CF Pharmtech Inc. raised HK$607.67 million (US$78.12 million) through the sale of 41.19 million H shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) Oct. 8. The proceeds will be used to advance the Suzhou, China-based drug developer’s portfolio of inhalation candidates for respiratory diseases.
Recently launched Irish startup Phyxiom Ltd. hopes that its digital health platform will transform the clinical outcomes for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. By providing clinicians with real-time insights into lung function and medication adherence, the platform improves diagnosis accuracy and treatment outcomes.
Cryofocus Medtech (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. received U.S. FDA breakthrough device designation on July 24 for its cryoablation system for asthma. The Chinese med-tech’s stock (HKEX:6922) rose near 20% over two consecutive days on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with the news, increasing from HK$5.00 ($.64) July 23 to HK$5.98 nearing the close of trading on July 25.
Researchers from Lifordi Immunotherapeutics Inc. have developed a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) called LFD-200 that aims to selectively deliver a potent glucocorticoid (GC) payload directly to immune cells. This strategy may potentially offer a new way to treat autoimmune and inflammatory conditions while minimizing systemic toxicity.
Deepcure Inc. has nominated DC-15442, an oral selective STAT6 inhibitor, as its second development candidate. DC-15442 is designed to replicate the safety and efficacy of dupilumab, while offering an oral alternative to regular subcutaneous injections.
It’s a good week to be working on drugs targeting STAT6. Kymera Therapeutics Inc.’s, KT-621, the first oral STAT6 degrader candidate to enter the clinic, surpassed expectations with impressive safety, pharmacokinetic and biomarker data from a phase I trial, while potential fast-followers from Nurix Therapeutics Inc. and Recludix Pharma Inc. advanced via respective partnerships with Sanofi SA.
Sanofi SA has exercised its option to exclusively license Nurix Therapeutics Inc.’s STAT6 program, including the drug development candidate NX-3911, an oral, highly selective STAT6 degrader.
Recludix Pharma Inc. has nominated a lead development candidate, REX-8756, an oral, selective and reversible small-molecule inhibitor of STAT6, and completed GLP toxicology studies for the compound. REX-8756 has potential for patients with type 2 immune-related inflammatory diseases.
Bronchodilators are front-line weapons against asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. The search continues for next-generation dilators, which so far has largely produced compounds that are no better than existing ones and that often present safety problems.
