Equillium Inc. is forging ahead with regulatory plans for itolizumab in first-line treatment of patients with acute graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD), despite a phase III disappointment. Shares of the La Jolla, Calif.-based firm (NASDAQ:EQ) closed March 27 at 46 cents, down 29 cents, or 39%, on top-line data from the Equator study testing itolizumab, which is designed to target the CD6-ALCAM signaling pathway.
Transplanting an animal organ into a human is now a closer reality following the successful xenotransplantation of a genetically modified pig liver into a patient diagnosed with brain death in China. The operation was intended to evaluate organ function over a 10-day period. This is a complex experimental trial that did not involve removing the patient's liver and still requires further study. However, the positive preclinical results suggest this strategy could save the lives of those waiting for a human organ, at least in certain cases.
Taimed Biologics Inc.’s TMB-365/TMB-380 long-acting combination of broadly neutralizing antibodies regimen for HIV maintenance could reshape HIV treatment management, offering a viable alternative to daily combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), the Taipei-based company said after reporting on phase IIa results.
Astrazeneca plc is investing heavily in China, signing two R&D deals, worth up to about $8 billion in up-front payments and milestones combined, with Chinese companies Harbour Biomed Ltd. and Syneron Bio, establishing a joint venture with Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products Co. (Biokangtai) for vaccines, and creating a new R&D center in Beijing through another $2.5 billion investment.
Hillstar Bio came out of stealth mode, announcing a $67 million series A financing round with investors including Droia Ventures, Frazier Life Sciences, Novo Holdings A/S and Lifearc Ventures.
Dengue virus (DENV) is a member of the flavivirus family causing dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease that can be life-threatening. Despite DENV’s widespread presence in over 80 countries and the significant health burden posed by the infection, there is still a critical need for therapeutics and vaccines, with current treatment options only providing supportive care.
Asthma affects about 300 million people worldwide. Inflammation in asthma may drive irreversible airway remodeling due to subepithelial fibrosis, extracellular matrix degradation and increased smooth muscle cell mass levels, among others. In vitro and in vivo assays were performed to test MutT homolog 1 (MTH1) as a therapeutic target in allergic airway inflammation.
Hillstar Bio has successfully closed a $67 million series A financing round to support its development of next-generation precision immunology therapies for autoimmune diseases. The company’s approach selectively targets and depletes pathogenic immune cells with the potential to reset the immune system.
Astrazeneca plc is investing heavily in China, signing two R&D deals, worth up to about $8 billion in up-front payments and milestones combined, with Chinese companies Harbour Biomed Ltd. and Syneron Bio, establishing a joint venture with Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products Co. (Biokangtai) for vaccines, and creating a new R&D center in Beijing through another $2.5 billion investment.
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