Ascletis Pharma Inc. has received IND clearance from the FDA for ASC-35, a once-monthly subcutaneously administered GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R)/GIP receptor (GIPR) dual peptide agonist, for the treatment of obesity.
Chinese peptide therapeutics developer Shaanxi Micot Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd. is seeking up to HK$1.22 billion (US$155 million) in a Hong Kong IPO to advance its lead phase III chronic kidney disease candidate, MT-1013, and next-generation obesity therapies.
Cenna Biosciences Inc. has obtained IND clearance from the FDA for 8M2D, a first-in-class peptide for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. A phase Ia/Ib trial of 8M2D in healthy volunteers and patients with early Alzheimer’s disease is expected to begin dosing late this year.
Chinese peptide therapeutics developer Shaanxi Micot Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd. is seeking up to HK$1.22 billion (US$155 million) in a Hong Kong IPO to advance its lead phase III chronic kidney disease candidate, MT-1013, and next-generation obesity therapies.
With full phase II results in hand, MBX Biosciences Inc. backers are stacking the odds of parathyroid hormone (PTH) peptide prodrug canvuparatide (canvu) against Yorvipath (palopegteriparatide} from Ascendis Pharma A/S, a PTH analog cleared by the U.S. FDA in August 2024 for hypoparathyroidism (HP).
In a repeat move, the U.S. FDA issued yet again a complete response letter (CRL) to Camurus AB for its subcutaneous extended-release injection drug CAM-2029 (octreotide) to treat the rare chronic growth disorder acromegaly. The drug, which expects to be branded Oclaiz in the U.S. upon approval, is called Oczyesa in the EU and the U.K., where it received marketing authorization in 2025.
Researchers from Verdiva Bio Ltd. and collaborators recently presented preclinical data on VRB-103, an oral amylin analogue, comparing its profile with those of cagrilintide and eloralintide, two subcutaneously administered analogues currently in clinical development.
Less than two months after Kailera Therapeutics Inc. made headlines with biopharma’s largest IPO to date, Parabilis Medicines Inc. has come along and surpassed it. The oncology-focused firm priced its upsized IPO of 3.5 million shares at $20 apiece for gross proceeds of $670 million, an amount that could rise to $770 million should underwriters exercise their full 5-million-share overallotment option.
Wuxi Apptec isn’t going down without a fight after the U.S. Department of Defense added it to the Section 1260H list June 8 as a designated “Chinese military company,” which makes it a “biotechnology company of concern” under the Biosecure Act. “Such designation is mistaken and baseless,” the global contract research, development and manufacturing organization said in an open letter to its life sciences partners. “We will pursue every available avenue to correct this mistake.” That includes appealing the designation.
GLP-1 receptor agonists remained center stage at the 2026 Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association with Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH and Astrazeneca plc, joining the leaders, Eli Lilly and Co. and Novo Nordisk A/S, in presenting data for their respective GLP-1 drugs.