{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/65736d39d32e730012c98919/6a21ec2914e465e5ce7d35bf?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"A Billion-Dollar Deal, Trial Trouble, Biohub Updates, and Vaccine Research News","description":"<p>In this week’s episode, we start with news that Fulcrum Therapeutics is scrapping its lead pipeline program for sickle cell disease following concerns from the FDA about the drug’s risks and benefits. Also on the docket, news of Eli Lilly’s latest spending. The pharma giant has added its genetic medicines pipeline and capabilities by signing a $1.9 billion agreement with Ascidian Therapeutics to develop RNA exon editors for treating inherited kidney diseases. Next up, updates to an open-source model for binder design and protein function mapping.&nbsp;Finally, on the peer-review front, we dive into some of the latest vaccine research including insights into the mechanisms that cross-reactive T cells use to target multiple viral species in a single family and an improvement to standard polio vaccines.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Join <em>GEN</em> editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Listed below are links to the <em>GEN</em> stories referenced in this episode of <em>Touching Base</em>:&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href=\"https://www.genengnews.com/topics/translational-medicine/fulcrum-halts-development-of-scd-candidate-pociredir-sets-strategic-review/?_gl=1*10cce5k*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTIxNjk5MDgwMS4xNzYwNTUyNDU2*_ga_F1EYPPYL3X*czE3ODA1MDMwMzgkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODA1MDMwMzgkajYwJGwwJGg2ODk3Njk4MTc.\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Fulcrum Halts Development of SCD Candidate Pociredir, Sets Strategic Review</a></p><p>By Alex Philippidis and Kevin Davies, PhD, <em>GEN Edge</em>, June 2, 2026</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href=\"https://www.genengnews.com/topics/drug-discovery/lilly-ascidian-launch-up-to-1-9b-rna-exon-editor-collaboration-targeting-inherited-kidney-diseases/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Lilly, Ascidian Launch Up-to-$1.9B RNA Exon Editor Collaboration Targeting Inherited Kidney Diseases</a></p><p>By Alex Philippidis, <em>GEN Edge</em>, June 3, 2026</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href=\"https://www.genengnews.com/topics/artificial-intelligence/biohub-releases-protein-biology-world-model-to-address-disease/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Biohub Releases Protein Biology World Model to Address Disease</a></p><p>By Fay Lin, PhD, <em>GEN Edge</em>, May 27, 2026</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href=\"https://www.genengnews.com/topics/infectious-diseases/cross-reactive-t-cells-could-point-to-broad-vaccines-or-treatments-for-measles-nipah-virus/?_gl=1*1a4g92v*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjQyNjk2MDYxLjE3ODA0OTE2NzM.*_ga_F1EYPPYL3X*czE3ODA0OTE2NzMkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODA0OTE5NzEkajYwJGwwJGgxNTA1MzY5NzU0\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Cross-Reactive T Cells Could Point to Broad Vaccines or Treatments for Measles, Nipah Virus</a></p><p><em>GEN</em>, June 2, 2026</p><p><br></p><p><a href=\"https://www.genengnews.com/topics/infectious-diseases/experimental-adjuvant-could-strengthen-mucosal-immunity-with-injectable-polio-vaccines/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Experimental Adjuvant Could Strengthen Mucosal Immunity with Injectable Polio Vaccines&nbsp;</a></p><p><em>GEN</em>, June 4, 2026</p><p><br></p><p><a href=\"https://www.genengnews.com/category/multimedia/podcasts/touching-base/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Touching Base Podcast</a>&nbsp;</p><p>Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD&nbsp;</p>","author_name":"Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN)"}