Reneo Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s $93.8 million IPO last month brought renewed attention to primary mitochondrial myopathy (PMM), a genetic disorder that impairs oxidative phosphorylation, affecting mainly muscles. The San Diego-based firm sold about 6.2 million shares at $15 each, but the stock (NASDAQ:RPHM) has since taken a dive, closing May 19 at $8.83.
There’s been a change of plans. Following a preliminary review of briefing materials for a type C meeting, the FDA told Reata Pharmaceuticals Inc. that a pre-NDA meeting is instead the next best step in the development of omaveloxolone (RT-408) for treating Friedreich’s ataxia (FA).
Clinical updates, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Acceleron, Apeiron, Astrazeneca, Biomarin, CNS, Cytokinetics, Galapagos, Idera, Immunocore, Pfizer, Silence, Veru.
While the founder of Woebot Health says that the app is not intended to replace human therapists, for the majority of the world who cannot locate an available psychologist or afford one once found, Woebot aims to offer a “radically accessible” option for mental health care.
Percutaneously implanted devices designed to seal off the left atrial appendage (LAA) have been around for some time, but a recent study of surgical closure of the appendage might have a beneficial effect on sales of these devices despite that the study did not deal directly with these devices. The results were compelling enough to provoke a halt to the study before all patients had reached the projected term of follow-up, and at least one observer said it may be time to study whether more routine use of devices for percutaneous LAA closure is indicated.
Two-year results from the Evolut Low Risk Trial show Medtronic plc’s Evolut transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is noninferior to open-heart surgery in younger, healthier aortic stenosis patients. Moreover, the Evolut cohort fared better on certain critical events. Specifically, two-year rates of all-cause mortality or disabling stroke were 4.3% for TAVR patients vs. 6.3% for those undergoing surgical aortic valve repair (SAVR).
DUBLIN – Bergenbio ASA joins an expanding list of companies whose candidate drug has failed to attain the primary endpoint of a clinical trial in COVID-19.
Clinical updates, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Amarin, Apnimed, Bergenbio, Catalyst, Cybin, GSK, I-Mab, Leo, Medicago, Metacrine, Mustang, Novo Nordisk, Realta, Roche, Sarepta, Seven and Eight, Shield.
To accelerate drug development targeting the pandemic, the FDA issued final guidance May 17 on master protocols for drugs intended to prevent or treat COVID-19 infections. Although the guidance is geared toward developing COVID-19 drugs, the FDA said it expects master protocols to continue to play an important role in addressing the public health needs in future pandemics.
As investors await interim data this quarter from Arcus Biosciences Inc.’s ARC-7 phase II effort with domvanalimab (AB-154) in non-small-cell lung cancer, the anti-TIGIT space continues to bubble, with Wall Street busy trying to sort out the odds of various players.