The sodium-dependent phosphate transport protein 2b (NaPi2b), encoded by the SLC34A2 gene, is highly overexpressed in high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer while exhibiting minimal expression in normal adult tissues, making it a relevant tumor-associated antigen and a promising target for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. has reported progress in its AI-driven KT-5000AI program, advancing the development of precision ATR (ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related) inhibitors designed to disrupt the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway in cancer cells. Through its collaboration with Variational AI Inc., Rakovina has evaluated a vast chemical space of potential molecular structures using Variational’s AI Enki platform to identify novel compounds
Cooler Heads Care Inc. closed an oversubscribed series A, raising a cool $11 million for Amma, its portable scalp cooling system that reduces hair loss during chemotherapy. The new funds will facilitate expanded access to Amma, which is available to patients through infusion centers.
Plexāā Ltd. recently raised $4.5 million to support the upcoming U.S. launch of Bloom43, its wearable device that helps patients prepare for breast cancer surgery and reconstruction by using a technique called supraphysiological preconditioning.
Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd. agreed to fully acquire Lanova Medicines Ltd. by buying an additional 95.09% stake in Lanova at a valuation of up to $950.92 million. Considering Lanova’s estimated cash and deposit of $450 million, Hong Kong-headquartered Sino agreed to pay $500.9 million to Lanova on the date of the transaction, set to close within 30 days of all conditions being satisfied, or July 31, 2025.
Thirty-six biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device companies sought a capital raise on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in the first half (H1) of 2025, a review by BioWorld found. Of those, 34 companies were from mainland China.
Big pharma is increasingly shopping in China to fill its pipelines as it faces looming patent cliffs on major blockbusters coupled with growing pricing pressures on drugs. China’s out-licensing deals grew to represent 32% of global deals in the first half of 2025, according to a Jefferies report on China dealmaking.
SML Biopharm Co. Ltd. is harnessing mRNA technology to develop novel immunotherapy-based cancer vaccines, including two candidates for cervical and head and neck cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
There are a raft of problems the U.S. FDA wants resolved before Replimune Group Inc.’s BLA for RP-1 (vusolimogene oderparepvec) with nivolumab to treat advanced melanoma goes any further, all of which the company said are a surprise.