Acquisition of UF Faculty Startup AbFero Provides Iron Chelators for Numerous Diseases
Late last week, Danish biotech Pharmacosmos announced it had acquired AbFero Pharmaceuticals, a University of Florida startup, for $225 million. AbFero is developing compounds called iron chelators created in Dr. Raymond Bergeron’s lab at UF. Chelators remove extra iron from the body.
Clinical Challenges: Gene Therapy for Inherited Retinal Diseases
The FDA approval of UF's AAV technology in voretigene neparvovec (Luxturna) for the treatment of patients with confirmed biallelic RPE65 mutation-associated retinal dystrophy almost 4 years ago marked a turning point in gene therapy.
Too Much Iron? Pharmacosmos Is Betting $225M on a New Potential Solution for That
Pharmacosmos is putting down $225 million to purchase AbFero, a spinout from Raymond Bergeron’s lab at the University of Florida. Its lead candidate, SP-420, recently completed Phase I safety studies as a treatment for transfusional iron overload.
Pharmacosmos Group Acquires AbFero Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Pharmacosmos Group, a leader in the development of innovative treatments for patients suffering from iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, today announced the acquisition of UF startup AbFero Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Boston-based, privately-held clinical stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to treating diseases of iron overload.
Hot Tumors: The Turbo Engine That Immunotherapy Needed
Immunotherapy is a hot topic of conversation when it comes to cancer treatment. Pediatric oncologist Dr. Elias Sayour and his team have found a way to make a hot tumor, their way to make immunotherapy, an alternative to chemotherapy, more effective.
Take Off in a Flying Car With UF Engineers and Alumni
As successful serial entrepreneurs, Adam Goldstein (UF BSBA ’01) and Brett Adcock (UF BSBA ’08) are always looking for the next big thing to bring to market. EVTOLs, short for electric vertical take-off-and-landing vehicles, had a compelling appeal, but there were challenges. A sector seated by large aerospace companies, staggering start-up costs and, most importantly, a new space that imposes many technology challenges, the eVTOL industry would deter any seasoned entrepreneur from entering. Yet, a chance meeting with a fellow Gator at a conference turned out to become the beginning of an adventure that could get flying taxis into the air.
UF Health Researchers’ New Findings Have Implications for Muscle Development, Disease
A group of University of Florida Health researchers has learned more about how skeletal muscle cells organize their components to function properly and sustain life. The findings have important implications for muscle development, maintenance and disease, the researchers said.
Teledyne FLIR Develops New Drone System for Defense and Public Safety Customers
Teledyne FLIR, which acquired UF startup Altavian, Inc. in December 2020., has launched a next-generation drone system, named the ION M640x tactical Unmanned Aerial System (UAS).
UF Researchers Awarded $1.1M Grant by National Institute of Health on AI-Powered Medical Research
A multi-departmental team from the University of Florida, Shigang Chen, Ph.D., Samuel Wu, Ph.D., David Vaillancourt, Ph.D., and Kejun Huang, Ph.D., was recently rewarded a $1.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health on AI-powered medical research, specifically for Parkinson’s disease.
UF Innovate Reveals New Display in Lobby of The Hub
More than 150 innovators and entrepreneurs attended an in-person event, while 40 joined via livestream to unveil a new, lighted floor-to-ceiling mural in the lobby of UF Innovate | Accelerate at The Hub.
