The already intriguing IL-2 pathway as a therapeutic target gained still more traction after San Francisco-based Nektar Therapeutics Inc. unveiled melanoma data with bempegaldesleukin (bempeg), its CD122-preferential agent in the class.
New York-based Hookipa Pharma Inc.’s positive interim data from a phase II study with what could become the first approved cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine, HB-101, lifted shares (NASDAQ:HOOK) to a high of $13.25 early in the day but the price leveled off later to close Nov. 30 at $11.60.
Data from a newly published case series underscores the effectiveness of Cytosorbents Corp.’s blood purification technology in treating critically ill COVID-19 patients.
Clinical updates, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Aim, Ascentage, Celltrion, Equillium, Inmed, Karyopharm, Medicinova, Urovant.
LONDON – Efficacy data for Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine held steady at 91.4% in the second interim analysis, conducted after 39 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in 18,794 volunteers, seven days after they received the second dose.
HONG KONG – Final results of Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.’s phase III open-label extension study of Takhzyro (lanadelumab) showed that continued treatment with the monoclonal antibody may help with the long-term prevention of hereditary angioedema attacks.
PERTH, Australia – Sydney-based Imugene Ltd.’s stock shot up 15% on news that an interim analysis of phase II data in its B-cell peptide vaccine, HER-Vaxx, in advanced gastric cancer showed positive survival data, and the data monitoring committee said it could lower the number of patients required for study completion.
LONDON – A third COVID-19 vaccine has turned in positive results in the phase III interim analysis, with Astrazeneca plc/Oxford University reporting an average of 70.4% efficacy across two dose regimens for AZD-1222. Significantly, efficacy increased to 90% in the prime-boost arm of the trial, in which volunteers received half a dose, followed by a full dose. In addition to greater protection, that will make supplies go further.