By Clinical Research Staff 

July 28, 2026 | Parhelia Biosciences and Sirona Dx announce a strategic partnership; The University of Cincinnati and UC Health launched the Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research; and more. 

Parhelia Biosciences and Sirona Dx announced a strategic partnership aimed at advancing the adoption of spatial biology in translational research, clinical trials, and precision health initiatives. While spatial biology technologies have transformed researchers' ability to understand tissue architecture and cellular interactions, many workflows remain highly manual, costly, and difficult to scale. This partnership will address these limitations. Sirona Dx brings extensive experience across a wide range of spatial biology technologies, enabling researchers to select and optimize the right platform and assay for each application. Parhelia contributes the Spatial Station, a configurable automation platform designed to standardize complex spatial biology workflows, reduce hands-on effort, and improve consistency across studies and sites. Press release.

HanchorBio’s subsidiary, FBD Biologics Limited, has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with InxMed. This broadened the development path for HCB101, its lead oncology asset. Under the MOU, the two companies will conduct preclinical and translational research evaluating HCB101 in combination with InxMed's investigational assets, including IN10018/ifebemtinib, a FAK inhibitor, and OMTX705, a FAP-targeted antibody-drug conjugate. Press release.

Flatiron Health announced a new partnership between Flatiron Health UK and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC). The collaboration marks Flatiron's first partnership in Scotland and further expands its growing international oncology network across the UK, Germany, and Japan. Through the partnership, Flatiron will help transform information generated through routine cancer care into high-quality, research-ready real-world data. By adding the experiences of patients treated within Scotland’s distinct healthcare system, the collaboration will deepen the geographic and clinical breadth of Flatiron’s multinational evidence base and help researchers answer important questions about how cancer presents, how care is delivered, and how patients respond to treatment across different populations and settings. Press release. 

Acrosian announced its launch as a next-generation biometrics CRO purpose-built for the AI era. Acrosian provides integrated clinical data management, biostatistics, statistical programming, and medical writing services for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies, combining proven operational execution with AI-augmented workflows designed to meet GxP validation requirements before deployment. Press release. 

New data from studies presented at the 2026 Alzheimer's Association International Conference in London widened the gulf between science-backed brain plasticity exercises and vague advice to "stay mentally active" as we age. The studies included: a systematic review showing brain training had the largest effect on cognition of various lifestyle interventions; a multimodal study showing brain training combined with other structured lifestyle interventions significantly and substantially improved cognition in older adults; a study which validated online assessments derived from brain exercises making widespread cognitive monitoring more feasible; and a study showing brain training significantly improved a measure of amyloid plaque, indicative of Alzheimer's disease. Press release.. 

The University of Cincinnati and UC Health launched the Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research (CANDR), a multidisciplinary initiative that integrates research with clinical and educational expertise to improve dementia prevention and treatment outcomes throughout the Greater Cincinnati community and beyond. This initiative includes dedicated research and clinical space, advanced imaging access, and dedicated neuropathology resources and personnel. Press release.