 2024 at 12:30 AM
Love this - “The best decisions are made [...] under capital constraint.” See you all around the LabCentral ecosystem.
Former NCI chief and serial biotech entrepreneur raise $70 million to start companies that fail fast www.statnews.com/2024/11/19/j... via @statnews.bsky.social
Former NCI chief and serial biotech entrepreneur raise $70 million to start companies that fail fast www.statnews.com/2024/11/19/j... via @statnews.bsky.social
Sunday morning piano "lessons" from big sister
November 17, 2024 at 12:53 PM
Sunday morning piano "lessons" from big sister
Relaying a statement from the other site from my district's congressman, Jake Auchincloss
November 15, 2024 at 2:05 AM
Relaying a statement from the other site from my district's congressman, Jake Auchincloss