Agonists of immune checkpoint modulators for treating autoimmune and inflammatory disorders have shown high potential in immunotherapy. P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1) is known to exert immune checkpoint regulator functions in T cells aside from its classic role as an adhesion molecule involved in leukocyte trafficking.

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.

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.

Cue Biopharma Inc. has received pre-IND feedback from the FDA to discuss the proposed development plan for CUE-401, its lead autoimmune asset. Based on FDA feedback, the company intends to file an IND pending completion of final IND-enabling studies.

In recognition of the fact that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are necessary prerequisites for precision medicine, the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) announced the launch of a DEI Hub at its 11th Congress, which is being held in Helsinki through June 24. “We know now that when we talk about personalized medicine, we have to understand that talking about stroke, for example, in a woman is different than talking about stroke in a man,” EAN president Elena Moro told the audience at the opening session of the conference.

The U.S. FDA clearance June 16 of CSL Behring LLC’s humanized anti-factor XIIa monoclonal antibody garadacimab (CSL-312) to prevent hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks juiced up the space in which – although other therapies are available as well – developers continue working on new prospects.

Four biotech companies from South Korea announced new or planned financings mid-June, including GC Genome Corp. Rznomics Inc., G2Gbio Inc. and Mezzion Pharma Co. Ltd. Six major mid-June deals included R&D pacts between Y-Biologics Inc. and Crosspoint Therapeutics, Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Salipro Biotech AB, Next & Bio Inc. and GC Cell Corp., Galux Inc. and Hanall Biopharma Co. Ltd., Celltrion Inc. and Onconic Therapeutics Inc., and SK Plasma Co. Ltd. and Aimedbio Inc.

Researchers from Lifordi Immunotherapeutics Inc. have developed a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) called LFD-200 that aims to selectively deliver a potent glucocorticoid (GC) payload directly to immune cells. This strategy may potentially offer a new way to treat autoimmune and inflammatory conditions while minimizing systemic toxicity.