Eli Lilly and Co. gained more oomph in its weight-loss battle with Novo Nordisk A/S, as the firm highlighted another batch of results from Surmount-5, a phase IIIb open-label trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of Zepbound (tirzepatide), a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist compared to the Novo prospect Wegovy (semaglutide), a mono GLP-1 receptor agonist, in adults with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related medical problem and without diabetes.
Abnormal aggregation of α-synuclein is thought to contribute to the pathology of Parkinson’s disease, the second most frequent neurodegenerative disorder. Therefore, developing drugs that prevent such aggregation could be effective for slowing or even preventing the disease.
Bioxodes SA is gearing up fundraising for a follow-up study to the newly released interim phase IIa results of its lead asset in preventing secondary damage after an intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke. Data from the first 16 patients in the phase IIa study show BIOX-101 hit its primary safety and secondary endpoints in an indication that has no approved treatment.
Oral peptide delivery specialist Cyprumed GmbH is about to find out if the high bioavailability of its tablet formulations seen in animal models will translate across to humans, after signing a $493 million license and option agreement with Merck & Co. Inc.
At the recent European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) meeting in Vienna, Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics LLC presented data on the neutralizing antibody responses of LHNVD-202, an unconjugated composite peptide vaccine.
Oral peptide delivery specialist Cyprumed GmbH is about to find out if the high bioavailability of its tablet formulations seen in animal models will translate across to humans, after signing a $493 million license and option agreement with Merck & Co. Inc.
FK506-binding protein-like (FKBPL) is an immunophilin protein family member with critical functions in physiological and pathological angiogenesis. Its therapeutic peptide derivative AD-01, currently a preclinical peptide candidate, targets angiogenesis via CD44. AD-01 acts both as a vascular stabilizer and an anti-inflammatory agent under pro-inflammatory conditions.
The latest obesity contender, Antag Therapeutics A/S, has dosed the first participants in a phase I trial of a glucose-dependent insulinotrophic polypeptide (GIP) agonist it said will address key gaps in the current treatment options, not least the gastrointestinal side effects seen with GLP-1 agonists.
French biotech Pep-Therapy SAS is in the midst of raising a €20 million (US$21.62 million) round and, at the same time, prospecting for potential partners after winning FDA orphan drug designation for its bifunctional peptide Pep-010 in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Pep-010 currently is moving to the conclusion of a phase Ib trial and the new money will fund phase II development.
Building upon its already impressive obesity drug portfolio, Novo Nordisk A/S has licensed a triple agonist of the receptors for GLP-1, GIP and glucagon from United Biotechnology Co. Ltd. China-based United is getting $200 million up front and the chance to earn up to $1.8 billion in milestone payments. United Biotechnology retains the rights to subcutaneously administered UBT-251, which is in the early stages of development for treating obesity, type 2 diabetes and other diseases, in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan while Bagsværd, Denmark-headquartered Novo get exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize the triple agonist receptor across the rest of the world.