LNC Therapeutics Acquires Exclusive License for Microbes Potentially Related to Obesity
LNC Therapeutics announced on 10/15/18 that it has signed an exclusive license agreement with Cornell University (Ithaca, NY, USA) for its Christensenella patent family.

Christensenella is a recently discovered family of gut bacteria. Considered a keystone taxon in the human gut microbiome, it represents a major opportunity in the fight against obesity, metabolic disorders and other high-impact diseases. Christensenella and microbiome modulation is an innovative approach with the potential to unlock a wide range of therapeutic applications.

By securing a license for the Christensenella patent, LNC has bolstered its strategy for developing innovative therapeutic approaches based on this new family of bacteria.

“Expanding our intellectual property is essential in order for us to successfully pursue our vision and our development strategy,” said Dr. Georges Rawadi, CEO of LNC.“Securing a license for the Christensenella patent has reinforced our existing intellectual property portfolio.It’s a key step in establishing our leadership position for the Christensenella family and anticipating its future therapeutic applications.”Symflor, who previously licensed the Christensenlla patent, has assisted LNC in this transaction.

LNC aims to use this license to develop the first Christensenella-based drug candidate for the treatment of obesity and metabolic disorders. In parallel, LNC will leverage its research platform dedicated to studying this family of bacteria in order to gain deeper insight into how it operates and understand how it interacts with host cells. “We strongly believe that Christensenella has a wide therapeutic potential that goes beyond obesity and metabolic disorders. We are therefore considering the possibility of broadening our fields of application,” Dr. Rawadi added.

Synthetic Biologics Announces Closing of $18,639,000 Public Offering
Synthetic Biologics, Inc. (NYSE American: SYN) announced on 10/15/18 the closing of its previously announced underwritten public offering with expected total gross proceeds of approximately $18,639,000 before deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and other offering expenses payable by the Company.  The Company expects to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund its and its subsidiaries' preclinical and clinical programs and for working capital and general corporate purposes, including to acquire, license or invest in complementary businesses, technologies, product candidates or other intellectual property.