Biotech news, week of October 12, 2026

Machine summary The Saudi Press Agency reported that BioGravity-1 delivered biological samples from healthy donors to the International Space Station, aiming to create a baseline for microgravity studies of Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis among other neurodegenerative conditions. The Saudi Space Agency and KAUST lead the mission, which includes the SSA-1 and SSA-2 experiments and a collaboration with the US-based National Stem Cell Foundation announced by Axiom Space.

1. The mission is led by the Saudi Space Agency and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and includes two experiments, SSA-1 and SSA-2, developed by KAUST
2. Samples from healthy donors are intended to establish a scientific baseline for later research into Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative conditions (SPA via Arab News)
3. The programme is described as an international partnership including the US-based National Stem Cell Foundation, Axiom Space, NASA, the Saudi Space Agency and KAUST
4. Rayyanah Barnawi, Saudi astronaut and general supervisor of microgravity research at the Saudi Space Agency, and KAUST professor Imed Gallouzi, project lead, are quoted by Arab News on the mission's purpose

Reported by Axiom Space and Arab News.

• NASA
• International Space Station
• Axiom Space
• National Stem Cell Foundation
• Saudi Space Agency
• SSA-1 and SSA-2

Machine summary In results published in Lancet Infectious Diseases, Peeters and colleagues reported that ExPEC9V, a nine-valent conjugate-style vaccine given as one intramuscular dose, produced a vaccine efficacy estimate of 14.6% (95% CI -106.57 to 65.38) against invasive E. coli disease in the phase III E.mbrace trial. Only 24 confirmed endpoint events occurred across more than 17,000 participants, 11 vaccine, 13 placebo, and the trial was terminated early. The reports state Johnson & Johnson has discontinued development of the vaccine.

1. In the phase III E.mbrace trial, 24 cases of invasive E. coli disease were confirmed among more than 17,000 participants aged 60 and older: 11 in the ExPEC9V group and 13 in the placebo group, MedPage Today reported.
2. Vaccine efficacy was estimated at 14.6% (95% CI -106.57 to 65.38), according to results published in Lancet Infectious Diseases by Peeters and colleagues.
3. The trial was terminated early, and the reports state development of the nine-valent ExPEC9V vaccine has been discontinued.
4. Because IED incidence was lower than expected, investigators narrowed enrollment to participants with at least one additional risk factor, such as hospitalization or urosepsis; 45.7% of participants had at least one IED risk factor.
5. Participants had a median age of 70 years; 55.4% were ages 65 to 74, 70.6% were women, and 69% were white, and each received a single intramuscular dose or placebo.

Reported by MedPage Today and CIDRAP.

• Johnson & Johnson
• MedPage Today
• E.mbrace trial
• Lancet Infectious Diseases
• ExPEC9V

Machine summary The Royal Marsden Centre for Cancer Genomics has launched as the first facility delivering composite biomarker testing, an approach that merges DNA, RNA and possibly protein measurements with artificial intelligence to generate a treatment score. Professor Michael Hubank, who holds posts at the Royal Marsden and the Institute of Cancer Research, told the Press Association the approach is intended to help NHS patients reach clinical trials and receive treatments that can be adjusted over time. The reports state the centre will work with doctors and patients across the UK.

1. The Royal Marsden Centre for Cancer Genomics has launched in London as what the reports describe as the first lab of its kind to deliver composite biomarker testing
2. Both reports state that composite biomarker testing merges patient and tumour data with artificial intelligence, producing a more complete view of an individual's cancer.
3. The centre will work with doctors and patients across the UK, the articles state, to support clinical trial access, personalised treatments and treatment plans that change as a patient's cancer does
4. Professor Michael Hubank told the Press Association current NHS workflows focus on one test per patient with one resulting action
5. Professor Hubank described a future approach measuring DNA, RNA and possibly protein, with AI integrating the data into a score indicating where a patient sits on a treatment spectrum

Reported by independent.co.uk and standard.co.uk.

• Artificial Intelligence
• NHS
• Press Association
• Institute of Cancer Research, London
• Royal Marsden
• composite biomarker testing

Machine summary Formial Labs, a Bengaluru company delivering personalised prescription skincare, announced a Rs 2.88 crore pre-seed round led by Zeropearl VC with several angel participants. The company said the money will fund clinical hiring, consultation capacity and technology for diagnosis, personalisation and follow-up. Founder Jeet Patel said the model targets conditions such as acne, pigmentation, scarring and melasma that he said need sustained treatment.

1. The company said the funds will expand its clinical team and consultation capacity and strengthen technology for diagnosis, personalisation and follow-up
2. Zeropearl VC founder Bipin Shah said the team achieved a 4x repeat rate in under two years.
3. Founder Jeet Patel said the company combines clinical diagnosis, scientifically developed formulations and continuous follow-up in a digital model for conditions including acne, pigmentation, scarring and melasma

Reported by economictimes.indiatimes.com, BioSpectrum India and BW Disrupt.

• personalised prescription skincare
• Formial Labs
• Zeropearl VC

Machine summary A prescription-strength formulation of the same alpha-adrenergic agonist is approved for prevention of postoperative intraocular pressure spikes, and the agency said the approval is the first nonprescription apraclonidine formulation.

1. The agency said the approval is the first nonprescription apraclonidine formulation; a prescription-strength alpha-adrenergic agonist formulation is approved for prevention of postoperative spikes in intraocular pressure
2. FDA granted the license for Brytly to Alcon, according to the agency announcement

Reported by Drug Topics and MedPage Today.

• Alcon
• Brytly