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Invitae to Acquire Jungla to Advance Genetic Variant Interpretation, Adds Supplemental RNA Analysis to Deliver Deeper, More Informative Results to Patients

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Invitae Corporation (NYSE: NVTA), a leading medical genetics company, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Jungla Inc., a privately held company funded by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) that has developed a cloud-based platform that combines clinical knowledge with advances in functional genomics, biophysics, cellular engineering, machine learning, and distributed systems to help clinicians and patients understand the results of genetic and genomic tests. The combination is expected to further enhance Invitae’s genetic variant interpretation and ability to deliver high-quality, more affordable genetic testing for use in mainstream medical care. Separately, Invitae announced the addition of RNA analysis to its commercial testing, beginning with patients undergoing cancer testing.

“Interpreting the genetic variants observed during sequencing is what turns genetic data into decision-making power for patients and clinicians. Bringing Jungla’s technologies onto our platform will help us provide support to our patients in a scalable way,” said Sean George, co-founder and chief executive officer of Invitae. “Whether incorporating computational and experimental approaches for protein analysis or adding RNA analysis to augment variant interpretation, we lead the molecular genetic testing industry in leveraging advanced clinical genetic variant interpretation technologies that enable us to provide patients and clinicians with genetic information to inform healthcare decisions.”

Large-Scale Molecular and Genomic Technologies to Enhance Variant Interpretation

Jungla’s Functional Modeling Platform (FMP) is an active machine learning engine that enhances clinical knowledge by continuously integrating functional, structural and computational data into auditable and accurate predictive models for clinical variant interpretation. The technology delivers performance that exceeds recommendations from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) across hundreds of genes and conditions.

Jungla’s technology can augment Invitae’s ability to understand the impact of variants on molecular function, be they protein or RNA molecules, through the application of advanced methods in functional genomics, structural biology and biophysics. This technology, coupled with Invitae’s exacting, logical and reproducible approach for variant classification and interpretation, Sherloc, can help Invitae deliver more informative results to patients.

In November 2018, Invitae and Jungla successfully completed a four-month pilot study of the performance of Jungla’s proprietary technologies in predicting the clinical relevance of differences in human DNA sequence (variants) found in individuals undergoing testing for hereditary disease. The results demonstrated that support from Jungla’s FMP can markedly increase the molecular understanding of variants while maintaining the high accuracy of Invitae’s classifications, thereby significantly increasing the efficiency of interpretation and scalability of genetic testing with enhanced quality of test results. In addition, the prospective integration of Invitae’s knowledge-base and Jungla’s technologies is expected to optimize clinical guidance, leveraging the data from each patient to improve results for the next. The results show that Jungla’s technologies can clarify the interpretation of variants, moving them from the uncertain category to pathogenic or benign status.

“At Jungla, we are continuously applying and combining advances in molecular, cellular, and computational technologies to the complex work of genetic variant interpretation with the goal of making it easier to conduct the highest quality genetic interpretation at scale,” said Carlos Araya, co-founder and chief executive officer of Jungla. “Our team has been at the forefront of technologies to accelerate the understanding of variants for nearly a decade. Combining our learning engine with Invitae’s rigorous interpretation framework will extend the reach of our technology and help more patients and clinicians get the information they need.”

Under the definitive agreement, Invitae will acquire Jungla for approximately $50 million upon closing, $35 million of which shall be in Invitae common stock and $15 million of which shall be in cash, subject to certain adjustments. In addition, Invitae will pay up to $15 million upon the achievement of certain milestones, mostly in stock with the balance in cash. The acquisition is expected to close in the coming days, subject to customary closing conditions. Invitae has already factored in the additional operating expense of this acquisition in prior statements about expected 2019 cash burn.

Supplemental RNA Analysis Further Deepens Variant Classification in Cancer Testing

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While most gene changes associated with a hereditary disease have their effect by directly altering the function of the protein that is specified by that gene, a small fraction of gene changes are known to alter the way messenger RNAs (mRNAs), the blueprints for proteins, are made in the body. A growing area of research has focused on using RNA analysis to help resolve variants of uncertain significance (VUS), particularly those VUS that are predicted to affect mRNA creation, also known as RNA splicing. In order to contribute to this research and further reduce the uncertainty inherent in genetic testing results, Invitae has added supplemental RNA testing for VUS that are predicted to affect RNA splicing and have been identified in a gene from any of our hereditary cancer panels.

Invitae’s approach to supplemental RNA analysis, RNA-seq, includes both qualitative (evaluation of abnormal mRNAs) and quantitative (the amount of mRNAs) results, which ultimately provides deeper insight into the variant-disease relationship compared to the use of qualitative results alone.

“The addition of RNA analysis to our variant classification pipeline provides another tool to reduce the number of variants that cannot be confidently classified based on DNA sequencing alone,” said Robert Nussbaum, chief medical officer of Invitae. “By applying this technology first to those cancer genes and variants where it is most immediately useful, we can provide deeper, more complete genetic information for patients and clinicians making critical clinical decisions.”

RNA analysis is now in use as a component of Invitae’s VUS resolution program as applied to  Invitae’s hereditary cancer syndrome gene testing, with broader application in other disease areas planned for later this year.

 

SOURCE Invitae Corporation

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Smartkem Closes $7.65 Million Offering

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MANCHESTER, England, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Smartkem (Nasdaq: SMTK), which is seeking to change the world of electronics using its disruptive organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs), announced it has completed its previously announced concurrent public and private offerings of its securities, including shares of its common stock and common stock equivalents, for an aggregate total gross proceeds of $7.65 million.

Smartkem issued 1,449,997 registered shares of common stock and unregistered Class D warrants to purchase up to 1,449,997 shares of common stock to investors in concurrent public and private offerings at a price of $3.00 per share and related Class D warrant. Each investor received one Class D warrant for each share purchased in the public offering.

Pursuant to the separate concurrent private placement, the Company sold to certain institutional investors, including existing investors in the Company, 169,784 unregistered shares of common stock, unregistered pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 930,215 shares of common stock and unregistered Class D warrants to purchase up to 1,099,999 shares of common stock at a price of $3.00 per share and related Class D warrant and a price of $2.9999 per pre-funded warrant and related Class D warrant.  Each investor received one Class D warrant for each share of common stock or pre- funded warrant purchased in the offering.

The Class D warrants are immediately exercisable at an exercise price of $3.00 per share and expire on December 31, 2025.  The pre-funded warrants are immediately exercisable at an exercise price of $0.0001 per share and may be exercised at any time until all of the pre-funded warrants have been exercised in full.

The gross proceeds of the offerings described above were $7.65 million before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offerings for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC acted as the Company’s exclusive placement agent for the offerings.

In connection with the offerings described above, the Company has entered into a registration rights offering pursuant to which it has agreed to register the shares of common stock issued in the private placement, the shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Class D warrants and the pre-funded warrants sold in the offerings and certain other securities for resale by the holders thereof no later than the earlier of (i) the 10th day after the filing of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 or (ii) April 25, 2025.

The sale of the registered shares of common stock was made pursuant to Smartkem’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (file no. 333- 281608), including a base prospectus, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and declared effective by the SEC on August 22, 2024 and a prospectus supplement dated December 18, 2024 filed with the SEC. Copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus may be obtained from Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC, Attention: Equity Capital Markets, 222 South Ninth Street, Suite 350, Minneapolis, MN 55402, by telephone at (612) 334-6300 or by email at [email protected]. Alternatively, copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus may be obtained for free at the SEC’s EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any Smartkem securities.

About Smartkem

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Smartkem is seeking to reshape the world of electronics with its disruptive organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) that have the potential to revolutionize the display industry.  Smartkem’s patented TRUFLEX® liquid semiconductor polymers can be used to make a new type of transistor that can be used in a number of display technologies, including next generation microLED displays. Smartkem’s organic inks enable low temperature printing processes that are compatible with existing manufacturing infrastructure to deliver low-cost displays that outperform existing technology.

Smartkem develops its materials at its research and development facility in Manchester, UK and provides prototyping services at the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) at Sedgefield, UK. It has a field application office in Taiwan. The company has an extensive IP portfolio including 138 granted patents across 18 patent families, 16 pending patents and 40 codified trade secrets.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements, including, among other things, the expected use of proceeds received from the offerings. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on Smartkem Inc.’s current expectations, estimates, and projections regarding its business, operations and other similar or related factors. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “believe,” “estimate,” and other similar or related expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult or impossible to predict and, in some cases, beyond the Company’s control. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update information in this release to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.

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Designing for the future: SM’s vision through an architect’s lens

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PASAY CITY, Philippines, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The SM Group, through its integrated property developer arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is setting a benchmark in sustainable and disaster-resilient design. Embracing innovation, the company integrates environmental considerations and community well-being into its projects, reflecting a commitment to long-term sustainability. 

The SM group’s foresight to incorporate best building practices continues with the next generation, as Jessica Sy, Vice President and Head of Design, Innovation, and Strategy of SM Prime and its residential arm SM Development Corporation (SMDC) emphasizes respecting the land through the creation of green buildings.

“We want to make sure that when we develop a building, it’s going to last for a long time,” said Ms. Sy. “We’ve seen that what’s good for our communities is actually good for our company because addressing their needs also strengthens our connection with them as our customers.”

Drawing from lessons on her first year in studying architecture, Ms. Sy noted the role of water in any development. It can be both beautiful—a source of life or unpredictable in nature. 

“As architects, this was one of the first few things we were taught,” Ms. Sy added. “Water is life-giving but it can also change everything. Floods in properties could heavily impact and uproot the lives of many families.” 

Field Residences is an example of SM’s commitment in meeting the highest standards of disaster resilience in its development. 

A new rainwater detention tank was completed in September this year after SMDC found that water levels in Field Residences had risen over the years. It is designed to handle extreme rainfall similar to those during Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana), which brought 455 millimeters of rain in 24 hours.

How architecture can also build values 

SMDC also promotes local identity in its projects by specifically choosing native plants that are more well-suited to the area. 

“We try to reduce the types of plants that don’t benefit the local environment nor enliven its biodiversity,” she said. “What we do is to identify plants that can prosper here such as the endemic katmon [Dillenia philippinensis] tree.” 

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SMDC initiated to have future nurseries of these plants in various developments.  

“The decisions that we have today are going to impact the long-term future,” she added. “With sustainability at the forefront of our conversations nowadays, we see that that’s part of the legacy that we need to complete.”

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H.I.G. Realty Announces Strategic Partnership with Queen Mary BioEnterprises Innovation Centre in London

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LONDON, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — H.I.G. Capital (“H.I.G.”), a leading global alternative investment firm with $67 billion of capital under management, is pleased to announce that an affiliate has signed a strategic partnership (the “Partnership”) with Queen Mary BioEnterprises Innovation Centre (“QMB”), with an agreement to deliver 40,000 square feet of incubator space at its flagship innovation centre in Whitechapel, London.

H.I.G. and its development partner, Lateral, a UK-based real estate developer, will collaborate with Barts Life Sciences (BLS), Barts Health NHS Trust, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), and the U.K. Department of Health & Social Care on this project, marking a significant milestone for the Whitechapel Life Science Cluster. The additional space will support the goal of creating a world-class life sciences cluster in the heart of Whitechapel, accelerating the development of life-changing healthcare treatments and outcomes.

Additionally, the development of a state-of-the-art incubator space and its shared services will create a venture-building environment and ecosystem, critical in attracting startup companies and spinouts. QMB’s extensive experience operating incubator spaces will also help deliver long-term, high-quality jobs to the Whitechapel area, foster career pathways, and promote education in the life sciences and STEM sectors.

Jérôme Fouillé, Managing Director at H.I.G. Realty in Europe, commented, “We are thrilled to partner with QMB in developing this first-class incubator space at Cavell Street. Our collaboration marks a significant step in creating a vibrant life sciences cluster in Whitechapel and furthering the growth of H.I.G.’s life sciences real estate platform in the U.K. By providing high-quality facilities and support services, we are cultivating an environment where innovative startups can thrive and contribute to groundbreaking health outcomes.”

Ted Webster, Chairman of QMB, commented, “Our partnership with H.I.G. is an exciting opportunity to expand our proven model of supporting life science startups. The new space will enable us to nurture the next generation of innovative companies, providing them with the resources and conditions they need to succeed. We are committed to driving scientific advancement and delivering significant benefits to the local community and beyond.”

About Queen Mary BioEnterprises Innovation Centre

The existing QMB incubator opened in 2011 as London’s first completely new-built facility for both early and late-stage chemistry and biology start-ups, offering 39,000 square feet of commercial wet laboratory and office space. QMB’s long track record of supporting the growth of innovative companies and facilitating access to the world-class facilities at Queen Mary University of London’s School of Medicine and Dentistry has proven a huge success. This proven expertise ensures that the new incubator space at Cavell Street will provide a nurturing environment for emerging life science companies to innovate and grow. For more information, visit qmbioenterprises.com.

About H.I.G. Capital

H.I.G. is a leading global alternative investment firm with $67 billion of capital under management.* Based in Miami, and with offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco in the United States, as well as international affiliate offices in Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Dubai, and Hong Kong, H.I.G. specializes in providing both debt and equity capital to mid-sized companies, utilizing a flexible and operationally focused/value-added approach:

  • H.I.G.’s equity funds invest in management buyouts, recapitalizations, and corporate carve-outs of both profitable as well as underperforming manufacturing and service businesses.
  • H.I.G.’s debt funds invest in senior, unitranche, and junior debt financing to companies across the size spectrum, both on a primary (direct origination) basis, as well as in the secondary markets. H.I.G. also manages a publicly traded BDC, WhiteHorse Finance.
  • H.I.G.’s real estate funds invest in value-added properties, which can benefit from improved asset management practices.
  • H.I.G. Infrastructure focuses on making value-add and core plus investments in the infrastructure sector.

Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 400 companies worldwide. The Firm’s current portfolio includes more than 100 companies with combined sales in excess of $53 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at hig.com.

*Based on total capital raised by H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates.

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Contact:

Riccardo Dallolio
Managing Director
[email protected]

Jérôme Fouillé
Managing Director
[email protected]

H.I.G. Capital
10 Grosvenor Street
2nd Floor
London W1K 4QB
United Kingdom
P +44 (0) 207 318 5700
hig.com

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