Inside a new $275 million fund for biotech startups

Hello,

Welcome to Insider Healthcare. I'm healthcare editor Leah Rosenbaum, and today in healthcare news:

• Mission BioCapital raised $275 million to cofound startups that address the current gaps in biotech;
• GlaxoSmithKline is working with 23andMe to revive drugs for genetics;
• This chart shows how the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine protects kids.

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After seeing 380 biotechs come through their labs, this team raised $275 million to fix gaps in the startup ecosystem

• Mission BioCapital raised $275 million and plans to help overlooked founders start biotechs.
• Its leadership also runs shared lab facilities in hubs like Boston, San Francisco, and Durham.
• It works with 380 drug startups each year, providing lab space, equipment, and sometimes funding.

Read our exclusive>>

GlaxoSmithKline is resurrecting drugs with the help of 23andMe. The pharma giant is betting genetics will be key to its future.

• GlaxoSmithKline is leaning into genetics for its next chapter of discovering and developing drugs.
• The pharma giant is working with groups like 23andMe and Jennifer Doudna's new laboratory.
• GSK's John Lepore told Insider how genetics research resurrected a floundering experimental drug.

Check it out>>

One chart shows how well Pfizer's lower-dose vaccine works to protect kids aged 5-11 from COVID

• Pfizer's low-dose vaccine for kids 5-11 is now both authorized and recommended for use in the US.
• Pharmacies and doctor's offices nationwide should start carrying shots for kids in the coming days.
• A chart presented to CDC advisors shows how well Pfizer's vaccine prevents symptomatic COVID-19 in this age group.

See the chart now>>

More stories we're reading:

• Millions of Americans with mood disorders are eligible for booster shots. Here's how depression raises the risk of severe COVID-19.(Insider)
• Some parents are prolonging breastfeeding their children to pass on COVID antibodies (Los Angeles Times)
• A COVID-19 victim's body that was supposed to be used for medical research was dissected in front of a live audience in a hotel ballroom without the family's consent (Insider)
• Scientists study why some people have brains that are similar to Alzheimer's patients, but without symptoms (STAT)

-Leah