Researchers at GM Biosciences Inc. have reported developed a novel CD38xCD3 bispecific IgM T-cell engager IGM-2644 with 10 binding sites for human CD38 (Kd=0.27nM; measured by biolayer interferometry) and one anti-CD3 site (Kd=2.1nM) designed to reduce safety concerns.

Kronos Bio Inc. has entered into a discovery collaboration in the field of oncology with Genentech Inc., a member of the Roche Group, focused on discovering and developing small-molecule drugs that modulate transcription factor targets selected by Genentech.

Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. has filed a provisional patent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) pertaining to an anti-PD-L1 x anti-CD40 bispecific antibody, APVO-711, with the potential to treat a range of solid malignancies such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma and carcinomas of the lung, gastrointestinal tract and colon.

Aethon Therapeutics Inc. closed a $30 million series A round to develop a novel antibody-based therapeutic strategy for cancer, which relies on the concomitant use of small-molecule covalent inhibitors that form peptide-drug conjugates or beacons.

In the wake of ongoing criticism over the U.S. FDA’s 2021 accelerated approval of Biogen Inc.’s Alzheimer’s drug, Aduhelm, the percentage of novel drugs receiving accelerated approval last year was the lowest it’s been since 2018.