Latest Lab Talk News in Brief: financing, collaboration, acquisition, authorisation, new builds
Qureight has raised $20m in a Series B financing to expand its AI imaging platform for clinical trials
The funding will support development of the company's 3D deep learning imaging portfolio across new disease areas, including asthma, pulmonary hypertension, bronchiectasis and drug-induced lung toxicity. Qureight also plans to expand its commercial team as demand grows for its imaging CRO services.
DNA Script is collaborating with GE HealthCare on a four-year programme awarded up to $26m by the US Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).
The Flexible Automation for Scalable Health (FLASH) programme aims to develop a modular platform for rapid DNA manufacturing. DNA Script will contribute its enzymatic DNA synthesis technology and SYNTAX platform to support scalable production of high-fidelity DNA.
Cytokinetics has received MHRA marketing authorisation and NICE guidance for MYQORZO (aficamten) for adults with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
The company said the simultaneous regulatory approval and reimbursement recommendation represent the first outcome under the UK's aligned MHRA and NICE pathway, supporting earlier NHS access to innovative medicines.
Omniflex has supplied the South African Medical Research Council with an automated cold-chain monitoring system covering 17 research sites.
The continuous monitoring system replaces manual temperature checks, helping protect biological samples and laboratory materials while supporting regulatory compliance and reducing the risk of sample loss.
Eppendorf has signed an agreement to establish a new €40m manufacturing facility in Penang, Malaysia.
Production is expected to begin in 2028, with the site manufacturing products from the company's centrifuges and instruments portfolio. Around 130 people are expected to be employed by the end of 2029.
IonOpticks has expanded its UK operations with new laboratory and office space at Milton Park in Oxfordshire.
The Australian company develops chromatography columns for proteomics research. The new facility will support technical services, applications expertise and method development for customers across the UK and Europe.
IOM Consulting has been acquired by Rcapital, securing the future of the occupational hygiene and laboratory consultancy.
Around 90 employees will transfer to the business, which provides measurement, testing and occupational hygiene services across the UK. Michelle Reid will become managing director following completion of the transaction.
CRC Clean Room Consulting has strengthened its management team and outlined plans for international expansion, including entry into the US market.
Benjamin Steimle has joined the company as chief financial officer as CRC continues to expand its engineering and planning services for semiconductor, photonics and life sciences facilities.
The Crown Estate is investing £1.5m in Greater Cambridge Impact, supporting projects addressing social and economic challenges across the region.
The investment accompanies wider plans to develop Cambridge Business Park as part of a proposed science and innovation district, with ambitions to invest up to £1.5bn in UK science, innovation and technology.
ELRIG has appointed Dr Hitesh Sanganee and Dr Marcus Schindler to its Scientific Advisory Board.
The organisation said the appointments strengthen its scientific leadership and will help shape future programmes supporting the global drug discovery community.
Dr Teresa Nunes has joined EpilepsyGTx as chief medical officer.
She will lead clinical development of the company's lead gene therapy candidate for focal refractory epilepsy, bringing more than 20 years' experience in neurological disorders, gene therapies and clinical development.
SynGenSys has expanded its senior leadership team with four new department heads.
The Sheffield biotechnology company has appointed Dr Thilo Pohle as head of commercial, Dr Molly Smith as head of CHO expression technologies, Dr Abayomi Johnson as head of cell and gene therapy expression technologies, and Dr Cristina Alexandru-Crivac as head of bioinformatics and data science.
Professor Ursula Röthlisberger has received the 2026 Michele Parrinello Award from MDPI.
The award recognises outstanding contributions to computational chemistry and molecular simulation. Röthlisberger, of EPFL, was recognised for pioneering work in ab initio molecular dynamics and multiscale simulation methods.
Professor Dirk Timmerman has received the Ian Donald Gold Medal from the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
The award recognises his contribution to improving assessment of ovarian tumours through the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) Group and the development of internationally adopted standards for ultrasound reporting.
Professor Kypros Nicolaides has received ISUOG's Stuart Campbell Award.
The King's College Hospital fetal medicine specialist was recognised for pioneering work in fetal surgery and for improving access to ultrasound education through the Fetal Medicine Foundation's global training initiatives.
Pic (clockwise, top left): Ion Opticks; CRC; Ursula Röthlisberger; Omniflex
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