Artiva Biotherapeutics Inc. raised $167 million through an upsized IPO, with funds aimed at the development of its lead AlloNK program for systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune indications. Just a few days ago, the San Diego based company had aimed to sell 8.4 million shares between $14 and $16 each, but it raised the number of shares offered to 13.92 million and lowered the price to $12 each. The upsize brings Artiva’s shares outstanding following the IPO to about 22.8 million, giving the company a market cap of $273.6 million based on the IPO price.

Autoimmune disease specialist Scirhom GmbH has raised €63 million (US$68 million) in a series A to take an antibody against iRhom2, an enzyme that regulates TNF-alpha secretion, into the clinic. The company has approval for a phase I trial in healthy volunteers that will start later this year, with plans for proof-of-concept trials in rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease to follow.

Two days before the PDUFA date, the U.S. FDA handed down a complete response letter (CRL) for Rocket Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s Kresladi (marnetegragene autotemcel), delaying potential approval of the lentiviral-based gene therapy as the first therapeutic option for leukocyte adhesion deficiency type I, a rare, inherited immune disorder. But the Cranbury, N.J.-based company has suggested that delay won’t be long, as the CRL requests only “limited” chemistry manufacturing and controls (CMC) information – additional CMC data were also cited as the reason for the three-month review extension earlier this year.

After a previous phase III failure, Savara Inc. kept at it and found success with molgramostim for the rare lung disease autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. A second attempt, the pivotal phase III Impala-2 study of molgramostim, an inhaled form of recombinant granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor for adults, hit its primary endpoint and left participants breathing easier. The results led Savara to say it would complete a BLA submission sometime in the first half of 2025, with filings in Europe and Japan to follow.

Argenx SE gained U.S. FDA approval of subcutaneously given Vyvgart Hytrulo (efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase-qvfc) for adult patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). The company’s stock (NASDAQ:ARGX) was up 11.7% to $440.59 at the close of trading June 24. About 24,000 people in the U.S. are being treated for CIDP, and patients are generally diagnosed between 40 and 60 years of age.

The adverse effects of PD-1 blockers on the CNS observed in cancer patients could occur through their effects on an enzyme that activates microglia. Pharmacological inhibition of the enzyme in mice reduced microglial activation and cognitive deficit without altering the antitumor capacity of the immunotherapy.