Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co. Ltd. and Coherus Biosciences Inc. have disclosed positive data from a phase III trial of the anti-PD-1 antibody toripalimab in combination with chemotherapy in China. Though already approved for several indications, they’re seeking to position it as a first-line treatment of advanced squamous or non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The final data largely confirmed interim findings from the study, first reported in August 2021.
Targeted radiopharmaceutical specialist Precirix NV has closed an €80 million (US$87.8 million) series B financing, enabling it to complete phase II development of CAM-H2, a potential treatment for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and gastric cancer. The round follows initial data showing there were no dose limiting toxicities in the first cohort of patients in the phase I/II trial, and a positive review from the safety committee.
Inxmed Co. Ltd. has raised $50 million in a series B round to support clinical trials of its lead candidate, IN-10018, for the treatment of multiple cancers in both the U.S. and China. Inxmed plans to use the funds to invest in trials of IN-10018, bring more stroma-targeting candidates into clinic trials, and improve the firm’s R&D capabilities.
Prognomiq Inc. nearly doubled its fundraising to date with a new $46 million financing to further develop its multiomics platform to detect cancer and other complex diseases earlier in their development. The financing led by Bruker Corp. along with new investor Catalio Capital Management brought total funds raised $101 million since the company’s founding in 2020.
Myriad Genetics Inc. is launching a new suite of genetic tests designed for personalizing chemotherapy treatment. The Precise oncology offering includes Myriad’s precise tumor molecular profile test and two companion diagnostic tests, Mychoice CDx and Bracanalysis CDx. The company said the combination of germline, somatic and companion testing aims to maximize information for oncologists as they assign individual treatment plans. Results from each test are gathered as a single report accessed on an online portal.
By combining an activator of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax with an inhibitor of the anti-apoptotic protein BCL-XL, researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have been able to overcome resistance to apoptosis in both a wide range of cell lines and animal studies. The team reported its findings in the March 7, 2022, issue of Nature Communications.