PERTH, Australia – Startup Currus Biologics Pty Ltd. has launched with a AU$10 million (US$7.5 million) series A round with the mission of improving the success of CAR T-cell therapies against solid tumors such as breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancers.
Shares of Sensei Biotherapeutics Inc. (NASADQ:SNSE) fell 16% to $9.10 on June 29 after an announcement by President and CEO John Celebi that the antigen display technology used in its prior lead candidate, SNS-301, "is suboptimal for use in an active cancer vaccine." A phase I/II trial evaluating it will be discontinued, he said. Now, work on a next-generation vaccine, SNS-401-NG, and the monoclonal antibody SNS-VISTA will take precedence in a portfolio reprioritization at the company, with IND-enabling studies for the anti-VISTA program planned to start by the end of 2021 and for the next-gen vaccine in second half of 2022.
Swiss biotech Polyphor AG is facing an uncertain future after a pivotal phase III study of the company’s balixafortide in HER2-negative breast cancer showed the drug did not improve response rates compared with standard therapy alone.
RSS
