New interim data from Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. and Genetx Biotherapeutics LLC’s phase I/II study of GTX-102 in Angelman’s syndrome didn’t do much to bolster investor confidence, as Ultragenyx shares sagged considerably July 19. The Novato, Calif.-based company’s stock (NADAQ:RARE) closed 13% downward at $52.89 per share. That is nearly half the price shares fetched in late August. At $102.40 per share, that was the stock’s highest value in the past 12 months.
Recently launched and relatively small Avista Therapeutics Inc. has just cut a deal with comparatively massive Roche Holding AG that could bring the new Pittsburgh-based company more than $1 billion. Avista’s single cell adeno-associated virus (AAV) platform will be used to develop intravitreal AAV capsids that match a Roche-defined capsid profile. Roche will evaluate and license Avista’s capsids and conduct the preclinical, clinical and commercialization work for the gene therapy programs.
Ophthalmic and microsurgery device maker Carl Zeiss Meditec AG is investing in regenerative medicine startup Precise Bio Ltd. to jointly develop 4D bio-fabricated corneal transplants for diseases that require endothelial keratoplasty and natural lenticule transplants. Under the terms of the agreement, Carl Zeiss Meditec will lead a series B financing round in Precise Bio and fund development of two cornea transplant products.
Microbiome specialist Enterome SA has out-licensed its lead human hormone mimetic, EM-1010, to Nestlé Health Sciences SA, in a deal that underlines the potential of its approach to generating novel drugs from proteins expressed by gut bacteria. EM-1010, the first program derived from Enterome’s Endomimics platform, is an orally available molecule that acts by promoting local release of interleukin 10 in the gut, with the aim of reducing inflammation. It is in development for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and food allergies and due to enter clinical trials in 2023.
Illumina Inc., of San Diego, is struggling to complete the regulatory side of its acquisition of Grail Inc., of Menlo Park, Calif., thanks in part to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s (FTCs) ongoing review of the transaction. However, Illumina is also facing stiff winds in Europe where the General Court of the European Union rejected the company’s bid to push the deal through despite the opposition of the European Commission (EC).
Reflexion Medical Inc. entered into a nonexclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Mirada Medical Ltd., allowing Mirada’s Redengine image registration algorithms to be integrated into Reflexion’s X1 treatment planning software. The algorithms align a patient’s anatomy between distinct imaging modalities or between radiotherapy treatments.
Theravance Biopharma Inc. inked a definitive agreement with Royalty Pharma potentially worth more than $1.5 billion to sell through a subsidiary, Theravance Respiratory Co. LLC, its 85% interest in royalty rights to Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol, GSK plc), a once-daily, single-inhaler triple therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
Medtronic plc has entered a strategic collaboration with Cathworks Ltd. to expand the reach of Cathworks’ artificial intelligence (AI) guidance system for coronary artery disease management. Medtronic will invest up to $75 million and immediately begin co-promotion of the Ffrangio system on the U.S., European and Japanese market. As part of a separate agreement, Dublin-headquartered Medtronic will have the option to acquire Cathworks once certain undisclosed milestones are met.
Merck & Co. Inc. has snagged a $290 million development and marketing deal for Orion Corp.’s potential oral prostate cancer drug, ODM-208, which aims to suppress production of hormones that drive this form of cancer.
Clinical analytics company Medial Earlysign Ltd. is expanding an existing partnership with Roche Holding AG to commercialize an artificial intelligence (AI) solution for the early detection of lung cancer. The companies originally signed an agreement in September to develop a personalized health solution for early detection of gastric cancer. The goal of the new collaboration is to develop Earlysign’s Lungflag software, which uses machine learning to identify patients at risk of developing lung cancer.
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