Rusfertide could become a blockbuster therapy for polycythemia vera, H.C. Wainwright analyst Douglas Tsao wrote March 4 after the injectable hepcidin mimetic peptide hit its primary endpoint and all four key secondary endpoints in the ongoing phase III Verify study.

Photys Therapeutics Inc. has signed a license agreement with Hangzhou Polymed Biopharmaceuticals Inc. for HPB-143, a phase I-ready IRAK-4 degrader. IRAK-4 degradation offers potential to treat various autoimmune indications, including atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurativa.

Ellipses Pharma Ltd. has agreed to in-license global rights to GENA-104, a first-in-class immuno-oncology monoclonal antibody that targets CNTN4, from Genome & Co. Ltd. Targeting CNTN4 is a new approach that blocks the CNTN4-APP checkpoint interaction on T cells, promoting tumor cell killing, with potential use in cancers that respond poorly to conventional checkpoint inhibitors.

Immvention Therapeutix Inc. has entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Novo Nordisk A/S to co-develop oral therapies for sickle cell disease and other chronic conditions.

Arrivent Biopharma Inc. has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Lepu Biopharma Co. Ltd. for MRG-007, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) in development for gastrointestinal cancers.

Rappta Therapeutics Oy has signed an exclusive global license agreement with Springworks Therapeutics Inc. for RPT-04402, a first-in-class molecular glue of specific protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) complexes. Springworks will be responsible for global development and commercialization of RPT-04402, now named SW-3431, and expects to file an IND application by year-end.

Zai Lab Ltd. has entered into a new strategic collaboration and worldwide license agreement with Medilink Therapeutics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd. to use Medilink’s TMALIN antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) platform.