The alpha chain of the IL-3 receptor, CD123, is frequently overexpressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is considered an attractive target in the treatment of this disease. However, cytotoxic antibodies or T-cell engagers targeting CD123 have shown insufficient clinical efficacy or safety, confirming the need for alternative targeted approaches.
Sanofi SA has divulged substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines acting as leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2; dardarin and/or G2019S mutant) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Lewy body dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy, frontotemporal dementia and Niemann-Pick disease.
Multiple myeloma (MM) represents about 10% of all blood cancers, remaining an incurable disease with a 5-year overall survival rate of 56%. B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is a receptor in the cell surface that is highly expressed in malignant plasma cells, and in normal cells, that promotes cell proliferation and survival by binding to APRIL and BAFF ligands.
It was a year of turmoil in Europe as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the fall-out from the COVID-19 pandemic shaped the fortunes of the life sciences industry in 2022. After years of tension, Russia’s attempt to annex Ukraine on Feb. 24 caused outrage and disruption and was unanimously opposed on humanitarian grounds by the life sciences and pharma industry.
In a show of commitment to Innate Pharma SA’s antibody-based natural killer cell engager therapeutics (Anket) platform, longstanding partner Sanofi SA is paying €25 million (US$26.5 million) up front and could pay up to €1.35 billion more in preclinical, clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones for up to three development programs. Innate also stands to receive royalties on eventual product sales.
C4X Discovery Holdings plc has outlicensed its once daily oral NRF2 (Nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2) activator to Astrazeneca plc in a deal with a potential value of $402 million. Of that, $2 million is being paid up front, with a further $14 million in preclinical milestones, which C4X CEO Clive Dix expects to trigger within the next two years.
After shelving it for the past decade, the EU Parliament this week adopted a directive forcing large publicly listed companies to break the glass ceilings that have allowed a men-only mentality to thrive in corporate boardrooms across much of Europe. The so-called Women on Boards Directive, formally adopted Nov. 22, will require EU-based public companies to have women in at least 40% of their nonexecutive director posts or 33% of all director posts by the end of June 2026. Companies with fewer than 250 employees will be exempt.
After shelving it for the past decade, the EU Parliament this week adopted a directive forcing large publicly listed companies to break the glass ceilings that have allowed a men-only mentality to thrive in corporate boardrooms across much of Europe. The so-called Women on Boards Directive, formally adopted Nov. 22, will require EU-based public companies to have women in at least 40% of their nonexecutive director posts or 33% of all director posts by the end of June 2026. Companies with fewer than 250 employees will be exempt.
Election day has come and gone in the U.S., but the question of which party will control Congress remains unanswered, signaling that the country is as divided as ever politically and ideologically. While Democrats and Republicans may agree on problems in the life sciences sector, they often disagree on how to address them.
AI drug discovery specialist Insilico Medicine Inc. has landed a multiyear research deal with Sanofi SA to develop candidates for up to six new targets in undisclosed indications. The collaboration included $21.5 million up front for Insilico, and as much as $1.2 billion in additional payments from Sanofi if key research, development and sales milestones are met. The agreement also includes mid-single to up to low double-digit tiered royalties for any products developed.