CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. on May 30 disclosed that the company was engaged in ongoing negotiations with unnamed, independent third parties regarding three license deals and collaborations that could total up to $5 billion combined.
Facing erosion of its mighty Eylea (aflibercept) franchise and near-term loss of exclusivity with Dupixent (dupilumab), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. took a blow as one of two phase III trials with IL-33-blocking monoclonal antibody itepekimab failed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Tarrytown, N.Y.-based firm’s shares (NASDAQ:REGN) closed May 30 at $490.28, down $115.11, or 19%. Partner Sanofi SA, of Paris, saw its stock (NASDAQ:SNY) dip somewhat, too, and ended at $49.37, down $2.98. Cantor analyst Carter Gould opined that the latest news “all but [ruled] out a path forward short of a new study” with the compound.
Rhinovirus (RV) infection is among the most common respiratory infections causing exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. The high antigenic diversity of RV is a barrier to the development of effective cross-protective vaccines for RV infection.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has commenced IND-enabling studies with BD-9, a dual-specific multibody targeting thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and interleukin-13 (IL-13). By simultaneously blocking two key drivers of TH2-driven inflammation, BD-9 has the potential to improve outcomes for patients with conditions such as atopic dermatitis and asthma.
Activation of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor may be therapeutically useful against acute lung injury by suppressing expression of pro-inflammatory genes.
Aging and chronic conditions are risk factors for mortality in patients with pneumonia. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is a recognized biomarker of vascular inflammation, where high levels of Lp-PLA2 have been found in the plasma of patients with several chronic conditions such as chronic kidney disease or diabetes.
Enanta Pharmaceuticals Inc. has described 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 13 (HSD17B13; 17β-HSD13) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of liver (hepatocellular carcinoma) cancer, cirrhosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and nonalcoholic or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (NASH/MASH).
Interleukin-4 receptor α (IL-4Rα), a shared receptor subunit for both IL-4 and IL-13, along with thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), are key drivers of the type 2 inflammatory cascade involved in asthma and other inflammatory disorders.
Nearly half of the world’s population suffers from allergic rhinitis, meaning that when they inhale allergens from the air, IgE becomes activated and induces paroxysmal sneezing, runny nose and nasal itching. Several types of drugs are currently used to manage the condition, including antihistamines, corticosteroids and antagonists of the leukotriene receptor; but some are associated with side effects.