Stratosvir Ltd. aims to overcome the drawbacks experienced with oncolytic viruses, using technology based around vaccinia viruses that allow for a systemic injection and with a larger payload capacity. Stratosvir was started up by CEO Chris Ullman and co-founder Antonio Postigo in 2020 with funding from Cancer Research UK and the Deep Science Ventures, tasked with finding new ways of treating solid tumors.
The U.S. FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) took up the matter of Oncopeptides AB’s long-storied multiple myeloma (MM) drug, Pepaxto (melphalan flufenamide), and briefing documents ahead of the meeting – which provided little cause for optimism – proved predictive of ODAC’s vote. Shares of Oncopeptides (Stockholm:ONCO) have dropped more than 64% over the past five days as investor jitters worsened.
Guangzhou Henovcom Bioscience Co. Ltd. has identified new imidazole TGF-β receptor type-1 (TGFBR1; ALK5; SKR4; TβR-I) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, hepatic fibrosis, inflammation, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, diabetic nephropathy and renal disorders, among other disorders.
Shanghai Qilu Pharmaceutical Research and Development Centre Ltd. has described new serine/threonine-protein kinase PLK4 (STK18) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Levena Biopharma Co. Ltd. and Sorrento Therapeutics Inc. have synthesized antibody-drug conjugates consisting of auristatin analogues covalently linked to monoclonal antibody targeting B-cell maturation protein (BCMA) through a linker.
Kancera AB has shown that its Fractalkine-blocking candidate drug may increase the efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy and reduce tumor growth in animal models of ovarian cancer.
Emphasizing April’s vote of concern about the safety of PI3K inhibitors, the U.S. FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee said privately held Secura Bio Inc.’s Copiktra (duvelisib) is more of a hindrance than a help. The adcom voted 8-4 on Sept. 23 that it sees a detriment in overall survival (OS) and some other safety issues that were revealed in newly updated data for the cancer treatment. Approved in 2018 for treating adults with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma after at least two prior therapies, Secura argued that its data continue to show a statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefit in OS and also in progression-free survival.
Innocare Pharma Ltd. raised ¥2.92 billion (US$412 million) in a second listing on the Shanghai STAR Market. Its shares opened at ¥10.86 apiece, sliding 15.4% to close at ¥9.33 on the first trading day, Sept. 21. The company will use the proceeds to support cancer and autoimmune drug R&D, improve its drug development platform, build its sales network, and upgrade its information technology, said Chief Commercial Officer Jin Xiaodong.
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