Discovery Life Sciences

Could the future of Alzheimer’s treatment come from cancer therapies? In a new study, UCSF researchers identified two existing cancer drugs, letrozole and irinotecan, as a potential new combination therapy for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Using human single-cell transcriptomics, drug perturbation databases, and real-world clinical data, the team searched for drugs that could target disease-related gene expression changes in neurons and glial cells. In AD mouse models, this drug combo outperformed each drug along, improving both memory and brain functions. While further testing in humans is needed, the study highlights how drug repurposing could accelerate the path to new AD treatments, reducing timelines from approximately 10 years to as little as 2–3 years, and at a fraction of the development costs. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eVpM8Xv6  At Discovery Life Sciences, we support translational and clinical research in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases by providing access to well-characterized human biospecimens and detailed, annotated data. Our scientists in genomics, proteomics, molecular pathology, and cell biology are passionate about helping therapeutic developers to explore complex questions from multiple angles. From investigating drug repurposing opportunities to connecting preclinical findings with human studies or uncovering new therapeutic pathways, we aim to be a reliable partner for advancing discovery  #AlzheimersDisease  

Did you miss the AI innovation webinar?  The on-demand replay is now available!  Watch the video on how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing preclinical research from large-scale quantitative analysis to tumor model optimization.   View the full webinar replay: https://lnkd.in/eUbpQFR8 

The FDA officially dropped its appeal to regulate Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs) as medical devices, reverting to the original CLIA framework. This ruling minimally impacts Discovery's business and our work. LDTs to support US-based clinical trials continues without any significant changes to our operations and quality systems for US-based studies. Learn more and stay updated on changes across the industry. Stay tuned for updates for the Compliance with IVDR in Europe! https://lnkd.in/eEf-CT5p

A novel nanoneedle patch could offer a less invasive alternative to traditional biopsies for diagnosing and monitoring diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s. Preclinical studies show promising results for this non-destructive approach, with the potential to deliver real-time, molecular-level insights into disease mechanisms— paving the way for less invasive diagnostics :  https://lnkd.in/gFcB9wg7  

Heading to AAIC 2025? Meet Discovery at booth #1741 in Toronto, July 27–31 during the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. Learn how we support researchers advancing molecular insights and innovation in dementia care. Schedule a meeting: https://lnkd.in/eWwQydns Connect with our team Donald Skifter, PhD, MBA Danielle Gutierrez Tiffany L. We look forward to seeing you there! #AAIC2024 #AlzheimersAwareness

Have you registered for this AI innovation webinar tomorrow? Our very own Meredith Osborn MS will discuss how AI is unlocking the hidden potential of pathology H&E, turning them into quantitative insights.  Register today! https://lnkd.in/e9g-nGmG 

Johnson & Johnson’s dual-targeted CAR T therapy, JNJ-4496, demonstrated a 100% objective response rate (ORR) and a high 80% complete response (CR) rate in patients with relapsed or refractory large B cell lymphoma who had undergone one prior line of therapy. These next-generation CAR T strategies are delivering compelling clinical readouts and advancing the field. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/ecrv7n6b

This year’s ASCO conference showcased key trends making headlines in oncology—from the growing clinical impact of bispecific antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to new data supporting the use of immunotherapies like AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi in earlier lines of treatment for gastric cancer.  Explore these highlights and more here: https://lnkd.in/gKXwxAKr #ASCO25 #Oncology #CancerTherapeutics #Bispecifics #ADCs #Immunotherapy  

Discovery’s Associate Director Product Management, Meredith Osborn MS will be co-presenting an AI innovation webinar on Thursday, July 17th, 11 AM ET. Join the dynamic discussion on how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing preclinical research from large-scale quantitative analysis to tumor model optimization. Register today! https://lnkd.in/e9g-nGmG

Sarcoma is a rare and often misunderstood cancer that can develop in the body’s soft tissues or bones. With more than 100 distinct subtypes, each case is unique—making diagnosis and treatment complex. Current treatments can help manage the disease, but they’re not curative and often come with harsh side effects that impact quality of life. In a study published in Nature Communications, NY-ESO-1 IHC testing—performed by our Discovery colleagues—was used to identify patients for a clinical trial evaluating lete-cel, an engineered T cell therapy for metastatic synovial sarcoma. Impressively, patients experienced an overall response rate of 50% in this hard-to-treat cancer. https://lnkd.in/eztBb6XC .  Discovery is committed to supporting innovative research that contributes to safer, more targeted treatments for sarcoma. #SarcomaAwareness