Solid tumors are difficult to treat due to their heterogeneity and limited blood supply, which restrict the effective delivery of anticancer drugs. Macrophages are abundant in solid tumor tissues and are the only cell type actively infiltrating hypoxic tumor regions, making them a promising option for delivering therapeutic agents directly to tumors.
Newco Akribion Therapeutics GmbH has raised €8 million (US$8.3 million) in a seed round to develop a new and potent class of RNA-targeted CRISPR nucleases, which, rather than cleaving specific nucleic acids, can destroy every type of nucleic acid in a cell.
Newco Akribion Therapeutics GmbH has raised €8 million (US$8.3 million) in a seed round to develop a new and potent class of RNA-targeted CRISPR nucleases, which, rather than cleaving specific nucleic acids, can destroy every type of nucleic acid in a cell.
Mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) plays a relevant role in growth, survival, migration and tissue repair. Alterations in MET have been found in non-small-cell lung cancer and head and neck cancer, and are associated with aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancer types.
Intriguing scientific data continue to roll out in the head and neck cancer space, where the need for therapies has spurred a number of drug firms to try new approaches, which BioWorld examines in part two of a series that began in the Dec. 30 issue.
Though Pyxis Oncology Inc.’s preliminary phase I data with antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) PYX-201 in solid tumors were characterized as positive, findings sent the Boston-based firm’s stock (NASDAQ:PYXS) into a tailspin. Shares dropped from $3.82 to $2.01 between Nov. 20 and the morning of Nov. 21, even as experts along with Wall Street agreed that the compound shows particular promise in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma – a space where developers aplenty remain busy.
Tigatx Inc. has been awarded up to $33.5 million in funding by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health and a 2-year $2 million Direct to Phase II Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Cancer Institute.
Genetic alterations in FAT1, YAP1 or WWTR1 genes are commonly seen in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. Targeting Hippo and MAPK pathways in combination has proven effective in preclinical models of HNSCC.
Ideaya Biosciences Inc. has exercised its option for an exclusive worldwide license for Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co. Ltd.’s B7H3/PTK7 topo-I-payload bispecific antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), BCG-034 (IDE-034), and nominated it as a development candidate.
