Partnership to Advance Nanomaterials and Quantum Dot Technologies


Graphene and graphite producer Graphjet Technology Sdn Bhd has announced a new partnership with UK headquartered Quantum Science Ltd that will enhance both companies’ innovation pipelines.


Graphjet’s memorandum of agreement with Quantum Science will see the companies explore the technical and commercial opportunities of working together.


Plans are already underway for the two parties to create a fl agship new materials platform, with work due to start as soon as the agreement is fi nalised in early 2023.


The companies will co-develop a range of new products that accelerate technological advances, with the aim of bringing new growth opportunities and improving the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world.


Patrick Teh, Director UK and Europe at Graphjet, said that the collaboration with Quantum Science will “combine the strength and wisdom from both companies,” adding that “the perfect property synergy of graphene and QDs can make a revolution.”


The memorandum of agreement will see Quantum Science share


Polymer Protection for Safer Vaccine and Drug Delivery


its expertise with Graphjet to advance both companies’ technology offerings to their customers.


Kuala Lumpur-based Graphjet transforms waste palm kernel shells into high-demand graphene materials for a range of technical industries.


Aiden Lee, CEO of Graphjet, said: “We are excited to team up with Quantum Science, a world leading QD innovator and developer, to advance our graphene products development and offerings. It will


enable our ever-increasing customer base to access to the most advanced materials platform at unparalleled cost advantages, introducing new features and bringing signifi cant value to their businesses. We are pleased to continue our rapid forward progress as a sustainably sourced provider of graphite and graphene at a price that can be 80% less than competitors in a market using carbon-intensive production means resulting in lesser quality materials.”


Dr Hao Pang, CEO of Quantum Science, commented: “We are delighted to partner with GTI, a world-leading graphite and graphene producer, to advance our innovation and product offerings to our customers. Both QD and graphene materials have great potential synergies and offer unparalleled technical advantages for a wide range of applications, that can only benefi t our customers, end-users and stakeholders alike.”


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Data Shows 50% of New Trials Have Sites in Asia Pacific


Novotech, the Asia Pacifi c centred biotech specialist CRO said the latest industry research publication by GlobalData and Novotech found almost 50% of new trials had sites in Asia Pacifi c.


According to the new publication titled ‘State of the Global Biotech Landscape: Where the Opportunities Lie’, demand for Asia Pacifi c trial sites is strong with almost half of the more than 27,000 clinical trials initiated in 2021 having sites in Asia Pacifi c. The data shows almost 12,900 of the new trials had sites in Asia Pacifi c.


A liposome (left) containing a vaccine is commonly coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) but it can trigger an allergic reaction to some recipients. A newly developed lipid (right) could serve as a safer, alternative liposome-coating while retaining the vaccine longer in the body. Credit: Science and Technology of Advanced Materials (2022)


Researchers at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan have developed a biocompatible polymer which could help deliver vaccines and drugs, with reduced risk of the rare dangerous adverse reaction called anaphylaxis. The preliminary tests have been reported in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials.


Until now, the polymer of choice for encasing and delivering vaccines has been poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). This synthetic, fl exible, water-soluble material has been used to surround some COVID-19 vaccines carried within the tiny spherical packages known as liposomes.


Unfortunately, some recipients have suffered an anaphylactic reaction to PEG, in which the immune system mounts an allergic response to the foreign material.


The alternative polymer is a form of fatty biomolecule called a lipid, and is conjugated to 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer.


This new substance spontaneously binds to the outside of liposome particles when mixed with them in water. Crucially, the polymer is not recognised by the antibodies that the body can generate in response to PEG, and tests suggest it does not stimulate any other antibodies that could cause an allergic reaction. This should allow coated liposomes containing a vaccine to be retained in the body for a longer time without being cleared by the immune system, in addition to avoiding anaphylaxis.


“We have also found that the polymer avoids other interactions with proteins in the blood that might otherwise interfere with its effects, and it also prevents liposomes from aggregating together,” said Molecular Engineer Yuji Teramura of the AIST team.


Tests confi rm the coated liposomes can remain stable in storage for 14 days, suffi cient for real clinical applications.


“All the indications suggest that our technology should be suitable for delivering vaccines into patients who develop anaphylaxis in response to PEG,” Teramura concludes.


The polymer must now be thoroughly tested in various real vaccine applications. The team is moving into this next crucial phase of the development process, prior to eventual clinical trials in humans.


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The report also noted that the Asia Pacifi c region, which has more than 6,772 trial sites each with access to an average of 2,136 million people, has considerable underutilised capacity presenting an opportunity for growth in multinational trials in the region.


In addition, analysis of trial growth trends found that Asia Pacifi c has also seen high phase-level growth over the 5-year analysis period to 2022.


• Phases I and II were dominated by Asia Pacifi c, which served as a trial location in 57% and 49% of trials, respectively


• US and EU remained stable at approximately 20% at phases I through III.


• RoW representation is low in phases I and II but on par with the US and EU in phase III


Novotech was awarded the Frost & Sullivan Company of the Year Award 2022 for Best Practices in the Asia-Pacifi c contract research organisation industry. Novotech has been a recipient of the Frost


& Sullivan Asia Pacifi c Best Practices awards since 2006. Frost & Sullivan identifi es companies that consistently develop growth strategies based on a visionary understanding of the future, and effectively address new challenges and opportunities.


In response to the Company of the Year Award announcement, Novotech CEO Dr John Moller said this award is a credit to our entire global team which has decades of biotech drug development experience. “Our global clients benefi t from access to our expert teams in Asia Pacifi c, which is the fastest-growing clinical trial region, due to its vast patient populations and sophisticated medical research infrastructure. Our consistent investment in advanced training and technology systems combine to deliver a specialist full-service biotech CRO solution.”


Novotech also recently produced a new publication for biotechs considering China for their clinical research, and the relevant processes required for global regulatory approvals. The report details regulatory requirements for biotechs including NDA and IND processes as well as ex-US research guidance for a successful US FDA approval pathway. Novotech provides the relevant regulatory knowledge and drug development pathways specifi cally designed to support the US FDA approval process, avoiding delays and additional costs.


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Expansion Extends Bioanalytical Services in Brisbane


Leading bioanalytical DMPK and CMC testing services provider, Alliance Pharma, has opened its new 20,000 ft2 bioanalytical laboratory, Alliance Pharma Pty, Ltd, in Brisbane, Australia.


The new Australia facility, which the company announced plans for earlier this summer, includes an expansive lab to provide much-needed small and large molecule bioanalytical services for a region with limited choices for bioanalytical support.


“Alliance Pharma’s expanded presence in Australia affi rms our commitment to combining scientifi c talent and technology to deliver global drug development solutions,” said Alliance CEO, Patrick Bennett. “In this new purpose-built laboratory, our talented teams will use their diverse experience and expertise to provide high-quality bioanalytical services.”


“Our new state-of-the-art science facility in Brisbane will further strengthen our global bioanalytical capabilities. It will allow biotech companies to work with us in Australia in the early phase and then transfer the knowledge on these assays to other regions to support the later development phases. Our objective is to accelerate the growth of our best-in-class portfolio and deliver industry-leading drug development service for our worldwide clients,” said Alliance Pharma Site President, Australia, Jason (Hao) Wang, PhD.


Alliance CEO, Patrick Bennett, and Australia Site President, Jason Wang, cut the ribbon at the Brisbane laboratory grand opening on 6 December.


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