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Avimer Bio and CNIO Advance Protein Cage Design for Targeted Medicine

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Avimer Bio and CNIO announce JACS publication detailing computational methods to build self-assembling protein cages with atomic precision for targeted medicine.

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Avimer Bio, in collaboration with structural biologists at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), announced a new publication in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS) describing advances in building self-assembling protein cages with atomic precision. The work addresses a longstanding challenge in designing protein assemblies with predictable shapes.

The Technical Achievement
The research addresses how to build predictable protein architectures when building blocks bend as they assemble. Chief Scientific Officer Todd Yeates introduced geometric methods for creating protein cage nanoparticles decades ago at UCLA. Those earlier methods required precise shapes, making structural flexibility a hurdle for designers.
The team developed computer algorithms that predict how spiral-shaped protein segments, called alpha helices, bend. This allows scientists to use the natural flexibility of protein molecules during design. The approach yielded cubic protein cages with minimal mutations to four trimeric protein blocks, twelve subunits in total, reaching molecular masses over 600 kilodaltons while maintaining stability in solution.

“Protein cages require many subunits to fit together in precise arrangements. We used mathematics and mechanical design to identify architectures where the proteins’ natural flexibility helps them adopt the shapes needed for assembly. Combining those principles with modern AI methods gave us a way to design around that flexibility and opens new possibilities for building therapeutic protein assemblies.”
— Todd Yeates, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder, Avimer Bio

Structural Validation
High-resolution cryo-electron microscopy performed at CNIO in Madrid, led by Pablo San Segundo-Acosta and Roger Castells-Graells, confirmed that the physical protein cages matched computational models. Cryo-EM structures reached resolutions of 3.0 to 3.9 angstroms. Differences between the models and measured structures stayed as low as 2 angstroms across the protein backbone. The results confirmed the predicted patterns of helix bending.

Clinical Applications and Advantages
Designed protein cages present multiple copies of therapeutic proteins in controlled arrangements to engage cell receptors. Certain receptors must gather in groups to activate a signaling pathway. A programmable cage controls that grouping beyond the two binding arms on a conventional antibody. Future designs can display different targeting proteins together to direct activity toward selected cell populations.
Potential applications include autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis, where engaging selected immune cells helps control inflammation. In oncology, therapeutic proteins on a cage can gather receptors that stimulate immune cells to attack tumors.

The platform centers on two distinct properties:

● Few changes to natural protein sequences: The approach preserves much of the starting protein sequence. Applied to human building blocks, it supports designs that retain high similarity to human proteins, providing a rationale for evaluating immune response.● Single protein subunit composition: Each cage builds from a single type of protein subunit. That simplifies production and maintains consistent composition compared to particles requiring several distinct chains.Research Team and Methodology
Robin Aglietti and Peter Bowers conducted the design work at Avimer Bio alongside Todd Yeates. Roger Castells-Graells directed the structural biology team at CNIO during the cryo-electron microscopy analysis.

Publication Details
The complete study, “Design and Structure of Protein Cages Based on Helical Fusion and Machine Learning,” is available in the Journal of the American Chemical Society at https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.6c11491

About Avimer Bio
Avimer Bio designs programmable protein architectures for targeted therapeutics. Based in San Diego, the company develops computational methods to build protein assemblies that control how therapeutic molecules engage cells and their receptors. For more information, visit www.avimerbio.com

Media Contact:

Adam Sragovicz
adam@avimerbio.com

Press Contact: Adam Sragovicz, https://www.avimerbio.com/

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LoanBud Launches LoanBud Acquire™ to Expand Financing for Main Street Business Acquisitions

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New non-SBA program offers $100,000 to $350,000 in financing for qualified buyers acquiring established small businesses.

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LoanBud today announced the launch of LoanBud Acquire™, a new non-SBA business acquisition financing program offering $100,000 to $350,000 in financing for qualified buyers acquiring established, cash-flowing small businesses.

LoanBud created the program around a problem it sees in the market every day: smaller business acquisitions can be disproportionately difficult to finance. Many lenders prioritize larger credits, while smaller transactions may not fit every SBA or conventional lending program. That can leave qualified buyers and viable businesses with fewer financing paths, even when the underlying transaction makes sense.

“A $250,000 acquisition matters just as much to the buyer, the seller and the employees as a multimillion-dollar transaction,” said Burke Purcell, Founder and CEO of LoanBud. “But smaller acquisitions can be harder to finance because many lenders tend to prioritize larger transactions. LoanBud Acquire™ gives qualified buyers another path to ownership and helps more good Main Street businesses continue under a new owner.”

LoanBud Acquire™ complements LoanBud’s existing SBA business acquisition financing capabilities. By adding a non-SBA option, LoanBud can evaluate an acquisition across multiple potential financing paths rather than trying to fit every transaction into a single program.

That flexibility can be especially important in a business sale, where financing uncertainty creates friction for the buyer, seller and broker. Earlier clarity on whether a transaction has a viable financing path can help all parties move forward with greater confidence.

LoanBud Acquire™ program highlights include:

$100,000 to $350,000 in financingMinimum 15% buyer equity contributionDesigned for acquisitions of established, cash-flowing businessesNo real estate collateral requirementFinancing available for eligible business purchase costs and approved transaction expensesTargeted closing timeline of less than 30 days for qualified transactions

“We do not believe every acquisition should be forced into one financing box,” Purcell said. “Our job is to look at the transaction, identify the most realistic financing path and help the buyer, seller and broker get to a clear answer faster. LoanBud Acquire™ gives us another way to do that for smaller Main Street transactions.”

LoanBud Acquire™ is available now. Qualified buyers and business brokers can learn more at LoanBud.com or apply at apply.loanbud.com.

About LoanBud

LoanBud helps existing business owners access growth capital and helps entrepreneurs finance business acquisitions. By combining technology, experienced lending professionals and a nationwide network of lending partners, LoanBud provides access to SBA and conventional financing for acquisitions, growth, real estate, debt refinancing and working capital. LoanBud is focused on making small business financing faster, clearer and easier to navigate.

For more information, visit LoanBud.com.

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McKool Smith Named 2026 IP “Litigation Department of the Year” by Texas Lawyer

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DALLAS, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — McKool Smith has been named Intellectual Property “Litigation Department of the Year” at the 2026 Texas Legal Awards, presented by Texas Lawyer. The Texas Legal Awards honor the attorneys and law firms making a lasting impact on the Texas legal landscape, from groundbreaking case wins to innovative legal strategies. Winners were celebrated at the awards ceremony on September 30 in Dallas.

The firm recognition reflects a track record of success in high-stakes IP disputes. In the Eastern District of Texas, Austin Principal Steve Pollinger, as lead counsel, along with Marshall Principal Jennifer Truelove, won a $192 million verdict for Mojo Mobility against Samsung on wireless charging patents that was held in full at final judgment. Jennifer also served as co-lead trial counsel on a willful infringement verdict for Pictiva Displays against Samsung on OLED display patents. At the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), the firm’s campaign for Nokia against Hisense ended in a global license resolving the dispute in every jurisdiction.

The department’s recent results also include a stretch of significant trial wins for Dallas Principal Warren Lipschitz, a finalist for Intellectual Property Attorney of the Year. In August 2026, he co-led a team in securing a complete defense verdict for AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Ericsson and Nokia in a consolidated 5G patent trial in the Eastern District of Texas, defeating $436 million in claimed damages. The jury found no infringement, invalidated all nine asserted claims, and held that the plaintiffs had breached their own FRAND obligations. That verdict followed back-to-back 2025 defense wins Warren co-led against Daingean Technologies, also in the Eastern District, cutting a $245 million demand against T-Mobile to $2 million and then winning a verdict of no infringement for AT&T. On the plaintiff side, Warren secured an ITC Initial Determination for Nokia that Amazon infringed five of seven asserted patents, and Nokia reached a settlement with Amazon shortly thereafter.

With more than 130 trial lawyers across offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Marshall, New York, and Washington, D.C., McKool Smith has established a reputation as one of America’s leading trial firms. The firm has secured 18 nine-figure jury verdicts and 16 eight-figure jury verdicts, obtaining more VerdictSearch and The National Law Journal “Top 100 Verdicts” than any other law firm. McKool Smith represents clients in complex commercial litigation, intellectual property, bankruptcy, and white-collar defense matters.

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Custom Home Builder Selection in Lexington SC Guidance Outlined in HelloNation Featuring Home Building Expert Jennifer L. Gerben Nettles

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The article explains how early consultation with a builder can help evaluate land suitability, site conditions, and construction costs before purchasing property.

LEXINGTON, S.C., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Do prospective homeowners need to own land before hiring a custom home builder in Lexington, South Carolina? HelloNation addresses that question in a HelloNation article that explores how early collaboration with a builder can help guide land selection and project planning.

The HelloNation article explains that many buyers assume they must purchase land before contacting a custom home builder Lexington SC professional. In practice, involving a builder earlier in the process can offer important advantages. Builders can help assess potential properties and identify factors that may influence construction feasibility, costs, and design options before a purchase is finalized.

One of the first considerations discussed in the article is the building potential of the land itself. Not all lots offer the same conditions for residential construction. Soil composition, grading, and topography can significantly affect how easily a home can be built. The article notes that a lot that appears ideal at first glance may require extensive excavation, retaining walls, or drainage work, all of which can increase project costs.

Evaluating site conditions before purchasing land can help homeowners avoid unexpected challenges later in the building process. According to the article, builders can conduct early assessments to determine whether the lot can accommodate the desired home design. Home Building Experts explain that this evaluation helps identify potential construction limitations and provides a clearer picture of the work required to prepare the site.

Utility access is another major factor that may influence whether a lot is suitable for a custom home Lexington SC project. The article describes how water, sewer, electricity, and internet service are not always readily available on undeveloped parcels of land. Connecting a property to these utilities may involve additional infrastructure work, which can increase both cost and project timelines. Builders who understand local infrastructure can help estimate the feasibility and expense of utility installation before a buyer commits to purchasing a property.

Lot shape and size can also affect design possibilities and construction costs. The HelloNation article explains that narrow or irregularly shaped parcels may limit the placement and layout of a home. Builders can provide guidance on how to adapt architectural plans to fit the property while still meeting the homeowner’s functional and aesthetic goals. This type of planning ensures that the home design works within the constraints of the lot.

Budget planning is another reason the article recommends early consultation with a custom home builder Lexington SC professional. Builders can provide preliminary construction estimates that account for site preparation, grading, permits, and other development requirements tied to a specific lot. This information helps prospective homeowners determine whether a property aligns with their financial plans before making a purchase.

The article also discusses how early collaboration can streamline the permitting and planning process. Builders with experience in Lexington understand local zoning regulations, setback requirements, and building codes that influence how a home can be placed on a lot. Home Building Experts explain that reviewing these regulations early can prevent costly redesigns or delays later in the project.

Working with a builder during the land selection stage also allows homeowners to compare multiple properties more effectively. By reviewing site conditions, infrastructure access, and potential construction challenges, buyers can make more informed decisions about which lot best supports their vision for a custom home.

The HelloNation article emphasizes that purchasing land first is not always required when planning a custom build. Instead, involving a builder early in the process can create a smoother path from property selection to construction. Evaluating grading requirements, infrastructure availability, and lot suitability ahead of time helps homeowners avoid surprises and better align their plans with realistic construction expectations.

Do You Need Land Before Hiring a Custom Home Builder? features insights from Jennifer L. Gerben Nettles, Home Building Expert of Lexington, South Carolina, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative “edvertising” approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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