Octant Inc. has received a $4.9 million grant from the Gates Foundation to support a new therapeutics program focused on human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers. The initiative will develop affordable, broad-spectrum, small-molecule antiviral drugs designed to disrupt the interaction between hundreds of variants of the HPV E6 protein and the tumor suppressor protein p53.
Philochem AG’s ligand-targeting approach drew to the table Bristol Myers Squibb Co. in a potential $1.35 billion agreement granting BMS subsidiary Rayzebio Inc. exclusive worldwide rights to OncoACP3, a diagnostic and therapeutic candidate targeting prostate cancer.
3Sbio Inc. reported interim phase II study results of its PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, SSGJ-707 – a “fabulous” asset, according to Pfizer Inc. CEO Albert Bourla, that landed in Pfizer’s cancer arsenal via a potential $6 billion deal in May, of which $1.2 billion was paid up front.
A Raythera Inc. patent describes tyrosine-protein kinase JAK2 (V617F mutant) inhibitors or degraders reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Loss-of-function variants in the ELP1 gene are the most prevalent predisposing genetic factors in childhood medulloblastoma, accounting for about 30% of sonic hedgehog medulloblastoma (SHH-3 subtype).
Investigators from Anthem Biosciences Ltd. have published preclinical characterization data on their histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor PAT-1102 for the potential treatment of cancer.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a type of cancer characterized by very poor prognosis and resistance to immunotherapy due to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, which includes extensive desmoplasia and a dense stroma.
Ligachem Biosciences Inc. signed two license agreements with Novarock Biotherapeutics Inc., a subsidiary of CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd., to bring in two of Novarock’s antibodies and create antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) candidates with novel cancer targets.