Cizzle Biotechnology is focusing on the gene Ciz1 and its variant, found in small-cell lung cancer. The trigger for the start-up's formation was the finding that cells require Ciz1 to grow, and that variant forms could be used for selective targeting of cancer cells, especially small-cell lung cancer. The company's founders have shown that blocking the disrupted form of Ciz1, using a small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted to the variant, prevented cell proliferation and growth in vitro. The specificity of the Ciz1 variant also gives it potential as a biomarker for early detection of lung cancer.

The president’s executive order aims to give smaller companies a leg up over foreign competitors, among other objectives.

No device-related warning letters were released by the US FDA the week of 26 January.