A University of Manchester study has found disabling a part of brain cells that acts as a tap to regulate the flow of proteins has been shown to cause neurodegeneration (University of Manchester, 2017). The research, which was carried out in mice, focused on the Golgi apparatus, a compartment inside all cells in the body … Continue reading Turning off the protein tap, a new clue to neurodegenerative disease

A one-off injection could one day lower your cholesterol levels for the rest of your life (New Scientist, 2017). People born with natural mutations which disable a specific gene have a lower risk of heart disease, with no apparent side effects. Now a single injection has successfully disabled this gene in animal tests for the … Continue reading Injection could permanently lower cholesterol by changing your DNA

BBI Group has today announced the completion of its acquisition by Exponent Private Equity (MediWales, 2017). Commenting on the deal, BBI Group CEO Lyn Rees said “This acquisition represents a firm commitment to the future growth plan of BBI, with the new ownership backed by a proven track record in the investment of resources for … Continue reading BBI Group acquired by Exponent Private Equity

Cardiff University has been confirmed as title sponsor of BioWales 2017, the leading event for the life sciences sector in Wales (Cardiff University, 2017). BioWales returns to Wales Millennium Centre on March 7th – 8th 2017. Now in its fifteenth year, BioWales builds on Wales’ collaborative strength, bringing together industry experts, life science investors and … Continue reading Cardiff University will be the title sponsor of BioWales 2017

Proton Partners International, which is currently developing cancer treatment centres in Newport, Northumberland and Reading, has made two appointments to its senior executive team (Business Insider, 2017). Dr Ian Barwick, the former COO of the Life Sciences Hub Wales, is company’s new chief scientific officer. He will play an integral role in patient-led research. Lis … Continue reading Proton Partners make two senior appointments

A male contraceptive gel has been found to work reliably in a trial in primates, bringing the prospect of an alternative form of birth control for humans closer (The Guardian, 2017). The product, called Vasalgel, is designed to be a reversible and less invasive form of vasectomy and in the latest study was 100% effective … Continue reading Male contraceptive gel 100% effective in trial with monkeys

Researchers have helped identify a genetically-distinct subset of helper T-cell associated with tissues affected by rheumatoid arthritis (University of Birmingham, 2017). Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints, where the immune system attacks its own tissues and causes chronic inflammation and pain. T-cells are important mediators of the disease, interacting with … Continue reading New type of T-cell “key player” in rheumatoid arthritis

BBI Group is consolidating and expanding its UK manufacturing operations onto a single site in Caerphilly in an £8.5m investment, supported by the Welsh Government, that will create and safeguard more than three hundred and sixty jobs in Wales (Welsh Government, 2017). BBI Group, which is currently headquartered in Cardiff, has a number of manufacturing … Continue reading BBI Group and the Welsh Government announce multi-million pound investment

Signum Health, a Caerphilly-based digital referral platform for medical professionals, healthcare providers and the public, has secured a six figure equity co-investment from Finance Wales and four angel investors (MediWales, 2017). As well as Finance Wales, investment comes from William Record, owner of Welsh ICE, investment specialist and CEO of Cognis Capital Myra Tabor, former … Continue reading Signum Health secures six figure investment

Alesi Surgical has secured FDA approval for its Ultravision system (MediWales, 2017). The Ultravision system clears the vapour and particulate matter generated by modern surgical cutting instruments during laparoscopic surgery through the use of electrostatic technology. The technology dramatically and effortlessly improves visibility for surgeons that is otherwise rapidly obscured by surgical smoke. Dr Dominic … Continue reading Alesi Surgical gains FDA approval for Ultravision