Connect with us

Technology

Rice Biotech Launch Pad invents ‘living pharmacy’ designed to produce therapeutics inside the body

Published

on

Durable implant to enter clinic in 2027 has multiple applications and represents new therapeutic approach that lasts full year

HOUSTON, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Biologic medicines can be powerful treatments for many diseases, but their cost can limit access. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, biologics account for just 5% of prescriptions but 51% of drug spending. Researchers at Rice University, with the support of the Rice Biotech Launch Pad, have developed an implantable “living pharmacy” using engineered protein producers (EPPs) that could one day deliver these medicines continuously for months or years from a single procedure.

According to the new study published in Science Advances titled “Once-yearly cell-based therapy for sustained and dose-tunable delivery of monoclonal antibodies,” engineered cells enclosed within a specially modified biomaterial continuously produced therapeutic monoclonal antibodies for one year across multiple preclinical models. The retrievable system also allowed researchers to stop treatment or adjust dosing by removing or replacing the implant.

The work addresses a key challenge for implantable cell therapies. The body’s foreign body response can cause inflammation and scar tissue to build up around an implant, restricting the movement of nutrients and therapeutic proteins and ultimately reducing cell survival and drug production.

“We have created an entirely new approach for the development and use of therapeutic antibodies,” said Robert S. Langer, co-founder of Duracyte and professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “By combining engineered cells, biomaterials and an implantable device, this approach has the potential to create a living pharmacy that provides long-lasting production of biologic medicines while maintaining a level of control that is important for therapeutic use.”

This platform is being developed by Duracyte, which is advancing the platform toward clinical development with the publication providing a foundation for further work on safety, biocompatibility, device design and therapeutic applications. The researchers also used human pharmacokinetic modeling to assess the potential for clinically relevant antibody levels and demonstrated a minimally invasive device designed to support dose adjustment and treatment cessation. Because EPPs can be engineered to produce different proteins, the platform could ultimately support a range of biologic medicines.

The platform was also designed to be adaptable across therapeutic targets. Researchers engineered the same human cell line to produce 13 different monoclonal antibodies spanning oncology, autoimmune disease and infectious disease, including ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, adalimumab, 3BNC117 and PGT121. The antibodies retained their intended biological activity, demonstrating the platform’s potential as a modular approach to mAb delivery.

“The potential of this platform is similar in some ways to the promise of reusable rockets for space travel which significantly reduced cost and time to manufacture,” said Omid Veiseh, professor of bioengineering at Rice University and corresponding author of the study. “Rather than repeatedly manufacturing and delivering a biologic from outside the body, EPPs could produce therapeutic proteins continuously inside the patient. If this approach can be successfully translated, it could offer a more efficient way to deliver biologics with the potential to reduce some of the costs associated with manufacturing and repeatedly administering these medicines.”

The potential economic impact comes at a time of growing concern over the cost and accessibility of biologic medicines. A recent report highlighted by The Wall Street Journal found that 90% of major biologic drugs expected to lose exclusivity over the next decade have no lower-cost competitors in development, underscoring the need for new approaches to how these medicines are produced and delivered.

The study was led by co-first authors Cody Fell, Anthony E. Davis and Shalini Pandey of the Department of Bioengineering at Rice in Houston. This work was supported by the Gates Foundation (INV-051204) and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health (AY1AX000003 and 1047648-490467).

This news release can be found online at news.rice.edu.

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.

Peer-reviewed paper:

Once-yearly cell-based therapy for sustained and dose-tunable delivery of monoclonal antibodies | Science Advances | DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aej5440

Authors: Cody Fell, Anthony E Davis, Shalini Pandey, Michael T Guinn, Zeshi Wang, Jonathon DeBonis, Chancellor Smith, Nathan Brown, Danna Murungi, Yeonju Kim, Imaan Mohandessi, Patrick Bednarz, Amir Ardeshir, Erin M Haupt, Samuel I Cuevas, Christy L Lavine, Michael S Seaman, Oleg Igoshin, Ravi K Ghanta, Michael R Diehl, Omid Veiseh

About Rice:

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of architecture, business, continuing studies, engineering and computing, humanities, music, natural sciences and social sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. Internationally, the university maintains the Rice Global Paris Center, a hub for innovative collaboration, research and inspired teaching located in the heart of Paris. With 4,776 undergraduates and 4,104 graduate students, Rice’s undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 7 for best-run colleges by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by the Wall Street Journal and is included on Forbes’ exclusive list of “New Ivies.”

If you do not wish to receive news releases from Rice University, reply to this email and write “unsubscribe” in the subject line. Office of News and Media Relations – MS 300, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005.

About the Rice Biotech Launch Pad:  

The Rice Biotech Launch Pad is a Houston-based accelerator focused on expediting the translation of Rice University’s health and medical technology discoveries into cures. This initiative is designed to help advance internally discovered platform technologies from concept to clinical studies and commercialization. The Rice Biotech Launch Pad will identify and support highly differentiated projects while driving the expansion of Houston as a world-class medical innovation ecosystem. The accelerator will bring together local researchers with a network of industry executives. For more information, please visit https://biotechlaunchpad.rice.edu/.

Media Contact:

Russo Partners
David Schull or Liz Phillips
(347) 956-7697
david.schull@russopartnersllc.com 
elizabeth.phillips@russopartnersllc.com

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rice-biotech-launch-pad-invents-living-pharmacy-designed-to-produce-therapeutics-inside-the-body-302896947.html

SOURCE Rice University

Continue Reading

Technology

Nscale Appoints Tech Industry Veteran Justin Osofsky as Chief Operating Officer

Published

on

By

Former Meta Executive Brings 18 Years of Operational Leadership to Nscale

LONDON, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Nscale, the vertically integrated AI infrastructure company, today announced the appointment of Justin Osofsky as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Osofsky will report directly to Founder and Chief Executive Officer Josh Payne and oversee Nscale’s global operations as the company accelerates its rapid expansion.

“Nscale is rapidly scaling our vertically integrated platform globally to serve high customer demand. Building the right systems and processes that scale and maintain operational excellence is of vital importance to our mission.” said Josh Payne, Founder and CEO of Nscale, “Justin has spent nearly two decades helping build and scale one of the most successful technology companies in the world. We are incredibly fortunate to have him join us as our Chief Operating Officer.”

Osofsky joins Nscale following an 18-year career at Meta, where he held senior executive roles spanning global operations, partnerships, corporate development, monetization, and platform strategy. Most recently serving as Chief Partnerships Officer at Meta, Osofsky previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Instagram, Vice President of Global Operations at Meta, and Head of the Small and Medium Business (SMB) group at Meta.

As Chief Operating Officer, Osofsky will drive operational cadence, cross-functional execution, and organizational scaling across Nscale’s expanding global footprint. His scope of responsibility includes leading Nscale’s People, EMEA, APAC, Business Development, Communications, Marketing, Global Policy, and M&A organizations.

“Having observed Nscale’s remarkable trajectory and vision, I am thrilled to partner with Josh and his leadership team,” Osofsky said. “My focus will be on delivering lasting value to our customers worldwide by building the operating structures and execution discipline to connect our capabilities across our global teams.”

Osofsky holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, a J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, and an A.B. in Economics from Harvard University. Prior to joining Meta, he was an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company.

About Nscale

Nscale Limited (Nscale) is a full-stack AI cloud platform. We bring together software, compute, and power in a vertically integrated offering – from a unified cloud platform for running AI training and inference, to the data centers and low-cost power that make it possible. Our mission is to build the engine of superintelligence and enhance access to the benefits of advanced AI for enterprises, governments, and the communities that depend on them.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nscale-appoints-tech-industry-veteran-justin-osofsky-as-chief-operating-officer-302897440.html

SOURCE Nscale

Continue Reading

Technology

Minister McKnight tours Westridge Marine Terminal, showcasing Canada’s ability to build major energy infrastructure responsibly

Published

on

By

BURNABY, BC, Oct. 2, 2026 /CNW/ — Today, the Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, toured the Westridge Marine Terminal in Burnaby to highlight the safety, environmental and marine protection, and operational excellence that have made the facility a critical gateway for Canadian energy exports to global markets. For 70 years, but especially following recent modernization, Westridge has served as a best-in-class example of Canada’s rigorous approach to building energy infrastructure that pairs economic growth with environmental protection and public safety.

The visit comes one day after Prime Minister Carney announced the listing of the Pacific Link pipeline as a project of national interest under the Building Canada Act. Pacific Link will reduce our dependence on the United States by allowing Canada to export an additional one million barrels a day from a new marine terminal in Delta, B.C., to growing markets in Asia. The project will create up to 140,000 jobs across the country and generate over $20 billion in GDP per year and $100 billion in government revenue by 2060 — revenue that will help build the infrastructure and homes British Columbians and all Canadians need and protect the social programs they rely on, from health care to child care.

The tour underscored that Pacific Link is not a hypothetical concept. Seventy to ninety percent of the proposed project would leverage the existing Trans Mountain corridor. With Trans Mountain Corporation (TMC) as the lead developer, the project will benefit from TMC’s extensive, decades-long operational knowledge of the existing and proposed corridor, delivery, receipt and receipt terminals, and construction.

The Westridge Marine Terminal in Burrard Inlet connects the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMEP), completed in 2024, to tanker vessels for export. The newly expanded Terminal comprises three new vessel loading berths and significantly increases the oil export capacity from the Westridge terminal — transforming Westridge into a modern export facility capable of connecting Canadian energy producers with new markets across the Asia-Pacific region while maintaining rigorous environmental and safety standards. Before the TMEP, Westridge received approximately five vessels per month. Now, it can receive 34 per month. An 85-person team that includes supervisory staff, technicians, marine professionals, emergency response personnel and others operates the Burnaby and Westridge Terminals on a 24/7 basis. Throughout the tour, Minister McKnight received updates on the measures that support safe operations at Westridge. For example, Minister McKnight heard about consultation, mitigation and safety measures such as:

The expansion of the Western Canada Marine Response Corporation from approximately 60 to nearly 200 people to support a world-class response regimeTrans Mountain’s Marine Mammal Protection Program, which implemented 32 mitigation and monitoring measures to reduce impacts on whales and other marine mammalsA rock reef complex designed to create refuges for smaller fish and surface area for algae to growConsultation with Indigenous Peoples, leading to one of the largest archaeological projects in Canada that identified 80,000 artifacts relevant to First Nations’ history69 Mutual Benefit Agreements worth over $650 million, signed with 81 Indigenous groups, to access economic opportunities associated with the TMEP

As Canada looks ahead to the development of Pacific Link, Westridge stands as a concrete example of how major nation-building infrastructure can be delivered in a way that respects local and Indigenous communities, protects local environments and creates long-term economic opportunities for Canada.

The lessons learned through the planning, construction and operation of the TMEP provide a strong foundation for future energy infrastructure. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that future infrastructure development is grounded in proven practices and real-world experience. By building on existing corridors, leveraging established expertise and maintaining high standards for environmental stewardship and Indigenous consultation, Pacific Link will strengthen Canada’s economic and energy security while supporting responsible resource development and bringing prosperity to local communities.

Quotes

“We all share a responsibility to protect the waters, ecosystems and communities that make British Columbia so special. That’s why it was important for me to see first-hand the work being done at Westridge to protect the environment and maintain the highest safety standards. This facility reflects years of planning, oversight and meaningful consultation with Indigenous communities — rigour Canadians can be proud of. Westridge shows that when we work together, we can build major infrastructure responsibly. As we look to new opportunities like Pacific Link, that’s the standard Canadians rightfully expect us to uphold and we are wholly committed to delivering on.”

The Honourable Jill McKnight
Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence and M.P. for Delta

“Canada has what the world wants, and we know how to get our energy to those global markets responsibly. The Trans Mountain Expansion and the world-class Westridge Terminal demonstrate what Canadians know well: we do not have to choose between economic growth and a healthy environment. As we move toward shovels in the ground on Pacific Link by September 2027, I look forward to showing Canadians and the world once again what British Columbia and Canada do best as a responsible energy superpower.”

The Honourable Tim Hodgson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

Quick Facts

The West Coast Oil Pipeline, now known as Pacific Link, has now been listed as a project of national interest under Schedule 1 of the Building Canada Act. Pacific Link is being advanced in tandem with the Pathways project, one of the world’s largest carbon capture projects that would reduce emissions equivalent to taking nearly five million cars off the road annually.Listing enables the project to proceed through a single federal regulatory review process that will inform the development of a conditions document.The Building Canada Act includes a dedicated listing consultation phase that gathers information from Indigenous communities whose rights may be affected, provinces and territories, federal departments and interested parties.The Government of Canada remains committed to fulfilling its duty to consult and respecting Aboriginal and treaty rights throughout the project’s review process.Over the next year, the MPO — supported by the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) — will undertake the federal review process and development of a conditions document, which would serve as the CER certificate including Fisheries Act authorizations and Species at Risk Act permits, among other federal permits, that would otherwise be issued by separate ministers.Before expansion TMEP, Canada shipped 97 percent of its oil to or through the U.S. On TMEP, 65 percent of volumes are being sent to Asia, meaning we now ship nearly 10 percent of our oil to countries other than the U.S.The benefits to Indigenous Peoples of the Trans Mountain Expansion include:69 Mutual Benefit Agreements with Indigenous Peoples, representing 81 Indigenous groups and $657 million in fundingJobs for more than 3,600 Indigenous workersMore than $6.5 billion for Indigenous-led business contracts Canada’s west-coast ports move nearly $400 billion worth of goods a year. On September 29, 2026, Prime Minister Carney announced an historic investment of $1.2 billion to better protect Canada’s oceans and the life they sustain by increasing monitoring, strengthening ocean science and ecosystem protections, and improving our marine incident prevention and preparedness.These measures build on the ambitious work underway that is cementing Canada’s position as a global leader in ocean conservation. The government’s landmark initiatives so far include a new nature strategy, A Force of Nature, to protect 30 percent of Canada’s oceans by 2030; an Atlantic salmon program and a renewed Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative; and nearly $260 million in new measures to protect whales from vessel traffic and noise.To date, the Government of Canada has invested $3.2 billion in new systems, research and personnel that will protect our oceans and marine life.

Associated Links

Prime Minister Carney lists the West Coast Oil Pipeline, now known as Pacific Link, as a project of national interest to unlock Canada’s full potential as a global energy superpowerMajor Projects Office

Follow Natural Resources Canada on LinkedIn

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

Continue Reading

Technology

Insurance Expert Tammy McNeill Outlines What Full Coverage Car Insurance Includes in HelloNation

Published

on

By

The article explains how liability, collision, comprehensive, deductibles, limits, and optional protections determine what an auto insurance policy actually covers.

WILMINGTON, N.C., Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What does full coverage car insurance really mean?

HelloNation answers that question in an article featuring insights from Insurance Expert Tammy McNeill of Wilmington, NC.

The article explains that full coverage car insurance is not a standardized policy that protects against every possible loss. Instead, the phrase commonly describes a combination of several types of auto insurance coverage, typically including liability, collision, and comprehensive protections.

Liability coverage generally applies when an insured driver is legally responsible for injuries or property damage caused to others. Policies may include bodily injury and property damage protections, with requirements and available limits varying according to the state and policy.

The article notes that liability coverage generally does not pay for repairs to the insured driver’s own vehicle after an at-fault accident. That distinction is one reason other protections are commonly included when drivers describe their policies as full coverage.

Collision coverage generally helps pay for covered damage to an insured vehicle after an accident with another vehicle or object. Certain single-vehicle accidents may also qualify, depending on policy terms, limits, and the applicable car insurance deductible.

Comprehensive coverage addresses certain types of covered vehicle damage that do not result from a collision. Examples may include theft, vandalism, hail, falling objects, or damage involving an animal. Specific covered events depend on the individual policy.

A car insurance deductible represents the amount a policyholder is responsible for paying toward certain covered losses before insurance pays the remaining eligible amount. Selecting a higher deductible may affect premiums while increasing the policyholder’s potential out-of-pocket expense after a covered claim.

The article emphasizes that full coverage car insurance does not mean every accident, expense, or type of vehicle damage will automatically be covered. Policy limits, exclusions, deductibles, and the circumstances surrounding a loss still determine how protection applies.

Other forms of auto insurance coverage may also be available or required. These can include uninsured or underinsured motorist protection, medical payments coverage, or personal injury protection. Drivers should not assume these protections are included simply because a policy is described as full coverage.

Optional protections can further affect a policy. Rental reimbursement, roadside assistance, and other endorsements may be available from some insurers, but they have separate conditions and limits. Insurance Expert Tammy McNeill’s guidance emphasizes understanding individual policy components rather than relying on a general label.

Policy limits are another important consideration. Collision coverage or comprehensive coverage can be included without providing unlimited protection. The declarations page generally identifies selected coverages, limits, and deductibles for the insured vehicles.

Financed or leased vehicles can involve additional requirements. A lender or leasing company may require certain physical damage protections because it maintains a financial interest in the vehicle. Those requirements are separate from insurance protections required under state law.

The article also explains that exclusions can affect whether a claim is covered. Policies may exclude particular drivers, vehicle uses, property, or circumstances. Reviewing individual components and restrictions provides a clearer understanding of what protection is actually available.

Two drivers who both describe their policies using the same general term may have different limits, deductibles, exclusions, and optional protections. Reviewing each element separately helps drivers understand their actual coverage and potential financial responsibilities.

What Does Full Coverage Car Insurance Really Mean? features insights from Tammy McNeill, Insurance Expert of Wilmington, NC, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/insurance-expert-tammy-mcneill-outlines-what-full-coverage-car-insurance-includes-in-hellonation-302897499.html

SOURCE HelloNation

Continue Reading

Trending