Ryan Cross the Science Boss

Senior Science Correspondent for @Endpts covering biotech, drug discovery, gene editing, RNA, and more. Formerly at Boston Globe and C&EN. Signal: RyanCross.25

[Ryan Cross the Science Boss @RLCscienceboss]

The Science Boss is back! It's my first day at @endpts, a @FinancialTimes co. I'll be writing news, analysis, and features as the Senior Science Correspondent for Endpoints, with a focus on the science, reseach, and tech of biomed, biotech, and pharma.

[email protected]

[Andrew Dunn @AndrewE_Dunn]

How much is everyone in biopharma getting paid?

Every year, I review several hundred SEC filings that give a glimpse into pay practices — both for execs and median employees

As we roll out our pay series, I'm chatting live w/ @ArmstrongDrew at 12:30p: https://t.co/byC1uRhJoR

[Ryan Cross the Science Boss @RLCscienceboss]

Lilly is partnering with Ascidian to develop RNA "exon editing" therapies for genetic kidney diseases (an interesting drug delivery challenge!)

It's at least the 6th deal Lilly has struck in just over a week, reaching a total deal value of $10B @endpts: https://t.co/1emrfGoT3O

[Ryan Cross the Science Boss @RLCscienceboss]

@AllenInstitute @endpts In the hours since we published this, the Allen Institute has secured another $200 million from Bezos, AWS, NIH and the nonprofit EverythingALS, bringing the total to $400 million. They've also added Lewy body dementia as a fifth disease priroty. Details in the story.

[Ryan Cross the Science Boss @RLCscienceboss]

The @AllenInstitute, long known for its focus on simply trying to understand how the brain works, is launching a $200 million initiative to translate its knowledge into drug development for neurodegenerative diseases. My story for @endpts has the details: https://t.co/PUnQX38d3e

[Ryan Cross the Science Boss @RLCscienceboss]

Tune Tx's CRISPR-based epigenetic editing shows promise against chronic hepatitis B infections, and the company says its on track for a cure. I explain the novel technology and break down the company's biomarker data in my latest story for @endpts: https://t.co/49r40IaJMR

[Ryan Cross the Science Boss @RLCscienceboss]

At a time when most US gene editing companies have trimmed their pipelines, China-based YolTech Tx has brought six CRISPR therapies into the clinic. Now they've got another $70M to ramp up trials in China and the US. Read more in my exclusive for @endpts: https://t.co/7MSxBhP5kc

[Ryan Cross the Science Boss @RLCscienceboss]

New York City-based Waypoint Bio has raised a $20 million series A to run three CAR-T trials (investigator initiated trials) in China, with a focus on solid tumors (including some in vivo approaches). My latest for @endpts has the details: https://t.co/gyBKR321xf

[Ryan Cross the Science Boss @RLCscienceboss]

My notebook is full of other things that I wish I had time to write about (and might still do so).

What did I miss? What was exciting and new to you at #ASGCT2026 this year? Let me know in the comments or shoot me a message.

[Ryan Cross the Science Boss @RLCscienceboss]

It's been a busy week at #ASGCT2026. In my "Dispatch," I wrote about how an vivo CAR-T overload, about two startups working on CRISPR therapies for Alzheimer's, and about a missed opportunity to ask hard questions of the FDA. Read more in @endpts: https://t.co/CMI8niS2hU

[Ryan Cross the Science Boss @RLCscienceboss]

And last week, I debuted a new mRNA startup ParcelBio, founded by former Orna Therapeutics scientists, that claims to have discovered a unique way to improve the durability of mRNA. They presented in on their in vivo CAR-T program at #ASGCT2026 this week https://t.co/rWmc4PnQP9

[Ryan Cross the Science Boss @RLCscienceboss]

First news from #ASGCT2026 this morning. Flagship startup Serif Biomedicines has presented its first preclinical data in rodents and monkeys suggesting that it has solved two key technical challenges in non-viral gene therapy. Read more in @endpts: https://t.co/8wn4PLbnu4

[Ryan Cross the Science Boss @RLCscienceboss]

Greetings from #ASGCT2026 in Boston. The cell and gene therapy space may still be struggling for funding, but the science remains exciting. I'll be on the ground all week bringing you the latest news for @endpts. Lots to come, stay tuned!

[Ryan Cross the Science Boss @RLCscienceboss]

European regulators greenlight Fractyl Health's clinical test of the first ever GLP-1 gene therapy. Read more in my exclusive interview in @endpts: https://t.co/wzLzjHeDBG

[Ryan Cross the Science Boss @RLCscienceboss]

Two former Orbital Therapeutics scientists have launched a new #mRNA therapy startup to bring the durability of circular RNA into the old-fashioned and easier-to-make linear mRNA. Read more in my exclusive for @endpts: https://t.co/rWmc4PnQP9