BioMed X and Merck launch two new projects in the fields of cancer research and biologics manufacturing
BioMed X announces the launch of two new global calls for application together with Merck KGaA in Darmstadt in the fields of RNA splicing in cancer and engineering of high-performance production cell lines. Talented young scientists from the world’s top universities and research institutions are invited to submit innovative project proposals and apply for a research fellowship at the BioMed X Innovation Center in Heidelberg.
At the BioMed X Innovation Center in Heidelberg researchers are working jointly in nine groups on biomedical innovations in the fields of oncology, neuroscience, respiratory, diagnostics, consumer care, and bioinformatics. Four of these nine research groups have been started in collaboration with Merck.
According to the World Health Organization, cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 8.8 million deaths in 2015. Emerging data indicate a critical dependency of several subtypes of cancer on a molecular mechanism called RNA splicing. With one of the new calls, Merck is seeking to identify novel approaches to exploit tumor-specific RNA splicing alterations for targeted cancer therapy.
A critical factor for the availability and cost-efficient manufacturing of modern targeted therapeutics is the productivity of the respective production cell lines. With the second new call, Merck is seeking to identify better ways to manufacture monoclonal antibodies and complex glycosylated proteins in general.
“We are very pleased to extend our successful collaboration with Merck”, said Christian Tidona, founder and Managing Director of BioMed X. “The two new topics will strengthen our expertise in cancer research and add new capabilities in the field of industrial cell engineering.”
Other news from the department science
Most read news
More news from our other portals
See the theme worlds for related content
Topic world Antibodies
Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous
Topic world Antibodies
Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous