The Roundup – April 18, 2024

• AbbVie announces late-breaking data at AAN supporting long-term safety and efficacy of Atogepant (QULIPTA®) for preventive treatment of migraine
• Arvinas enters into a transaction with Novartis, including a global license agreement for the development and commercialization of PROTAC® Androgen Receptor (AR) protein degrader ARV-766 for the treatment of prostate cancer
• Canaan adds $100M+ to boost biopharma investing, brings on former Pfizer exec
• Enko: 20 incredible women-founded AI companies
• GSK: ‘It is both a strategic and a moral imperative’: Why closing the health equity gap is better for everyone
• Lilly plans for Zepbound label expansion into sleep apnea in mid-2024 on back of Phase 3 win
• Medtronic: ‘Pivotal moment’ in women’s heart health
• Rallybio announces collaboration to advance therapeutic solutions for pregnant individuals at risk of Fetal and Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (FNAIT)
• Regeneron Ventures launches with $500 million commitment to fuel promising biotechnology innovation
• Pfizer putting $20 million-plus into local renovations
• Pfizer: The antibody–drug conjugate renaissance

AI News

• Artificial intelligence and intellectual property: part III – IP protection for AI-assisted inventions and creative works
• People invent things – AI just helps, biotech IP expert tells Congress
• Inventorship guidance for AI-Assisted inventions

More Industry News

• Opinion: Proposed prescription drug legislation will hurt the patients legislators aim to help
• CASE welcomes Karen Cohen as Associate Director
• Beyond pizza and Yale: what to see, eat and do in New Haven

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Jacqueline Heard is a distinguished leader in the agricultural industry and the driving force behind Enko Chem, Inc, based in Mystic, Connecticut. As a former venture partner at Anterra Capital and a leader in global R&D at Monsanto, Heard’s expertise spans both scientific research and business strategy. She has dedicated her career to identifying and commercializing innovative solutions in agriculture. Now, as the CEO and Co-Founder of Enko Chem, Inc., Heard continues to pave the way for sustainable crop protection solutions, leveraging her extensive experience and passion for agricultural innovation.

Can you share with us the inspiration behind founding Enko Chem, Inc. and how your background in agriculture and venture capital influenced this decision?

My career in agriculture has centered around identifying and commercializing new technology in a variety of roles. Above all else, I’m passionate about the need for agricultural sustainability and saw enormous potential for Enko in my role at Anterra Capital. The platform truly inspired me!

Spearheading the launch of Enko in 2017 has allowed me to be at the forefront of work to design safe and sustainable solutions to agricultural problems, from pest resistance to new diseases. I see limitless potential for the future of safe chemical solutions when applying proven drug discovery and development approaches from pharma to agriculture.

In light of Earth Day, could you discuss Enko’s commitment to sustainability and its efforts to minimize the environmental impact of crop production and global agriculture?

We are at the beginning of the next era of safer, more sustainable chemicals for the agriculture industry. Enko is discovering and developing crop health products that are not only safe for the surrounding environment, but also help farmers combat weed, insect, and disease problems while using less product, less often.

One of our pipeline product candidates is a prime example as initial testing has shown an enormous leap in terms of effectiveness. Once fully commercialized, farmers will potentially be able to reduce chemical applications nearly 90% in important cropping systems across millions of acres globally.

The time for environmental stewardship is now – the crop protection market must make major shifts in its development approach. Enko’s target-based approach has generated a product pipeline of novel and diverse molecules in half the time and with fewer resources than legacy R&D methods. Enko’s products will reduce the environmental impact of crop protection products and improve agriculture’s sustainability over time.

Your bio mentions the importance of listening to farmers and translating their experiences into practical innovations. Could you elaborate on how Enko…

When I think of growth or the month of May, the Yale Innovation Summit is top of mind. It remains the pinnacle meeting for life sciences within the state and I hope 1) everyone will attend, you can register here and 2) all those attending will reach out to me to connect live JGillon@bioct.org.