Biontech SE has tapped into two of Duality Biologics Co. Ltd.’s antibody-drug conjugate candidates (ADCs), paying Duality $170 million up front and agreeing on development, regulatory and commercial milestone fees of $1.5 billion or more.
Lift Biosciences Ltd. has released preclinical data demonstrating that its immunomodulatory alpha neutrophil product (IMANp) possesses both cytotoxic and immunomodulatory functionalities that could signal its potential to cure solid tumors. IMANp is generated from the hematopoietic stem cells of donors with exceptional anticancer innate immunity.
CD73 is known to induce immune evasion in solid tumors by release of immune-suppressive adenosine in the tumor microenvironment. Researchers from Cidara Therapeutics Inc. have presented preclinical data on the CD73 inhibitor drug FC-conjugate CBO-212 for the potential treatment of solid tumors.
Molecular Templates Inc. has received IND clearance from the FDA for its novel MT-8421 engineered toxin bodies (ETB) program targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte protein 4 (CTLA-4) in patients with relapsed/refractory solid tumors previously exposed to checkpoint inhibitors. MT-8421 is designed to eliminate CTLA-4-expressing regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) through a direct cell-kill mechanism independent of the effector cell presence that antibodies rely upon while not affecting Tregs in the periphery.
Incyclix Bio LLC has received FDA approval of an IND application for INX-315, a novel, potent and selective cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) inhibitor for advanced or metastatic cancers. The first-in-human phase I/II study will be conducted in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer who have progressed on a CDK4/6 inhibitor regimen and CCNE1-amplified solid tumors that have progressed on standard-of-care treatment.
Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd.’s wholly owned subsidiary, Eucure Biopharma Co. Ltd., licensed exclusive greater China rights to YH-008 to Chipscreen Biosciences Co. Ltd. in a ¥596 million (US$86 million) deal. Chipscreen subsidiary, Chipscreen Newway Biosciences Co. Ltd., will develop and commercialize the bispecific antibody in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
