Monthly Archives: June 2020

Editor's note: Find the latest COVID-19 news and guidance in Medscape's Coronavirus Resource Center.

After Italy saw its first case of COVID-19 in late February 2020, the country quickly became a global hubfor the virus. With over 233,000 cases and more than 33,000 deaths to date, the virus was more fatal in Italy than in China. To slow the spread, the government ordered everyone to stay home. Now, infection rates are finally falling.

And as the country begins to reopen, a handful of Italian doctors say the deadly virus is losing steam.

"In March and April, patients reached the emergency room very sick. They had acute respiratory distress syndrome, multi-organ failure. They needed immediate oxygen, ventilation, and in two to three days, we had patients that died," says Matteo Bassetti, MD, director of the Infectious Diseases Clinic at the San Martino Hospital in Genoa. "But now, in the past four to five weeks, it's been totally different. Patients of a similar age as the ones before, even very elderly patients, are not as sick as patients were just four to six weeks before."

In stark opposition to Bassetti's and other doctors' statements, Italian public health officials and the World Health Organization (WHO) warn there's no evidence to support these claims. They urge health care providers and the public to continue to take the virus extremely seriously. Meanwhile, Bassetti says proof is on the way.

"One of the golden rules of virology," says Mark Cameron, PhD, an associate professor of population and quantitative health sciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, "is that viruses that circulate in the community do change and mutate."

They do this, he says, to survive. A virus that's deadly enough to kill all of its hosts will die out as soon as the last infected person dies. A weaker form of the virus -- one that doesn't make people quite as sick -- can continue to travel from person to person.

"A virus is interested in its own survival," says Cameron. "It needs to maintain high viral fitness and not kill its host -- us. COVID-19 has already struck that perfect balance."

It could take generations for enough genetic change to take place to substantially weaken a coronavirus -- both the one that causes COVID-19 and other forms that were around before it. Human coronaviruses are known to be extremely stable in their genetic makeup. They change very little over time. Early tracking of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, suggests that it is behaving like its relatives, changing slowly and subtly over time.

That's not to say that the virus isn't changing at all. When researchers at Arizona State University analyzed coronavirus samples collected from nasal swabs, they found one individual sample that had a major genetic difference from other samples.

But it's unknown whether this particular variation of the virus results in more or less severe illness or any difference in symptoms at all. To confirm a theory like that will require much more research. Scientists will need to align the various genetic sequences of numerous nasal swabs with patient symptoms.

Still, Cameron says, this single mutated sample won't prevent other strains from continuing to spread and cause illness. Viral strains survive independently of each other. That's why, for example, several flu strains circulate every season.

With so many people infected with SARS-CoV-2, a mutation in a single sample is unlikely to change the course of the outbreak, Cameron says.

Though researchers say it's unlikely that the virus has mutated enough to make major differences in how severe an illness will be, that's not all bad news. That makes the virus a stable target for researchers working on a vaccine. The flu, for example, changes so quickly that vaccine developers have to come up with a new shot every year.

Public health officials stress there's no scientific proof that the virus is now weaker. Until that proof is found, health authorities warn that the public cannot lower its defenses against the spread of the virus. But Bassetti promises the evidence is coming. He cites studies in progress in the northern Italian cities of Milan and Brescia that will show that people are carrying lower viral loads than before -- a sign of less severe disease -- and that genetic mutations in the virus have made it less deadly.

One of the golden rules of virology is that viruses that circulate in the community do change and mutate. Dr Mark Cameron

"We are not here to say that the virus is gone," Bassetti says. "We are here to say that it is different." He attributes these differences to a potential combination of things, including biological changes in the virus, and the success of the lockdown, social distancing, mask use, and hand-washing. Flattening the curve, Cameron adds, allows testing to catch up and makes medical care available to those who need it without delay.

In response to the WHO's rebuttal of his claims, Bassetti says, "The WHO does not take care of patients. They are seated at a table in Geneva. These are the impressions of the majority of doctors on the ground. We have admitted more than 500 [COVID-19] patients at San Martino hospital since the beginning of the epidemic, and I have seen a dramatic reduction in the severity of the disease."

It could be that the work of on-the-ground health care providers is responsible for this dramatic change, Cameron says.

"I would lay the credit for the consistently improving patient outcomes in Italy right at the doctors' and health care workers' feet," he says. "It's a testament to their heroics that they've broken this virus's back without much, if any, help from the virus itself. We will have to wait for virus sequencing studies and clinical studies to resolve the issue."

Originally posted here:
Claims of a Weaker COVID-19 Virus Disputed - Medscape

From 7% to nearly 9% of patients with advanced cancer were found to harbor a germline variant with targeted therapeutic actionability in the first study of its kind.

The study involved 11,974patients with various tumor types. All the patients underwent germline genetic testing from 2015 to 2019 at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City, using the next-generation sequencing panel MSK-IMPACT.

This testing identified 2043 patients (17.1%) with variants in cancer predisposition genes, including 849 patients (7.1%) who had targetable genes by strict criteria and 1003 patients (8.6%) by less strict criteria.

"Of course, these numbers are not static," commented lead author Zsofia K. Stadler, MD, a medical oncologist at MSKCC. "And with the emergence of novel targeted treatments with new FDA indications, the therapeutic actionability of germline variants is likely to increase over time.

"Our study demonstrates the first comprehensive assessment of the clinical utility of germline alterations for therapeutic actionability in a population of patients with advanced cancer," she added.

Stadler presented the study results during a virtual scientific program of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2020.

Testing for somatic mutations is evolving as the standard of care in many cancer types, and somatic genomic testing is rapidly becoming an integral part of the regimen for patients with advanced disease. Some studies suggest that 9% to 11% of patients harbor actionable genetic alterations, as determined on the basis of tumor profiling.

"The take-home message from this is that now, more than ever before, germline testing is indicated for the selection of cancer treatment," said Erin Wysong Hofstatter, MD, from the Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, in a Highlights of the Day session.

Now, more than ever before, germline testing is indicated for the selection of cancer treatment. Dr Erin Wysong Hofstatter

An emerging indication for germline testing is the selection of treatment in the advanced setting, she noted. "And it is important to know your test. Remember that tumor sequencing is not a substitute for comprehensive germline testing."

For their study, Stadler and colleagues reviewed the medical records of patients with likely pathogenic/pathogenic germline (LP/P) alterations in genes that had known therapeutic targets so as to identify germline-targeted treatment either in a clinical or research setting.

"Since 2015, patients undergoing MSK-IMPACT may also choose to provide additional consent for secondary germline genetic analysis, wherein up to 88 genes known to be associated with cancer predisposition are analyzed," she said. "Likely pathogenic and pathogenic germline alterations identified are disclosed to the patient and treating physician via the Clinical Genetic Service."

A total of 2043 (17.1%) patients who harbored LP/P variants in a cancer predisposition gene were identified. Of these, 11% of patients harbored pathogenic alterations in high or moderate penetrance cancer predisposition genes. When the analysis was limited to genes with targeted therapeutic actionability, or what the authors defined as tier 1 and tier 2 genes, 7.1% of patients harbored a targetable pathogenic germline alteration.

BRCA alterations accounted for half (52%) of the findings, and 20% were associated with Lynch syndrome.

The tier 2 genes, which included PALB2, ATM, RAD51C, and RAD51D, accounted for about a quarter of the findings. Hofstatter noted that, using strict criteria, 7.1% of patients were found to harbor a pathogenic alteration and a targetable gene. Using less stringent criteria, additional tier 3 genes and additional genes associated with DNA homologous recombination repair brought the number up to 8.6%.

For determining therapeutic actionability, the strict criteria were used; 593 patients (4.95%) with recurrent or metastatic disease were identified. For these patients, consideration of a targeted therapy, either as part of standard care or as part of an investigation or research protocol, was important.

Of this group, 44% received therapy targeting the germline alteration. Regarding specific genes, 50% of BRCA1/2 carriers and 58% of Lynch syndrome patients received targeted treatment. With respect to tier 2 genes, 40% of patients with PALB2, 19% with ATM, and 37% with RAD51C or 51D received a PARP inhibitor.

Among patients with a BRCA1/2 mutation who received a PARP inhibitor, 55.1% had breast or ovarian cancer, and 44.8% had other tumor types, including pancreas, prostate, bile duct, gastric cancers. These patients received the drug in a research setting.

For patients with PALB2 alterations who received PARP inhibitors, 53.3% had breast or pancreas cancer, and 46.7% had cancer of the prostate, ovary, or an unknown primary.

The discussant for the paper, Funda Meric-Bernstam, MD, chair of the Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, pointed out that most of the BRCA-positive patients had cancers traditionally associated with the mutation. "There were no patients with PTEN mutations treated, and interestingly, no patients with NF1 were treated," she said. "But actionability is evolving, as the MEK inhibitor selumitinib was recently approved for NF1."

Some questions remain unanswered, she noted, such as, "What percentage of patients undergoing tumor-normal testing signed a germline protocol?" and, "Does the population introduce a bias such as younger patients, family history, and so on?"

It is also unknown what percentage of germline alterations were known in comparison with those identified through tumor/normal testing. Also of importance is the fact that in this study, the results of germline testing were delivered in an academic setting, she emphasized. "What if they were delivered elsewhere? What would be the impact of identifying these alterations in an environment with less access to trials?

"But to be fair, it is not easy to seek the germline mutations," Meric-Bernstam continued. "These studies were done under institutional review board protocols, and it is important to note that most profiling is done as standard of care without consenting and soliciting patient preference on the return of germline results."

An infrastructure is needed to return/counsel/offer cascade testing, and "analyses need to be facilitated to ensure that findings can be acted upon in a timely fashion," she added.

The study was supported by MSKCC internal funding. Stadler reports relationships (institutional) with Adverum, Alimera Sciences, Allergan, Biomarin, Fortress Biotech, Genentech/Roche, Novartis, Optos, Regeneron, Regenxbio, and Spark Therapeutics. Meric-Bernstram reports relationships with numerous pharmaceutical companies.

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2020: Abstract 1500, presented May 30, 2020.

Follow Medscape Oncology on Twitter for more cancer news: @MedscapeOnc.

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Germline Testing In Advanced Cancer Can Lead to Targeted Tx - Medscape

What happened

Shares of Intellia Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NTLA) rose as much as 18% today after the company announced an expansion of its partnership with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN).

The pair will jointly develop drug candidates to treat hereditary blood disorders hemophilia A and hemophilia B. Additionally, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals will gain rights to develop drug candidates using both in vivo (inside the body) and ex vivo (outside the body) drug candidates and delivery tools developed by Intellia Therapeutics.

The gene editing pioneer will earn a combined up-front payment of $100 million in cash and equity. It ended March 2020 with roughly $250 million in cash. As of 11:05 a.m. EDT, the pharma stock had settled to a 12.1% gain.

Image source: Getty Images.

Investors have punished Intellia Therapeutics for falling behind peers CRISPR Therapeutics and Editas Medicine in clinical development. The company will be the last of the trio of CRISPR gene editing companies to enter clinical trials. While it told investors the delay was largely due to work on delivery technologies -- one of the most important components of a genetic medicine -- Wall Street didn't have much patience.

As a result, Intellia Therapeutics boasts a market valuation of $1 billion, which is far behind the $3.9 billion valuation of CRISPR Therapeutics and the $1.5 billion market cap of Editas Medicine.

Today's news might not completely remove doubt from the minds of investors, but it serves as a reminder that Regeneron Pharmaceuticals remains a committed development partner. If other CRISPR gene editing platforms stumble in the clinic because of a lack of attention to delivery technologies, Intellia Therapeutics might be rewarded for its slow-and-steady approach.

Things are finally heating up for Intellia Therapeutics. In addition to the expanded partnership with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals announced today, the gene editing pioneer announced in March that a sickle cell disease drug candidate being developed with Novartis had earned the green light for clinical trials from regulators.

Meanwhile, the company's lead drug candidate is expected to begin a phase 1 clinical trial in the second half of 2020. Multiple other drug candidates are expected to earn regulatory permission in 2021 for clinical trials. There's a long way to go for Intellia Therapeutics, but investors will finally have tangible milestones to look forward to in the coming quarters.

Read more from the original source:
Here's Why Intellia Therapeutics Gained as Much as 18.0% Today - Motley Fool

The Forest Service is proposing to remove the prohibition against logging trees larger than 21 inches that grow in national forests on the eastside of the Cascades in Oregon. The probation was put into place when ecological studies demonstrated the critical importance of large-diameter old-growth trees to overall forest ecosystem function.

The Forest Service argues that it needs the flexibility to cut larger fir and other tree species competing with ponderosa pine to restore forest health. The agency suggests thinning the forests will enhance the resilience of the forest against the ravages of wildfire, bark beetles, and other sources of tree mortality.

The so-called need for restoration to what ails the forest by chainsaws medicine reflects the agencys Industrial Forestry Paradigm. By happy coincidence, such restoration happens to provide wood fiber to the timber industry, and typically at a loss to taxpayers.

One might assume that green and fast-growing trees are more desirable than dead or slow-growing trees. What the agency doesnt acknowledge due to its inherent Industrial Forestry bias is that healthy forest ecosystems require significant sources of tree mortality. The healthy forest that the Forest Service promotes is a degraded forest ecosystem.

Dead trees provide food and shelter to many plants and animals. By some estimates, more species depend on dead trees than live trees. These species live in mortal fear of green forests, which is the ultimate expression of the Industrial Forestry Paradigm.

Indeed, the second-highest biodiversity in forest ecosystems occurs after high severity wildfires kill most of all living trees.

However, due to the Industrial Forestry worldview bias of foresters and the Forest Service, that views any source of tree mortality as antithetical to forest health. Forest health is not the same as forest ecosystem health.

Logging does not restore forest ecosystems. It removes the snags and down wood that is critical wildlife habitat for many species of animals and plants. It removes carbon that is stored in those trees. It compacts soils and spread weeds. Logging roads fragment forest habitat and provide access for ORVs, hunters, and just more human disturbance for wildlife.

Worse for our forest ecosystems, thinning/logging can reduce the genetic diversity of our forest, eliminating, rather than enhancing, forest resilience. We know that some individual trees possess genetic traits that allow them to endure drought or resist bark beetles, and even some ability to survive some wildfires.

If foresters were concerned about forest ecosystem health, not just whether trees remained green until they were cut for lumber, they would welcome the wildfires, bark beetles, drought, and all the other sources of mortality that maintain healthy functioning forest ecosystems.

Yet the Forest Service continuously justifies timber cutting to restore forest health and resilience to the forest by trying to limit or exclude the very ecological processes like high severity wildfire, bark beetles, mistletoe, and other agents that sustain healthy forest ecosystems.

Allowing natural processes to thin the forest or select which trees have the best attributes to survive is how you preserve healthy forest ecosystems. Chainsaw medicine, the favored response of the timber industry for restoration, is not the solution; it is the problem.

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The Problem With Chainsaw Medicine: the Forest Service's Move to Cut Oregon's Big Trees - CounterPunch

Based on market cap,CRISPR Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CRSP)ranks as the top biotech focused on developing CRISPR gene-editing therapies. It's more than 2 1/2 times the size ofEditas Medicine (NASDAQ:EDIT) and nearly four times larger thanIntellia Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NTLA).

But based on stock performance so far in 2020, Intellia wins the prize as the hottest CRISPR biotech stock. Its shares have soared more than 40%, thanks in large part to the expansion of its partnership with Regeneron.

While CRISPR Therapeutics and Intellia have captured investors' attention lately, Editas Medicine could now be the CRISPR stock to really watch. There are both near-term and long-term reasons why investors should keep their eyes on this company.

Image source: Getty Images.

In March, Editas and its partner Allerganannounced the dosing of the first patient in a phase 1/2 clinical study evaluating EDIT-101 in treating Leber congenital amaurosis type 10 (LCA10), an inherited form of blindness. Editas CEO Cynthia Collins called it "a truly historic event," as it wasthe world's first human study of anin vivo (inside the body) CRISPR gene-editing therapy.

Editas' Chief Scientific Officer Charlie Albright stated in the company's Q1 conference calllast month that the study "has been cleared to continue based on a review of safety data on the first patient." That's great news, especially considering the pioneering nature of the LCA10 therapy.

I don't necessarily look for this clinical trial to provide a big catalyst for Editas over the next few months, at least not directly. But it could give the biotech an indirect catalyst.

Editas Medicine's experience with EDIT-101 in targeting LCA10 has enabled it to move forward with EDIT-102, a CRISPR therapy targeting another genetic eye disease, Usher syndrome 2A. Allergan is currently reviewing a preclinical data package for the potential licensing of EDIT-102. Editas expects a decision from Allergan on exercising its option for EDIT-102 by the third quarter of 2020.

My hunch is that Allergan will decide to license EDIT-102 unless some safety issue emerges in the phase 1/2 study for EDIT-101. A positive decision would likely cause Editas' shares to jump.

CRISPR Therapeutics is the leader in developing a CRISPR therapy for treating rare blood diseases sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. The company and its partner, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, expect to report additional data from two phase 1/2 studies in progress evaluating CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing therapy CTX001 later this year.

Editas is behind CRISPR Therapeutics right now. But I won't be surprised if Editas emerges as a winner in sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia over the long term.

The company plans to file for FDA approval by the end of 2020 to begin clinical testing of EDIT-301 in treating sickle cell disease. EDIT-301 uses its proprietary enzyme Cas12a (also known as Cpf1) instead of Cas9, the enzyme most commonly used in CRISPR gene-editing therapies.

Editas thinks that EDIT-301 could be the best-in-class CRISPR therapy for treating both sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. One reason behind the biotech's confidence is that the therapy edits the HBG1 and HBG2 genes rather than theBCL11Ae gene targeted by CRISPR Therapeutics' CTX001. Editas believes that this difference will give EDIT-301 a better safety profile than CTX001 will have. The company also thinks that using Cas12a will lead to sustained higher fetal hemoglobin levels than using the Cas9 enzyme will.

There's another intriguing possibility for Editas Medicine. Its partner on EDIT-101, Allergan, was recently acquired by AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV). The primary reason for this deal was for AbbVie to reduce its dependence on Humira, which faces biosimilar competition in the U.S. beginning in 2023.

AbbVie has other arrows in its quiver for offsetting the inevitable loss of revenue from Humira -- notably including its new immunology drugs Rinvoq and Skyrizi. However, the closer the date approaches for Humira's U.S. sales decline, the more I suspect that AbbVie will be interested in making additional smaller deals to boost its top line.

If EDIT-101 is successful in phase 1 testing and advances to phase 2, Editas Medicine could very well be on AbbVie's acquisition radar. The biotech wouldn't be so expensive that it would require AbbVie to take on a lot of additional debt. Buying Editas could also boost AbbVie's oncology program since Editas has several preclinical programs that use CRISPR gene editing in cancer cell therapies.

To be sure, Editas Medicine is a speculative play. For that matter, so are CRISPR Therapeutics and Intellia Therapeutics. All of these biotech stocks face significant risks that their gene-editing therapies won't work or won't be safe. But the possibility of near-term catalysts and the tremendous long-term potential for Editas make this CRISPR biotech one for investors to closely watch.

Read more here:
Why Editas Medicine Is Now the CRISPR Stock to Really Watch - Motley Fool

Scientists at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI), Alberta Childrens Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), and Owerko Centre at UCalgarys Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) have made a breakthrough discovery that could lead to treatment of Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the leading genetic cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The study, involving mouse models, shows promise of translating to treatment for people diagnosed with FXS.

FXS causes intellectual disabilities and hyperactive behaviour, usually more commonly seen in males than females. Children and adults with FXS are missing a protein vital to brain development called FMRP. Among other functions, FMRP helps develop synapses between neurons in the brain.

Dr. Raymond W. Turner, PhD, and members of his study team including Drs. Xiaoqin Zhan, PhD, Hadhimulya Asmara, PhD, and Ning Cheng, PhD, made the discovery while studying ion channels in the brain special proteins that conduct currents through cells, enabling communication within the brain.

If I had to make an analogy, it might be akin to insulin and diabetes. With FXS, individuals are missing this protein lets try putting it back in, says Turner, study lead, and professor in the departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy, and Physiology and Pharmacology at the CSM. In 30 minutes, the protein distributed throughout the brainand accomplished what its supposed to do at the single-cell level.

Unlike injected insulin, which helps someone with diabetes control their blood sugar for a few hours, the FMRP injection helps restore protein levels in the cerebellum and brain for up to one day after the injection. Hyperactivity was reduced for almost 24 hours, says Zhan, a postdoctoral scholar in the Turner lab.

We did one injection and we tested for it one day later, and three key proteins that are known to be in Fragile X were still at restored normal levels.

In other, unsuccessful attempts to inject mouse models with FMRP to mitigate FXS, scientists used the entire molecule. But Turner and his colleagues used a fragment of FMRP which was able to cross the blood-brain barrier.

Its not a full FMRP molecule at all but rather a fragment with important structural features and functional components that are active in doing things like controlling ion channels or the levels of other proteins, says Cheng, a research associate in the Turner lab.

Extensive FMRP expression in normal brain (A) is missing in FMRP knockout mice (B) but restored one hour after tat-FMRP injection (C).

Turner lab

In the next phase, the researchers will investigate using other parts of the FMRP molecule to mitigate cognitive disorders associated with FXS. Unlike a lot of drug therapies where you hope you can get your drug to one specific group of cells, FMRP is expressed in just about every cell in the brain, so an all-encompassing wide-based application is what you want, says Turner.

Beyond potential treatments for FXS, the research could help develop treatments to offset behavioural symptoms characteristic of other Autism Spectrum Disorders.

The findings are published in Nature Communications.

Funding for the study was provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation through ACHRI, Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) Explorer grant, and fellowship support from FRAXA and Fragile X Research Foundation of Canada, the HBI and CSM Postdoctoral Fellowship programs.

This technology has a patent through Innovate Calgary, the universitys knowledge transfer and business incubator centre, which continues to develop its commercial path through partnership/investment to advance this discovery as a viable treatment for patients.

The Turner lab works on the role of an ion channel complex they discovered that controls multiple functions in the cerebellum that led them to look at the effects of losing FMRP in the knockout mouse model. The reason replacing FMRP was so effective is that it turns out to be part of the very ion channel complex the lab has been studying for 10 years.

Led by theHotchkiss Brain Institute,Brain and Mental Healthis one of six research strategies guiding the University of Calgary toward itsEyes Highgoals. The strategy provides a unifying direction for brain and mental health research at the university.

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Scientists discover breakthrough toward treatment of Fragile X syndrome the leading genetic cause of autism - UCalgary News

REHOVOT, Israel, June 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Evogene Ltd. (NASDAQ: EVGN) (TASE: EVGN.TA), a leading computational biology company targeting to revolutionize life-science product development across several market segments, announced today its participation in the CRISPR-IL consortium. The goal is to develop "Go-Genome", an artificial intelligence (AI) based, end-to-end system for genome-editing to be used in multi-species for pharma, agriculture, and aquaculture. Evogene's CSO, Dr. Eyal Emmanuel will serve as the Chairman of the consortium.

The CRISPR-IL consortium has been approved for 1.5 years by the Israeli Innovation Authority and may be extended to an additional 1.5 years. The consortium's total budget (for the first period) is approximately ILS 36 million (roughly $10 million), partially funded by a grant from the Israeli Innovation Authority. CRISPR-IL participants include leading companies, medical institutions, and academic institutions. Apart from Evogene, key participants include BTG Bio-technology General Israel, Colors Farm, Hazera Seeds, NRGene, Pluristem, Rahan Meristem Ltd., TargetGene; medical institutions: Sheba Medical Center, Schneider Children's Medical Center; and academia: Bar-Ilan University, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, IDC Herzliya, Tel-Aviv University and the Weizmann Institute.

CRISPR is a genome-editing technology for detecting and modifying DNA sequences. It is used as a tool to enable precise genetic alterations without the introduction of foreign DNA. The technology enables the development of unique bio-based products and novel therapeutics while reducing the time and cost of development. Current CRISPR-based workflows target precise areas within the DNA, however, these workflows still face several challenges, which prevent more extensive use of this tool, including: (i) accidental off-target modification, (ii) inefficient modifications and (iii) inaccurate measuring tools to ascertain that the modification was effective as intended.

The CRISPR-IL consortium intends to develop an artificial intelligence-based system, "Go-Genome", providing users improved genome-editing workflows. The system aims to provide end-to-end solutions, from user interface to an accurate measurement tool. The system is expected to include the computational design of on-target DNA modification, with minimal accidental, off-target modifications, improve modification efficiency and provide an accurate measuring tool to ensure the desired modification was made. This system intends be designed to be effective in multi-species, including human, plant, and certain animal DNA applicable to market segments in pharma, agriculture and aquaculture.

Evogene's work in the consortium is expected to include the broadening of its artificial intelligence capabilities that are expected to extend the range of itsGENErator AIsolution (part of Evogene's CPB platform). Evogene'sGENErator AIsolution already includes computational capabilities directing "which"edit should be made to achieve a specific trait; and the capabilities developed within the framework of the consortium aim to improve"how"these edits are made.

Dr. Eyal Emmanuel, Chairman of the CRISPR-IL consortium and CSO of Evogene commented: "Our mission is to position Israel as a top technological hub for the use of AI in genome editing. The all-encompassing system the consortium aims to develop, is expected to expand the scope of Evogene's discovery and development offerings for genetic elements, including for its subsidiaries. We believe this is a unique opportunity for applying computational biology and artificial intelligence to genome editing. We are excited to be leading this effort through decoding biology."

Prof. Avraham A. Levy, Chairman of Evogene's Scientific Advisory Board and Dean of the Biochemistry faculty at the Weizmann Institute of Science commented:"The workplan proposed by Evogene within the CRISPIL consortium addresses important gaps in our scientific understanding of the CRISPR technology. Evogene's unique computational analytical tools, together with the data produced by the consortium, have the potential to enable a more effective utilization of genome editing in medicine and agriculture, paving the road for novel products and treatments."

About Evogene Ltd.:

Evogene (NASDAQ: EVGN, TASE: EVGN.TA) is a leading computational biology company targeting to revolutionize product development for life-science based industries, including human health, agriculture, and industrial applications. Incorporating a deep understanding of biology and leveraging Big Data and Artificial Intelligence, Evogene established its unique technology, the Computational Predictive Biology(CPB)platform. The CPB platform is designed to computationally discover and develop life-science products based on microbes, small molecules and genetic elements as the core components for such products. Evogene holds a number of subsidiaries utilizing theCPBplatform, for the development ofhuman microbiome-based therapeutics, medical cannabis, ag-biologicals, ag-chemicals, seed traits and ag-solutions for castor oil production.

For more information, please visitwww.evogene.com

Forward Looking Statements:

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" relating to future events. These statements may be identified by words such as "may", "could", "expects", "intends", "anticipates", "plans", "believes", "scheduled", "estimates" or words of similar meaning.For example, Evogene is using forward-looking statements in this press release when it discusses the end-to-end solutions provided by the system to be developed and the expansion of the Company's artificial intelligence capabilities and solutions.Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions, describe opinions about future events, involve certain risks and uncertainties which are difficult to predict and are not guarantees of future performance. Therefore, actual future results, performance or achievements of Evogene and its subsidiaries may differ materially from what is expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond the control of Evogene and its subsidiaries, including, without limitation, the global spread of COVID-19, or the Coronavirus, the various restrictions deriving therefrom and those risk factors contained in Evogene's reports filed with the applicable securities authorities. In addition, Evogene and its subsidiaries rely, and expect to continue to rely, on third parties to conduct certain activities, such as their field-trials and pre-clinical studies, and if these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties, comply with regulatory requirements or meet expected deadlines (including as a result of the effect of the Coronavirus), Evogene and its subsidiaries may experience significant delays in the conduct of their activities. Evogene and its subsidiaries disclaim any obligation or commitment to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments or changes in expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions.

Evogene Investor Contact:

US Investor Relations:

Rivka Neufeld

Joseph Green

Investor Relations and Public Relations Manager

Edison Group

E: [emailprotected]

E: [emailprotected]

T: +972-8-931-1940

T: +1 646-653-7030

Laine Yonker

Edison Group

E: [emailprotected]

T: +1 646-653-7035

SOURCE Evogene

http://www.evogene.com/

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Evogene to Participate in CRISPR-IL Consortium to Provide End-to-End Artificial Intelligence System for Genome-Editing - PRNewswire

The National Human Genome Research Institute definesgenomic medicine asan emerging medical discipline that involves using genomic information about an individual as part of their clinical care (e.g., fordiagnostic or therapeutic decision-making) and the health outcomes and policy implications of that clinical use. Genomic medicine is a type of precision medicine in which genomics, epigenomics and other related data is used to accurately aid in individual disease diagnosis. Genomic medicine has novel applications in the fields of oncology, pharmacology, rare and undiagnosed diseases, and infectious disease.Genomic medicine paves way for personalized medicine into clinics and has immense potential to reach the physicians and patients. Genomic medicine has been used for advanced sequencing in cancer pharmacogenomics, rare disorder diagnosis and for tracking of outbreaks of infectious diseases.

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Genomic Medicine Market: Drivers & Restraints

Backed by government investments in precision medicine initiatives such as a multimillion dollar investment by President Obama in January 2015 which aims to improve how to treat and prevent a disease by laying emphasis on its genetic makeup is expected to boost the market growth. Clinical validity and utility of genomic medicine tests is a major issue witnessed in the global market. Also, lack of awareness among healthcare professionals, sluggish adoption of genome medicine, fluctuating regulatory landscape are the factors which could hamper growth of the global genomic medicine market.

Genomic Medicine Market: Segmentation

The global genomic medicine market is classified on the basis of application type, end use and region.

Based on application, the global genomic medicine market is segmented into the following:

Based on end use, the global genomic medicine market is segmented into the following:

Genomic Medicine Market: Overview

Genomic medicine is gaining momentum with expanding applications ranging from risk assessment and diagnosis in healthy individuals to genome-based treatment for patients with complicated disorders. Oncology is a major application of genomics medicine during cancer screening process as diagnostics for genetic and genomic markers. Oncology segment is expected to account for a major share in the global genomic medicine market. Genomic medicine is increasingly being used not only for research purpose but also in clinical applications. In clinical applications, genomic medicine will potentially enhance patient care.

Genomic Medicine Market: Region wise Overview

Geographically, global Genomic Medicine market is classified into regions viz. North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan, Middle East and Africa (MEA). Owing to the presence of large number of academic as well as research institutions in the U.S. which are working on genomic medicine to discover next-generation genomic medicines, North America region is projected to lead the global genomic market in terms of value during the forecast period. Also, the presence of several universities offering educational programs coupled with opportunities in scientific research of genomic medicine in the North America and Europe is expected to have positive impact on the regional markets. The genomic medicine concept still in its nascent stage is yet to receive an impetus from the emerging market which are anticipated to hold smaller shares in the global market.

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Genomic Medicine Market: Key Players

The key research institutes in global genomic medicine market are BioMed Central Ltd., Cleveland Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, The Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Center for Genomic Medicine to name a few. The focus of the top players will be on the identification of effective drug candidates particularly in cancer treatment based on the molecular structure of tumors.

The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, accessories and applications.

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Growth in Sales of Genomic Medicine Market to be Largely Driven by Rising Consumer Adoption - Cole of Duty

New York, June 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Tumor Genomics Market: Focus on Products, Techniques, Applications, End User, Cancer Type, 14 Countries Data, Industry Insights and Competitive Landscape - Analysis and Forecast, 2019-2028" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05903975/?utm_source=GNW By Technique: Next Generation Sequencing Technique (NGS), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Microarray, In-Situ Hybridization (ISH), Immunohistochemistry (ICH), Others (Mass Spectrometry and Flow Cytometry) By Application: Diagnostics and Monitoring, Drug Discovery and Development, and Biomarker Discovery By End User: Academics and Research Organizations, Hospitals and Ambulatory Clinics, Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratories, and Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Company By Cancer Type: Leukemia, Breast Cancer, Melanoma, Colon Cancer, Lung Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, and Others (Ovarian, Pancreatic, and Testicular)

Regional Segmentation

North America U.S., Canada Europe Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Rest-of-Europe Asia-Pacific Japan, China, Australia, India, Rest-of-Asia-Pacific Rest-of-the-World Latin America and Middle East & Africa

Growth Drivers

Rising Government Initiatives and Projects Increasing Incidence of Cancer Increasing Number of Product Approvals and Launches Ever Expanding Application Areas for Genomics Increasing Use of Biomarkers in Cancer Profiling

Market Challenges

High Cost of Genomic Equipment Lack of Unified Framework for Data Integration

Market Opportunities

Growing Prominence for Precision Medicine Increasing Demand for Point-of-Care Diagnostics

Key Companies Profiled

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Illumina, Inc., QIAGEN, Agilent Technologies, Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Merck KGaA, Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc., Myriad Genetics, Inc., and PerkinElmer.

Key Questions Answered: What is tumor genomics? How the different tumor genomic techniques have evolved over the years? What are the major market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global tumor genomics market? What was the global tumor genomics market size in terms of revenue in 2019? How is the market expected to evolve in the upcoming years? What is the market size expected to be in 2028? How is each segment of the global tumor genomics market expected to grow during the forecast period between 2020 to 2028 and what is the revenue expected to be generated by each of the segments by the end of 2028? What are the developmental strategies implemented by the key players to sustain in the competitive market? What is the growth potential of the tumor genomics market in each region, namely, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest-of-the-World? Which product among the two (assays and kits & instrument) are offered by key players such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, Illumina Inc., Qiagen N.V., and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.? Which technique is leading the market in 2018 and expected to dominate the market in 2028 and why? Which application and end user type are leading the market in 2019 and are expected to dominate the market in 2028 and why? Which region dominated the global tumor genomics market in 2019 and what are the expected trends from each of the regions in the forecast period 2020-2028?

Market Overview

In order to meet the growing product demand and need, companies are investing in the assays, kits, and instruments used in tumor genomics.Nowadays, large number of kits and reagents are used to test the profiling of mutated genes.

For instance, companies such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, Illumina, Inc., and QIAGEN N.V. have focused on the development of variety of kits for the detection of rare genetic diseases due to cost-effectiveness of the kit as compared to instrument and software, which in turn is causing widespread utilization of kits globally.

The market is also witnessing the launches of various products by receiving FDA approvals such as assay for the study of genes and molecular characterization of DNA. For instance, on, January 16, 2019, QIAGEN received approval from Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Device Agency (PMDA) on therascreen EGFR RGQ PCR Kit which is used as a companion diagnostic for lung cancer patients on treatment with Dacomitinib.

Similarly, several manufacturers are also launching innovative products to expand their offerings in the market. For instance, on November 6, 2019, Thermo Fisher Scientific launched Ion Torrent Genexus System, which is a fully integrated next generation sequencing platform used for profiling of genomes.

The market is favored by multiple factors, which include rising government initiatives, increasing incidence of cancer, therefore increasing the utilization of sequencing to identify the mutant DNA segments, increasing number of product approvals and launches pertaining to genomics market. Moreover, increasing use of biomarkers in cancer profiling is also one of the key driving factors for tumor genomics market.

Government funding is also one of the major growth factors for tumor genomics market, because increasing funding by the government help the research institutes to develop sequencing systems useful for the diagnosis of genetic diseases.Increasing funding shall lead to liquidity of the genomics market and thus companies shall develop various sequencing systems to identify the mutation in the segments of DNA.

All these factors are thus expected to contribute to the market growth during the forecast period.

Within the research report, the market is segmented on the basis of product type, techniques, application, end user, cancer type, and region, which highlight value propositions and business models useful for industry leaders and stakeholders. The research also comprises country-level analysis, go-to-market strategies of leading players, future opportunities, among others, to detail the scope and provide a 360-coverage of the domain.

Competitive Landscape

Major players including QIAGEN N.V., Illumina, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Thermo Fisher Scientific, and BGI, among others, led the number of synergistic developments (partnerships and alliances) witnessed by the market. On the basis of region, North America is expected to retain a leading position throughout the forecast period 2019-2029, followed by Europe. This is a result of the presence of leading industry players in these regions, and a higher adoption rate of sequencing system to detect the mutation in genes and DNA segments. Moreover, growing research in the field of sequencing technologies including next-generation sequencing technologies (NGS) is one of the drivers that promote the growth of the tumor genomics market.

Countries Covered North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany U.K. France Italy Spain Netherlands Rest-of-Europe Asia-Pacific (APAC) China Japan Australia India Rest-of-Asia-Pacific Rest-of-the-World Latin America Middle East & AfricaRead the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05903975/?utm_source=GNW

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Global Tumor Genomics Market: Focus on Products, Techniques, Applications, End User, Cancer Type, 14 Countries Data, Industry Insights and Competitive...