Celldex Therapeutics Inc. will not advance barzolvolimab (CDX-0159, barzo) in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) after taking a look at top-line data from the ongoing phase II effort. The study met its primary endpoint, proving barzo’s efficacy in depleting mast cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but this didn’t improve symptoms of EoE – a chronic inflammatory disease of the esophagus – which means mast cells are not a primary driver. Hampton, N.J.-based Celldex noted that barzo did turn up a favorable safety profile.

Beijing Luzhu Biotechnology Co. Ltd.’s shingles vaccine LZ-901 outperformed GSK plc’s Shingrix (HZ/su) vaccine in a head-to-head phase III trial. A recombinant herpes zoster vaccine candidate independently developed by Luzhu, LZ-901 is the company’s core product.

A little-known tissue composed of a cluster of immune cells could offer novel insights into the development of neurological disorders. Meninges' immune system changes with age and neurodegeneration. Are they protecting the brain or fueling disease?

Fosun Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. subsidiary Fosun Pharma Industrial is out-licensing its phase II dipeptidyl peptidase 1 inhibitor, XH-S004, to newco Expedition Therapeutics Inc. in a deal worth up to $645 million. Under terms of the deal, Expedition gains global rights to rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize XH-S004, except in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Quantumpharm Inc., known as Xtalpi Inc., announced receiving $51 million up front from a potential $5.99 billion deal with Dovetree LLC on Aug. 6. The collaboration, first inked through a letter of intent between the two parties on June 23, will combine Shenzhen, China-based Xtalpi’s AI-based and robotics-driven discovery platform with Dovetree’s “biological insights.” The goal will be to select and validate potential first-in-class candidates for Dovetree across five areas of oncology, immunology and inflammatory diseases, neurological disorders and metabolic dysregulation.

Thirty-six biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device companies sought a capital raise on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in the first half (H1) of 2025, a review by BioWorld found. Of those, 34 companies were from mainland China.

After delaying a June PDUFA date, the U.S. FDA has approved Kalvista Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s Ekterly (sebetralstat) for hereditary angioedema (HAE) in those aged 12 and older. The plasma kallikrein inhibitor now joins a market with previously approved drugs for the rare, genetic, life-threatening condition, as well as other companies with HAE drugs in development. Ekterly is the first orally-delivered on-demand treatment, as all others in the U.S. are intravenously or subcutaneously administered.

Just a month after laying off 147 employees and announcing plans to mull “strategic alternatives,” Vor Biopharma Inc. reported raising $175 million in private placement in public equity financing and inking a new $4.23 billion license deal for Yantai Rongchang Biotechnologies (Remegen) Co. Ltd.’s telitacicept, a dual-target fusion protein drug approved in China for three autoimmune indications. The news was disclosed after U.S. market hours June 25. Vor’s shares (NASDAQ:VOR) gained 34 cents, or 60.5%, to close June 26 at 89 cents. The company’s shares had risen for eight consecutive trading days since June 17.

In recognition of the fact that diversity, equity and inclusion are necessary prerequisites for precision medicine, the European Academy of Neurology announced the launch of a DEI Hub at its 11th Congress, which is being held in Helsinki through June 24.