Leica Biosystems has announced a significant strategic investment in artificial intelligence (AI) specialist Indica Labs, marking a pivotal advancement in digital pathology. The collaboration, announced on 8 January 2025, aims to accelerate the development of AI-enabled companion diagnostics (CDx) and enhance the detection of complex biomarker expression profiles that exceed human visual capabilities.

A new machine learning algorithm developed by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital researchers enables faster and more accurate analysis of large-scale single-cell gene expression datasets, potentially accelerating discoveries in cancer and other diseases.

A breakthrough in chemical synthesis methodology offers pharmaceutical manufacturers a more environmentally sustainable approach to incorporating chlorine into drug compounds, with implications for both process efficiency and molecular modification.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has entered into an agreement to acquire Boston-based IDRx for up to $1.15 billion, securing rights to IDRX-42, a highly selective KIT tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) designed to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST). The deal comprises an upfront payment of $1 billion and a potential $150 million regulatory milestone payment.

Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies and FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific have announced a strategic partnership to optimise T cell expansion protocols, combining Terumo BCT’s Quantum Flex Cell Expansion System with FUJIFILM’s PRIME-XV T Cell Expansion Media. This collaboration addresses significant manufacturing challenges faced by cell therapy developers, particularly those in early-stage development.