Antibiotics specialist Bioversys AG has sealed a potential CHF529 million (US$667.5 million) deal with Shionogi Co. Ltd., in which they will work together on novel ansamycins for treating multidrug-resistant lung infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria. The collaboration begins with payments from Shionogi of CHF5 million in up-front and near-term research funding to prepare lead candidates in Bioversys’ BV500 program for clinical development. At that point, the Japanese pharma has an exclusive option to license the compounds, opening the way to milestones of up to CHF479 million, plus royalties on sales of any products making it to market.

Vaccine industry could feel fallout of Pfizer scrutiny

In subpoenaing a former Pfizer Inc. official this week to appear before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, signaled legislative steps Congress may take in response to allegations that Pfizer slow-walked its COVID-19 vaccine development in 2020 so the trial results wouldn’t have to be disclosed until after the presidential election. Potential reforms that would hit the entire vaccine industry include requiring additional public transparency in the vaccine testing and approval process, imposing criminal penalties for withholding or delaying public health information with the intent to influence a federal election, and enhancing criminal penalties for making false or misleading statements to federal officials/agencies regarding public health matters.

Cancer index outperforms broader markets with 13% Q2 rebound

The BioWorld Cancer Index reversed its early year losses, rebounding from a 4.74% decline at the end of the first quarter (Q1) to finish Q2 up 12.78%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average followed a similar pattern, dropping to -4.41% by the end of April before recovering to a 3.64% gain by Q2’s end. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index, down 5.37% at the end of May, narrowed its losses to close June down just 1.92%.

Puretech with new pirfenidone and others meeting IPF challenge

Developers continue casting for ways to attack idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Puretech Health plc recently unveiled promising results with deuterated pirfenidone. Others in the IPF space that intrigue Wall Street include Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH and United Therapeutics Inc.

Turn on vitamin A pathway and regenerate an ear

Lizards, zebrafish, salamanders and tritons can regrow a tail, a fin, or even an entire limb after amputation. Cut a planarian into pieces, and you will end up with a bunch of them. These animals are champions when it comes to the ability to regenerate tissue. When was this trait lost over the course of evolution? Or more interesting, how did it happen? Could it be reversed? Researchers at the National Institute of Biological Sciences in Beijing have discovered a genetic switch linked to vitamin A. After activating this pathway, they managed to regenerate the ear pinna of a mouse, an animal that previously lacked this ability.

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