HCW Biologics Inc. has outlined its development of second-generation, pembrolizumab-based immunotherapeutics against solid tumors, particularly for pancreatic and ovarian cancer, using its proprietary T-cell Receptor β Chain constant region (TRBC) product discovery and development platform technology.
Immuneoncia Therapeutics Inc. raised ₩33.9 billion (US$24 million) from its Kosdaq listing May 19. Shares closed at ₩7,500 – 108% higher than its offering price of ₩3,600 per share. Immuneoncia, a joint venture founded in 2016 between Seoul, South Korea-based Yuhan Corp. and San Diego-based Sorrento Therapeutics Inc., noted that the funds will support R&D operations until 2026.
Immuneoncia Therapeutics Inc. raised ₩33.9 billion (US$24 million) from its Kosdaq listing May 19. Shares closed at ₩7,500 – 108% higher than its offering price of ₩3,600 per share. Immuneoncia, a joint venture founded in 2016 between Seoul, South Korea-based Yuhan Corp. and San Diego-based Sorrento Therapeutics Inc., noted that the funds will support R&D operations until 2026.
Briacell Therapeutics Corp.’s subsidiary, Briapro Therapeutics Corp., is developing novel, high affinity antibodies to B7-H3 using molecular modeling techniques. As both an immune checkpoint molecule that regulates T-cell activity and a cell surface molecule expressed on many types of cancer cells, B7-H3 is a promising drug target.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are monoclonal antibodies activating the immune system to kill tumor cells, representing a major advancement in cancer treatment. However, by activating T-cell immunity, ICI treatment can lead to immune-related adverse events affecting the several organs, including the heart.
Chinese pharmaceutical companies are making significant inroads into the global oncology market, particularly with the development and approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors. These treatments, which have shown strong efficacy in various cancer indications, are not only transforming the oncology landscape in China but are also gaining traction in high-value international markets, including the U.S.
Genome & Co. Ltd. has reported preclinical findings of its anti-CNTN4 antibody, GENA-104A16, and anti-APP antibody, 5A7 — stressing the contactin-4 (CNTN4) and amyloid precursor protein (APP) axis as a potential target for immuno-oncology. In the latest murine experiments, investigators led by Genome executives and researchers of Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) found that blocking the interaction between CNTN4 and APP promoted cancer-destroying responses in mice, suggesting the pathway as a target for immunotherapy.
The FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) met for what chairperson Christopher Lieu called, at the end, “an incredibly long day” to decide whether approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors should be restricted in accordance with expression levels of PD-L1.
The adverse effects of PD-1 blockers on the CNS observed in cancer patients could occur through their effects on an enzyme that activates microglia. Pharmacological inhibition of the enzyme in mice reduced microglial activation and cognitive deficit without altering the antitumor capacity of the immunotherapy.
The adverse effects of PD-1 blockers on the CNS observed in cancer patients could occur through their effects on an enzyme that activates microglia. Pharmacological inhibition of the enzyme in mice reduced microglial activation and cognitive deficit without altering the antitumor capacity of the immunotherapy.
