Compugen Ltd. has entered another collaboration, this time exclusively licensing a preclinical antibody program against an IL-18 binding protein with Gilead Sciences Inc. Compugen will handle ongoing preclinical development and a phase I study of COM-503 to treat tumors, then Gilead receives to sole right to further continue developing the asset. Compugen is getting an up-front $60 million and is eligible for a $30 million milestone payment should the IND clear in 2024. Compugen also is eligible for $758 million in development, regulatory and commercial milestones, putting the deal value at $848 million.
Hemispherian AS has been granted NOK16 million (US$1.54 million) by the Research Council of Norway, which the company intends to use to support development of its drug candidates aimed at treating platinum-resistant ovarian cancers.
Sperogenix Therapeutics Ltd. has identified nitrogen-containing five-membered heterocyclic derivatives acting as checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Verastem Inc. has announced the nomination of an oral KRAS G12D inhibitor, VS-7375 (GFH-375), as the lead program from its discovery and development collaboration with Genfleet Therapeutics (Shanghai) Inc.
Kronos Bio Inc. has nominated a new development candidate, KB-9558, which targets the lysine acetyltransferase (KAT) domain of p300, a critical node of the IRF4 transcription regulatory network (TRN), which is a key driver in multiple myeloma.
Avstera Therapeutics Corp. has received FDA clearance of its IND application for HDAC6 inhibitor AVS-100. Avstera intends to initiate a phase Ia/b trial in the first half of 2024 to evaluate AVS-100 alone and in combination with pembrolizumab in locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors.
Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) is a key cell cycle pathway regulator involved in tumor growth and development. PI3Kα mutations in p110α subunit, H1047R and E542K/E545K are found in patients with several cancer types, including breast cancer and are targeted by approved drugs such as Piqray (alpelisib, Novartis AG).
Researchers from Insilico Medicine Inc. reported on ISM-5043, a novel KAT6A inhibitor aimed to be used for the treatment of refractory ER+ breast cancer.
Shares of Checkpoint Therapeutics Inc. dropped 44.8% Dec. 18 on news that the U.S. FDA issued a complete response letter (CRL), delaying potential approval of PD-L1 antibody cosibelimab in metastatic or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. The FDA had accepted in March the BLA, seeking use for treating patients who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation, setting a Jan. 3, 2024, PDUFA date.
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