Category Archives: Science: Biology

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VGXI Enables Rapid GMP DNA Manufacturing Timeline for Geneos Therapeutics Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy


VGXI - Geneos Logos

This achievement represents the first personalized neoantigen vaccine product manufactured for Geneos’ clinical studies, and I am confident [VGXI] will continue to deliver unparalleled product quality and rapid turnaround for subsequent patients as enrollment of the trial proceeds.

Leading plasmid DNA contract manufacturer VGXI, Inc. announced it has completed accelerated cGMP manufacturing of the first clinical batch of a personalized neoantigen vaccine for its client Geneos Therapeutics, Inc. Geneos is focused on developing DNA-based, neoantigen-targeting personalized cancer immunotherapies. Starting with receipt of seed plasmid DNA from Geneos, the VGXI team achieved a record-setting timeline of 5 days from host cell transformation to filled drug product manufacturing, and less than 2 weeks from transformation to release and shipment of the patient’s first dose. Overall, these timelines are a fraction of the 6 to 8 month turnaround time for GMP plasmid DNA that is standard in the industry, and they have been accomplished while maintaining the exceptional product quality for which VGXI is well known.

“Decades of experience and optimization of VGXI’s established, proprietary methods for DNA plasmid purification have allowed us to support the unique requirements of our client’s project.” Stated VGXI CEO Young Park. “This achievement represents the first personalized neoantigen vaccine product manufactured for Geneos’ clinical studies, and I am confident we will continue to deliver unparalleled product quality and rapid turnaround for subsequent patients as enrollment of the trial proceeds.”

VGXI’s efforts represent a critical element of Geneos’ integrated GT-EPIC™ platform. Geneos has established a broad collaboration created specifically to achieve the rapid biopsy-to-treatment turnaround times needed for personalized cancer therapies. The full GT-EPIC™ platform includes patient tumor exome/transcriptome sequencing and identification of the relevant neoantigen targets followed by neoantigen vaccine design, synthesis of the seed plasmid DNA, vaccine manufacture, and final delivery of the personalized neoantigen vaccine – with all platform elements executed within an overall timeline of 6 – 8 weeks. The patient specific GMP product lots manufactured under the VGXI supply agreement will support Geneos’ previously announced GT-30 clinical trial focused on the treatment of patients with advanced hepatocellular cancer.

Dr. Niranjan Y. Sardesai, Geneos’ Co-Founder, President & CEO said, “Achievement of rapid biopsy-to-treatment manufacturing turnaround times is an important differentiating milestone for the GT-EPIC™ platform in enabling these personalized treatments to be available faster for advanced cancer patients. We are pleased with our plasmid manufacturing partnership with VGXI in support of our GT-30 clinical trial. With their proven GMP manufacturing expertise, VGXI rose to the challenge and has enabled us to achieve our rapid manufacturing goals.”

ABOUT VGXI, INC.

VGXI, Inc. has nearly 20 years of experience and is a leading provider of plasmid DNA manufacturing and development services. The company has a reputation of success in manufacturing DNA products under cGMP conditions for clinical trials in the US, EU, Asia, Canada, and Australia, and its cGMP and non-GMP products have passed rigorous reviews by several international regulatory agencies. VGXI’s ability to work with unique requirements and create custom manufacturing solutions is based on its patented manufacturing process, flexible cGMP production facility, and experienced development team. VGXI, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary CDMO of GeneOne Life Science, Inc. To learn more, visit https://www.vgxii.com.

ABOUT GENEONE LIFE SCIENCE

GeneOne Life Science Inc. (“GeneOne” KOSPI: 011000) is an international DNA vaccine and product developer, and leading contract manufacturer of DNA plasmid-based agents for pre-clinical and clinical trials for global companies and institutions. It researches and develops DNA vaccines and products to prevent and treat incurable diseases in South Korea and internationally. The company is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. VGXI, Inc., GeneOne’s wholly-owned subsidiary located in Texas, is a leading cGMP DNA plasmid manufacturing facility. For more information, visit http://www.genels.com.

ABOUT GENEOS THERAPEUTICS

At Geneos Therapeutics, we believe that personalized therapies are the future of cancer treatment. Our passion is to develop personalized therapies to unleash the most powerful force against cancer – your body’s own immune system. Our approach using our GT-EPIC™ platform is to target unique neoantigens (abnormal mutations produced by cancer cells) from individual patient tumors to develop novel treatments for cancer. We have an experienced management team with a track record of success in building immunotherapy-based companies. Geneos was created as a spinout of Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: INO). For more information, visit http://www.geneostx.com

CAUTIONARY FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

Materials in this press release contain information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations or forecasts of future events. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of potential future events, circumstances or future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, prospective products or product approvals, future performance or results of current and anticipated products, sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, and financial results. Any or all of our forward-looking statements here or in other publications may turn out to be incorrect. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many such factors will be important in determining our actual future results. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and forward-looking statements may be adversely affected by factors, including general market conditions, competitive product development, product availability, current and future branded and generic competition, federal and state regulations and legislation, manufacturing issues, timing of the elimination of trade buying, patent positions, litigations and investigations. Our actual results may vary materially, and there are no guarantees about the performance or valuation of GeneOne stock. It is also important to read the disclosure notice contained in many of the individual GeneOne documents available on the website, as many contain important information on such cautionary factors as of the date of the individual document. We undertake no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our reports.

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Triphase Accelerator and Catalent Announce Interim Results of a Dose Escalation Phase 1 Clinical Trial of TRPH-222 in Patients with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma


Given the fact that heavily pre-treated patients are not usually treated with a monotherapy, the observed responses together with the demonstrated safety profile make us feel very excited about the molecule and the SMARTag® technology

Triphase Accelerator and Catalent, the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies, development, and manufacturing solutions for drugs, biologics, cell and gene therapies, and consumer health products, today announced interim results for Triphase Accelerator’s multi-center, open-label, monotherapy study of TRPH-222 in heavily pre-treated patients with relapsed and/or refractory B-cell lymphoma. The primary aim of the study is to determine the maximum tolerated dose of TRPH-222, with secondary aims of assessing safety, anti-tumor activity, and pharmacokinetics of the drug.

In the ongoing two-stage study, TRPH-222 is administered once every three weeks. To date, results in 19 heavily pre-treated patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma have been evaluated, with five confirmed to have had a complete response at TRPH-222 doses of 0.6 to 5.6 mg/kg. Tumor reductions have been observed in patients with both indolent and aggressive disease, and durable responses to date have been observed in follicular, diffuse large cell, and mantle cell lymphoma patients. The trial is currently ongoing with a 10 mg/kg dose cohort.

Throughout the trial, which began in February 2019, TRPH-222 has been well-tolerated, with an overall benign safety profile. Notably, no peripheral neuropathies, which are typically observed with ADCs containing microtubule-interfering payloads, were observed in the patients to date. Similarly, elevations in liver enzymes and alterations in blood cell parameters, also commonly observed with ADCs, have been infrequent and mild and have reversed in all patients.

“The feedback from our investigators regarding the overall safety profile of TRPH-222 is very encouraging,” commented Nancy Levin, Ph.D., Vice President of Development, Triphase Accelerator and TRPH-222 program lead. “We find that the current and emerging clinical data provide additional support for our preclinical observations of an excellent safety profile for this molecule,” she added.

Dr. Hernandez-Ilizaliturri, MD, Chief of the Lymphoma Section at Roswell Park, and lead investigator for the TRPH-222-100 study, stated that “These interim results indicate that TRPH-222 is a very well-tolerated novel antibody-drug conjugate in this clinical study. The unique molecular design allows a higher delivery of the cytotoxic agent in the tumor bed, and, at the current doses tested, side effects have been mild and manageable. Of interest, clinical activity has been observed even at the lowest dose tested, and five complete remissions have been achieved in previously treated lymphoma patients. Together, our preliminary findings support our hypothesis that TRPH-222 is an active and safe novel targeted agent in B-cell malignancies.”

“Given the fact that heavily pre-treated patients are not usually treated with a monotherapy, the observed responses together with the demonstrated safety profile make us feel very excited about the molecule and the SMARTag® technology,” added Mathias Schmidt, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Head of Research & Development of Triphase Accelerator.

“This is an important interim milestone for the program, and the data are important not only in the context of TRPH-222 but also because they signal broader opportunities for the general application of SMARTag® technology to improve ADC tolerability and expand its therapeutic index,” said Penelope Drake, Ph.D., Director, Research & Development at Catalent Biologics.

TRPH-222 was originally developed by Catalent’s subsidiary Redwood Bioscience, Inc. using its proprietary SMARTag® platform, which provides optimized site-specific protein-modification and linker technologies.

More information about this study can be found at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT03682796.

Experts from Triphase Accelerator and Catalent Biologics plan to present further details in a live webinar on May 26, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. EDT (11.00 a.m. PDT) regarding the ongoing investigational trial and underlying SMARTag® technology platform. To learn more and register, visit http://www.catalent.com/trph-222-webinar.

SMARTag® is a registered trademark of Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc.

About TRPH-222

TRPH-222 is a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of an anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody modified to allow site-specific conjugation of a maytansine payload via a non-cleavable linker. The drug, formerly called CAT-02-106, was developed by Catalent Biologics using its proprietary SMARTag® technology and was licensed to Triphase Accelerator. CD22 is a cell surface protein expressed across all subtypes of B-cell lymphomas.

About Triphase Accelerator

Triphase Accelerator is a private drug development company with a primary focus on oncology and with operations in Toronto and San Diego. Triphase Accelerator is dedicated to advancing novel compounds through Phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical studies using a unique, science-based model that is faster and more cost-effective than traditional pharmaceutical and biotech industry drug development approaches. Triphase Accelerator was founded by the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), in partnership with Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners (formerly MaRS Innovation) and MaRS. It has a strategic relationship with Bristol Myers Squibb for oncology-focused drug development opportunities. In 2016, Celgene (now a Bristol Myers Squibb company) acquired the company’s assets related to its proteasome inhibitor, marizomib (MRZ), which is currently in Phase 3 development for glioblastoma. For more information, visit http://www.triphaseco.com.

About Catalent Biologics

Catalent Biologics is a global leader in development, manufacturing and analytical services for new biological entities, cell and gene therapies, biosimilars, sterile injectables, and antibody-drug conjugates. With over 20 years of proven expertise, Catalent Biologics has worked with 600+ mAbs and 80+ proteins, produced 13 biopharmaceutical drugs using GPEx® cell line development technology, and 35+ commercially approved products. Catalent has recently acquired MaSTherCell, a technology-focused cell therapy development and manufacturing partner with expertise in autologous and allogeneic cell therapy that complements Catalent’s industry-leading expertise and commercial success in gene therapy development, manufacturing and adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector production. Together, Paragon Gene Therapy and MaSTherCell have produced over 100 GMP batches across 60+ clinical and commercial programs. For more information on Catalent Biologics, visit http://www.catalent.com/biologics.

About Catalent

Catalent is the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies, development, and manufacturing solutions for drugs, biologics, cell and gene therapies, and consumer health products. With over 85 years serving the industry, Catalent has proven expertise in bringing more customer products to market faster, enhancing product performance and ensuring reliable global clinical and commercial product supply. Catalent employs over 13,500 people, including approximately 2,400 scientists and technicians, at more than 40 facilities, and in fiscal year 2019 generated over $2.5 billion in annual revenue. Catalent is headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey. For more information, visit http://www.catalent.com.

More products. Better treatments. Reliably supplied.™

Enzymicals and Syngulon sign a non-exclusive license agreement on the use of Syngulon’s antibiotic free technology to produce enzymes


Enzymicals AG, a German enterprise focusing on industrial biocatalysis and Syngulon, a Belgian synthetic biology company developing original genetic technologies using bacteriocins, announce a non-exclusive license agreement which provides Enzymicals access to Syngulon’s patented selection technology.

Syngulon’s technology expands the capacity for selection of microorganisms. Synthetic biology uses the concept of “bioengineering” to improve or modify existing genetic systems to create microbes with desired behaviors, and Syngulon uses this approach to develop its selection technology (US patent 9,333,227/10,188,114). It is based on bacteriocins, ribosomally-produced peptides naturally made by most bacteria to kill competitive microbial species. This technology offers advantageous over antibiotic selection for several reasons: it avoids the use of antibiotics in the first place, helping to reduce the spread of antibiotic resistant microbes. The technology also increases product yield; as bacteriocins are generally smaller peptides, they do not impose a heavy metabolic burden on the producing cell. They can have a wide target specificity, helping to avoid genetic drift. Finally, the system is 100% plasmid-based (e.g. without chromosomal mutations), making it applicable for use in any E. coli strains.

Enzymicals offers a broad selection of recombinant enzymes suitable for research, development, production and diagnostics as well as a tailor-made protein expression and optimization service. There is a growing interest for antibiotic-free production of enzymes coming from customers and the technology is currently applied in a first project for the production of diagnostic enzymes for a world leader that requires antibiotic-free production.

Dr. Ulf Menyes, CEO of Enzymicals AG, states “This genetic technology will make our microbial strains involved in industrial processes safer and more efficient. We are happy to now use this innovation in our own applications as well as for specific developments for our clients.”

Guy Hélin, CEO of Syngulon, added “This is the second license agreement that we announce on our technologies and we are very happy to work with Enzymicals on their project for a world leader in diagnostic enzymes”

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Rigaku Introduces New Dual-Wavelength Rotating Anode X-Ray Diffractometer


Rigaku XtaLAB Synergy-DW VHF

Rigaku XtaLAB Synergy-DW VHF dual wavelength rotating anode X-ray diffractometer with HPC X-ray detector

The XtaLAB Synergy-DW VHF design is an extension of a revolutionary idea introduced in 2004 with the Oxford Diffraction Gemini diffractometer, with two independent X-ray sources.

Rigaku Oxford Diffraction is pleased to report the release of a new dual-wavelength single crystal system, the Rigaku XtaLAB Synergy-DW VHF dual-wavelength high-flux, rotating anode X-ray diffractometer. The new instrument was first announced in the April edition of Crystallography Times, the electronic newsletter published by Rigaku focusing on single crystal X-ray diffraction.

The XtaLAB Synergy-DW VHF design is an extension of a revolutionary idea introduced in 2004 with the Oxford Diffraction Gemini diffractometer, with two independent X-ray sources. The groundbreaking design enabled crystallographers to easily switch between copper (Cu) and molybdenum (Mo) wavelengths, greatly expanding the experimental flexibility available for analyzing single crystal samples. The new system retains the flexibility of the dual-wavelength capability but also adds the exceptional flux enhancement of a reliable, rotating anode X-ray source.

The new system’s high-speed kappa goniometer, high-flux rotating anode X-ray source, fast, low-noise X-ray detector, and optimized instrument control software allow for faster, more precise data collection. The ability to investigate small samples is further improved by the increased flux from the rotating anode X-ray source as well as the extreme low noise of the Rigaku HyPix X-ray detectors.

The XtaLAB Synergy-DW VHF diffractometer provides 50% more flux at the sample position over the previous DW model due to newly designed confocal optics. The ability to configure it with two different wavelengths means that with a Cu/Mo anode the XtaLAB Synergy-DW VHF instrument can be shared between structural biology and chemical crystallography groups. The system is positioned to be a no-compromise solution, to allow the sharing of resources when needed, for both protein and small molecule crystallographers.

More information about single crystal diffraction solutions from Rigaku is available at http://www.rigaku.com/smc.

About Rigaku Oxford Diffraction (ROD)

ROD was formed as the global single crystal business unit of Rigaku Corporation after the acquisition of the former Oxford Diffraction organization from Agilent Technologies in 2015. ROD is a leader in the field of single crystal analysis, both in the field of chemical crystallography as well as well as macromolecular crystallography. Formed in 1951, Rigaku Corporation is a leading analytical instrumentation company based out of Tokyo, Japan.

For further information, contact:

Michael Nelson

Rigaku Global Marketing Group

tel: +1. 512-225-1796

michael.nelson@rigaku.com

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LabRoots Hosts 9th Annual Laboratory Animal Sciences Event to Transform Scientific Discovery for Improving Research Reproducibility in Preclinical Research, on May 14th


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LabRoots, the leading scientific social networking website, offering premier, interactive virtual events and webinars, welcomes participants to attend its Laboratory Animal Sciences virtual event on May 14, 2020. Marking its 9th year, these topics bring together scientists from basic sciences to bioinformatics, clinicians, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal welfare leaders, training and compliance professionals, on a global front to learn about recent advancements and the latest research within preclinical phases of drug development.

The ability to reproduce animal experiments is a challenge for in vivo research and the cause of reproducibility failure is multifactorial. This year, to increase awareness of relevant concepts and encourage the use of available resources to improve reproducibility, Laboratory Animal Sciences 2020 explores insights on the importance of robust experimental design, reporting and guidelines to improve transparency, emerging technology and modeling through translational digital biomarkers, and effective therapies in the drug safety through mathematical modeling.

The agenda culminates with a plenary live panel delivery by Dr. Joseph Garner, Associate Professor of Comparative Medicine and Courtesy Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University Medical Center; and Dr. Brianna Gaskill, Associate Professor of Animal Welfare, Animal Sciences, Purdue University, College of Agriculture discussing experimental design and the reproducibility crisis: pitfalls, power, and practical best practice and reviewing the reasons why good experimental design is so important.

Consisting of over a handful of lectures by accomplished industry experts in the field of laboratory animals sciences, the program promises to offer an outstanding opportunity for attendees to understand the impact of lack of reproducibility on scientific progress and animal use, the cause of reproducibility failure, and the strategies you can implement today to improve our experiments tomorrow. Embracing biological variation to reduce animal use, sex bias in preclinical research, why it exists and how to drive change, and the introduction of ARRIVE guidelines 2.0 and the importance of reporting critical and transparent information, are a few areas that will be examined.

Natalie Bratcher, 3Rs Scientific Liaison and Animal Welfare Specialist, AbbVie’s Office of Global Animal Welfare and past President of the North American 3Rs Collaborative, commented, “The North American 3Rs Collaborative, the UK’s National Centre for the 3Rs (NC3Rs) and New Jersey Association for Biomedical Research (NJABR) have partnered with LabRoots, and would like to thank the amazing speakers, held in high regard for their expertise, for sharing practical considerations in preclinical research and development. LabRoots has brought excellent meetings in the past, and this year more than ever, we appreciate LabRoots for offering an opportunity to engage with our colleagues using this unique and robust virtual platform. It has been a pleasure serving on the 2020 planning committee, working together to create an agenda that will increase awareness and understanding of these relevant 3Rs concepts and encourage the use of available resources to improve reproducibility of in vivo research.”

“By disseminating recent advances in the field of laboratory animal science research, our continued aim for this conference is to promote high-caliber scientific developments and approaches to improve areas of animal use,” said Greg Cruikshank, Chief Executive Officer of LabRoots. “We get really excited each year to offer this online forum for the exchange of information and expertise to overcome challenges in laboratory animal science and biomedical research.”

Produced on LabRoots’ interactive and robust platform, the virtual environment complete with lobby, auditorium, poster hall, exhibit hall (highlighting the latest array of technologies), and networking lounge allows participants to maximize learning and connect seamlessly across all desktop and mobile devices. The 2020 conference has been approved by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards for Continuing Education for veterinarians and veterinary technicians to offer RACE CE credits and will also meet AALAS and CALAS criteria.

For more information or to register for the event, click here.

About LabRoots

LabRoots is the leading scientific social networking website, and primary source for scientific trending news and premier educational virtual events and webinars and more. Contributing to the advancement of science through content sharing capabilities, LabRoots is a powerful advocate in amplifying global networks and communities. Founded in 2008, LabRoots emphasizes digital innovation in scientific collaboration and learning. Offering more than articles and webcasts that go beyond the mundane and explore the latest discoveries in the world of science, LabRoots users can stay atop their field by gaining continuing education credits from a wide range of topics through their participation in the webinars and virtual events.

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Las Vegas-Based Biopharmaceutical Company EUCYT to Sponsor Night of Hope


When I learned about what Hope for the City was doing, and how closely our goals align, I definitely knew EUCYT would be a part of it. Travis H. Bird, CEO of EUCYT

As part of their continuing community-support efforts, EUCYT, a local biopharmaceutical company, is partnering with Hope for the City and sponsoring Saturday’s Night of Hope televised benefit.

The Night of Hope fundraiser, developed by the Hope for the City charity, will feature dozens of artists, athletes, celebrities and public figures who reside in Las Vegas, to highlight the tremendous need for food and other essentials for Las Vegas residents as a result of the shutdown of businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be simulcast on NBC 3, Fox 5 KVVU, CBS 8 News Now, ABC 13 KTNV, KCYE 102.7 Coyote Country, and streamed online at HOPEFORTHECITY.TV.

EUCYT’s Chief Executive Officer, Travis H. Bird, is grateful EUCYT can join dozens of other area companies to help those in need within the community.

“Las Vegas has been devastated by this pandemic and I want EUCYT to be part of the solution. We recently launched our ‘Make Vegas Vegas Again’ campaign focusing on how stem-cell-derived products offer a way to reopen the city safely. When I learned about what Hope for the City was doing, and how closely our goals align, I definitely knew EUCYT would be a part of it. We’re honored to partner with Hope for the City and excited to help #MakeVegasVegasAgain!

Aside from the Night of Hope sponsorship, EUCYT is currently developing a potential treatment for COVID-19-positive patients. COVIXO is a mesenchymal stem-cell derived therapy that harnesses the power of the immune system to augment the body’s natural response to invading pathogens such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent behind coronavirus disease (COVID-19). For more information visit: https://eucyt.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/covixo.pdf.

To learn more about EUCYT’s “Make Vegas Vegas Again” campaign, email info@eucyt.com.

About EUCYT

EUCYT is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on precision healthcare by harnessing the power within the human body to change the way people heal. EUCYT is committed to delivering safe, effective, leading-edge, advanced biologic technology.

EUCYT – Where Science Meets Health

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Forecast predicts FIDO will speed adoption of biometric authentication, securing frictionless payments


One of the 9 exhibits included in this research report

Authentication using biometrics is rapidly being adopted, in part because of hardware manufacturers enabling its use, and in part because the standard for authentication has increased the ease with which authenticators can utilize mobile biometrics over the web and decrease friction for consumers.

In recent years, user authentication based on biometrics (biometric authentication) has become a new method for consumers to open their smartphones and select mobile apps. Mercator market research indicates biometric use is increasing even as consumers adopt a greater variety of methods choosing among fingerprint, facial recognition, and voice recognition. Biometrics are important because they utilize new mobile security hardware and software to revamp authentication, lower the risk of fraud, address the mandates of the European Union’s revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2), and induce changes in consumer behavior.

Mercator Advisory Group’s latest research report, Biometrics: Driven by Standardized Authentication, Adopted by Consumers, provides consumer sentiment, adoption rates, and forecasts on biometric authentication methods, both to unlock smartphones and for payment authentication. Additionally the report examines the FIDO Alliance, discussing how it has standardized authentication and the implications for biometrics and payments.

“Authentication using biometrics is rapidly being adopted by consumers, in part as a result of hardware manufacturers enabling its use, and in part because the standard for authentication created by the FIDO Alliance has increased the ease with which authenticators can utilize the mobile biometrics over the web and decrease authentication friction for consumers,” comments David Nelyubin, Research Analyst at Mercator Advisory Group and co-author of the report.

Highlights of the report include:


  • Historical data, forecast, and analysis (2013–2024) of consumer use of biometric authentication methods (facial recognition, voice recognition, fingerprint) in total and by smartphone brand, based on Mercator Advisory Groups annual survey of 3000 U.S. adults.
  • Biometrics methods for payment authentication (2016–2019) preferred by U.S. payment app users and analysis of results.
  • Explanation of multifactor biometrics and the role that biometric methods play in the overall authentication process.
  • Discussion of FIDO Alliance standardizing authentication, the effects on biometrics, and implications for payments and payments players and authentication in general.

This research report has 16 pages and 9 exhibits.

Companies and other organizations mentioned in this report include: Android, Apple, BlackBerry, Google, FIDO Alliance, Microsoft, Mozilla Foundation, NXP, PayPal, Samsung, W3C, and Yubico.

Members of Mercator Advisory Group’s Emerging Technologies Advisory Service and Global Payments Advisory Service have access to this report. Members of the Emerging Technologies service also have access to the service’s upcoming research for the year ahead, presentations, analyst access, and other membership benefits.

For more information and media inquiries, please call Mercator Advisory Group’s main line: 1-781-419-1700, send e-mail to info@mercatoradvisorygroup.com.

For free industry news, opinions, research, company information and more visit us at http://www.PaymentsJournal.com.

Follow us on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/MercatorAdvisor.

About Mercator Advisory Group

Mercator Advisory Group is the leading independent research and advisory services firm exclusively focused on the payments and banking industries. We deliver pragmatic and timely research and advice designed to help our clients uncover the most lucrative opportunities to maximize revenue growth and contain costs. Our clients range from the world’s largest payment issuers, acquirers, processors, merchants and associations to leading technology providers and investors. Mercator Advisory Group is also the publisher of the online payments and banking news and information portal PaymentsJournal.com.

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4D Bio3 Program Completes First 3D Bioprinting Test Experiment in Space


The Geneva Foundation (Geneva), in partnership with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), commercial space company TechShot, Inc, and 3D printer manufacturer nScrypt, Inc., have successfully completed the first 3D printing test experiment of a human knee meniscus onboard the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory (ISS National Lab) as part of the Defense Health Program-funded 4D Bio3 (4-Defense Biotechnology, Biomanufacturing and Bioprinting) Program. Astronauts on board the station conducted this pilot research experiment that tested the materials and computer aided design developed by the 4D Bio3 team. The meniscal injury is one of the most common orthopedic injuries affecting military service members and the opportunity to print tissue in microgravity presents unique advantages for tissue engineering. The experiment is part of several research and development efforts to manufacture tissue, and someday, perhaps organs, in space.

“Our Fabrication in Austere Military Environments (FAME) program explores the challenges of 3D printing health-related products in various remote settings which our servicemembers are often deployed. We successfully 3D printed surgical instruments, bioactive bandages, anatomic models and human meniscus tissue last summer in our first pilot study performed in the desert heat of Africa. In this second pilot study, we anticipate learning valuable lessons on the challenges and benefits of 3D biofabrication of human meniscus in space on the ISS. We have future plans to perform similar experiments in the jungle, aquatic, arctic and high-altitude settings,” said Dr. Vincent B. Ho, Director of 4D Bio3 and Professor and Chair of Radiology at USU. Advances in 3D printing and biofabrication have the potential to provide unprecedented healthcare benefits for U.S. service members who are often sent to remote locations with few host nation medical resources.

The 3D BioFabrication Facility (BFF) is the first-ever 3D printer capable of manufacturing human tissue in the microgravity condition of space. Utilizing human cells, such as pluripotent stem cells, the BFF can create viable tissue in space through technology that enables it to precisely place and build ultra-fine layers of bioink – layers roughly the width of a human hair – in defined patterns.

“The manufacture of soft human tissue, such as hearts and other organs, has proven difficult due to the conflicting needs for bioinks to be printable, biologically relevant, and possess the desired tissue mechanical properties,” said Dr. Joel Gaston who led this experiment and is a USU Assistant Professor and Geneva Foundation Senior Research Scientist. On Earth, when attempting to print with soft, easily flowing biomaterials that better mimic the body’s natural environment, tissues can collapse under their own weight – resulting in inaccurate architecture and cellular connections. But if these same materials are used in in a sustained microgravity environment such as the ISS, 3D-printed soft tissues could maintain their shape.

When the meniscus tears, the shock absorbing cushioning functions poorly, which can lead to arthritis and significant knee pain. Geneva-led research in 2012 found that meniscal injury was 10 times higher in military service members than the general population, primarily due to physical tasks and fitness required by active service. [Source: Jones, Jennifer C. MEd, ATC (2012), Incidence and Risk Factors Associated with Meniscal Injuries Among Active-Duty US Military Service Members, NCBI NIH].

Geneva manages the 4D Bio3 program, a five-year program funded by the Defense Health Program, with the purpose of promoting the development and application of advanced biotechnology for research pursuant to Department of Defense (DoD) priorities and ultimately for clinical translation for Warfighter benefit.

The BFF effort is a multi-disciplinary collaboration between TechShot, Inc a commercial developer and operator of spaceflight equipment and nScrypt, manufacturer of advanced industrial 3D printers.

About The Geneva Foundation

The Geneva Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that advances military medicine through innovative scientific research, exceptional program management, and a dedication to U.S. service members and veterans, their families, and the global community. Geneva is proud to have over 25 years of experience in delivering full spectrum scientific, technical, and program management expertise in the areas of federal grants, federal contracts, industry sponsored clinical trials, and educational services.

About TechShot, Inc

Techshot Inc., has been developing new technologies for the aerospace, defense and medical industries since 1988. Its devices have flown aboard parabolic-flight aircraft, sub-orbital rockets, space shuttles, the SpaceX Cargo Dragon and the International Space Station. Its Space Act Agreement with NASA permits the company to commercially operate its equipment aboard the station. Since 2015 the Techshot-designed and built Bone Densitometer has been conducting X-ray evaluations of mice in space for biopharma companies such as Novartis and Eli Lilly. Its Multi-use Variable-gravity Platform has been aboard the station since April 2018. Techshot is headquartered in Greenville, Indiana and maintains an office at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. http://www.Techshot.space

About nScrypt

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Orlando, Florida, nScrypt designs and manufactures award-winning, next-generation, high-precision Micro-Dispensing and Direct Digital Manufacturing equipment and solutions for industrial applications, with unmatched accuracy and flexibility. Serving the printed electronics, electronics packaging, solar cell metallization, communications, printed antenna, life science, chemical/pharmaceutical, defense, space, and 3D printing industries, its equipment and solutions are widely used by the military, academic and research institutes, government agencies and national labs, and private companies.

nScrypt’s BAT, the world’s first commercially available bioprinter, which was developed under a contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), won R&D Magazine’s 2003 Top 100 award. https://www.nscrypt.com

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Outstanding Student Weed Scientists Are Recognized by WSSA


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Today the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) announced it has recognized nearly three dozen students from universities in the U.S. and Canada for outstanding research-related presentations and proposals.

“We are proud to single out this new generation of weed scientists, who are actively engaged in research,” says William Curran, Ph.D., president of WSSA. “They are already making significant contributions to our discipline by advancing our understanding of the biology and management of weeds.”

Those honored include nine students who will receive a $2,000 John Jachetta Undergraduate Research Award to fund upcoming research projects:    


  • California State University


    —     Gabrielle Celaya will focus on seed germination biology of California populations of common waterhemp. Sponsor: Anil Shrestha, Ph.D.


    —     Emma Kubinski will study the threat johnsongrass poses in New York State. Sponsor: Antonio DiTommaso, Ph.D.

  • Louisiana State University


    —     Katie Mestayer will explore the benefits of chaff lining in cropping systems to minimize weed populations. Sponsor: Lauren Lazaro, Ph.D.

  • Mississippi State University


    —     Andrew Nuss plans to investigate the use of weed-suppressive sweetpotato and cover crops for weed management and for increased profitability of organic sweetpotato production. Sponsor: Te-Ming Paul Tseng, Ph.D.


    —     Stacey Robbins will pursue predictive habitat modeling for wiregrass. Sponsor: Lisa J. Rew, Ph.D.

  • Trinity Western University


    —     Virginia Oeggerli will explore the response of Bohemian knotweed seedlings to reduced photosynthetic active radiation. Sponsor: David Clements, Ph.D.

  • University of California, Davis


    —     Katherine Brafford will explore whether yellow starthistle has recently adapted to serpentine soils. Sponsor: Mohsen B. Mesgaran, Ph.D.


    —     Logan Miller will determine if mesotrione resistance in waterhemp results in cross resistance to other HPPD-inhibiting herbicides. Sponsor: Dean E. Riechers, Ph.D.


    —     Benjamin D. Pritchard will explore herbicide resistance in two summer annual grass weeds. Sponsor: Jim Brosnan, Ph.D.

Students in Ph.D. and M.S. degree programs at 14 universities were recognized for their poster and oral presentations during WSSA’s recent 2020 annual meeting. First, second and third place winners were named in a variety of categories, ranging from agronomic crops to integrated weed management. Those honored include:

  • Colorado State University


    —     Carlos Alberto Rigon, first place, Ph.D. poster presentation

    —     Neeta Soni, second place, Ph.D. poster presentation

    —     Crystal Sparks, third place, Ph.D. poster presentation


    —     Maria Gannett, third place, Ph.D. poster presentation

  • Michigan State University


    —     Adam Constine, first place tie, M.S. poster presentation

    —     John Schramski, second place, M.S. poster presentation

  • Mississippi State University


    —     Justin Calhoun, first place, Ph.D. oral presentation

    —     Hayden Quick, third place tie, M.S. oral presentation

  • Oklahoma State University


    —     Bradley Wilson, third place, Ph.D. poster presentation


    —     Matthew Osterholt, first place, Ph.D. poster presentation


    —     Katherine Diehl, first place, M.S. poster presentation


    —     Spencer Samuelson, first place, Ph.D. poster presentation

    —     Aniruddha Maity, second place, Ph.D. poster presentation

    —     Zach Howard, third place, M.S. poster presentation


    —     Mason Castner, second place, M.S. oral presentation

    —     Rodger Farr, second place, M.S. poster presentation

    — Grant Priess, third place, Ph.D. oral presentation


    —     Jonathan Glueckert, second place, M.S. poster presentation


    —     Taylor Randell, first place, M.S. oral presentation

    —     Kayla Eason, second place, Ph.D. oral presentation


    —     Jacob Montgomery, first place, M.S. poster presentation

    — Lucas Bobadilla, second place, Ph.D. poster presentation


    —     Jose Scarparo de Sanctis, first place, M.S. poster presentation

    —     Samantha Isaacson, third place tie, M.S. oral presentation

  • University of New Hampshire


    —     Samuel Palmer, third place, M.S. poster presentation

A complete list of oral and poster presentation topics is available in the 2020 annual meeting program.

Regional Winners

During its joint annual meeting with WSSA, the Western Society of Weed Science (WSWS) honored nine student members for outstanding oral presentations during the conference. As with WSSA, winners were recognized in multiple categories. Those honored by WSWS included:

  • Colorado State University


    —     Olivia E. Todd, first place

    —     Mirella Ortiz, second place

    —     Jake Courkamp, third place

  • North Dakota State University


    —     Nathan Haugrud, first place

  • Oklahoma State University


    —     Justin Childers, second place


    —     Marcelo Figveireda, second place


    —     Clint Beiermann, first place


    —     Jodie Crose, first place

  • Washington State University


    —     Pragya Asthana, first place

About the Weed Science Society of America

The Weed Science Society of America, a nonprofit scientific society, was founded in 1956 to encourage and promote the development of knowledge concerning weeds and their impact on the environment. The Society promotes research, education and extension outreach activities related to weeds, provides science-based information to the public and policy makers, fosters awareness of weeds and their impact on managed and natural ecosystems, and promotes cooperation among weed science organizations across the nation and around the world. For more information, visit http://www.wssa.net.

DuPont’s XIVIA® Xylitol Demonstrates Positive Effects on Skin Microbial Growth


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“DuPont’s xylitol manufacturing technology allows the use of a minimum amount of chemicals, water and energy and thus shows a lower carbon footprint compared to conventional processes.”

A recently published study in the Korean Journal of Microbiology titled ‘Evaluation of xylitol as an agent that controls the growth of skin microbes: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Cutibacterium acnes’ has shown that XIVIA® Xylitol has a positive effect on skin microbial growth.

The researchers’ aim was to investigate whether XIVIA® Xylitol, a naturally occurring, sustainable wood-based sweetener—widely approved for use in food and oral hygiene products—could have a potential role in skin microbial growth. The growth of certain skin bacteria, as pure cultures, was measured in the presence of xylitol. The findings showed that while the growth of pure cultures of pathogenic S. aureus and C. acnes strains linked to skin conditions were inhibited by xylitol, the growth of skin commensal S. epidermidis strain was not affected.

“In Finland we have a long history in the sustainable production of xylitol as well as research into the health benefits of xylitol, and in particular, its caries-preventing activities. We have developed for instance, the Enteromix® colon and oral simulators in our facilities to investigate these phenomena,” said Dr. Kirsti Tiihonen, Ph. D, Senior Research & Development Manager, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences. “DuPont’s xylitol manufacturing technology allows the use of a minimum amount of chemicals, water and energy and thus shows a lower carbon footprint compared to conventional processes.”

“Xylitol is utilized due to its hydrating properties within skin care products, and the research is showing interesting abilities for xylitol to protect the skin barrier. The study results demonstrated that xylitol also has benefits not only to control oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans, but also to controlling skin microbes,” said Dr. Heli Anglenius. “The results are interesting, as xylitol could benefit in situations where there is a dysbiosis in the skin microbiota and how to balance it.”

The study is a preliminary in-vitro study providing important indications for efficacy and additional research is needed to study the effects in a whole microbial community,” Anglenius said.

“This new data is certainly exciting to help promote the use of our XIVIA® Xylitol outside of the traditional space of chewing gum and oral care applications,” says Christopher Spontelli, Global Product Line Manager, Sweeteners, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences.

You can read more about this research study at http://www.kjom.org/journal/view.html?uid=185&pn=lastest&vmd=Full#body01

About DuPont™ Danisco®

DuPont™ Danisco® is the brand for a range of ingredients that help provide enhanced bioprotection, an improved nutritional profile, and better taste and texture with greater cost efficiency and lower environmental impact, meeting the needs of manufacturers of food and beverages, dietary supplements and pet food. Through the work of the global network of food scientists and technologists in DuPont, the Danisco® range is supported by a uniquely broad spectrum of know-how across applications and processing. http://www.danisco.com

About DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences

DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences applies expert science to advance market-driven, healthy and sustainable solutions for the food, beverage, dietary supplement and pharmaceutical industries. We also use cutting-edge biotechnology across a range of markets to advance bio-based solutions to meet the needs of a growing population, while protecting our environment for future generations. We are innovative solvers who help our customers turn challenges into high-value business opportunities. For more information: http://www.dupontnutritionandbiosciences.com or http://www.biosciences.dupont.com

About DuPont

DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials, ingredients and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, health and wellness, food, and worker safety. More information can be found at http://www.dupont.com/.

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04/29/2020

DuPont™, the DuPont Oval Logo, XIVIA® and all trademarks and service marks denoted with ™, SM or ® are owned by affiliates of DuPont de Nemours, Inc. unless otherwise noted.

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