Preliminary results from a phase II study of Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s oncolytic peptide for basal cell carcinoma showed half of the participants had lesions reach complete histologic clearance with no tumor cells left behind. Those who still had tumors saw them shrink 71%. Every participant that received the treatment had a tumor-size reduction of 86%.
China’s National Medical Products Administration cleared Ascentage Pharma Group Corp. Ltd. to begin a registrational phase III trial of its BCL-2 selective inhibitor lisaftoclax (APG-2575) in combination with azacitidine for first-line treatment of newly diagnosed patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome.
Hainan Simcere Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has patented E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase CBL-B (CBLB) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Yarrow Therapeutics Inc. has divulged antibody-drug conjugates comprising antibody or antigen binding fragments covalently linked to ecteinascidin derivatives through linkers reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Chengdu Chipscreen Pharmaceutical Ltd. has discovered Werner syndrome ATP-dependent helicase (WRN; RECQ3; RECQL2) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Medigene AG has provided a pipeline update in its half-year report for the first half of 2024. The company, which develops T cell receptor (TCR)-guided therapies for the treatment of cancer, confirmed for following positive EU and U.S. preliminary regulatory interactions, is on track for filing an IND in Q3 and a CTA in Q4 of 2024 for its lead candidate MDG-1015.
Cidara Therapeutics Inc. announced in its Q2 filing that it received IND clearance for its drug-Fc conjugate (DFC) immunotherapy CBO-421 in July of 2024.
Data from an interim analysis have convinced Syros Pharmaceuticals Inc. to stop enrollment in its phase II study of treating newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and retinoid alpha receptor agonist gene overexpression. Analysts seemed unconcerned about the repercussions for Syros’ phase III study in myelodysplastic syndrome.
Merck & Co. Inc. is acquiring Curon Biopharmaceutical Ltd.’s bispecific antibody CN-201 that targets CD3 and CD19 for B-cell associated diseases, for up to $1.3 billion. Under the terms of the deal, Merck (known as MSD outside of North America) through a subsidiary will acquire full global rights to CN-201 for an up-front payment of $700 million in cash. Curon is also eligible to receive up to $600 million in development and regulatory-based milestone payments. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2024.
Cullinan Therapeutics Inc. terminated development of Harbour Biomed Holdings Ltd.’s bispecific B7H4 x 4-1BB immune activator, CLN-418 (HBM-7008), after reviewing phase I data.
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