Biocom California’s most recent edition of its Let's Talk About series covered the future of women’s health. The panel of executives from companies and investors in women’s health were frustrated about the state of funding for the space. “Only about 1% of health care R&D dollars go [specifically] to women’s health outside of oncology,” Jenn Kiang, director of corporate affairs and development at Daré Bioscience Inc. told the audience. But the opportunity is huge, she said.
The third of three late-stage studies from Bayer AG in treating menopausal symptoms with elinzanetant has produced positive data for a nonhormonal treatment. Women looking for a nonhormonal option specifically for vasomotor symptoms, more often called hot flashes, will find few choices.
With full approval from the U.S. FDA in hand for Travere Therapeutics Inc.’s Filspari (sparsentan) to slow kidney function decline in adults with primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN) who are at risk of disease progression, eyes turned to future prospects as well as how a revised risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) program might shake out. During a conference call hosted by Travere, Leerink analyst Joseph Schwartz wanted to know what changes might be made, and if the regulator’s decision might “actually be an entire removal” of the REMS.
There was more juice to be extracted from the grape that was the very successful Chinook Therapeutics Inc., so two investors have decided to make the most of it. Novartis AG and Versant Ventures have launched Borealis Biosciences Inc. from Chinook’s remnants to develop RNA therapies for treating kidney disease.
The U.S. FDA has granted accelerated approval to Novartis AG’s Fabhalta (iptacopan) for reducing proteinuria in adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) at risk of rapid disease progression. The approval strengthens the company’s renal disease presence as it puts two other IgAN treatments through clinical trials.
Investigators at the University of Edinburgh have identified a genomic location linked to sensitivity to gabapentin in individuals with idiopathic chronic pelvic pain.
Researchers from University of Washington presented the discovery of novel bumped kinase inhibitor (BKI) derived compound (BKIDC), BKIDC-1553, being developed for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Renalys Pharma Inc. completed a ¥6 billion (US$38.199 million) series A round that will enable it to complete a phase III trial for sparsentan for immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) in Japan. Tokyo-based Renalys in-licensed rights to sparsentan in January 2024 from Travere Therapeutics Inc. to develop the compound in Japan and 13 Asian countries to treat IgAN, a rare kidney disease.
About four months after varoglutamstat failed in Alzheimer’s disease, Vivoryon Therapeutics NV disclosed data from the Viviad phase IIb study with the same compound in kidney disease that provided cause for hope – and Anne Doering, chief financial officer, said the new data “reinforce our strategic shift.”
Renalys Pharma Inc. completed a ¥6 billion (US$38.199 million) series A round that will enable it to complete a phase III trial for sparsentan for immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) in Japan. Tokyo-based Renalys in-licensed rights to sparsentan in January 2024 from Travere Therapeutics Inc. to develop the compound in Japan and 13 Asian countries to treat IgAN, a rare kidney disease.