UK Life Sciences Research & Innovation News
Research and innovation news highlights scientific findings and technology advances before, alongside or outside commercial product and human clinical development. Coverage spans UK research organisations, biotechnology companies and scientific technology providers.
Purespring Presents Preclinical PS-003 Data in X-Linked Alport Syndrome, Targets 2027 IND
Purespring Therapeutics has presented preclinical data at ASN Kidney Week 2026 showing that a single dose of its kidney-targeted gene therapy PS-003 produced durable COL4A5 expression in a mouse model of X-linked Alport syndrome, with no treatment-related safety concerns in minipigs. The company plans to file an IND in 2027.
Biographica Introduces CROP-1 AI Model for Crop Gene Regulation
Biographica has introduced CROP-1, a genomic AI model combining DNA sequence and biological context to predict gene expression across crops and conditions. The company reports stronger computational prediction results than several comparison models and describes possible applications in targeted crop trait development. Its proposed regulatory edits remain predictions, not experimentally demonstrated improvements in plants. The accompanying research manuscript has not yet undergone peer review.
U-Ploid's LYVANTA Nearly Doubles Share of Error-Free Human Eggs in Lab Study
U-Ploid Biotechnologies has reported that its investigational therapy LYVANTA (UP-085) raised the share of chromosomally error-free human eggs to 65.6% from 35.7% in a randomised laboratory study using eggs donated at six UK fertility clinics, presented at ASRM 2026. The results are preclinical, and safety studies and clinical trials are still needed.
BioOrbit Completes Six-Week ISS Mission Growing Protein Crystals for Cancer Drugs
BioOrbit has completed a six-week experiment aboard the International Space Station using its Baby BOX-E unit, which the company says achieved the largest-scale production of protein crystals in space to date. The crystals are intended for highly concentrated cancer drugs that could be self-injected at home rather than given as hospital infusions, and the mission follows BioOrbit's £9.8 million seed round in April.
Avacta Presents AVA6103 Preclinical Data in Enhertu-Resistant Tumour Models at ESMO
Avacta Therapeutics has presented preclinical data at ESMO 2026 showing its FAP-targeted drug conjugate AVA6103 produced partial responses in mouse tumour models and stable disease in gastric tumours that had progressed on Enhertu. The Phase 1a FOCUS-01 trial has completed enrolment at its fourth dose level, with first efficacy data expected in H1 2027.