The German Research Foundation (DFG) is establishing 13 new Collaborative Research Centres (SFBs) to further strengthen top-level research at German universities. This was decided by the responsible funding committee in Bonn. The new SFBs will be funded for an initial period of three years and nine months starting in October 2025 with a total of around 177 million euros. This includes a 22 percent program allowance for indirect project costs. Three of the new centres are SFB/Transregios (TRRs), in which several applicant universities are involved. The review of 24 continuation proposals has been postponed due to the Cluster of Excellence strategy; they will initially receive bridging funding and will be discussed at the committee's next meeting in November 2025. Collaborative Research Centres enable scientists to jointly pursue innovative, demanding, and long-term research projects, thereby supporting the further development of focal points and structures at the applicant universities. Starting in October 2025, a total of 262 SFBs will be funded by the...

Increased activity in a specific biological pathway may explain why many patients with a deadly form of skin cancer do not respond to the latest cancer treatments, a new study shows. Publishing in the journal Cancer Research online June 10, the study featured data generated from experiments with human tissues and cells from patients with advanced melanoma that were implanted into mice. Results uncovered therapeutic targets that could limit melanoma growth in patients whose cancer failed to respond to initial treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Led by researchers at NYU Langone Health and its Perlmutter Cancer Center, the study focused on a subgroup of melanoma patients with mutations in the neurofibromin 1 (NF1) gene. NF1 mutations — random changes in the molecular „letters“ that make up this gene’s DNA code — are just one type among several mutations, including those… 

Phenomix Sciences (Phenomix), the first commercial precision obesity medicine biotechnology company, today announces the publication of a landmark study validating the utility of its MyPhenome™ genetic obesity test. Published in Cell Metabolism, the peer-reviewed study is the first published research validating the clinical utility of MyPhenome’s genetic risk score to help predict weight loss response to two commonly prescribed anti-obesity medication classes: GLP-1 receptor agonists and phentermine/topiramate. Led by Andres Acosta, MD, PhD, and his research team at Mayo Clinic, the study, “Genetic and Physiological Insights into Satiation Variability Predict Responses to Obesity Treatment,” revealed MyPhenome test results can help reduce variability in response to obesity medications and enable clinicians to select more effective treatments based on a patient’s unique biology. The study focused on an in-depth analysis of human satiation in more than 400 adults with obesity (BMI ?30).… 

London – Alternative investment firm H.I.G. Capital has completed the acquisition of ITH Group Limited, a leading provider of aseptic pharmaceutical compounding services in the UK. The transaction was made in partnership with ITH founders Adam Bloom and Karen Hamling, who will continue to serve as CEO and COO, respectively. Financial terms were not disclosed. Founded in 2008, ITH manufactures customized, injectable medications for patients with special medical needs not covered by standard treatments. The company is a market leader in chemotherapy, total parenteral nutrition, and central intravenous additives, supplying high-quality, patient-specific drugs to both adults and neonates. ITH also operates a digital pharmacy that supplies NHS and private patients with approved medications. H.I.G. Capital plans to continue ITH’s organic growth and support new initiatives such as expanding production capacity. The company will continue to be led by its existing management team, which will be…