Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. is out-licensing to GSK plc its potential best-in-class phase I phosphodiesterase 3 and 4 inhibitor (HRS-9821) for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease along with 11 additional programs in development for $500 million up front and up to $12 billion in potential milestones.
Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. is out-licensing to GSK plc its potential best-in-class phase I phosphodiesterase 3 and 4 inhibitor (HRS-9821) for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease along with 11 additional programs in development for $500 million up front and up to $12 billion in potential milestones.
The fate of IL-33-targeting astegolimab will be determined by talks with regulators, after Roche AG’s Genentech unit rolled out mixed results from a pair of studies testing the compound vs. placebo on top of standard-of-care (SOC) maintenance therapy in subjects with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory disease characterized by chronic inflammation and structural damage to the alveoli, with irreversible declined lung function. M1 pro-inflammatory macrophages mainly participate in airway inflammation and in tissue destruction, and are involved in COPD, but the mechanisms need to be elucidated.
In the second largest M&A deal of the year, Merck & Co. Inc. has strengthened its cardiopulmonary portfolio with the $10 billion acquisition of London-based Verona Pharma plc. The deal brings Merck Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized a coverage policy for at-home ventilation for patients with chronic respiratory failure. The amended policy also establishes a series of criteria for coverage of ventilation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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.
Facing erosion of its mighty Eylea (aflibercept) franchise and near-term loss of exclusivity with Dupixent (dupilumab), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. took a blow as one of two phase III trials with IL-33-blocking monoclonal antibody itepekimab failed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Tarrytown, N.Y.-based firm’s shares (NASDAQ:REGN) closed May 30 at $490.28, down $115.11, or 19%. Partner Sanofi SA, of Paris, saw its stock (NASDAQ:SNY) dip somewhat, too, and ended at $49.37, down $2.98. Cantor analyst Carter Gould opined that the latest news “all but [ruled] out a path forward short of a new study” with the compound.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is among the most leading causes of death around the world and there are insufficient treatment options that prevent exacerbations or alter the progression of the disease. COPD is a complex disease with multiple factors driving inflammation, emphysema or small airway remodeling, among others, where interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK-4) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent and heterogeneous respiratory disorder with limited effective treatments. IL-33 and IL-4Rα are key mediators of airway inflammation in COPD and hence represent potential therapeutic targets.
