Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization Inc. filed its BLA with the U.S. FDA for sibeprenlimab to treat immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). The company’s first BLA, sibeprenlimab is a monoclonal antibody (MAb) that selectively inhibits the activity of APRIL (A PRoliferation-Inducing Ligand) in adults with IgAN.
After announcing that lead candidate sozinibercept (OPT-302) failed the phase III Coast trial in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Opthea has now decided to close the Coast trial as well as the Shore trial. As reported by BioWorld, Opthea announced last week that it was considering its options after lead candidate sozinibercept (OPT-302) failed the phase III Coast trial in wet AMD.
Vaxcyte Inc. characterized its latest phase II data with VAX-24 as positive but Wall Street wasn’t so sure about the dose-finding outcomes with the 24-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), and shares of the San Carlos, Calif.-based firm (NASDAQ:PCVX) closed March 31 at $37.76, down $31.70, or 46%.
Relacorilant, a cortisol modulator from Corcept Therapeutics Inc., produced new and strong phase III results in treating platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The company also has relacorilant in studies that could eventually lead to approval in other indications. In the near term, though, the positive data led to the company’s stock (NASDAQ:CORT) closing 109% higher at $114.22 per share on March 31.
It was a mixed day for Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., which disclosed separately on March 28 both the termination of a $336 million licensing deal with CS Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and upbeat plans to unveil three new oncology assets at the upcoming American Association for Cancer Research in April.
Acrivon Therapeutics Inc. provided updated phase II data for checkpoint kinase candidate ACR-368, highlighting promising response rates for biomarker-positive patients with endometrial cancer and raising the possibility of an accelerated pathway in the second-line setting.
Equillium Inc. is forging ahead with regulatory plans for itolizumab in first-line treatment of patients with acute graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD), despite a phase III disappointment. Shares of the La Jolla, Calif.-based firm (NASDAQ:EQ) closed March 27 at 46 cents, down 29 cents, or 39%, on top-line data from the Equator study testing itolizumab, which is designed to target the CD6-ALCAM signaling pathway.
Elypta AB’s urine-based test correctly identified 90% of patients whose kidney cancer had returned, according to results from an ongoing study. The company’s metabolism-based liquid biopsy platform, which measures glycosaminoglycan biomarkers to detect cancer-specific signatures and uses algorithms to deliver clinically useful scores, could transform the lives of patients with kidney cancer.
Acrivon Therapeutics Inc. provided updated phase II data for checkpoint kinase candidate ACR-368, highlighting promising response rates for biomarker-positive patients with endometrial cancer and raising the possibility of an accelerated pathway in the second-line setting.