Baidu Inc.’s preclinical studies showed the mRNA vaccine sequences for COVID-19 designed using its Lineardesign algorithm outperformed the benchmark sequences designed by traditional algorithms in terms of stability, protein expression and immunogenicity. The firm teamed up with Stemirna Therapeutics Co. Ltd., which specializes in the R&D of mRNA vaccines and drugs, to test seven mRNA COVID-19 vaccine sequences designed using Lineardesign.

Oncology genomic testing company Berry Oncology Corp.’s latest research results showed promising data for its Hifi platform-based technology, its CEO Jun Zhou said during the first International Biopharma Industry Week held in Shanghai. With the Hifi liquid biopsy test, users can receive early screening of six cancers, including liver cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer, with an overall sensitivity of 87.6%, specificity of 99.1%, and overall tissue of origin precision in 82% of positive cancers.

Abbisko Cayman Ltd. has raised $226 million through an IPO in Hong Kong, where it launched with an initial price of HK$12.46 (US$1.60) per share. The company, doing business as Abbisko Therapeutics, plans to use about a third of the proceeds for research and development of its lead candidate, ABSK-091, a targeted inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor receptor subtypes 1, 2 and 3 intended as a potential treatment for multiple solid tumors, including urothelial cancer, gastric cancer, cholangiocarcinoma and lung cancer.

PERTH, Australia – Australia’s TGA issued new guidance to help device manufacturers better understand new classifications for active medical devices, including software-based medical devices, and clinical decision support software.

A pan-cancer liquid biopsy solution that was developed by Twist Bioscience Corp. and Anchordx Medical Co. Ltd. has been launched globally. The companies will market the Twist Alliance Pan-Cancer Methylation Panel (Pan-Cancer Panel) jointly. The Pan-Cancer Panel is a solution for pan-cancer study including DNA methylation library preparation and targeted enrichment for next-generation sequencing (NGS).

Aum Biosciences Pte. Ltd., a company developing targeted cancer therapies, has closed a $27 million series A funding round. The Singapore-based company plans to use the proceeds to advance clinical development of its portfolio with immediate initiation of two phase II programs for MNK and tropomyosin receptor kinase inhibitors.

Chinese med-tech firms are still flocking to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange despite recent disappointing performances. One of these companies is Shanghai Microport Medbot (Group) Co. Ltd., which is looking to raise up to $1 billion in a Hong Kong initial public offering (IPO). Proceeds from the listing will be used for the R&D and commercialization of its core product Toumai Laparoscopic Surgical Robot.

PERTH, Australia – Molecular diagnostic company Speedx Pty Ltd. has invested in a Perth-based startup that makes the raw materials needed for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 tests. The two companies will work to develop a new at-home rapid PCR test to ensure Australia can become self-sufficient with producing PCR tests. A rapid PCR test that gives an accurate result in minutes could be used at home or work.

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed India’s pharmaceutical and medical device industries towards the more widespread use of blockchain as part of a significant digital transformation effort underpinned by growing use of the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning (ML) and the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Through a series of notifications, India’s drug regulator has classified a new batch of medical devices as well as a range of software used in medical devices according to risk, taking another step to strengthen regulatory oversight and shore up the domestic med-tech sector.