China’s Genor Biopharma Co. Ltd. agreed to out-license GB-261, its bispecific antibody candidate primarily targeting B-cell lymphomas, to TRC 2004 Inc., a U.S.-based newco co-founded by Third Rock Ventures LLC and Two River Group Holdings LLC.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has disclosed antibody-drug conjugates comprising humanized monoclonal antibody targeting syndecan-1 (SDC1; SYND1; CD138) covalently linked to anticancer and/or cytotoxic agents through linkers reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Zeno Management Inc. has divulged GTPase KRAS (mutant) inhibitors (particularly, KRAS (G12C mutant)) reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Aligos Therapeutics Inc. has described programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1; PD-1; CD279)/PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1; CD274) interaction inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) and hepatitis B.
China’s Genor Biopharma Co. Ltd. agreed to out-license GB-261, its bispecific antibody candidate primarily targeting B-cell lymphomas, to TRC 2004 Inc., a U.S.-based newco co-founded by Third Rock Ventures LLC and Two River Group Holdings LLC.
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.
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.
The BioWorld Cancer Index (BCI) finished July down 3.94% for the year, maintaining its downward trend after reaching a high of 11.07% at the end of February and closing in March with a 3.92% gain. In comparison, the BCI underperformed the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index, which climbed 10.82%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which posted an 8.37% increase over the first seven months of the year.
Starg (Wuhan) Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd. has patented compounds acting as cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.