Shanghai Circode Biomed Co. Ltd. is set to begin clinical trials of HM-2002, a circular RNA (circRNA)-based drug for ischemic heart disease, having gained IND clearance in China Jan. 10 and the U.S. on May 30, Circode CEO Chenxiang Tang recently told BioWorld.
Immuno-oncology company Imugene Ltd.’s allogeneic, off-the-shelf CD19 CAR T, azercabtagene zapreleucel (azer-cel), has resulted in seven complete responses and three partial responses in a phase Ib trial in relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients, according to an interim analysis. The responses to date show a 75% overall response rate.
China’s National Medical Products Administration approved Ascentage Pharma Group Corp. Ltd.’s Bcl-2 selective inhibitor lisaftoclax (APG-2575) for treating adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma who previously received at least one systemic therapy including Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
China’s National Medical Products Administration gave the green light to Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.’s Enzeshu (suvemcitug) for treating recurrent ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or primary peritoneal cancer in combination with paclitaxel, liposomal doxorubicin, or topotecan in adults who have received at least one systemic therapy after platinum resistance.
Four days ahead of its July 7 PDUFA date, the U.S. FDA granted accelerated approval to Dizal (Jiangsu) Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.’s sunvozertinib (DZD-9008), branded as Zegfrovy, for treating adults with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor exon 20 insertion mutations following platinum-based chemotherapy.
Aussie researchers have used CRISPR gene editing tools to “armor” chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells to activate additional cancer-fighting proteins at the tumor site, enabling them to target cancer cells in solid tumors.
Innovent Biologics Inc. announced a HKD$4.3 billion (US$547 million) placement on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to advance its R&D projects and to fund its global expansion.
China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has accepted for review Carsgen Therapeutics Holdings Ltd.’s NDA for satricabtagene autoleucel (satri-cel, CT-041), an autologous CAR T candidate targeting Claudin18.2 for treating Claudin18.2-positive advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (G/GEJA) in patients who have failed at least two prior lines of therapy. Just one day earlier, Carsgen announced that it had submitted the satri-cel NDA to the NMPA.
Experts in mRNA convened at the Global Vaccine Forum (GVF) 2025 to weigh the present and future of vaccine technology, including emerging innovations in self-amplifying mRNA (sa-mRNA) and drug delivery platforms.
Taiwan’s Hanchorbio Inc. is out-licensing its breakthrough checkpoint inhibitor, HCB-101, to Shanghai Henlius Biotech Inc. in a deal worth more than $200 million.