Gilead Sciences is stepping deeper into synthetic lethality, licensing a clinic-ready MAT2A (methionine adenosyltransferase 2a) inhibitor from Suzhou, China-based Genhouse Bio Co. Ltd. in a deal worth up to $1.53 billion.

The pressure on U.S. drug prices continues, with the CMS lining up the drugs for round 3 of negotiations, which will set maximum fair prices to go into effect in 2028. The slate includes 15 drugs and, for the first time, opens the negotiations to Part B drugs, as well as Part D. Consequently, seven of the 15 selected drugs are biologics.

Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Health Hope Pharma Ltd. may be getting a second wind for encequidar and the Orascovery platform, with Gilead Sciences Inc. picking up exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize encequidar in the field of virology for $2.5 million up front.

Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK-4) is a modulator of IL-1 receptor and Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling and has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for several inflammatory diseases. Gilead Sciences Inc. and Nurix Therapeutics Inc. recently presented data generated in a preclinical murine model of AD with their IRAK-4 degrader GS-6791.

In a recent study published in Cell Reports, a team of scientists from Gilead Sciences Inc. and the University of Cincinnati detail the discovery and engineering of potent bispecific antibodies that can significantly reduce lesion development in a guinea pig model of recurrent genital herpes.

Gilead Sciences Inc. recently discussed the discovery of emvistegrast (GS-1427), a potent, selective, once-daily oral α4β7 integrin inhibitor currently in phase II trials for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (NCT06290934).