Latest news with #Hummingbird
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Singapore-based cancer biotech firm Hummingbird Bioscience to target inflammatory diseases with precision drugs
SINGAPORE: Singapore-headquartered biotech firm Hummingbird Bioscience, known for developing antibodies for cancer, is turning its sights to drugs for immunology and inflammatory diseases, such as lupus and inflammatory bowel disease. It will be adapting antibody-drug conjugates which it developed for cancer treatment to target these diseases. It is now about 12 months to 18 months away from filing regulatory approvals in Asia, Europe and the US to start clinical trials for an undisclosed number of these drugs. These consist of antibodies that have the missile-like ability to seek out specific targets, along with a payload, which is a drug intended to treat a disease. Hummingbird recently received an award from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (Wipo), the United Nations agency dedicated to innovation and creativity. At the 2025 Wipo Global Awards held at the organisation's headquarters in Geneva on July 11, it was among 10 small and medium-sized enterprises worldwide that were celebrated for commercialising their intellectual property (IP). 'Hummingbird Bioscience exemplifies how innovative companies can thrive with a well-crafted IP strategy. The company has built a robust IP plan with a strong patents portfolio and a successful licensing-based business model,' said Fu Zhikang, director of IP strategy solutions at Ipos International, a subsidiary of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore. The biotech firm is looking to expand its pipeline of products. Its chief scientific officer and co-founder Jerome Boyd-Kirkup told The Straits Times: 'Our mission has been to build the next generation of potentially transformative therapies for patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases. 'A large part of that is to have a strong IP portfolio which can underpin that development and ensure that the innovations that are done here in Singapore can be translated globally.' The company's focus for the future will be on immunology and inflammation, said Boyd-Kirkup. These diseases are a group of chronic conditions characterised by a dysregulated immune system leading to inflammation and tissue damage. It is generally believed that up to 10 per cent of the world's population is affected by these conditions, though estimates vary. The therapeutics for immunology and inflammatory diseases have seen keen interest from biopharma companies worldwide – the global market size for this area is projected to grow from US$103 billion in 2024 to US$257 billion by 2032. In the context of immunology and inflammatory diseases, the target for Hummingbird's antibody-drug conjugates may be immune cells that have become overactive or destructive, and a drug is selected to block the harmful response. Boyd-Kirkup said that current treatments for immunology and inflammatory diseases are usually small molecule drugs such as corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. But the drawbacks of these drugs include concerns around side effects from long-term usage, and a short half-life, which means a drug needs to be taken more often as it does not stay long in the body. These two factors limit the efficacy and long-term treatment that is necessary for the treatment of many of such diseases. 'Antibody-drug conjugates offer a promising solution by enabling the targetted delivery of small molecule drugs, including immunosuppressives, directly to immune cells, thereby improving safety profiles and optimising exposure duration,' said Boyd-Kirkup. The company, which has leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) in its discovery and development cycle for cancer drugs, will also be doing the same for immunology and inflammatory drugs. Immunology and inflammatory diseases are complex and involve many different cell types. In many cases, the places where the damage is occurring are not linked to the cells or processes happening in the area, said Boyd-Kirkup. AI is being used to understand the biological processes involved in such diseases, he added. 'We have used AI to accelerate identification of key target cells and antigens involved in immunology and inflammatory diseases. The immunology and inflammatory antibody-drug conjugates we are working on are targeting key immune cell types involved in disease,' said Boyd-Kirkup. He added that based on the clinical indications and antibody-drug conjugates that the company is looking into, there is a significant unmet clinical need. 'Clinical trials and commercialisation for therapies generally take around a decade. We are also open to the possibility of accelerating the process to the clinic through partnerships and licensing, which may bring in revenue for the company,' said Boyd-Kirkup. In 2026, the company is also set to release results from its Phase 1B clinical trials for one of its key cancer drugs in development, HMBD-001. It is an antibody that targets the HER3 protein driving tumour growth and resistance against cancer drugs, currently being studied in a number of countries, including Singapore. - The Straits Times/ANN
Business Wire
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Preceptis Medical Appoints Dave Carey as Chief Executive Officer to Lead Next Phase of Strategic Growth
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Preceptis Medical, Inc., a commercial-stage medical technology company transforming pediatric ENT care, today announced the appointment of Dave Carey as Chief Executive Officer. Carey assumes leadership as the company accelerates toward full market release of its flagship product, the Hummingbird ® Tympanostomy Tube System (TTS). 'We are thrilled to welcome Dave Carey to Preceptis,' said John Seaberg, Chairman of the Board at Preceptis Medical. 'His deep industry expertise, strategic vision, and dedication to improving patient care make him the ideal leader to guide our next phase of growth.' As CEO, Carey will oversee the continued expansion of the Hummingbird TTS System in the U.S., which enables in-office pediatric ear tube placement without the need for general anesthesia. The device has already demonstrated significant clinical, economic, and patient satisfaction benefits in the company's limited market release. 'I'm honored to join the Preceptis Medical team at such an important moment,' said Dave Carey. 'Hummingbird represents a true shift in how we approach pediatric ear tube procedures, and I look forward to partnering with our talented team and surgeon community to bring this solution to more families nationwide.' Preceptis Medical's Hummingbird system enables in-office ear tube placement for young children without the need for general anesthesia, representing a safer, more cost-effective, and family-centered approach to care. For more information, visit
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Brighton young refugee organisation issues urgent plea for help
An organisation which supports young refugees in East Sussex has issued an urgent appeal for in Brighton and Hove cares for about 300 young refugees each year, but said it was facing a funding said several of its grants had ended at the same time that it was waiting to hear if applications for replacement funds had been organisation runs social activities and even provides an in-house clinical psychologist. Costs run from £50 a week to hire a room for a youth group up to £1,800 a month to rent accommodation for a refugee."Over the last 18 months, acquiring funding for our services has been exceptionally difficult," said founder and director Elaine Ortiz. "There is now huge competition for small organisations like ours and we are not always able to keep up with much larger, better resourced organisations."Hummingbird's appeal has a target of £34,000.
Glasgow Times
16-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Popular Glasgow city centre venue goes up for sale
The licensed townhouse known as 'Hummingbird' is currently on the market with an asking price of £900,000. The multi-purpose venue, situated on Bath Street, includes a cocktail bar, restaurant, karaoke pods, and a variety of function spaces spread across four floors. It also benefits from an outdoor terrace. Christie & Co are marketing the venue as a freehold investment opportunity. The specialist business property adviser says the townhouse has received significant investment in recent years. READ NEXT: Former student union building to be transformed as plans approved It can be used for various functions, including parties, meetings, corporate conferences, social gatherings, and workshop classes. The property is currently let to a tenant who trades as Enish, a worldwide Nigerian restaurant group. The trading business is not for sale. Tony Spence, Associate Director at Christie & Co, said: 'This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a high-yield licensed investment located within Glasgow city centre. 'The existing tenant has great experience within the sector, owning several other units across the UK and abroad. 'We would urge any interested parties to get in touch for further information.' For further information, visit Christie & Co's website HERE.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Popular city centre townhouse venue on the market
A licensed city centre townhouse venue has been put up for sale. Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has been instructed to market 'Hummingbird' in Glasgow. Located on Bath Street in the heart of the city, the multi-purpose venue includes a cocktail bar, restaurant, karaoke pods and a variety of function spaces spread across four floors, as well as an outdoor terrace. The property has received significant investment in recent years and is a popular venue of choice for parties, meetings, corporate conferences, social gatherings and workshop classes. READ MORE: 'Outstanding' Art Deco home nestled in a Glasgow suburb hits the market Former Scottish radio station with 'impressive panoramic views' goes on market Council approves sale of Mackintosh building for use as museum The townhouse is currently let to a tenant who trades as Enish, a worldwide Nigerian Restaurant group. The trading business is not for sale. Tony Spence, Associate Director at Christie & Co who is managing the process, said: 'This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a high yield licensed investment located within Glasgow city centre. "The existing tenant has great experience within the sector, owning several other units across the UK and abroad. We would urge any interested parties to get in touch for further information.' The freehold investment opportunity is on the market with an asking price of £900,000.
