Pfizer Inc. is paying $1.25 billion up front and up to $4.8 billion in milestone payments to gain global, ex-China rights to SSGJ-707, a PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody from 3Sbio Inc. that recently won China clearance for a phase III study in lung cancer as a potential first-line monotherapy. Announced after U.S. market hours May 19, the exclusive agreement for SSGJ-707 spells up to $6.15 billion combined for 3Sbio, along with separate tiered double-digit royalty payments on sales of SSGJ-707, if approved. Pfizer also has an option to gain commercialization rights of SSGJ-707 in China.

Shares nicked on Tourmaline phase II data with pacibekitug

Tourmaline Bio Inc. disclosed positive top-line results from its ongoing phase II Tranquility trial evaluating quarterly and monthly subcutaneous dosing of pacibekitug in patients with elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, a biomarker associated with elevated cardiovascular (CV) risk, and chronic kidney disease. Wall Street reacted negatively, though, and Tourmaline (NASDAQ:TRML) shares were trading at $14.87, down $1.76, or 10%, having dipped as low as $13.27. The drug, in development for atherosclerotic CV disease, is a fully human anti-IL-6 antibody.

Beckley’s psychedelic reduces depression

The credibility gap in psychedelic drug development continues to narrow with positive top-line data from a Beckley Psytech Ltd. phase IIa study in depression. Results from part 2 of the study of BPL-003 (mebufotenin benzoate) in treatment-resistant depression showed one dose had an efficacious antidepressant effect for as long as three months in 12 participants who were also taking defined selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Beckley expects results from the core, randomized portion of the study before the end of the year. Atai Life Sciences NV owns 35.5% of privately held and Oxford, U.K.-based Beckley and received an 8% stock (NASDAQ;ATAI) bump at midday, putting shares at $1.98 each.

US HHS calls for MFN pricing commitments

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) put biopharma companies on notice today: It’s time to reduce prescription drug prices to reflect most-favored-nation (MFN) pricing in accordance with President Donald Trump’s May 12 executive order. HHS said it expects manufacturers to commit to aligning their U.S. prices for all brand products that don’t currently have generic or biosimilar competition with the lowest price of a set of economic peer countries. Rather than listing those countries, HHS said, “The MFN target price is the lowest price in an OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development] country with a GDP per capita of at least 60% of the U.S. GDP per capita.”

Amphiregulin drives metastasis through a paradoxical ‘badscopal’ effect of radiotherapy

Researchers at the University of Chicago have shed light on the role of tumor-promoting factors induced by radiotherapy and their potential impact on future therapeutic strategies. The article, published in Nature on May 14, 2025, points to radiation-induced amphiregulin as a key driver of tumor metastasis.

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