Biotech bi-weekly: a regal resin for affinity chromatography, logic-gated antibodies get an AI boost and mystery millions fund research facility
What biotech industry updates closed out Q2 2025? Find out in this edition of the biotech bi-weekly, covering everything from 3D tumor spheroids used for the validation of a novel cancer therapy, eco-friendly mass spectrometers and some important birthdays in the life science communications world.
Products
Affinity chromatography resin gets an upgrade
Ecolab Life Sciences (MN, USA) have announced it has launched an innovative new resin to help achieve cost savings and optimize operations throughout the antibody manufacturing process. Purolite™ AP+50 is an affinity chromatography resin with a 50-micron bead size offering the highest dynamic binding capacity of the AP resin platform while providing excellent durability for monoclonal antibody capture.
It also leverages Ecolab’s patented Jetted resin bead manufacturing technology, an innovative approach that enables lot-to-lot consistency and shorter lead times. It is the latest addition to Ecolab’s robust Purolite Resin affinity toolbox, which helps biopharmaceutical companies and Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations solve complex purification challenges.
3D tumor spheroids provide insight into colorectal cancer drug’s efficacy
Brenus Pharma (Issoire, France), a French biotech developing next-generation first-in-class immunotherapies, and InSphero (Zurich, Switzerland), a Swiss leader in 3D cell-based assay technologies, presented promising data at the European Association for Cancer Research 2025 annual congress (16-19 June 2025; Lisbon, Portugal). These data confirm the use of 3D tumor spheroids for potency testing of STC-1010, Brenus’ lead candidate for colorectal cancer.
Developed through a European-funded collaboration with InSphero, the project led to the creation of ready-to-use vitrified 3D colorectal cancer spheroids. Tumor spheroids were obtained with colorectal tumor cell lines co-cultured with colorectal fibroblasts. The vitrification method preserves tumor morphology, stromal integrity, and viability after thawing of fresh tumor spheroid samples. This approach enables a more realistic evaluation of STC-1010’s therapeutic potential, with a model that more closely mimics real in vivo tumor conditions.
Previous results demonstrated that STC-1010 antigens were efficiently taken up and presented by monocyte-derived dendritic cells (mMo-DCs), leading to the activation of CD8+ T cells. These T cells induce robust apoptosis in both 2D and 3D CRC models and trigger the release of anti-tumor cytokines such as IFNγ and Granzyme B. These results confirm the translational relevance of 3D models and support the therapeutic potential of STC-1010 in targeting colorectal cancer.
Mass spec microbial identification systems granted sustainability recognition
Bruker (MA, USA) has announced that its MALDI Biotyper® sirius and sirius one systems – MALDI-TOF mass-spectrometry-based systems for microbial identification – have been awarded the ACT Label, a mark of excellence in environmental accountability, consistency, and transparency. This independent certification evaluates sustainability across the instrument’s lifecycle – from production and daily operation to disposal. Achieving a low Environmental Impact Factor (EIF) score of 26.8 (EU and UK) and 35.4 (US), the MALDI Biotyper combines best-in-class performance in microbial identification while supporting environmentally responsible laboratory practices.
The ACT Label, issued by My Green Lab, serves as a trusted benchmark for sustainable lab equipment. This recognition affirms the MALDI Biotyper’s role in helping labs reduce their environmental footprint through smarter purchasing decisions.
Partnerships
Bleeding-edge antibody-based immunotherapy takes on AI partner to accelerate target discovery and validation
Sonrai Analytics (Belfast, Northern Ireland), a leader in AI precision medicine, and Plectonic Biotech (Munich, Germany), a German biotechnology company, today announced a collaboration to accelerate the development of Plectonic’s LOGIBODY® (logic-gated antibody) immunotherapy technology across multiple cancer types. As part of the project, Sonrai will apply its advanced AI technology and bioinformatics expertise to identify and validate ultra-specific antigen combinations to guide Plectonic’s tumor-targeting while minimizing impact on healthy cells.
Using Sonrai’s AI-driven, multi-modal approach, which integrates single-cell RNA sequencing with proteomic mass spectrometry datasets, the study will quantitatively assess antigen co-expression patterns in tumor versus healthy tissues, in both solid and blood cancer indications. This high-resolution approach, powered by Sonrai’s cloud-based advanced analytics platform and integrated bioinformatics pipelines, enables scalable, multi-omics analysis to accelerate target discovery and validation workflows.
At the core of the project is Plectonic’s proprietary LOGIBODY® technology – a logic-gated antibody platform that acts as a molecular switch, triggering an antibody-mediated immune response only in the presence of specific tumor antigens. This approach aims to maximize treatment precision while minimizing toxicity, thereby lowering side effects for patients.
Expanded bioconjugation site opens in Berlin
Biosynth (Staad, Switzerland), a leading developer and supplier of critical raw materials and services for life sciences and diagnostics, is pleased to announce the opening of its expanded GMP bioconjugation facility at its existing Berlin site. This strategic expansion significantly enhances Biosynth’s specialized manufacturing capabilities in conjugate vaccines and conjugate drugs, activated PEGs, and polymer-based drug delivery excipients as part of its global manufacturing network.
Anonymous investors boost funding for state-of-the-art biomedical facility
UVA Health (VA, USA) has received two anonymous $25 million estate gifts to support the University of Virginia’s Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology. “I’m deeply grateful for the generosity and vision of these donors, whose contributions will help us to realize the full potential of the Manning Institute, and for everyone who has helped UVA Health reach this milestone,” said UVA President Jim Ryan.
A four-story, 350,000-square-foot facility that will house the Manning Institute is already under construction in Fontaine Research Park. Once complete, this state-of-the-art biomedical research, development and manufacturing facility will support the institute’s mission of generating new treatments and cures for the most challenging medical conditions, to the benefit of patients everywhere. These efforts will be complemented by a statewide clinical trials network that will expand access to potential new treatments as they are developed and tested.
The Manning Institute was kickstarted in 2023 with a $100 million lead gift from its namesakes, philanthropists Paul and Diane Manning, which was followed by significant investments of $100 million from the Commonwealth and $150 million from UVA. The two estate gifts add to the institute’s momentum.
People
Life Science PR company celebrates it quinceañera
Zyme Communications Ltd. (Cambridge, UK), the life science specialist PR and marketing agency, celebrated its 15-year anniversary and introduced refreshed branding to reflect this milestone and the Company’s continued development. Since its founding in 2010, Zyme has established a global network spanning the full spectrum of the life sciences sector, including early-stage and start-up companies through to global industry giants, the financial and investor community, membership and event organisations, and academia.
