Zhuhai Beihai Biotech Co. Ltd. has raised nearly ¥200 million (US$27.5 million) in a series B round slated to support clinical trials for its lead candidates as well as preparations to file an NDA for its core asset, BH-009, an injectable formulation of docetaxel that excludes polysorbate 80 (Tween 80), a surfactant that has been associated with increased risk of adverse events, including hypersensitivity. The company claims that no similar product is currently available worldwide.

Eterna Therapeutics Inc. has entered into a sponsored research agreement with a collaborator at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anderson).

Turnstone Biologics Corp. has received IND clearance from the FDA for the company's lead selected tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy program, TIDAL-01.

Researchers from Duality Biologics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd. presented preclinical data for a novel Trop-2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), DB-1305, being developed for the treatment of solid tumors.

Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS) is one of the GTPases from the RAS family activating signaling pathways that regulate cell functions. KRAS mutation of glycine to aspartate at position 12 (G12D) is a common mutation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, lung adenocarcinoma and other solid tumors. ASP-3082 is a proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) under development by Astellas Pharma Inc. The company has presented the first in vitro and in vivo results of this new compound.

Maxinovel Pharmaceuticals Inc. raised ¥100 million ($13.8 million) in a series C+ round to develop its candidates for acute myeloid leukemia, solid tumors, and autoimmune diseases.