Latest Lab Talk News in Brief: Investment funding , lab space, AI, appointments, R&D

Therapeutic viruses offer potential in cancer treatment but are typically limited by the need for direct tumour injection. Stratosvir’s platform is designed for intravenous delivery, enabling therapies to travel through the body to tumours and stimulate an immune response.

The company is advancing its technology in preclinical cancer models, aiming to overcome key delivery challenges associated with current approaches.

Chesterford Research Park has secured the first letting at the newly completed Sidney Sussex Building, with Suite 5 (2,910 sq ft) taken by existing occupier Camena Bioscience. The synthetic biology company develops DNA synthesis technologies, with a high-throughput platform producing complex gene sequences for pharmaceutical and biotechnology applications.

Sapio Sciences has integrated Anthropic’s Claude Cowork assistant into its Sapio Platform via Sapio Elain.

The system provides a conversational interface to search, analyse and act on R&D data across ELN and LIMS environments. Working across connected data sources, it can collate findings and return structured outputs including reports and dashboards.

Claude Cowork can also take actions on behalf of users within the platform, operating on experiments and processes with full traceability and attribution, supporting more automated and connected lab workflows.

Harry Curtis has been appointed technical director at Vision Engineering Group, effective 1 April 2026, joining the board. He will lead the company’s global technical strategy while continuing to oversee Vision Technology Partnerships, Vision Optics and Vision TriTeQ.

A significant proportion of people living with diabetes may have undiagnosed heart failure, according to the TARTAN-HF trial presented at the American College of Cardiology conference.

The study found one in four patients with additional risk factors had previously undetected heart failure, identified through screening using blood tests and echocardiography. Researchers say targeted screening could improve diagnosis and enable earlier treatment.

Asahi Kasei has completed its acquisition of Aicuris Anti-infective Cures AG, marking a step in expanding its global specialty pharmaceutical business.

The deal strengthens its position in infectious diseases, adding three antiviral assets spanning marketed and clinical-stage development. Aicuris’ portfolio and capabilities are expected to enhance pipeline quality while also providing a near-term commercial opportunity.

The company said the acquisition supports its strategy to scale its global development and commercialisation platform, with Aicuris revenues projected to reach $500m by 2030.

Laguna Diagnostics has received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for its mRNA gene biomarker test designed to differentiate schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder.

The blood-based test aims to address high misdiagnosis rates associated with current diagnostic approaches, which rely on subjective assessment and can take years to reach a conclusion.

UK manufacturers face growing pressure to comply with F-Gas legislation amid ageing cooling infrastructure and volatile conditions, according to a report from Aggreko.

Surveying 334 plant managers, the study highlights how regulatory demands and operational vulnerabilities are delaying upgrades. Proposals for accelerated HFC reductions could significantly affect refrigerant availability, increasing the need to transition to low-GWP alternatives.

The MHRA has granted marketing authorisation to ENFLONSIA (clesrovimab) for preventing RSV lower respiratory tract disease in infants.

The monoclonal antibody is designed to provide protection with a single dose regardless of weight during the first RSV season.

The approval follows a recent European Commission decision and comes in the context of ongoing efforts to reduce the burden of RSV, which previously accounted for tens of thousands of hospitalisations annually in young children in the UK.

A new MedTech Innovation Masters programme at the University of Glasgow is set to launch in September, developed in collaboration with industry and NHS partners.

The course aims to bridge the gap between concept and commercialisation, supporting healthcare innovation and accelerating early-stage ideas into practical applications.

Naturbeads has secured €4.1m in EU funding to support a new production plant in southern Italy and advance its biodegradable material technology.

The Bath-based company is developing cellulose-based alternatives to microplastics for use in products including cosmetics, paints and detergents.

The funding will support construction of the facility in Puglia and ongoing R&D as the company moves towards full commercialisation.

Researchers at VIB and VUB in Belgium have developed a new model to study immune behaviour in lung tumours, published in Nature Communications.

By combining a mouse model with single-cell technologies, the approach enables clearer distinction between tumour-resident and circulating immune cells.

The model more closely reflects tumour growth in the lung environment, supporting improved understanding of lung adenocarcinoma and preclinical research.

Daily home blood pressure monitoring could reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke in women with pregnancy-related hypertension, according to research funded by the British Heart Foundation.

The University of Oxford-led study found that tailoring medication based on daily readings improved arterial function, with researchers estimating this could reduce cardiovascular risk by around 10%.

Claire Hinshelwood has been appointed chief financial officer at Evotec, effective 1 May 2026, succeeding Paul Hitchin. She brings more than 30 years’ experience in financial leadership roles, including positions at BMI Group, Novartis and Syngenta.

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Saudi Arabia has won a 2026 Webby Award for its branded film ‘Strangers’ in the Health & Wellness category.

The film, developed with Publicis Groupe, presents a narrative approach to organ donation, reflecting a broader shift towards more human-centred healthcare communication.

Wild Bioscience has expanded its operations at Milton Park following a £45m Series A investment.

The University of Oxford spin-out (pictured top right) has increased its laboratory and office space to 16,000 sq ft, supporting development of climate-resilient crops.

The new facility will focus on crop design and engineering, including work on precision-bred wheat.