10 things to watch in life sciences in 2022

In the last year, I've had the privilege of having real face-to-face interactions with hundreds of life science companies, and I've learned a lot about life sciences. Prime Movers Lab recorded more than 3,000 real outcome deals last year, an incredible number that sounds naturally shocking (and it is!). . While I'm no forecaster, this does give me some perspective on the life sciences as a whole. This impressive volume also gives me hope, and very optimistic hope, because I see amazing progress being made in the field of biotechnology.

I am inspired to interact with the founders of life sciences companies every day and work with them to pursue goals that impact billions of lives. As others have said, we are truly in the midst of a golden age of biotechnology, and I am deeply grateful to the team dedicated to solving these difficult problems in the life sciences and making life better for all. In order to let you also understand the things that are closely related to your life, I have made a list that is not exhaustive but is worth paying attention to - 10 things to watch in the life sciences field in 2022:

1. Cancer will have nowhere to go

Since the "war on cancer" was declared in 1971, although it has been 40 years, we have been in the panic of talking about cancer. Now I finally feel that science has the upper hand in the spread of this disaster. Science against cancer has achieved amazing results, using the body's own immune system to attack cancer tumors, that is, most of us are familiar with tumor immunotherapy has been applied. In addition, there is a new technology that can transform "cold" tumors, which the immune system usually cannot recognize and attack, into "hot" tumors, which can be used to kill "cold" tumors. The application of technology to transform "cold" tumors into "hot" tumors opens up an entirely new therapeutic route for the most aggressive cancers.

In the case of those pesky glioblastomas, if that doesn't work, we could have tiny nanorobots swim to the right spot in the brain to deliver chemotherapy drugs directly to the tumor or its remnants. So they can be killed directly by the drug! Also, in 2022, we should see widespread use of GRAIL's cancer antigen (Galleri) test, which is good news because it fights cancer at the source, and will be rolled out in 2021. With a single blood test, more than 50 different types of cancer can be detected and even the location of the cancer can be predicted. Imagine the lives that would be saved with these types of cancers. The days of cancer are numbered.

2. There will be a great breakthrough in the research and development of hallucinogens

I've written enthusiastically about psychedelics in the last year, so it won't surprise you to see them on your watch list. The reason I'm still excited about this topic this year is because the field has changed so much. If you've been following current events, you'll notice that many of the new psychedelic startups are starting to develop new molecular drugs between 2018 and 2020. This means that these New molecular drugs, if they pass pharmacological and toxicological tests under an Investigational New Drug (IND) application, will begin to enter clinical trials and applications.

A flurry of Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trial announcements are expected in 2022, marking the transition of many preclinical startups into outstanding clinical stage companies, with leaps forward reflected in their program progress and evaluation. Paying attention to which clinical trials are successful and which are failing is worth doing.

3. Bio-electronic medicine will form a strong competition for drugs

Because I grew up in a family that loved horse racing, I've always loved the phrase "run for the money." Let me tell you, bioe-health will be an area worth betting on in 2022. The Feinstein Institute defines it as "device technology that reads and regulates electrical activity within the human nervous system." This regulation can be transmitted to the central (brain) and peripheral nervous system via electrical, magnetic, and ultrasonic pulses. Most of these devices (there may be a few differences) are completely noninvasive and placed outside the body. I've seen neuromodulation devices used to regulate sleep, migraines, pain, and even depression.

In 2021, a landmark study showed that transcranial magnetic stimulation can successfully treat treatment-resistant depression. Similarly, this stimulation from the device can also be directed to the spleen, peripheral nerves, and cranial nerves to treat conditions elsewhere in the body, such as rheumatoid arthritis, neuropathic pain, sleep apnea, tinnitus, and opioid use disorders. I wonder which of these devices will win the race!

4. Edible fungi (macrofungi) are not only "magical", they will also flourish this year

If you haven't seen the documentary Fantastic Fungi yet, do check it out. Don't read this article for now, and instead watch The Magic Fungus! The beauty of mycelium is reflected in the continuous spreading and spreading process of division.